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Hey friend! I’m Lena Taylor from Flipping Gorgeous, and I’m diving into one of the most satisfying kitchen upgrades you can do yourself: installing your own backsplash. Armed with nothing but determination, a budget-friendly wet saw, and a few hours of peace while the kids were out of the house, I gave my kitchen a major glow-up before my son’s birthday party!
✨ Materials I Used
• [Montauk Gin Tile](https://www.tilebar.com/montauk-gin-4…)
• [Unsanded Grout in Alabaster](https://amzn.to/3UvftZl)
• [Tile Trowel and Float](https://amzn.to/3r0kdZm)
• [RYOBI Multi Tool](https://amzn.to/3DSn91M)
• [Wet Saw](https://amzn.to/3UyR0ma)
• [Manual Tile Cutter](https://amzn.to/3C2lohw)
🛠️ Step-by-Step Guide
- ☐ Prep the Space: Use a multi-tool to trim molding so your tile can slide behind it. This makes everything look custom.
- ☐ Apply Thinset: I used pre-mixed thinset directly on the drywall. Apply it small sections at a time to avoid it drying out.
- ☐Place Tiles: No spacers needed between handmade tiles for that perfectly imperfect European look. Just use spacers at the bottom for alignment.
- ☐ Make Your Cuts: Use a wet saw or manual cutter. I used a wet saw to cut around electrical outlets and a manual cutter at night to avoid noise.
- ☐Grout Selection: Bright white grout didn’t give enough contrast. I switched to Alabaster and it made the tile pop without overwhelming it.
- ☐ Apply Grout: Use a float to spread unsanded grout (important for delicate handmade tiles), then sponge off excess after 30 minutes.
- ☐ Final Wipe Down: Go back over with a sponge and admire your work!
💡 Lessons Learned & Final Look
This project took around 10–12 hours over a few days. It was totally worth the time! My biggest advice is to take your time and test grout colors before fully committing.
The result is a gorgeous, hand-crafted looking backsplash that adds texture, charm, and just the right amount of contrast to my kitchen. And yes, I finished it just in time for the party!
