Tips for Ordering the Right Amount of Mosaic Kitchen Tiles There’s nothing worse than getting halfway through a kitchen project and realizing you don’t have enough tile. Or worse — realizing the tile you need is now out of stock. If you’re working with mosaic kitchen tiles, ordering the right amount is key. It's not as simple as just measuring the wall. Little things like cuts, breaks, and pattern matching can throw your numbers off. Here’s a simple guide to help you get it right the first time. Step 1: Measure Your Space (The Right Way) First things first — you need to know how much wall you’re covering. Grab a tape measure. Measure the height and width of each section where you’ll install kitchen tiles. Then multiply: Height × Width = Total Area (in square feet) Do this for every wall section. Add them all up. • Wall 1: 10 ft wide × 2 ft high = 20 sq ft • Wall 2: 5 ft wide × 2 ft high = 10 sq ft • Total area = 30 sq ft Sounds easy, right? But don’t skip this next part. Step 2: Account for Weird Spaces Most kitchens aren’t perfect rectangles. You’ve got outlets, cabinets, windows, and corners. You have two choices: • Measure around obstacles and subtract their area. • Ignore them and buy a little extra (this is what most pros do). Honestly, unless the gaps are huge, it’s safer and easier to just pretend the wall is solid. Tiny obstacles won’t waste much tile, and you’ll have spares for mistakes. Step 3: Add Extra — Always Here’s where a lot of DIYers go wrong: You need to order extra. Mosaic kitchen tiles are tricky. You’ll lose pieces to: • Cutting and trimming • Breaks during install • Pattern matching • Future repairs if tiles crack later Standard rule: • Add 10% extra for simple layouts. • Add 15 – 20% extra for tricky patterns (herringbone, mixed mosaics, diagonal installs). Example: • 30 sq ft area • Add 15% extra (for a detailed mosaic) • 30 × 1.15 = 34.5 sq ft • Round up → Order 35 sq ft It’s way cheaper to have a few extra sheets now than to scramble later and hope you find the same tile batch. Step 4: Understand How Mosaic Sheets Are Sold Most mosaic kitchen tiles come in sheets, not loose pieces. A standard sheet is about 12" × 12" — one square foot. If you need 35 sq ft, you’ll order around 35 sheets. But check the packaging. Some sheets are slightly smaller (like 11.5" x 11.5") and you’ll need a few more to cover the same area. Always read the fine print so you’re not short. Step 5: Think About Patterns and Layout Planning to lay your kitchen tiles in a straight grid? Or are you doing something more complicated like a chevron or offset design? The more complicated the pattern: • The more cuts you’ll have. • The more extra tile you’ll need. If you’re mixing colors, textures, or creating custom designs, give yourself even more wiggle room — 20% extra minimum. It's better to return unused sheets than to run out halfway through a wall. Step 6: Buy from the Same Lot Number Tile colors can vary from batch to batch. Even with mosaic tiles, slight shifts in color can be really noticeable once they’re on the wall. When you order, ask for all your sheets to come from the same lot or dye batch. If you're ordering online, call and double - check. It's one of those small things that makes a big difference in how your finished wall looks. Quick Checklist Before You Order • Measure all wall sections • Add 10 – 20% extra for cuts and waste • Check sheet size (not all are exactly 12"x12") • Confirm all tiles come from the same lot • Round up — not down Spend a few extra minutes double - checking now. It could save you a lot of money, time, and headaches later. Final Thoughts Ordering the right amount of mosaic kitchen tiles isn’t rocket science — but it does take a little pl a nning. Measure carefully. Buy a little extra. Double - check the details. If you get it right, you’ll end up with a beautiful backsplash (and maybe a few spare sheets in case life happens later). Better safe than sorry. Especially when it comes to kitchen tiles.