Making Tile Designs With Leftover Tile

Independent Projects

• 1

  Set the leftover tile pieces together, right side up, on a table. Use a tablecloth to protect the tabletop from the jagged edges of the tiles.

• 2

  Move the tiles around until you find a pleasing image that you would want to place on a vase, coaster or hanging picture.

• 3

  Spread tile adhesive over the item you choose for the project base, using a 2-inch margin trowel. The layer of adhesive must be thin to prevent adhesive from squeezing between the tile pieces.

• 4

  Place tile pieces on the adhesive, using tweezers, in the same pattern you created on the table cloth. Place one piece at a time, and press the piece with the tweezers or the tip of your finger to make the piece even in the adhesive. After all the pieces are in place, let the tiles set for three hours.

• 5

  Spread grout over the tile pieces, pushing the grout evenly into the spaces between the tiles with the trowel.

• 6

  Wipe off the surface of the tiles with a damp sponge to clean them. Allow the project to set for 24 hours.

Floor or Wall Design

• 7

  Save a space, a small section of the wall or the doorway between rooms, to add the leftover tile pieces.

• 8

  Set the tile pieces on a tablecloth, right side up, to find a pleasing mosaic design.

• 9

  Spread tile adhesive over the space left for the tiles, using a 2-inch margin trowel. Use a thin layer of adhesive to prevent the adhesive from squeezing out between the tile pieces.

• 10

  Place the leftover tile pieces in the adhesive using tweezers in the same design you created while the pieces were on the tablecloth. Press down each piece with the trowel or with the tip of your finger to set it evenly. Allow the tiles to set for three hours.

• 11

  Apply grout to the tiles with the 2-inch margin trowel, moving the trowel in all directions to get enough grout between the jagged edges of the tiles.

• 12

  Wipe the tiles with a damp sponge to remove any grout from the surface. Allow the tiles to set for 24 hours before walking on them.