Installing This Cute and Colorful Backsplash Is Surprisingly Easy!

One Kings Lane

Want to spruce up your kitchen with some color and pattern? Megan Pflug, special projects editor at One Kings Lane, can show you how to transform your wall and create a gorgeous backsplash.

If you love the look of a patterned tile backsplash but not the options you're seeing, I have a suggestion: flooring! Sounds strange, but after discovering the Charleston, SC-based company Mirth Studio recently, I'm a total convert. Its signature wood tiles are a fresh riff on the traditional Moroccan cement tiles out there, can be sealed to make them more durable in high-moisture areas, and couldn't be easier to install yourself . . . in an afternoon! Intrigued? Keep reading for my step-by-step guide to the project.

Step One: Mix and Measure
One Kings Lane

Step One: Mix and Measure

I love the idea of mixing and matching a variety of designs for an update on an old-school look, so to get started, I picked out four patterns. I measured my space and ordered the correct number of each tile so my backsplash would run the width of the countertop and would be two rows high.

Step Two: Lay It Out
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Step Two: Lay It Out

Laying the tiles out on the floor will help you refine your mix-and-match design before you put it on the wall. One key tip is to remember to snap a pic with your camera or phone to help you remember the order you landed on. Before you install, apply a layer of protective sealant to the front of each tile to help block moisture.

Step Three: Go For It
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Step Three: Go For It

A liquid nail is a really simple way to adhere the tiles to your existing surface. The best part is, you don’t have to deal with mixing any special grouts or a messy cleanup. Simply start with the bottom row of tiles so it lines up with your countertop, and work your way up.

Tip: if you are a renter, you can try putting up the tiles with a new product I found, removable and extrastrong glue dots.

Step 4: Finish Up
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Step 4: Finish Up

Rather than go all the way up the wall with the tile, I decided to finish off the look of the backsplash (and provide a little storage) by installing a shelf along the top edge of the tile. It gave it a clean edge and balanced all that pattern with a healthy dose of white.