Repurpose remnants from larger redos with these clever leftover tile projects.
We’ll show you how to personalize furniture and decor using extra tiles.
These clever DIYs use leftover tile topersonalize plain furnitureand create custom decor.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Learn how to repurpose the remnants from your kitchen or bath redo with these creative leftover tile projects.
Before you begin, map app options on graph paper to determine the easiest fit.
With your visual cue in place, determine any tile cuts and whether finish tiles are needed.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Make an Easy DIY Centerpiece
This sweet and stylish tiled vase is 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.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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.
Cut a piece of plywood to fit the tile size plus trim.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Choose plywood thick and sturdy enough to support your tile.
Use liquid nails to attach 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.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Grout between tiles if working with mosaic; let dry.
Glue the molding to the tray edges.
If desired, attach felt pads to protect your tabletop.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Clean, prime, andpaint your furniture piecethe desired hue.
Working on a level surface, arrange the tile sheets on your project.
Protect painted portions with painter’s tape.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Using a trowel, spread a thin layer of tile adhesive on the furniture.
We worked one row of tile sheets at a time.
Repeat with remaining sheets and let dry.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Use a tile float to apply grout the same color as the penny tiles to hide imperfections.
Remove grout residue with water and a tiling sponge.
Create Custom Lighting
Glass tiles create a sparkly solution for bedside lighting.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Remove glass tiles from their mesh backing, arranging in the pattern of your choice.
(This design uses two colors of glass tile.)
Thread a pendant light kit through a drum-shade wire frame.
Credit:Blaine Moats
Simply attach the hooks to the wire.
Self-adhesive hooks make this project tool-free.
Once dry, simply slip each hook over a wire drum-shade frame.
Credit:Blaine Moats
Transform a Builder Grade Bookcase
This versatile bookcase featured a sturdy, simple frame.
We sanded, primed, and painted the unit before applying tile.
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.
Repeat with the remaining openings.
Let dry according to the manufacturer’s directions.
For this leftover tile project, look for a short bookcase for stability.
Make a Mosaic Mirror
This basic framed mirror gets a style boost with dry-set marble tiles and accent molding.
Starting at the corners, lay out thetile in a herringbone pattern.
When happy with the corners, position tiles along the sides, alternating long and short tiles.
Remove one tile at a time, add a small bead of superglue, and secure to the frame.
Continue until all the pieces are attached.
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.
Blaine Moats
9.
A simple concrete or ceramic planter makes an excellent base for mosaic masterpiece.
Cut pieces of tile with a tile cutter into desired shapes.
Lightly sand the planter with sandpaper and wipe clean.
Then, draw your design on the planter with a pencil.
Once your design is complete, let dry for 24 hours.
Let dry for at least 24 hours before planting.
Make a Mosaic Tabletop
Punch up a side table with a rainbow of tiny tiles.
Cut a piece of fiberglass mesh slightly larger than your tabletop.
Sand your tabletop with sandpaper to rough it up slightly, then wipe it clean with a dry cloth.
Transfer the tiled mesh to the surface and gently press tiles into the adhesive.
Let dry and trim excess mesh, then grout.
