So I’ve been knee-deep in this kitchen renovation for a while now, and we’ve finally hit one of my favorite parts — the fun stuff! I’m talking about backsplashes. Yep, that part of the kitchen that can totally change the whole vibe of the room. Whether you’re into something bold and colorful or subtle and sleek, backsplashes are the perfect way to show off a bit of personality.

And let me tell you — there are so many options out there. Metal, stone, ceramic, bold colors, neutrals — you name it. One of the best places I’ve found to shop for tile? Floor & Decor. They’ve got a massive selection, and I actually ended up getting everything I needed for my backsplash project from there. (Oh, and shoutout to Floor & Decor — this post is sponsored by them!)

The Tile Hunt Begins

Alright, so we took a little shopping trip to Floor & Decor to pick out some tile. And let me just say — the selection? Unreal.

They had full vignette displays so you could see what the tiles actually look like on a wall before committing. Super helpful. I was drawn to a few options right away — a cute small subway tile in a color I loved, a polished marble that was stunning (but a little too shiny), and finally… the winner: the same marble tile in a honed finish. It was a little more matte, matched my quartz countertops perfectly, and just looked chef’s kiss amazing.

While I was there, I also picked up this MuscleBound adhesive tile mat. I’ve used it before and really liked it, so I figured why not use it again?

Prepping the Wall

Okay, before you slap up your tile, you have to prep your space. First, I taped off the edge of the wall and the top of the countertop with blue painter’s tape. Then I added a piece of cardboard a few inches back from the wall — I didn’t want it right up against the wall because it would mess with the tile height. On top of that, I layered a moving blanket to protect the stove and countertop.

Then came the all-important wall wipe-down. You want that surface super clean so the adhesive sticks properly.

Time to Stick Up the Backer

The MuscleBound adhesive mat is great, but it takes some precision. I had help from my husband and son to get it just right. We measured out the sections from the countertop to the bottom of the cabinets (and to the ceiling in a few spots where the tile would go all the way up). It took a little time, but once it was up? Game changer. The actual tiling part goes so much faster.

Laying the First Row (and Why It’s So Important)

Listen up — if you take anything from this blog, let it be this: your first row of tile has to be 100% level. I’m not even exaggerating. If your first row is a little crooked, the whole wall is gonna end up looking wonky.

So I started with one tile, checked it with a level, then placed the second tile right next to it and checked again. I kept doing that across the first row, and thank goodness, it was perfectly even.

From there, I just kept building up. Every few rows, I checked to make sure everything was still level — and it was!

Tile Cutting Tips for Beginners

I used scissors to peel just a bit of the protective sheet off the adhesive as I went, which kept things neat. And I gotta say, subway tile is awesome for beginners. It’s just a bunch of rectangles, so there’s not a lot of weird cuts involved.

I did get a wet saw for the project, but most of my cuts were simple halves. If you’re new to tiling and want something straightforward, go with subway tile. Trust me.

Let’s Talk Timing

Laying the tile took me around 10 to 12 hours total, spread over two days. One thing I love about this adhesive is that you can walk away and come back to it the next day — no pressure.

Pre-Grout Sealer (Do Not Skip This)

Before grouting, I hit all the tiles with a pre-grout sealer. Floor & Decor has tons of options, and they’re really affordable. This step is key, especially if you’re using a darker grout. It keeps the grout from staining the tile. I sprayed the sealer on, let it sit for five minutes, then wiped it off with a microfiber towel.

Grouting Time!

I went with an unsanded avalanche-colored grout — perfect for small grout lines like mine. I followed the directions, mixed it up, and used a grout float to press it into all those little spaces between the tiles.

Hot tip: use a crisscross motion so you don’t miss any spots. After filling all the lines, I waited 20 minutes, then wiped everything down with a sponge.

And… confession time: I also used a toothbrush. Yeah, it sounds weird, but a soft toothbrush is perfect for getting dried grout out of the tiny spots a sponge can’t reach. It works so well!

Also, don’t forget to change out your water frequently so you’re not wiping dirty grout water all over your fresh tile.

Final Touches

After everything dried, there was a little film left on the tiles — totally normal. I just grabbed a microfiber cloth and wiped it off. Then I did one last round of sealing, this time over both the tile and the grout. Let it sit, wipe it off, and boom — done!

This step is especially important for me because my backsplash is behind the stove, which means spills and splatters are a daily thing. And I used white grout, so you know I want it to stay looking clean.

The Final Result

And that’s it! Honestly, as far as DIY projects go, this one is super doable. You’ll save a ton of money by doing it yourself, and the result is totally worth it. If a full backsplash feels intimidating, start with a small area — just give it a try.

One last thing: yes, the outlets still need to be properly reinstalled — don’t judge me! We’ll get there.

But overall, I’m so in love with this backsplash. The marble tile was the right choice. It pairs perfectly with my quartz countertops, and it just brings the whole kitchen together.

We’ve got the tall cabinets with crown molding, cabinet lights are installed, and I am OBSESSED with the gold pot filler right in the middle of the backsplash. It’s such a cool detail!

I’m almost done with the rest of the kitchen, so if you want to see the full reveal, make sure you’re subscribed. I’ll be doing a full kitchen tour soon — you won’t want to miss it!

Thanks for hanging out with me today. I hope this gave you the confidence to tackle your own backsplash project!