Tile styles, like other household finishes, change more quickly these days thanks to Pinterest, HGTV, blogs, and a design-hungry populace. It’s helpful to stay current, especially if you plan on selling your home in the next 5 to 10 years. As you know, I built my home through a builder, so my options at the design center were limited when it came to tile. After scouring the internet for what seemed like weeks, I finally found the perfect polished carrara marble backsplash from TileBuys.

If you aren’t familiar with TileBuys, it’s an online company that sells luxury tiles at an affordable price point. I had my heart set on carrara marble – which is obviously top tier and can be extremely pricey. I had a strict budget I wanted to stick to, so I was ecstatic when I found this tile at such a fair price. Their prices, customer care, and the quality of their products is top-notch, and I couldn’t be happier seeing the final installed product.

Your kitchen backsplash can truly transform an otherwise bland kitchen, and I have some tips below for those who are wanting to add that wow-factor with updated backsplash tile.

Calculate how much backsplash you need

To calculate how much backsplash you’ll need, take the length of the area where tile will be placed and multiply it by the height of the area. Complete this calculation for each area of tile. Then add each amount together and multiply by 1.1. This is to allow for a 10% overage in case of broken tile or odd tile cuts.

Subway tile isn’t the only option

It might seem like the only option that feels timeless, but that simply isn’t the case. There are tons of other styles and colors that can be used to pull off a timeless look that you’ll love for years to come.

Truth be told, I struggled greatly with this while designing my own kitchen – I almost opted for subway tile because I really wanted a timeless look.

There are many timeless options for a kitchen backsplash such as hexagon tiles, picket tile, penny tile, and square format tile (just to name a few). 

Make it unique with layout + grout

Choosing the tile is just one step of the process. After you’ve selected the tile you’d like to use, you’ll need to nail down the layout, grout joint size, and the grout color. 

The layout can be completely customized to make your space feel unique. You can add a border of another color or shape, mix and match colors of the same tile, or play with the off-set of the tiles.

Once you know the layout, you can select a grout color that reflects your personality. Do you want the grout to blend in? Match the grout to the tile color. If you want a more bold look, you can add a contrasting grout color. 

TIP: If you do select a contrasting grout, be sure that it will work with the tile you’ve selected.

Don’t break the budget on backsplash

Whether you’re building or remodeling, the costs can add up, so it’s important to keep your budget balanced. While there are certainly areas to splurge and areas to save, I wanted my kitchen to be a focal point and really provide that wow-factor.

That being said, with SO many amazing tile options available at great prices, it really doesn’t make sense to dedicate a large portion of the budget to backsplash. At TileBuys, there are hundreds of amazing backsplash options available at incredible prices. Even some marble tile can be found for under $10/sf!

Bonus tip: Caring for your backsplash

Be sure to ask your tile installer to seal the tile as needed. Some tile will need to be sealed before and after install, some will only need to be sealed after install, and some not at all. I recommend asking your tile installers to use a grout that is pre-sealed for durability.

All in all, I am ecstatic with the results and will always go back to TileBuys for all my tile needs, for any room in this home and in future homes. Incredible selection, amazing quality, great prices, and outstanding customer service. Special thanks to Keith and his team for being so knowledgeable and helpful throughout the entire building process. I highly recommend this company if you’re looking to upgrade your home!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by TileBuys. All opinions are my own.