Step 1 - Prepare your bathroom wall

We will presume at this point that you have prepared your bathroom walls, so the surface should now be sanded, cleaned and sealed. As part of this preparatory stage, you should have also calculated how many tiles you will need before you begin tiling your wall. To do this measure the area of your wall, and also the area of your chosen bathroom tile.

To calculate: Wall area ÷ area of each tile = number of tiles you will need.

(Please add an extra 10% to this total, as you will need to account for any mishaps or tile breakages)

It is also important to remember you will need to add gaps in between your tiles (2-3mm) as you will use this to add your grout later, so please accommodate this into your calculations.

Not all wall surfaces are the same, and each type of wall will support a limited type of weight. Here is an advisory list for you (wall type - maximum weight of tiling per meter square).

• Plaster - 20 Kg
• Plasterboard direct (without plaster skim) - 32 Kg
• Plywood (WBP) - up to 30 Kg
• Tile Backing Boards - up to 50 Kg

You will also need to include the adhesive weight into this calculation; you can find this information on the adhesive package.

If you are using natural stone tiles, these might require sealant, so please check before you begin grouting. You can check this with your manufacturer.

Step 2 - How to arrange your bathroom tiles

You’ll want your tiles to be balanced and even when working out your design. If you are tiling a full wall, aim for a symmetrical pattern, and add the same length cut tiles on each edge of the wall.

To avoid smaller cut tiles, try to aim for as full as tile as possible when working out your tile design. This will give you the most aesthetically pleasing result. We will talk you through how to cut a bathroom wall tile shortly.

To create an even design, we advise you to create a ‘tile gauge’. To do this, simply get a wooden baton, or piece of wood, that’s over half the width of the wall you are tiling. Then place the tiles, with the spacers along the length and mark the points of the tiles along the button with a pencil.

Step 3 - Using your tile gauge

Once you’ve created your tile gauge, you’ll need to mark the horizontal midpoint of your wall. Measure the length of the wall, then mark the exact point with a pencil. You can then use this point in correspondence with your wooden batten.

Place your tile gauge (wooden baton) onto the wall and line up your tile point with the central mark on your wall. Slide the gauge to the left, mark by mark, until you are left with a gap at between the corner of the wall and your batten. This will indicate the size of the tiles you will need at each end.

If the space is greater than half a tile, then you’ll have the perfect place to begin tiling your bathroom wall. If this is less than half a tile, you’ll need to move your central tile gauge mark to the right, by exactly half a tile. This will leave you with a try end result.

After you’ve found this point, mark on the wall where the first full tile will start, do this near your skirting board, then take your spirit level, and continue his vertical line from top to bottom of the wall.

You’ll need to repeat the process for your vertical axis, using the same technique. Start by marking the midpoint and offering up your tile gauge. Ensuring you adjust your position if the gap is less than half a tile – mark the position of the first whole tile, just above the floor level. You can then take your spirit level and pencil and make a horizontal line straight across the wall.

It’s crucial that at this point you check both horizontal and vertical lines with a pipe detector. If they are free from pipes and you can then screw the tile gauge (wooden battens) into place, so you know exactly where to begin your bathroom tiles. This will produce a professional-looking, visual pleasing finish for your bathroom.

Step 4 - How to mix your tile adhesive

You can now start the process of installing wall tiles in the bathroom. Firstly, you need to prepare your adhesive. The type of adhesive you require will depend entirely on your wall surface type.

It’s important to stress that at this point, you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, then begin to prepare your mixture. You’ll need to take your drill with a mixing paddle, to create a thick paste, with no lumps.

Step 5 - How to tile a bathroom wall

Now it’s time to start tiling your bathroom wall. Using your trowel, you should begin to apply enough adhesive to cover up to one square metre of the wall, using your wood batons as a guide. Take the notched spreader and comb the adhesive across; this will ensure a full, even coverage.

Then take your first bathroom tile and place it along the batten. You will need to twist the tile back and forth slightly to really secure it to the adhesive. Then repeat the process with the next tile, not forgetting to insert your spacers correctly between the tiles. Using these will establish a consistent, even gap.

It's essential you are regularly checking that your tiles are level and flat, you can do this by using your spirit level. If they are not, you'll need to take the tile off and remove the adhesive with a trowel. Repeat the process, using the button as your guide, until the area is complete.

After, you'll need to remove any excess adhesive from the tile surface and grout lines. You can do this by using warm soapy water, take a sponge and gently clean the surface area. Then, allow the adhesive to dry, please check the manufacturer's guidance on how long you should leave the tiles. After this is dry, you can then remove the battens.

Step 6 - Preparing your tile edges

You need to measure the gap between the tile edge and the corner correctly. Make sure you allow for grout spacers into the calculation. For this stage, we are going to ask you to measure every gap because the wall might not be straight. Make a note of these numbers by writing them on each tile.

