How to tile a splashback

Protect your walls and turn your washbasin or cooking area into a focal point with a smart but simple tiled splashback

Want to know how to tile a splashback? With the huge range of tiles on offer, a tiled splashback behind the basin or stove can act as a style hero in your bathroom or kitchen, as well as offering a host of practical benefits, from its durability to protecting your wall from splashes and making the area easy to clean.

Related: Planning a bathroom – everything you need to know about designing your perfect washroom

Image credit: Jake Curtis

You will need:

Tape measure
Ruler
Pencil
Wall tiles
Tile trim
Spirit level
Tile adhesive
Notched spreader
Sponge
Bucket
Tile spacers
Ready-mixed grout
Grout spreader and finisher
Trowel

1. Work out the width

Image credit: Tim Young

Measure the basin’s width and mark the centre point on the wall – draw another centre point at the top of the area to be tiled, and draw a vertical line between the two. Work out the width of the splashback in whole tiles, plus spacers and edging strip. Lay out the tiles and spacers flat to work out the full width.

2. Line up & level

Use a spirit level to see if the basin is straight. Start by lining up the centre of the first tile with the centre line. If it’s not even, fix a horizontal batten above the basin to create a starting point. Centre it on the vertical line and position the top edge half a tile from the basin. Check it’s level.

3. Get stuck in

Spread adhesive in horizontal strokes, using a notched trowel. Working from the centre, place your first tile, pressing it firmly against the wall. Add a tile above it and one next to it, spacing them evenly and pushing them firmly into the adhesive. Continue until you’ve tiled the whole area, wiping off any stray adhesive as you go.

4. Fill in the gaps

Image credit: Jamie Mason

Put spacers into the corners between the tiles, adjusting tile positions as needed. Push them in firmly, flush against the wall so you can grout over them. When all rows are tiled and the adhesive has set, remove the batten (if using). Cut and fix the remaining tiles into the bottom gap.

5. Get the grout out

Starting bottom left, press a small amount of grout on to the face of the tiles using a trowel. Using a grout spreader, work it into the joints, in long, upward diagonal strokes. Once all the joints are grouted, immediately wipe the tiles with a slightly damp sponge to remove excess.

6. Wipe clean

As the grout hardens, use a grout finisher to neaten the joints. Let the grout dry. As it does, a powdery film will appear on the tiles – wipe with a soft, clean cloth.