During your purchase planning for your project, it is generally a best practice to order extra in case of mistakes and or breakage during transportation and installation. Keep in mind that it’s best to use a tile format and size that will require a few cuts to fit.
For example, 1- or ½-inch mosaic squares on mesh netting are a versatile choice for many projects and can be cut to size with heavy-duty scissors.
Whichever project you choose, either a new project you embark on afresh, or it is a facelift, a minor renovation, or remodeling, chances are you would have broken and chipped tiles, or leftovers recovered from irregular curves and special shapes.
These projects often involve the use of various tile types, including Glazed Porcelain Tile, which can be repurposed in creative ways to enhance your home decor.So if you’re left with surplus tile after your backsplash or shower is finished, consider how you can repurpose it instead of throwing it away.
As your accountability partner, George Ceramic wants you to get maximum value from your investment with these clever DIY hacks.
With the hacks, you can personalize plain furniture by using your leftover and old tiles to create amazing custom decor.
REVAMP A COFFEE TABLE WITH PATTERNED TILE
With a raised border, this online-bargain coffee table was a perfect candidate for a tile facelift. Before you begin, map application options on graph paper to determine the easiest fit.
Cut scrap paper to the size of your tile and lay out the design with tile spacers between the patterns. With your visual cue in place, determine any tile cuts and whether finish tiles are needed.
After you have all your assembled materials, position the tiles—we used 8×8 Brilliant Pink Porcelain tiles —on a protected work surface using spacers between. Apply a thin layer of tile adhesive to the tabletop. We had about 2 inches of extra space all around, so we used 1-inch border tiles to finish the table.
Apply border tiles using the spacers and then the larger center tiles, adjusting spacing as needed. Let dry. Before grouting, protect the wood surface with painter’s tape
MAKE AN EASY DIY CENTERPIECE
This sweet and stylish tiled vase provides an easy way to use leftover tile. The trick is finding glass vases that are complete cylinders (these are 3 inches tall). Lay out the glass tile on a flat surface and position the vase in one corner. Cut the mosaic tile to the vase height.
Roll the tile around the vase, trim any excess, and secure the edges with painter’s tape. Attach one end of the tile with clear adhesive—and tape until dry, then glue the other tile end and secure it with painter’s tape until dry.
CREATE A SERVING TRAY OR TRIVET
A single tile or portion of a larger mosaic can become a serving tray or trivet with simple woodworking skills. Cut a piece of plywood to fit the tile size plus trim. Choose plywood thick and sturdy enough to support your tile. Use liquid nails to attach the tile to the center of the plywood piece.
Cut quarter-round trim with 45-degree mitered corners to frame the tile, then paint and let dry. Grout between tiles if working with mosaic; let dry. Glue the molding to the tray edges. Clamp until dry. If desired, attach felt pads to protect your tabletop.
CREATE CUSTOM LIGHTING
Glass tiles create a sparkly solution for bedside lighting. Remove glass tiles from their mesh backing, and arrange them in the pattern of your choice. (This design uses two colors of glass tile.) Using clear superglue, attach a command hook to the back of the glass tile so it aligns with the top edge.
Let dry. Thread a pendant light kit through a drum-shade wire frame. Simply attach the hooks to the wire. Note: This project is heavy, so attach it to a heavy-duty hook in a ceiling joist for hanging.
Self-adhesive hooks make this project tool-free. To handle the tile weight, glue the hooks to the back of the glass tiles with a strong adhesive. Once dry, simply slip each hook over a wire drum-shade frame.
TRANSFORM A BUILDER-GRADE BOOKCASE
This versatile bookcase features a sturdy, simple frame. We sanded, primed, and painted the unit before applying tile. Because our tiles weren’t square, we cut the edge pieces using a tile saw. (Some home centers will make cuts for you).
Lay the bookcase on a flat, protected surface and fit the tiles, using tile spacers. Once you’re happy with the design, move the tile arrangement to the side of your project. Spread a thin layer of tile adhesive on the back of the first opening. Carefully place the tiles using the spacers.Click to read our article Comprehensive Guide to Install Tiles Seamlessly
Repeat with the remaining openings. Let dry according to the manufacturer’s directions. When fully dry, spread prepared grout over the tile using a tile float, removing excess with a tiling sponge.For this leftover tile project, look for a short bookcase for stability. If you choose a taller style, make sure to secure it to the wall so it won’t tip over.
CONSTRUCT DIY TILE PLANTERS
Moroccan tiles make striking containers for indoor and outdoor plants. Cut four 3/4-inch square wood dowels to the tile height using a miter box and saw. Attach dowels to the sides of two tiles with clear glue; clamp. Once dry, glue and clamp the remaining sides.
We used an affordable basic tile for the planter base. While you can drill a hole in the bottom of the bottom for water drainage using a masonry bit, we opted for a plastic planter insert that’s easy to remove.
TILE TRAYS
This is another super simple idea. If you have a rectangular larger tile you can use them as a tray. For porcelain and ceramic tiles, you don’t need to do much, just make sure you are using unbroken tiles. Perhaps, you can add some accessories to the tile by using some adhesive.
Natural stone tiles also make cool trays. They are heavier but give a nice natural look. Your natural stone tile can be broken. That will make it look more natural and unique. Just make sure none of the edges are sharp to cut your hands.
TILE BEDROOM HEADBOARD
If you are tired of how your bed looks, you can use some of the leftover tiles on your headboard and transform your bedroom. Tiling your bed headboard can bring out a nice touch to your bedroom, especially if the tiles have bold and bright colors.
Pattern porcelain or mosaic tiles are a favorite for this craft. Before laying the tiles, paint the headboard with a favorable color (white goes well with most designs). Then apply a thin layer of adhesive with a trowel and lay the tiles on the surface.
Use your creativity and apply it however you like it best. Lastly, apply the grout to cover up the negative spaces and strengthen the tiles. Take the color of the grouts into consideration
BOOK CASE
A bookcase is a piece of furniture that can bring a real sense of richness to your place. Except for all the wonderful books you can keep in it, you can also decorate it to look prettier. Use some of the leftover tiles on the sides or back of your bookcase and style it to your taste. Use adhesive and grout for this one as well.
TILE / MOSAIC MIRROR
You can give your normal mirror a makeover by laying some tiles around the frame. Stone mosaic tiles will give your mirror a real style boost, but ceramic or porcelain tiles will look just as amazing.
Start from a corner and apply the tiles with super glue.If necessary cut the tiles with a tile snib. Make sure to wear protective glasses when doing this. To top it off you can add a new layer of moulding around the glass mirror.
MOSAIC TILE MAGNETS
Ever thought of matching your fridge magnets to your floor tiles or kitchen splashback? We have, and it’s so simple to do. Take a sheet of round or hexagon mosaic tiles, cut them up into singular pieces, and glue magnets to the back using super glue. The result?
Stylish fridge magnets to pin all your bits and bobs securely to the fridge.We’ve got white, black, or marble you can choose from, and these mosaic tile magnets work great for notice boards in home offices too, or keeping track of household chores for the little ones.
TILED WALL HOOKS
We can’t get enough of our marble hexagon mosaic, so here’s another great DIY project you can get stuck into.Grab some small wooden blocks and strong adhesive glue, and stick them to the back of your mosaic tiles.
Next, use a drill and some bolts to fix each of your hooks to the wall in any layout you like. You can even paint the wooden blocks metallic for a stylish twist – we’re loving copper or brass at the moment!
Related Reading：Tile laying: material selection and surface preparation