Step 7 - Cutting your bathroom tiles

There are multiple ways to cut bathroom tiles, but we would recommend using a tile cutter, as this will give you accurate results. Firstly, you'll need to mark up the cutting point correctly on your tile, use a pen and metal ruler and draw a line down the tile to indicate the point of cutting.

If you don't have access to a tile cutter, we have another method you can try. Take your metal ruler and put it across the intersection area and mark it up, do this on the front of your tile. Take your tile scribe and score up and down the line to the full length of the tile. Otherwise, you risk your tile snapping.

You should then place your pencil directly underneath the scored area of the tile. Apply pressure on this area to allow a clean snap of the tile. Taking extra care as some shards of tile could eject out towards you.

Please ensure at all times when you are cutting tiles to wear the correct safety equipment, goggles for your eyes and protective gloves.

Step 8 - How to tile into the edges

Before applying adhesive, we recommend you check your tiles against the spaces to ensure they fit correctly.

Begin applying the adhesive at the bottom of the wall, if this is too difficult to do with your spreader, then apply the adhesive directly to the back of the tile. Then press the tiles into position, as you did before. Continue to tile the remaining area, allowing room for your spacers to continue with your even gapping.

As before, wipe away any excess adhesive from the surface of the tiles using a soapy, damp sponge. If any adhesive hardens on your tiles, you could also try using a window scraper to gently remove the excess and being careful not to scratch your tiles. Follow your manufacturer's instructions on the correct setting time for your tiles.

Step 9 - How to grout tiles

Grouting is an important process; using grout allows you to seal the tiles in place, make the surface water-resistant and also for decoration. Did you know that you can get grout in a range of colours, greys, whites, charcoal and black? So decide which colour works best with your overall design and desired aesthetic.

Before you begin grouting, you should first decide whether you want to use powdered or ready mixed. If you choose to use powdered, then you need only mix up a small amount at a time, as the grout dries very quickly, and it will become unusable.

As before, please check the manufacturer's instructions and advised measurements for this process. Important: Please check the date on your grout, do not use anything out of date.

It's finally time to get some grout between your tiles. Take a small amount of the mixture and apply to the tile using your spreader. Make sure you move it around to get it in the joints. Use large strokes, upwards and diagonally to ensure best results. Be sure to work very quickly during this process, as the grout will dry out fast.

Continue with this technique to grout the whole wall. If you get any excess grout on your tiles, just be sure to use a warm, damp sponge as you go along and gently wipe. If by chance you remove too much grouting, use your finger to re-apply grout to the area.

You want to achieve a really professional finish; for this, you'll need a shaping tool (grout finishing tool). Use this over the grout, pull down over the jointing, it's vital you do this in a swift, continuous movement. Be prompt with this, as your grouting hardens quickly. Repeat this process between all of the grout jointing.

We now recommend you clean off your tiles, using a cloth to remove the powder substance from your grout. This will give you a professional-looking finish.

To really preserve the life of your grouting, we suggest you invest in grout protector. Using this will protect your grout from elements such as water, dirt, oil, limescale and grease. Follow the instructions on the can, as advised by the manufacturer.

Once you have grouted and cleaned you are free to enjoy your new tiles but depending on the room type you may have a window that also needs tiling. If so read on to step 10.

Step 10 - Tiling around a window

We expect you are becoming a DIY bathroom tiling expert now, as your project nears completion. It's important you take the techniques learnt and apply your knowledge to tiling around the window area of your bathroom. You still want to ensure the tiles around your window are equal and as symmetrical as possible.

Plan the placement of the tiles in the recess, match up the grout lines in that area so that they correspond to the grout lines already in place on the wall.

Then you will need to measure the depth of the window recess using a tape measure. Please remember to only include the depth of the wall, and not the wall and the tile already in place, because you need to allow room for the trim edges later.

Just like with the tile edging before, you will need to measure each section out where the new tiles will be placed, because the window area might not be equal (make sure you allow space for grouting). Write down the correct measurements on your tile, draw a line, and cut the tile, just like before.

You'll now need your tile trim for the corners of your window; this will keep the area looking neat and tidy. Start by measuring the height and width of the window recess and make a note of the measurements needed.

To cut the trim to size, you will need a mitre block, and hack saw. Cut the ends at a 45-degree angle to allow for a neat join where the trims will intersect.

Starting at the bottom of the window apply the adhesive with the spreader, then place the trim along the edge. Then position the tiles accordingly, not forgetting to add spacers. Repeat the process, one side at a time, adding trim then tiling. Finish the process at the top.

To ensure your tiles don't fall from this section, you will need to create support. Use wood, and cut directly to fit the window space, the wood should act as a sturdy beam. Place one horizontally and two beams vertically to hold the tiles in place. Allow the correct drying time for the adhesive as recommended on the manufacturer's guide.

Once dried, grout the area using the same application technique as before. Then wipe down the area with a damp cloth and use a shaper for a neat finish. Finally, polish the tiles to remove any powder residue. Your bathroom should now be complete! Congratulations!