A Pro Shows How to Lay Tiles in a Few Easy Steps

Hadley Mendelsohn
·3 min read
Photo credit: Donna Dotan
Photo credit: Donna Dotan


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From accent walls to backsplash and even the floors or any other surface, tiles are a beautiful way to add dynamic texture, color, or pattern to a room. And though it's a pretty big project to DIY, laying tiles yourself definitely possible, especially if you're a handy person who doesn't mind doing some manual work. If you want to tile your bathroom, kitchen, or a small room and don't feel like going through a contractor to get the job done, you're in the right place. Read through the following guide put together by interior designer Whitney Jones to learn how to lay tile. Or, if you're more of a visual learner, watch her video tutorial above. And before you start, take note of everything you'll need before you embark on the transformative project:

What You'll Need to Lay Tile

How to Lay Tile, Step-by-Step

  1. Prepare your surface for tile. You'll need to use an underlayment on your subfloor (cement or plywood). If you have vinyl flooring already installed, you can lay your tile right on top of it.

  2. Find your starting point and map out your layout. Jones wanted a full tile centered on the door into the bathroom, so they marked the center point on the back wall and floor, and then marked a straight line for the first row of tile.

  3. In small spaces, you should make your tile cuts first, so start with the ones you'll use for your first row (probably the back wall). Start cutting the tiles.

    Photo credit: LAURE JOLIET
    Photo credit: LAURE JOLIET

    1. To cut tiles, first, start by measuring the spacing, then mark your tiles using a speed square and marker. Use a wet saw (or slate tile cutter) to make your cuts.

    2. Next, using painter's tape (or masking tape), label each tile in the order you want to lay them. Now, you can pick them up off the floor to begin tiling, without fear of messing up the layout.

  4. Now would be the time to mix your tile adhesive, but ours is premixed, making it easier, faster, and quicker to lay tiles. So if you can shop for the premixed type, even better.

  5. Using the flat part of the trowel, spread an even amount of tile adhesive, enough to cover a few tiles. Then, use the teeth side of the trowel at a 45-degree angle to "comb" it the thinnest you possibly can. Apply firm, even pressure throughout. To ensure well binding, apply a thin layer of tile adhesive to the back of your first tile.

  6. Place the tile in place and firmly push down. Give the tile a little wiggle to make sure there's an even layer of tile adhesive. Repeat this process for each tile, using spacers between tiles to get consistent grout lines.

  7. Clean your tiles of any extra tile adhesive, as you go and then let tiles dry for at least 24 hours before grouting.

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