backsplash planning tips: what have you learned?

15 years ago

This just popped in my head as I have worked through my own backsplash planning and installation (DIY):

When it comes to your backsplash try lining the area with something like solid colored wrapping paper or tissue paper, in several shade renditions, to help inform you which way you might want to go, with light, med, or dark. Get this, I just put in a light marble mosaic, and I have a dark green painters paper over for curing purposes (per instructions) & I prefer the darker painters paper to what I put up!!!! I did a nice tile job too. Though, I am not taking it out, I will have to shift my ideas of deco.

Oh, and when you look at colors for intensity and balance with other elements, squint your eyes as you look. I was taught this by a paint saleswoman at a very fine woodworking retail store. It works. The squinting takes away the color in our vision but leaves the gray scale intensity. It really gives an idea with darkness and lightness without the added tricks that color can play on us.

Any other tips that might help someone?

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Comments (4)

dianalo
15 years ago
Tip 1: stop second guessing yourself after something is installed! Your bs, in particular, is awesome and will be copied many times by GWers who have seen it. You did a great job and will be so happy with it over time.
mpagmom (SW Ohio)
15 years ago
Thanks for starting this conversation. I'm looking forward to reading tips since I'll be at this phase soon enough.

I squint when looking at quilt fabrics together and I was just squinting last night when looking at paint chips with a countertop sample. It works!
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User
15 years ago
Math is important! It takes math to figure out how many square feet you have, how many cuts you will need to do, and how to create decorative focal points that work with your field body tile. The math portion is actually harder in many ways than the physical install of the tile. But figuring out a good layout is what separates a nice backsplash from a great backsplash. Even if you're "just" doing a simple field tile install with no elements, you still need to figure out how best to place those tiles for minimal cutting and maximum impact.

A corollary to the math is the cheat sheet to the math. :) Cut out paper representations of your tile size and arrange them by trial and error on your backsplash until you get the layout figured out. If you do this with colored paper close to your tile color, it will really help those who need visualization before they can commit.

Another tip for a successful installation is to take a long level and lay it across the area to be tiled. Mark any low or high spots on the wall. See exactly how straight the wall is before you begin to tile shop. If you have a very wavy wall, small tile will be more suited to install here if you're not looking to correct the wall's waves. If you are dead set on using 18"x24" glass tiles, then you at least have a road map of where you'll need to add wall compound before you start. Use the powdered stuff that you mix up and that sets by chemical reaction, not the "mud" in a bucket that most box stores will try to sell you. If you have a large amount of depth that needs to be filled, do it in multiple coats with some fiberglass mesh tape to help it all hold together properly.

Don't forget that you will most likely need box extenders for your electrical outlets on your backsplash. And cut your tile carefully around those holes. The screw holes for the outlets need to have some breathing room or the face plates won't sit correctly. If you get the paintable face plate covers, you can use a color copier to copy your tile and then decoupage it onto the face plates, making the outlet virtually invisible. And it's worth it for the wait and the hassle to special order the outlets themselves in a color that will blend in well with your backsplash. There's nothing more jarring than having ivory electrical outlets showing in a green marble backsplash. It's even more jarring if you take the time to match the cover plate. It's like two eyes, glowering at you!
enduring
Original Author
15 years ago
+ Great info GreenDesigns! Thanks.

+ Mpagmom I am hoping you get a good start on your tile, and heed what Dianalo (post just above yours)says:
"...stop second guessing yourself after something is installed!..."
She's absolutely right!

+ Hear that Dianalo, your absolutely right! Its grouted and now I have spent the day learning to love it! Just like that first newborn baby in a way. We do invest a lot of emotions into our plans and efforts.