Give your Lagos kitchen a "correct" glow-up without breaking the bank! In a city where we love to host and "flex" our culinary skills, the kitchen is the heart of the home. If yours is looking a bit tired, a new backsplash is the ultimate shortcut to a modern look.
Whether you are feeling that sleek Lekki minimalist vibe or a bold, colorful Island style, here is how to get it done right.
1. Measure Twice, Buy Once
Lagos traffic is no joke. The last thing you want is to realize you are two tiles short and have to drive back to Orile or Mushin market.
Calculate your area: Multiply the width and height of the wall to get the square footage.
The "Naija Factor": Always buy 10% extra. Tiles can break during transport on our "gallop" roads, or you might make a mistake while cutting. It’s better to have leftovers than to look for a matching batch that is out of stock.
2. Prep Your Space (Safety First!)
Before you start, clean the wall thoroughly. Lagos kitchens see a lot of action, so scrub off any old oil, steam, or "stew" stains with a good detergent.
Protect your "Light": Switch off the power from the changeover box or DB board and remove outlet covers.
Tape it up: Use masking tape to protect your granite or marble countertops and cabinets from stray cement or scratches.
3. Map Out Your Design
Don’t just start "anyhow." Find the center point of your wall (usually behind the cooker/vent hood).
Dry Run: Lay your tiles out on the floor first to see how the pattern looks.
Stay Level: Use a spirit level. If your lines aren't straight, the whole kitchen will look "bend-bend," and you'll regret it every time you make garri.
4. Mixing the "Gum" (Mortar)
Mix your tile adhesive in a bucket until it’s smooth.
Watch the Heat: Lagos humidity and heat can make mortar dry faster than usual. Only mix what you can use in about 30–45 minutes.
The Technique: Apply a thin layer with a notched trowel at a 45-degree angle. Work in small sections so the adhesive doesn’t "stone" before you get the tiles on.
5. Setting the Tiles
Start from the bottom: Place your first row on the countertop line and work your way up.
Use Spacers: Don’t try to "eye" the gaps. Use plastic spacers so your grout lines are perfectly even.
Cutting: If you are using ceramic, a manual tile cutter is fine. But for that heavy porcelain or natural stone, you will need a wet saw to avoid jagged edges.
6. Grout and Shine
Once the tiles have sat for 24 hours (no heavy cooking during this time, the steam can mess with the drying!), it is time to grout.
Choose Wisely: Pick a grout color that won't show dirt easily.
Clean as you go: Use a damp sponge to wipe off excess grout before it hardens. For a professional finish, a toothbrush works wonders for cleaning the tiny corners of each tile.
Pro Tip: If you want that extra "pizzazz," wait a week and apply a sealer. It makes the backsplash waterproof and much easier to wipe down after frying dodo!
Don't Have the Time for "DIY"?
Lagos Home Fixers get it! Lagos life is busy. Between work and traffic, you might not have 48 hours to spare for tiling. If you would rather have a professional handle the "grammar" of installation, you can find a vetted pro on here to help you with your needs.
