How To: Revitalise Leftover Wall Tiles

Whether you’re tiling a bathroom splashback or cladding the kitchen walls in tiles, there always seems to be several surplus tiles left over. While these spares will be ideal should you need to replace a damaged tile, too many unused tiles can end up gathering dust and wasting valuable storage space.

In today’s post, we’re taking a look at how you can inject a creative touch into your home by revitalising leftover wall tiles – so decluttering doesn’t have to be such a challenge after all.

Embellish old furniture with a mosaic

Upcycling is right on trend, so join the masses of creative crafters and transform your old furniture into a work of art by adorning tabletops with a mosaic of tiles. Opt for ready-cut glass mosaic tiles or break up larger tiles to create a more unconventional design – the choice is all yours. Simply measure your surface to work out the area you’ll need to cover and press the pattern into place with mosaic glue. For a smoother finish, ensure the mosaic adhesive has set, then fill any gaps with grout.

Create feature walls with unique tile designs

Have you lost the original design but found an array of mismatching leftover tiles? If your kitchen walls are looking a bit worse for wear, why not replace the cracked areas with a more vibrant style? The contrast of the simpler original style next to a pop of colour looks phenomenal, and is sure to command the attention of any guest. We love the idea of old meeting new, so why not replace areas of a traditional, rustic brick design with retro tiles – such as the burgundy metro tiles. For more handy hints, check out our helpful guide on how to replace cracked tiles at home.

DIY tile coasters and placemats

A photo posted by Andrea (@littlewoodendaisy) on Aug 9, 2016 at 3:46pm PDT

Ready to utilise those odd tiles? Smaller 4” square tiles are the perfect size to rest your mug of hot coffee on – and their strength and durability means they will continue to protect your table from getting damaged. Whether you have a number of pre-designed decorative tiles or are adding pattern to a plainer style, it couldn’t be easier to incorporate these unique accessories into your home. Use tile paint to add intricate detail to those unadorned tiles, or apply scrap paper and coat with a waterbased sealer glue – it’s all down to your personal preference. Then it’s time to treat the underside of the tile. Use adhesive on the back of the tile and attach white felt. Leave to set, and voila!

For larger tiles, we love the idea of making placemats and cheeseboards. Large porcelain tiles are perfect for this creative craft (our Comfort Tiles, for example, are the ideal size), so dig out those glossy white floor tiles to get started. For a cheeseboard, let the cheese do the talking by opting for a modest and simple background – simply apply the felt or cork board to the underside and you’re set.

When it comes to your unique interior design, there are no set rules to follow. Get creative and utilise those old unused tiles. Not only will your upcycling save you a small fortune, there’s nothing quite like the rewarding feeling you’ll get after investing all that effort and skill into your DIY project.

Get started today by choosing your new wall tiles from Tiles Direct. Order online and we’ll send them straight to your door, with free delivery on orders over £499!