Tiling advise for laundry sink

8 years ago

Our laundry sink was an addition after the washer dryer got hooked up so now it’s in the middle of the room. I want to tile the back of the sink to the top cabinet to defend the walls from taking in some splashes. Very minimal use of the sink right now because I’m afraid of ruining the drywall. Would you tile just the back portion of the sink or tile the wall ( right to left) to include the area behind the washer and dryer. My tile guy suggest just the 6 sq ft behind the sink but I’m afraid it will look unfinished. Behind the washer dryer I’m thinking of stopping on the level of the height of the sink, not to go all the way to the bottom. What do you think?

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Junee Bug
Original Author

8 years ago

Here’s an update, quite happy with how it turned out. We decided to tile all the way down.

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Comments (23)

Rawketgrl
8 years ago
Here are several visuals for you. It is a laundry room so it will get some splashes but I wouldn't spend the cash to tile the whole wall that is overkill.

I think I would just cover the wall like in picture #1.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
simstress
8 years ago
I agree with Rawket Grl, keep the backsplash at the sink only. You should also look into a stainless drop-in sink with integrated backsplash -- I think this would be a cleaner option.
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Junee Bug
Original Author
8 years ago
Awww thanks rawket girl for the visual! Yes #3 and #4 is the what we are torn on. I don’t mind just doing #3 but my husband is saying #4 is good to do now just in case washer and dryer changes, like for an open top WD or without pedestal to utilize a countertop. I don’t plan on selling my house anytime soon of course. I think we can’t go wrong with either of the two. I also feel like it’s harder to tile a smaller area due to edges or bullnose/trim issue. Tiling it all the way to the wall would eliminate that issue? I’m going to look for tile and post but I’m thinking of a small 1x3 gray subway tiles. Or if I’m braver, a tile with pattern!
Rawketgrl
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
You are welcome Junee Bug. Here are some fun tiles;

https://www.houzz.com/products/1763x1763-jive-ceramic-floor-and-wall-tiles-set-of-5-prvw-vr~46759713

Look up Merola Tile at HD they have some fun patterns
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Skippack Tile & Stone
8 years ago
If your budget allows, option 4 or 5 look the best, they create a cohesive look to the space without chopping up.
tgb1
8 years ago
Not sure how nice you want to make this area - and I mean no offense at all - but we ended up just putting a piece of clear plexiglass there. It serves the purpose. Mind you I don't have a nice laundry room, just an old basement location....
Junee Bug
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks! Yes I think I will go with option 4! The room is bigger than the one on the picture, the area on the left of it we plan on adding more cabinets in the future, right now it’s just a temporary shelving unit. Now I will look for tiles.

Rawket girl, if I do the patterned tiles, how does one finish the corner of it without showing the color of the ceramic? There will be about 3 ft of edging from top of white cabinet to sink that will show. I guess if we probably buy the cabinets now I won’t have that issue.... hmmmm what to do.
Junee Bug
Original Author
8 years ago
Our tiles finally arrived. I was hoping this was going to be bluer or more teal but I see mostly gray which I actually ended up liking! I like that the repeat pattern is smaller and the tile itself can be laid out any direction without worrying about pattern design continuity. It seems to work out with my paint color and floor tiles too. What do you think? Originally I picked a crackled gray subway tile but thought I could use some pattern in the laundry room.
Junee Bug
Original Author
8 years ago
What grout color should I use? White or gray?
Beth H. :
8 years ago
looks nice. I'd use a regular gray grout. use a good thinset (not mastic) to attach to the wall. use 1/16 spacers if the edges of these tiles are all the same. For the joints against the sink, use a 100% silicone caulk.
Junee Bug
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks Beth! That’s great advice! Do we need to put anything to waterproof the drywall behind it? My backsplash in the kitchen was laid out straight on drywall and sometimes I wonder if we could have done something to protect the walls, I think the area around the sink they used a green board but that was it. I cant remember if they did it to the laundry room too.
Beth H. :
8 years ago
no. the drywall is fine. I tiled our kitchen backsplash onto the drywall and it's been great for 15 years. Your sink area is not going to get that wet. the tile will be fine for simple splashes. is that tile ceramic? if going w/small grout lines, use an unsanded grout. Custom would be fine. (Or Mapei if going to Lowes)

Platinum, Dove Gray or Antique white, would work well.

Mapei,,

Warm Gray, pearl gray or Slate,,,would work fine
rnonwheels
8 years ago
Would white PVC wainscotting work on the whole lower half of the wall?
Junee Bug
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you so much Beth. I do like platinum and it’s the one that is closest to the grays in the tile. Do I need to put an end trim tile by the left? Other side ends on the wall while this stops right in the middle. Although I can’t really find one that will work with the tile I picked . It’s ceramic and it is beige on the back side of the tile and you can kind of see it from the side or should we use a schluter edge in brushed finished?
Junee Bug
Original Author
8 years ago
rnonwheels, we have thought of that but since the lower half of the wall is covered, we didn’t think it was necessary unless we do the wainscoting on the entire room.
Beth H. :
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
schluter edge would be perfect for the side. pencil liner in a ceramic color that matches the gray or the white, would also be an option. I'm hoping you're doing option #5 tiling that Rawketgirl posted?
Junee Bug
Original Author
8 years ago
Beth, We are doing option 4. We felt Tiling all the way to the bottom seems overkill when my there will always be a washer dryer and a sink in that bottom wall.
Gerry
8 years ago
We recently installed the same sink in our laundry room and wondered what to put behind it. Thanks for the finished photos.
hopesprings_gw
8 years ago
Can someone share the specs (name, size) on this sink? We're trying to solve a laundry room problem, and this sink looks like it might be the solution. Thanks!
Junee Bug
Original Author
8 years ago
Hello the sink we got from Lowe’s. It is by Westinghouse. We like that it came with a sink and the bottom has a cabinet for storage and hiding plumbing. I attached a picture and a link.
https://m.lowes.com/pd/Westinghouse-21-34-in-x-24-17-in-1-Basin-White-Freestanding-Stainless-Steel-Laundry-Sink-with-and-Faucet/1000329971
hopesprings_gw
8 years ago
Thanks, Junee Bug! We'll check it out. :-)
marylandhome01
4 years ago
Just coming around to say thank you for posting your dilemma and ultimate solution. I had the exact same issue and ended up doing something similar based on your photos — tiled the whole wall and all the way down. And I couldn’t be happier with the result.