How to Tile a Kitchen Backsplash

Steps 1 and 2

1. Check wall surface.
Use a level to make sure the wall surface is square horizontally and vertically. Fill in low spots with drywall or surfacing compound, let dry, and sand the wall smooth.

2. Locate baselines.
Use a tape measurer to find the wall's center, and use a level to draw horizontal and vertical guidelines. Start at the midpoint and plot out your tile pattern by aligning a single row of tiles in each direction. Adjust the spacing to minimize cutting and waste, if possible. Use a level (or framing square) to mark the final baseline.