Plan a Stargazy Citrus Tile Splashback That Lasts

By Decorum Studio Cornwall | Published: 2026-10-31

Category: How-to Guides

A practical, step-by-step guide to planning a Stargazy Citrus tile splashback, from measuring and layout to ordering samples and sealing glazed tiles.

Quick answer

Plan your Stargazy Citrus splashback by measuring the exact coverage area, deciding on a full-star layout before you buy, and ordering a sample to check the hand-screened finish. Treat sealing as part of the installation, not an optional extra.

Why the star pattern changes your planning

Stargazy Citrus tiles are 13 x 13cm with a star motif. Because the design is hand-screened, texture and finish can vary slightly from tile to tile. That variation is part of the character, but it means you should see a sample before committing to a whole wall. It also means you need to plan the layout so the stars sit where you want them, rather than assuming every tile is identical.

Where a citrus splashback works best

The bright citrus colour is designed to lift dark recesses, so it suits a splashback behind a hob or sink where light is limited. In a very sunny kitchen, the same colour can feel intense across a large run. Consider restricting it to a shorter section or using it as a feature panel rather than covering every wall. The tile is available on a choice of three base tiles, so the base you choose will affect the final look and how the citrus reads in your room.

Step-by-step splashback plan

Measure the true coverage area: Measure the width and height of the wall area you will tile, from the worktop to the underside of the wall units or hood. Subtract any obstructions such as sockets or a boiler. Add 10% for cuts and future repairs. Common mistake: measuring only the visible gap and forgetting the tile that runs behind the worktop upstand or into a window reveal. Check your measurement against the 13 x 13cm tile size to estimate whole tiles and cuts before you order.
Decide the star layout before you buy: Sketch the wall on graph paper using 13cm squares. Mark where you want the stars to fall—centred on the hob, aligned with a socket, or running as a border. Because the pattern is fixed on each tile, you cannot rotate a star to a different position, so the layout must work with the tile as supplied. Common mistake: buying tiles first and discovering the star pattern does not centre where you wanted it. If the layout needs a partial star at an edge, plan a cut tile or a border tile to finish the run cleanly.
Order a sample and check it in your kitchen light: The tiles are hand-screened, so texture and finish may vary. Order a sample of your chosen base tile and colour, and view it in the actual kitchen at different times of day. Check how the citrus reads against your cabinets and worktop. Common mistake: approving a colour on a screen or in a showroom without seeing it in your own light. Keep the sample to compare against the delivered batch; slight variation is normal, but you want to be happy with the range.
Plan cuts and edges around sockets and corners: Mark every socket, switch, and corner on your sketch. Decide whether you will cut tiles around them or bring the tiling to a trim. For a glazed tile, cuts expose the biscuit body, so plan a trim or a neat silicone bead at external corners. Common mistake: leaving cut edges raw where they will be visible and hard to clean. Order a little extra for cuts and keep a spare tile from the same batch for future repairs.
Seal glazed tiles before grouting: Glazed tiles can be sealed before grouting to help resist staining and make cleaning easier. Use a sealant suitable for glazed ceramic or porcelain, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for drying times. Common mistake: sealing after grouting without checking compatibility, or skipping sealing altogether on a splashback that will see grease and steam. Seal before grouting and again after grout has cured if the sealant instructions recommend it.
Install with a consistent grout joint: Use a grout joint that suits the 13cm square format—typically 2–3mm—and keep it consistent across the wall. A wider joint can soften the star pattern; a very narrow joint leaves little room for slight tile size variation. Common mistake: changing joint width mid-wall to fit a space, which makes the layout look uneven. Dry-lay a row before fixing to confirm the joint width and star alignment.

Product facts to plan around

Stargazy Citrus: 13 x 13cm star-studded tiles, hand-screened, available on three base tiles. The small square size gives you flexibility for a precise layout, but hand-screening means you should order a sample to approve the texture and finish.
Stargazy Citrus