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How to Add Subway Tiles in an Afternoon

This post is sponsored by Smart Tiles.

How to get the classic look of subway tiles in an afternoon / www.findignsilverpennies.com

Notice anything different about our kitchen?

I’ll give you a hint here’s a look at the kitchen when I painted it back in January:

A View of Our Kitchen (BEFORE)

See the difference now?

How to get the classic look of subway tiles in an afternoon / www.findignsilverpennies.com

We added subway tiles!  For years I’ve dreamed of having a subway tile backsplash.  DREAMED.

In our first home we had beadboard and in this one we had metal stick on tiles. Back in January, I told you I didn’t love the tiles and that I really wanted to add white subway tiles. Subway tiles are classic, elegant and timeless. I love how clean they look in any kitchen.

We thought about tiling the old fashioned way but with all the other renovations going on – ceilings, kids’ bedroom, writing the e-book and planning an open studio I was intrigued with the idea of stick on tiles by Smart Tiles. I contacted my friends at Smart Tiles to see if they’d work on our formica backsplash (that’s what’s under the metal tiles). They said absolutely and they sent me some tiles to try!

How to get the classic look of subway tiles in an afternoon / www.findignsilverpennies.com

Would you know these aren’t real subway tile? This model is brand new from Smart Tiles – they just launched the Metro Blanco, which are the same size as real subway tiles.  The other version they have is the Subway White which is slightly smaller subway tiles.

I am soooooo IN LOVE with them and it was so easy to do. We tiled in an afternoon.

How to get the classic look of subway tiles in an afternoon / www.findignsilverpennies.com

How to get the classic look of subway tiles in an afternoon / www.findignsilverpennies.com

 

Wanna see what we did? I made a little video to show you how quick and easy it is:

But I’ll also give you the step by step here.

Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase, but your purchase price stays the same. Thank you for helping support our blog!

How to get the classic look of subway tiles in an afternoon / www.findignsilverpennies.com

How to Add Subway Tiles in an Afternoon

Materials

Method

Step 1 – It’s very important to start with a clean surface for the tiles to stick properly. I started by removing the metal tiles which were stuck on with mounting tape.

Removing Old Tiles Then I used Mötsenböcker Lift Off, and a paint scraper, to get rid of the sticky residue.  The next step in the cleaning process was washing the area down with TSP and warm water.  I allowed surface to dry completely.

How to Properly Clean Your Surface Before Applying Peel and Stick Tiles / www.findingsilverpennies.com

Step 2 – The tiles are okay to use behind ovens that have a back but since our gas burners are right on the counters we couldn’t apply tile there. We decided on a metal backsplash for over here. We needed to cut it down so we used a dremel for this. Don’t worry, we were very careful. Luke took all the safety precautions while cutting it with the dremel and I had the fire extinguisher at the ready just in case.

Cutting Metal for Backsplash

We attached it to the wall with screws and it now looks amazing!

Gorgeous metal backsplash paired with beautiful subway tiles - a classic look / www.findingsilverpennies.com

Step 3 – Time to put up the Smart Tiles. The first thing we did was draw a horizontal line with a level. You don’t want your tiles applied crooked. We marked this with a pencil.

Step by Step for Applying Stick on Subway Tiles / www.findingsilvepennies.com

Step 4 – The tiles are flexible and are easy to apply.  You line them up with you line, starting at the corner and working your way out.  The first tile will need to be cut square for the corner, and they are easy to cut around sockets. They overlap for a good fit.

Flexible Wall Tiles

Step 5 – Peel and stick the backing and affix to wall, pressing firmly. If you feel like you didn’t line it up right you can easily reposition the tiles.

How to get the classic look of subway tiles in an afternoon / www.findignsilverpennies.com

Step 6 – Use a ruler and a box cutter to cut around the sockets.

How to get the classic look of subway tiles in an afternoon / www.findignsilverpennies.com

Once around the socket, I simply replaced the socket cover and moved to the next area.

We finished the tiling in an afternoon. No grout, no tile cutter just simply cutting and positioning.  I really love these tiles and was actually so surprised how real they look up on the wall. When I saw them in sheets I didn’t think they were going to look great. Boy was I surprised!

How to get the classic look of subway tiles in an afternoon / www.findignsilverpennies.com

I now have the kitchen I was dreaming of when we moved in three years ago.

How to get the classic look of subway tiles in an afternoon / www.findignsilverpennies.com

The tiles add so much to our historic kitchen and really make this room brighter.  It is pleasure cooking, sitting up here with the kids doing homework or just hanging out with friends.

How to get the classic look of subway tiles in an afternoon / www.findignsilverpennies.com

How to get the classic look of subway tiles in an afternoon / www.findignsilverpennies.com

The tiles are easy to look after. I just wipe them with a wet paper towel. So easy to care for.

Being in our kitchen is now a joy!

Classic Kitchen by Finding Silver Pennies and how to get the look yourself.

A classic old kitchen by www.findigsilverpennies.com

It’s now light, bright and airy! Oh, and now with subway tiles!

How to get the classic look of subway tiles in an afternoon / www.findignsilverpennies.com

Do you think you’ll give them a try?

How to get the classic look of subway tiles in an afternoon / www.findignsilverpennies.com

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Jessica | Petal + Ply
7 years ago

The tile looks great! I still haven’t decided what I want for our backsplash but subway tile is one of my contenders. I’ll have to show these to hubby.

Cathy Reeves
Cathy Reeves
7 years ago

I have wanted subway tiles in my kitchen for YEARS!! I’ve lived with just the plaster wall ( painted) too long. What I really want is to remove the 3″ back splash that was put up with the counters. I’m so afraid of removing it and ending up with ruined plaster walls and countertops. Have any tips/tricks for this part. I’m new to your blog and can’t wait to get acquainted with it.

Kate
Kate
7 years ago

Love the look of these. I bought Mexican stick on tiles (4×4) to use over existing plain ones too. I need to do an outside bar top in our florida patio (covered). Do you think these would hold up on a flat surface of a bar? Or are they better suited for walls?

Anne
7 years ago

Looks great! How do the tiles feel when you touch them? Can you tell they are “fake”?