If your home is an oldie but goodie, like mine, then this amazing Zellige Tile Accent Wall tutorial is something you need to check out. I took a simple, plain, and boring bathroom wall and added so much character, beauty, and style just with a few (well, more than a few) handmade Zellige tiles and some grout.
How To Use Zellige Tile
I am getting closer to my cozy cottage vibes one DIY project at a time. To say I love stepping foot in this beautiful bathroom would be an understatement. I find myself smiling from ear to ear, all because of this bathroom tile DIY.
Do you want to find out how to get this same look in your home? Let me show you how. Let’s get started and enjoy this amazing transformation together!
Supplies for Zellige Tile Bathroom Accent Wall
- Snow White Zellige Tile
- Bosch GLL30 Cross-Line Laser Level
- Premixed Tile Adhesive
- Mapei USA Grout
- Caulk
Steps on How To Zellige Tile An Accent Wall
- Soak the tile in a bucket prior to installation. This helps prevent terracotta backing from absorbing adhesive & it gives it a stronger bond. (You can see the bubbles as they gradually dissipate.)
- Before you start, read the tips below if you have never tiled before.
- Before tiling, check walls, corners, ceiling, and baseboards to see how plumb and level everything is. Based on your wall measurements, determine where to begin tiling.
- Use a laser gun for your DIY projects for the easiest results.
- Use a pre-mixed tile adhesive for a little bit simpler installation (although you can mix your own mortar), and be sure to trowel your adhesive on the wall.
- Add your mix, buttered to the back of the tile. You can use spacers where necessary, but I mostly just stacked tiles. With these imperfect and irregular Zellige tiles I used my laser as I went to help keep everything level, and I added spacers as needed to help.
- Just keep soaking and stacking. This project is more time-consuming, obviously for larger spaces, but it is so worth it when it is complete.
- Now time to grout. I used a Rapid Set, as it was recommended by the tile brand. Mix in small batches and work in small sections. Completely cover the areas in between your tiles. Stay patient. With these irregularly shaped tiles I found using a smaller grout float the easiest way to get the grout into all of the various crevices.
- Once complete, let it set.
- Quick clean to remove any excess grout haze and dust.
- Lastly, where the tile meets the wall, be sure to caulk with a matching color to complete.
Tips and Tricks To Using Zellige Tile
- Read carefully and know that it can be done!
- Before you start laying the tile, check wall corners, ceiling, and baseboards to see how plumb and level they are.
- Measure the height and width of the wall to gauge where to start tiling and where cuts should be based on the size of the tiles.
- Keep in mind this specific tile is tricky, as they are not exactly 4×4 since they are handmade. Some are ⅛” in difference.
- Lay out several tiles on the floor and measure the group in reference to the wall size to estimate where cuts would end up.
- Aesthetically you want your cut tiles to be in the most inconspicuous locations.
- Mix your grout and rub it into the spacing between your tiles. Pay attention to rapid setting grout, because it means rapid! Learn from my mistakes!
Grab tiles from all of your boxes as you work!
This is so important when working with beautiful, handmade tiles for a project as large as this. I had 6 different boxes to cover my square footage. Each tile varies slightly in color, shade, irregularities, etc, so it is helpful to grab tiles from each box as you work to mix them up best. The finished product will thank you for taking the time to do this.
Think Ahead!
Since my cuts are similar in size for my tiles, I like to cut several at once. I do this so I can easily add them to the wall as I get to that stage of my DIY. Measurements are key, and keeping your sanity during more time-consuming DIYs – it’s a game changer! So get to measuring and cutting, and thank goodness you thought it through from the beginning.
To Grout or Not to Grout?
I grouted! I like the more finished look. (And you can check out the look without it to see as I worked through the process to see which look you prefer better.) I also used a Rapid Setting Grout, because that is what was recommended for this tile. You do not have to use Rapid set, as other grouts will work as well. I think it was recommended for its other qualities, such as color consistency, reduced absorption, and increased stain resistance. Keep in mind that if you are working with larger areas, I suggest mixing small amounts of grout as you go because it does set rather quickly. Learn from my mistakes and headaches.
What Is The Best Level For DIY Projects?
I absolutely love my Bosch GLL30 Cross-Line Laser Level for so many reasons. It is so easy to use. I never find myself looking back at the manual to know what to do to make it work! The results are precise, which is exactly what you are looking for when dealing with trying to find a perfect line. And the cost was not too bad either, especially considering how many projects I use it for; So go check it out. You will be happy you did!
Is It Hard To DIY Bathroom Tile?
This beautiful home had all the best bones but needed some love. I did not want the farmhouse vibe that so many would choose to decorate with for this ranch house style of home. So in order to get the cozy cottage vibes with classic, vintage, world European styles, I incorporated some beautiful pieces. These Snow White Zellige Tile are simply stunning and helped me get closer to the look I have been dreaming of. With this step-by-step tutorial, you will find that it is not hard to DIY bathroom tiles in your own home.
I am in love with this DIY bathroom tile project. Such a beauty. Can you believe the color variation on this wall? I can’t stop staring. Check out my Zellige tile bathroom accent video wall tutorial to see the entire process in action. Be sure to tag me on Instagram in your finished projects so I can see how amazing they are! #howwedoandyoucantoo
