How to Design a Kitchen Backsplash Mosaic

Many homeowners allow their creativity to flourish in their homes, moving away from the builder's special in the details. One place that gets the most attention is the kitchen and rather than opting for plain paint on the sheetrock, people are choosing to design their own kitchen backsplash mosaics. It's easier than you think, so follow these steps to make one of your own.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring tape
• Paper or cardboard
• Scissors
• China or tile
• Tile snips
• Thinset
• Grout
• Grout float
• Sponge
• Towels

1. Create a template. Measure the dimensions of your backsplash area and cut out the template from large sheets of paper or cardboard. Lay out your template horizontally on a table or a floor.

2. Prepare your artistic materials. You can use old, inexpensive china plates and cups, tile remnants or new materials. Whatever you choose, use your tile snips to cut them into the desired sizes for your mosaic.

3. Place the pieces on the template. This is where your creativity kicks in as you arrange your china or tile pieces in the pattern of your choosing. You can be as organized with your pattern or as random as you desire.

4. Adhere the pieces to the backsplash wall. Once you've laid out your design on the template, spread some thinset on the back of the pieces and begin to stick them into place on the wall. Let them sit for 24 hours.

5. Prepare to grout. After waiting a day, you can grout your backsplash mosaic by spreading the grout mixture directly onto the tile with a grout float. Your grout should be the consistency of pancake batter if you've followed the manufacturer's directions.

6. Clean your excess grout. After letting the grout set for 15 minutes, dampen your sponge and begin to wipe it off. Rinse your sponge periodically.

7. Buff and dry your mosaic. Using dry towels, wipe off the excess water and polish it clean.

Tips & Warnings

• While most kitchen backsplash mosaics are made of tile or china, don't limit yourself; consider using glass tiles, clay or slate.
• To save yourself some money, scour closeouts, flea markets and garage sales for boxes of remnant tiles or similar materials for your backsplash.
• If you become overwhelmed with the freedom of free-standing materials, you can design your kitchen backsplash from prefabricated mosaic pieces.