How to Create a Gorgeous Gem Stone Accent Wall

Alicia W
by Alicia W
5 Materials
$45
2 Days
Easy

Several months ago, I created a backsplash in my bathroom using gems from the Dollar Store. After that, a lot of people requested that I continue the mosaic on the rest of the wall. While I didn't want the entire wall covered with the gems, this is what I did.


DIY accent wall idea

This is what my bathroom wall looked like before adding the gem stone accent wall.

Bathroom accent wall ideas

This is the bathroom after adding the Dollar store gem stones.

Gem stone backsplash above bathroom sink

In the original project, I just added a gem stone backsplash above the vanity, so the above picture shows where I started the second part of my bathroom accent wall project.

Dollar store gems for simple bathroom makeover

I used 3 bags of gems for the backsplash. For the rest of the DIY accent wall, I purchased 35 bags of gems.

Rinse the gems

1. Wash the Gems

The gems were really dusty, so I removed them from the bags, placed them in a colander, and washed them with a mild soap and water.


After their washing, I dried them on a towel.

Draw a straight line above the gem stone backsplash

2. Measure the Wall

Using a level (which I bought at the Dollar Store) I made a line slightly above the back splash.

Affordable bathroom update

I then measured that line from the floor and marked the wall. I continued that line across the entire wall.

Draw a design on your wall and fill with Mastic

3. Draw a Design

Another comment from the original post was that people wondered why I didn't create some type of design on the wall. This time, I hand-drew seaweed shapes in various sizes.

Green gem seaweed design

4. Apply Gems

Using mastic (which is a tile adhesive), I began by filling small sections of the seaweed shapes. Then I began attaching the green gems for the seaweed design.


I purchased two different sizes of green to give the "seaweed" a different look than the rest of the wall.


Once the seaweed was complete, I applied mastic to the rest of the wall, working in small sections.

Simple accent wall idea

When I reached the point where I had to join the previous back splash with the new mosaic, I simply butted the mastic up to the previous and added gems.

Nail chair rail molding above the gems

5. Add Chair Rail

While the mastic was drying, I measured and cut a piece of chair rail molding.


I used the line I had drawn on the wall as a guide. I nailed the molding onto the wall using a Brad nailer.

Adhering gems to the bathroom wall

6. Continue Adding Gems

Once the chair rail was in place, I added more gems to fill in the gaps. Instead of putting the mastic onto the wall, I applied it onto the back of each gem and glued them onto the wall.

Add grout to your accent wall

7. Apply Grout

Once the mastic was completely dry, I applied the grout and wiped the excess off with a sponge and plain water.


Once the grout dried, the "seaweed" really popped!

Gemstone bathroom accent wall

Here is the completed affordable bathroom accent wall project.


I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 65 questions
  • Mary Brady Mary Brady on Sep 02, 2020

    just wondering, how would you remove this?

    it looks beautiful!!

  • Lea Anne Lea Anne on Sep 02, 2020

    Awesome project and finished look!!!

  • Ann Clemons Ann Clemons on Jul 08, 2023

    I would think the moisture in the bathroom would loosen the gems ?

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