The DIY Pebble Wall That Is Sure To Be A Conversation Starter

Pebble walls are the new exposed brick. These stone features fit into various interior design styles like coastal, Mediterranean, rustic, and bohemian. The raw material brings an earthy element to your space while the small stones keep the look elegant. Use it for your mantel or as an accent wall to liven up your home. The best part is pebble walls are easy to DIY.

It is a beginner-friendly project that does not require mortar or thin-set to lay the tiles. Instead, we will use a double-sided adhesive tile mat to secure the pebble slates. The strong adhesive turns tiles that are applied with a cement mixture into a peel-and-stick installation. You're also able to grout the stone immediately after it's placed, making this a one-day DIY for small walls.

Keep in mind that the adhesive mat is a permanent renovation and not renter-friendly. However, to get a similar look that won't jeopardize your security deposit, you can try stone peel-and-stick tile, adding a barrier of contact paper to protect the wall. Everyone can enjoy the feel of nature indoors with this rock-solid design.

For this DIY, we're using MusselBound's adhesive tile mat. The double-sided bond is compatible with glass, stone, porcelain, ceramic, metal, and mesh-backed mosaic tiles. One roll covers 15 square feet or a 12-inch by 15-foot space. You can purchase it on the company website for $39.95 or at your local hardware store.

The main star, pebble tile, might be the most important purchase. There are colorful tiles — like Rain Forest's mixed berry at Home Depot costing $7.08 each — and natural white ones, like Elida Ceramica pebble beach tile ($8.98 at Lowe's). It is all about the look you want for your space. If you're unsure, a neutral color like white or gray is the best choice, as it will stand the test of time, even if your design style changes.

White is the typical choice for grout, delivering a clean and luxurious feel, but you may want to consider jumping on the colorful grout trend. SimpleGrout has a gallon container for $42.37 in shades of brown, white, and gray at Home Depot. You'll also need a rubber float to apply the grout and a sponge to wipe up. Goldblatt has a combo set for $22.99 on Amazon. Once you gather all the materials, you're ready to build the wall.

First, ensure the tiles and the wall are clean and dry. Everything needs to stick well so the design will last. Next, cover the surface with MusselBound's tile mat. Once you stick it down, the adhesive won't let up for you to readjust, so take your time. Keep the protective film intact on the side where the pebble tiles will adhere. You'll remove the backing as you apply the tiles one by one to avoid exposing the glue to dust and causing it to dry out.

Next, starting in the upper corner, peel just enough of the mat's film to fit the tile and place the pebble slate. Firmly press each piece to the wall. You may need to cut some stones to fit corners or around plugs and outlets. Laying the tiles as is will get the job done, but you can also make the stone wall look more natural by cutting the tiles into smaller pieces or removing individual rocks from the board of each tile. In doing so, you'll break up the repetition, and each square won't look identical.

After all the tile is in place, apply the grout generously with the float and fill in the gaps. Then, sponge it clean with water. It may take a few rounds to remove all the excess grout from the stone. Now, step back and marvel at your coastal accent wall. Don't forget to tell everyone who made it.