Out of all the DIY home projects, tiling is one of the ones we get asked about the most frequently. There’s something about a tiling project that just feels “easy” enough to tackle yourself. We’re putting “easy” in quotations because, though manageable, a DIY tile job takes practice (and plenty of patience). It’s where creativity and craftsmanship come together. So without further ado, grab your sense of confidence and a bucket of mortar because we're about to embark on a tiling journey that will have your friends asking, "Did you hire a professional, or are you really just that awesome?" (The answer is the latter, obviously.)
Out of all the DIY home projects, tiling is one of the ones we get asked about the most frequently. There’s something about a tiling project that just feels “easy” enough to tackle yourself. We’re putting “easy” in quotations because, though manageable, a DIY tile job takes practice (and plenty of patience). It’s where creativity and craftsmanship come together. So without further ado, grab your sense of confidence and a bucket of mortar because we're about to embark on a tiling journey that will have your friends asking, "Did you hire a professional, or are you really just that awesome?" (The answer is the latter, obviously.)
Out of all the DIY home projects, tiling is one of the ones we get asked about the most frequently. There’s something about a tiling project that just feels “easy” enough to tackle yourself. We’re putting “easy” in quotations because, though manageable, a DIY tile job takes practice (and plenty of patience). It’s where creativity and craftsmanship come together. So without further ado, grab your sense of confidence and a bucket of mortar because we're about to embark on a tiling journey that will have your friends asking, "Did you hire a professional, or are you really just that awesome?" (The answer is the latter, obviously.)
Out of all the DIY home projects, tiling is one of the ones we get asked about the most frequently. There’s something about a tiling project that just feels “easy” enough to tackle yourself. We’re putting “easy” in quotations because, though manageable, a DIY tile job takes practice (and plenty of patience). It’s where creativity and craftsmanship come together. So without further ado, grab your sense of confidence and a bucket of mortar because we're about to embark on a tiling journey that will have your friends asking, "Did you hire a professional, or are you really just that awesome?" (The answer is the latter, obviously.)
Out of all the DIY home projects, tiling is one of the ones we get asked about the most frequently. There’s something about a tiling project that just feels “easy” enough to tackle yourself. We’re putting “easy” in quotations because, though manageable, a DIY tile job takes practice (and plenty of patience). It’s where creativity and craftsmanship come together. So without further ado, grab your sense of confidence and a bucket of mortar because we're about to embark on a tiling journey that will have your friends asking, "Did you hire a professional, or are you really just that awesome?" (The answer is the latter, obviously.)
Out of all the DIY home projects, tiling is one of the ones we get asked about the most frequently. There’s something about a tiling project that just feels “easy” enough to tackle yourself. We’re putting “easy” in quotations because, though manageable, a DIY tile job takes practice (and plenty of patience). It’s where creativity and craftsmanship come together. So without further ado, grab your sense of confidence and a bucket of mortar because we're about to embark on a tiling journey that will have your friends asking, "Did you hire a professional, or are you really just that awesome?" (The answer is the latter, obviously.)
So, now you might be wondering, "Can I tackle this tiling thing myself?" The answer is… absolutely! With a little (read: a lot of) patience, determination, and a few YouTube tutorials, you can become a tiling pro. It's a manageable DIY project for those who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty (and maybe even their knees sore). Tiling jobs differ slightly depending on what exactly you’re tiling (floors, shower walls, backsplashes, etc.), but the crux of what steps you’ll take and what tools you’ll need remains fairly similar.
So, now you might be wondering, "Can I tackle this tiling thing myself?" The answer is… absolutely! With a little (read: a lot of) patience, determination, and a few YouTube tutorials, you can become a tiling pro. It's a manageable DIY project for those who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty (and maybe even their knees sore). Tiling jobs differ slightly depending on what exactly you’re tiling (floors, shower walls, backsplashes, etc.), but the crux of what steps you’ll take and what tools you’ll need remains fairly similar.
