7 Tips for Tiling Your Kitchen with Subway Tiles
Subway tiles are a classic, timeless addition to any kitchen, especially if you're looking to give the space an overhaul and make it look more modern. We've recently fitted and decorated a brand new kitchen, from top to bottom, and that includes the subway kitchen tiles. We went for the longer ones in a classic white colour to make the kitchen space as bright as possible. But how did we lay them? We tiled the kitchen with subway tiles ourselves, so I thought I'd give you a few tips. Let's get into it, shall we?
1. Plan the layout before you start sticking them on
The layout of your kitchen tiles is important. You often can't start off with a full one, unless you've measured it and it works out evenly, which rarely happens. You need to have a clear plan for the layout of your tiles before you start sticking your subway tiles on the wall.
This is because it will massively dictate the overall look of the tiles once you've finished. Measure your backsplash area carefully and decide where your starting point will be. When we did it, we started with the centre of the walls and worked our way outwards. This helps to give a more balanced appearance around the oven, the sink and the windows.
2. Choose the colour, shape & size of the tile carefully
You might think that all subway tiles are the same, but that the colour changes. You couldn't be any more mistaken. Kitchen subway tiles come in a range of colours, sizes and finishes, with some being completely flat and others having some texture or a chamfered effect.
That's before we get into the different colours available on the market. We went into Wickes with the preconception that they'll have the basic colours, but there were so many more to choose from, including blues, pinks and greens, among the traditional white, grey and black colours.
It can be a minefield if you don't know what you're looking for, so design the kitchen first and then choose the tile colours, shapes and sizes afterwards. As well as different colours, subway tiles are also available in different sizes.
You can get some that are half the size (in length) as the ones we have chosen for our kitchen, but they you can also buy the super long ones, like we did, to make the room appear longer. The world is your oyster, but even the size of the tiles you choose can have an impact on the overall look of your kitchen once you're done. While choosing subway tiles might seem simple, it really isn't.
3. Consider the adhesive you're going to be using & apply it evenly
There are different adhesives on the market that can be used for subway tiles. You need to make sure you're choosing one that is suitable for wet areas, FIY. Also, you can buy pre-mixed or powder adhesive, which will need to be hand-mixed. Something to bear in mind here is that the tile adhesive will cure differently depending on the one you choose.
For example, one will cure with a chemical reaction and the other will cure due to air exposure. This will also dictate how the adhesive is applied. Make sure you read the instructions carefully on the packaging before buying and do your research. We used the pre-mixed adhesive, which is more expensive, but it's far more convenient and time-effective as a result. It's also not as messy.
4. Pay attention to edges & corners
The way in which you finish the edges will make a difference to the general look and feel of your subway tiles once they've all been stuck to the wall. You should consider using bullnose tiles, using metal trims for the raw edges (which is what we did) and perhaps adding caulking and sealant to get a clean, neat finish.
We have also sealed around the bottom of the tiles, up to the worktop, to make sure that water doesn't flow behind them, causing the tiles to loosen and for the worktops to blow. Not not to mention, it looks great, too.
5. Use tile spacers to get a consistent grout gap
Tile spacers will be your best friend when you come to actually stick them on the wall. You can get different sizes depending on how wide you want the grout gap to be. Just remember that the bigger the gap, the easier it will be to grout it.
BUT grout lines can be too big, so check the instructions on the packet of the grout you buy, because there is a maximum width that it will fill before cracking and falling out again. For reference, we went for a 2mm grout gap.
6. Use the right tools
Investing in the right tools will save you time and money. It will make it far easier, especially if you've never tiled before. Some of the things we used to make sure the job was completed to a high standard was a notched trowel, tile spacers, a spirit level and an electric tabletop tile cutter. To grout it, we used a specialist paddle and a proper grouting sponge to get the finish we wanted. You might also need a float to put your tile adhesive onto.
7. Think about the grout
It might sound like a relatively simple thing to buy, but tile grout can be as annoying to buy as the tiles themselves. This is because there are so many colours available. While you could go for a simple white grout, you can also buy light greys, dark greys, blacks and browns. You should look at your kitchen overall and decide which colour would look better with the tiles you've chosen and the colour of your cabinets. We went for a light grey grout which can be used in bathrooms.
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I hope you enjoyed this blog post and that you found it useful? Let me know in the comments below whether you have any other tips for grouting a kitchen with subway tiles and I'll see you all again soon with some brand new content.
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