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Tile Wall Bathroom Backsplash

DIY

This week I am sharing the starting project of what will be a long overhaul bathroom renovation in the basement! After deciding not to do a tile project out in the living area of the basement, I had a couple boxes of Bedrosian clay tile leftover. So I figured why not use it in the full bathroom down here. This is also the same tile I used in the basement kitchen to create the checkerboard backsplash, so this tile wall bathroom backsplash will tie together the two spaces very nicely.

For the checkerboard kitchen backsplash, I used a product called Musselbound. It’s basically like a really strong double sticker that allows you to tile without mortar or grout. I did a full tutorial on using Musselbound in that post, so head over there for the step-by-step process. This installation was the same process, but I will share a few tips I’ve picked up for tiling large wall spaces with Musselbound!

Tile Wall Bathroom Backsplash

Supplies:

White Cloe tile

Grout

Double Sided Adhesive Musselbound Tile Paper

Trowel

Mixer 

Drill

Tips for tiling large wall spaces with Musselbound:

Removing the quartz backsplash

Before starting on the tile wall bathroom backsplash you’ll need to remove the builder grade backsplash if you have one. Do not use a crowbar for this. Instead use a hammer and a putty knife. This method leaves you with minimal wall damage and makes patching much easier.

Paint over any drywall or patches

Walls need to be painted or primed before installing Musselbound. It will not stick to drywall or patched walls. I patched any areas that needed it before painting. Then I went ahead and painted the whole wall.

Applying Musselbound

Hang it like wallpaper. Work in vertical lines down the wall. Peel as you go. This prevents it from losing its stickiness. Use a razor blade to cut closely around any light sockets. And lastly, use the spacers that come with the Musselbound.

Lay out your tile

For any tile that has variations, such as this clay tile I’m using or natural stone, it’s best to lay out your tiles before installing them. The tile I am using is technically all white, but has variations that range from stark white to more of a light gray color. You don’t want to end up with too much of one color in one area.

Use a laser level

Most countertops are not perfectly level the entire length of it, so it’s important to make sure you’re starting off your backsplash with a perfectly level row. Line the top of your tiles up with the laser level line to ensure you’re keeping a straight line. And for the next row, be sure to start in the middle of the row to give the staggered look you’re going for.

Make all your cuts

Once I knew the size of the end tiles of the rows and the cuts I needed to make, I cut a bunch at one time. So that way I could be tiling while they were drying. Because with Musselbound, you can’t hang wet tiles. People make this mistake all to often and are then disappointed when the musclebound looses its adhesive. I REPEAT, DO NOT TRY AND HANG WET OR DAMP TILE. IT WONT WORK.

Make a stencil

Use the paper of the Musselbound to make a stencil to make trickier cuts a little simpler. I did this around the light sockets.

If you want more of a visual when it comes to installing the Musselbound and the tile, check out the reel below!

As I mentioned, this tile wall bathroom backsplash is just the first one in a whole, full blown renovation that I can’t wait to share with you! There’s more to come, so stay tuned!

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2 Comments

  1. Mysha, it’s lovely but I can’t stop staring at that floor tile!!!! Can you PLEEEEEASE share the tile details or what it is? I think I’m in love! I’m about to buy floor tile but this may be it instead.

    Thanks!

    1. I don’t remember the name of the tile but I did purchase it at floor& decor when we built our home 4 years ago. Hope that helps.

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