So, now you might be wondering, "Can I tackle this tiling thing myself?" The answer is… absolutely! With a little (read: a lot of) patience, determination, and a few YouTube tutorials, you can become a tiling pro. It's a manageable DIY project for those who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty (and maybe even their knees sore). Tiling jobs differ slightly depending on what exactly you’re tiling (floors, shower walls, backsplashes, etc.), but the crux of what steps you’ll take and what tools you’ll need remains fairly similar.
So, now you might be wondering, "Can I tackle this tiling thing myself?" The answer is… absolutely! With a little (read: a lot of) patience, determination, and a few YouTube tutorials, you can become a tiling pro. It's a manageable DIY project for those who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty (and maybe even their knees sore). Tiling jobs differ slightly depending on what exactly you’re tiling (floors, shower walls, backsplashes, etc.), but the crux of what steps you’ll take and what tools you’ll need remains fairly similar.
So, now you might be wondering, "Can I tackle this tiling thing myself?" The answer is… absolutely! With a little (read: a lot of) patience, determination, and a few YouTube tutorials, you can become a tiling pro. It's a manageable DIY project for those who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty (and maybe even their knees sore). Tiling jobs differ slightly depending on what exactly you’re tiling (floors, shower walls, backsplashes, etc.), but the crux of what steps you’ll take and what tools you’ll need remains fairly similar.
So, now you might be wondering, "Can I tackle this tiling thing myself?" The answer is… absolutely! With a little (read: a lot of) patience, determination, and a few YouTube tutorials, you can become a tiling pro. It's a manageable DIY project for those who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty (and maybe even their knees sore). Tiling jobs differ slightly depending on what exactly you’re tiling (floors, shower walls, backsplashes, etc.), but the crux of what steps you’ll take and what tools you’ll need remains fairly similar.
These are general steps to accomplishing a tile job, but depending on your exact job, there might be something outside of this list! Always read the manufacturer’s installation guidelines and ask questions if you are ever unsure.
Do yourself a favor and do your research thoroughly before purchasing tile for your project. Use our handy tile cards in this lesson to help you determine what type of tile might be best for your project.
Once you land on a tile (or tiles!) you love, you’ll want to figure out your layout. Our design software allows you to easily create a rendering of your space and move around tiles until you find the perfect match. Measure the area you want to tile, calculate the number of tiles needed, and purchase all the necessary materials. Don’t forget to clean your surface and make sure it’s prepped for tiling.
Here are some supplies you may need for your DIY: a level, tile cutter or wet saw, notched trowel, grout float and grout sponge, tile spacers, rubber mallet, tile file, bucket and mixing tools, safety gear, and cleaning materials.
Before you mix any of your mortar, you’ll want to think through how you will move in your space as you are working. There’s nothing worse than having to walk across the room to pick up tile or other supplies every time. Keep your supplies nearby.
If you’re installing your tile in an area that gets wet, you’ll need to lay backerboard before you get started. Backerboard is less likely to rot or mold, which makes it perfect for wet areas.
To get your mortar, you’ll need a mixture of cement, water, and fine sand. Starting from a corner, you’ll use a notched trowel to spread the adhesive on the surface, creating ridges to help with better tile adhesion.
Place your tiles down using tile spacers to maintain consistent gaps between tiles. You can adjust the tiles as needed for a clean and uniform look. Feel free to use a leveler or laser to guide you along the way.
Make sure to check out the grout instructions from your supplier. Using your grout float, push the grout into the gaps between the tiles at a 45-degree angle. There will be excess grout; don’t panic! Remove it with a damp sponge, working diagonally across the tiles. You might notice something called grout haze, which will come off with a damp sponge the more you wipe the tiles down (post-grout drying).
After the grout has been set for the recommended time, use a clean, dry cloth to buff away any grout haze from the tile surface. We always recommend sealing your tile to protect it over time.
There is a lot to be done within these steps, but hopefully, you now realize that it is possible! The final step in the process is to sit back and admire your newly tiled space. You did that!