10 Simple Steps to Tile a Kitchen by Yourself

April 9, 2022

As one of the most costly home renovation projects, modernizing your kitchen can also be one of the most exciting and fulfilling. There is an alternative for homeowners who want to save money by tiling their kitchens themselves.

But do note that you should only attempt this if you are confident in your DIY skills; otherwise, you may wind up with a subpar result or run into additional problems that end up costing you extra money.

You may be wondering how to tile a kitchen, but don't worry. We've put up easy-to-follow DIY instructions for you.

You may be wondering how to tile a kitchen, but don't worry. We've put up easy-to-follow DIY instructions for you. By the end of this guide, you'll know how to tile your kitchen walls and floors yourself!

Cost & Equipment

It's essential to start with your budget in mind while brainstorming ideas for home renovation projects (especially kitchen ones). A lack of a budget estimate puts you at risk of overpaying or struggling financially and leaving you with a half-finished job.

So before getting started, it's important to know how much it will cost to tile a kitchen and whether or not doing it on your own is a worthwhile investment.

You may need to take into account varied kitchen tile prices when deciding which one is appropriate for your kitchen's walls and floor. According to Homes & Gardens, the average cost per square meter of tiling a kitchen is roughly £35 to £40.

However, prices may vary based on the size of the tiled area and the tile you're going to use. Do some research on tile and material prices before opting to do it yourself with this in mind. The best way to get an accurate price estimate is to get a few bids from trustworthy tilers.

Tiling Equipment

You should prepare yourself with the necessary equipment for the job, whether you're tiling kitchen floors or walls (or even both).

This includes:

Tiles (obviously);
Tile adhesive, grout, spacers, groove trowel;
Mixing bucket;
Grout float;
Tile cutter (best if electric);
Electric grinder (with diamond grinding wheels);
Measuring tape, pencil, spirit level.

Depending on the results you want to achieve and your experience, you may need additional equipment. It would be ideal if you could ask a qualified tiler for a piece of advice on that.

You also don't require any special clothing equipment. Wear whatever you feel most comfortable in (your favorite patriotic T-shirt, a cozy sweatshirt, comfortable pants). What matters most is that you can manage the tiling job safely and efficiently.

How to Tile a Kitchen

Getting the price and equipment out of the way, let's get down to business: how do you tile a kitchen floor or wall.

Start with measuring the area: You should use a tape measure to calculate the space you need to cover correctly. That way, you will be sure to order enough tiles.
Get extra tiles: Order additional tiles in case any are damaged or cut. Even a few broken tiles might quickly leave you short on the number of tiles needed to complete the project.
Get the wall and floor ready: Tile installation requires clean, dry, and flat surfaces (both walls and floor). The best place to begin is filling up and sanding down any significant cracks and gaps (use a spirit level to determine the unevenness of a surface).
Locate the center: You must locate the exact center and level on the wall's horizontal and vertical axes. When installing kitchen floor tiles, just like with walls, you must determine the center point, which will be the position of your first tile. Then, beginning in the middle of the crossing, work your way out toward the walls and each corner.
Lay out your design before officially finishing it: If you're planning to use patterned tiles or a more sophisticated arrangement than a conventional grid, it's a good idea to lay out your design before making any permanent fixes to the wall or floor.
Add the adhesive: Using a ready-mixed adhesive appropriate for small-format tiles on a tiny wall may save you time. On the other hand, powdered tile adhesive, which provides a stronger bind, is recommended for tiles bigger than 30cm x 30cm and on floors. You can use an eclectic drill or mix it by hand.
Attach the tiles: If you wait too long to begin fixing your tiles, the glue will start to degrade. A small bit of adhesive applied with the tiling trowel and a few tiles laid down gradually can help keep your glue from drying out. Form suction using a combed edge to create grooves in the glue before pushing firmly.
Let it dry: After you've installed the tiles, let the glue dry completely. This may take as little as 3-4 hours or 24 hours, depending on the glue you used and the temperature in the room.
Apply the grout: Grout is the last step in tiling your kitchen. Using a rubber grout float, begin by removing the tile spacers and then grouting the gaps between the tiles.
Clean the area: The last step, of course, is to clean after yourself. You may just wait for the area to dry before wiping away the hazy grout residue with a moist sponge.

Are You Ready to Tile Your Kitchen?

The process of tiling a kitchen may be a lot of fun. But for those who are new to this sort of DIY project, it may be wise to start modestly.

In addition, even with the finest planning, DIY projects frequently don't go as intended. It's a good idea to hire a professional if you're confronted with an unexpected problem, which may be intimidating and costly.

Finally, if you have any doubts about your skills, you should never hesitate to seek assistance.