I’m feeling 50/50 about this post. On the one hand, I installed a good chunk of our small subway tile backsplash. But on the other hand, well I was really hoping we’d be done the backsplash so we could finish up the rest of the kitchen. And yeah, I still have, hmmm maybe half left to do? Plus the grouting, ugh. Either way, let’s focus on the positive and I’ll share all the photos of what I have done so far!
Follow this kitchen renovation we’re doing for the Spring 2024 One Room Challenge! Check out the before photos, demolition and plans, priming/prepping, floor tiling, the Ikea cabinet installation and the laminate counter install.
And, if you’re following, you know we only have one week left to go for this ORC. This kitchen will not be done in time… (More details on what’s left at the bottom).
Let’s chat about the small subway tile backsplash though :)
First, I want to remind you that I chose these 2×4″ white subway tiles. I actually used the exact same ones in gray for my brother’s kitchen backsplash; and I like the smaller size. Typical subway tiles are 3×6 and you need to install them individually. Using the sheets should be quicker, and they’re going to make this tiny kitchen look bigger.
Alrighty, first thing I did (after receiving the tiles a teensy bit later than I anticipated) – was install the side piece. It’s the black metal stick on the left. Typically, you can install them into the mortar when you’re tiling. Or, you can screw it into the wall. I like that method because it ensures that it’s straight (we used a level) and that it won’t move as you go. For the location, I went with stud near the end of the counter – which was perfect.
Honestly, it couldn’t have worked out better since I ended up with almost a full tile at the ends. (With enough room to sneak the next wall’s tiles behind it). When I’m tiling, I like to mix small batches of mortar at a time, and this is as far as one little bucket took me.
Then, I continued with my next rows, always starting from the left where the tile edging was. The small subway tiles are on sheets of 6 rows, so it goes fairly smoothly once you have a groove going.
Unfortunately, I did get some slipping in the middle (where my lines became un-level) and I only noticed halfway through. I should have had my laser level working the whole time; but I’m hoping that the shelves will cover the worst of it.
Backsplash Around Corners
Once I completed my first full wall (with almost a full tile at the top the whole way!) I started working around the corner. I definitely used my laser level here to make sure my lines were continuing properly. The countertops are level, but there is always a bit of discrepancy on the sheets and with gravity, etc.
Essentially, I had gotten that far all in one big day. It was about 6 hours of work and a satisfying way to spend Mother’s Day :)
(I should mention that the kids were at our house with the Husband 😂)
The next day, I knew I’d have to keep my lines straight since I was going around the window and the pattern will need to join up properly on the other side. I prepped all my pieces, pre-cut a bunch on the wetsaw, went through the boxes to remove the sheets with broken tiles, etc. Honestly, the prep alone was around an hour.
Oh, and I also added the newly-painted window trim back up! I should have levelled it a bit better; (I installed it around where it used to be). So the tiles don’t necessarily follow the line of the trim.
And that light? LOL I was excited to get a quick project out of the way when it came in, but I must have knocked it over with my head a million times. Luckily it’s super light and swings around easily.
And here’s where we are now! I have to complete the window wall (going up to join the two sections) – then move to the oven wall and do the sections there. Finally, there’s one little section to the right of the fridge, but it’s not connected to anything else.
My main issue right now is figuring out where/if I’m going to have trim next to that cabinet. If so, the backsplash needs to end at the trim and I need to install it before I continue. If not, I can naturally end the backsplash where I want so it will be hidden.
In related/unrelated news, the living/dining room that we’ve been using as our reno zone is getting cleaner! I also moved the dishwasher semi-into place in the kitchen, and once the rest of my backsplash is done, those boxes on the floor will be cleared away.
About the One Room Challenge
Want to see more room makeovers? Visit the One Room Challenge blog to see all the projects this round. And, follow me on Instagram to see progress as it happens!
Follow this Kitchen Renovation
- Ready for our Next Renovation
- Kitchen Demo & Plans
- Clean Slate Before Reno
- Tiling Kitchen Floors
- Ikea Kitchen Installation
- Laminate Counter Install
- Here!
To Do List for Next Week
- Finish installing panels/doors + put knobs on
- Fix that wonky double-tile
- Microhood electrical + venting done
- Sink/faucet intake plumbing
- Finish backsplash
- Dishwasher plumbing
- Sink black (outtake) plumbing
- Top trim pieces (and side trim pieces?) + baseboards
- Floating shelves in
- Fridge + oven in place
- Paint walls
- Other house updates (cleaning, painting, minor electrical)
Yeah, I hate to burst the bubble – but not everything is getting done. Ideally, I’d have the backsplash completed, all the cabinet doors on with knobs. The faucet in place, maybe some appliances in place? Oh, and the shelves installed too. That way, it’s all the nit-picky things to finish (trimwork, possibly plumbing/things hidden behind cabinets) and we can at least get some photos of the kitchen for the reveal.
Because yeah… it’s a long weekend coming up in Canada and the Husband wants to spend it not working. Plus we have Airbnb renters in the basement and that means I can’t make a lot of construction noise…
But yes, the plan is to finish the backsplash before the long weekend, then focus my time next week getting doors up, knobs on, things cleaned, the kitchen photographed.
Shouldn’t be too hard? Right!? Right!? Ha, we’ll see how it goes :)
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