Prepare the Surface

• Make sure the wall is flat and plumb prior to starting your tile project. Shim the walls and use only studs without crowns to eliminate unevenness and nail pops. Failing to prepare walls prior to laying tile might require you to cut tiles of varying sizes to complete areas along the corners and make tile installation appear sloppy and unprofessional.
  
  

Install the Right Substrate

• Installing tile on a substandard surface or substrate can lead to imperfections in your tile work later on. Do not install tile directly on drywall, particularly in tubs and showers. Water is able to penetrate the grout and cause the drywall to erode and disintegrate. Use ceramic board as your substrate for tile projects where water is present. Install the board directly to the drywall with screws or galvanized roofing nails.
  
  

Plan-out Placement of the First Row

• Do not begin installing tile until you decide where the first horizontal row begins. For tubs and showers, you ideally want your first row to be approximately 1-3/4 inches above the surface when using standard 4-inch tiles. Mark a level line with a pencil on all three walls of the bathroom and affix a lattice strip along the line, which acts as a temporary shelf for you to position tiles against the wall. Once the first tile row is in place, you can make adjustments, as needed.
  
  

Use the Right Tools

• Most likely you're going to need to cut tile to complete your project. Rather than use a saw made for cutting wood, use a quality tile saw. Most home improvement stores allow you to rent a tile saw for about $50 a day. A tile saw will enable you to make straight, even cuts to maximize supplies.
  
  

Ensure Even Spacing

• Nothing looks worse than tile that is unevenly spaced. Newer tiles have tiny bumps on their edges that installers use as guides to create straight, even grout lines. Fill these spaces with grout and you're nearly guaranteed to have evenly spaced tile.