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If you have recently upgraded your kitchen or bathroom with some new tiles, chances are there are a few left over. It’s advisable to order more than you need in case of mistakes or breakages, but if all has gone well, then you will be left with a surplus. Rather than leave them to gather dust in the shed, you can use them for some simple DIY projects.
Here are a few ideas for small and easily achievable tiling projects that will add interest and style to your home. If you like the sound of a particular project but it doesn’t suit the style or size of your leftover tiles, you can always order some more suitable ones.
A tiled splashback in your kitchen or bathroom is both a practical way to protect paint and plaster from water damage, and also an opportunity to add an eye-catching design feature to the room. It’s also suitable for the area around the hob in the kitchen to protect the wall from splashes and staining, and provide a waterproof and easy to clean surface.
Ideally, the tiles should be made from a tough impermeable material such as porcelain or ceramic. It’s a great project to try if you are new to tiling, because it’s a relatively small area and doesn’t involve awkward corners or ceiling joins (unless you have a very unconventional layout).
Also Read: Watford’s Finest Kitchen Tile Trends
Prep the wall by sanding down any rough surfaces and washing it with sugar soap, then leaving it to dry. Measure the area you want to tile, marking the centre point and top edge. Cover your work surface with a protective sheet and lay out the tiles if you want to arrange a pattern. Check if you will need to cut any down to size.
When you are happy with the size/layout of the tiles, apply a waterproof adhesive to the wall. Place the tiles on the wall, using spacers to ensure that there are even gaps between each one. Use a spirit level to make sure they are straight, removing any glue residue as you go along.
When the adhesive is dry, apply gout between the tiles. Ideally use an anti-mould grout to ensure it stands up to repeated moisture exposure. You can choose a grout in a matching colour to the tiles, or pick a deliberate contrast. Wipe away any excess and apply sealant along the edges of the tiles.
For a really simple project, jazz up a tray with some tiles to provide a hard wearing surface. Measure up the tray and cut the tiles to the size you need, and apply them to the surface of the tray with adhesive. Fill in the gaps with grout and leave to set for a few hours. In the meantime, you can trim any remaining tiles into handy matching coasters.
If your tiles are suitable for outdoor use, then you could use the leftovers from a patio to create an attractive garden path. This not only looks elegant and helps to create a sense of flow and harmony in your garden, but is also a practical way to avoid wear and tear on your lawn, and minimise slip hazards and muddy footprints in your home.
Porcelain is an ideal tile material, because it is hard wearing and durable, and also more water and stain resistant than materials such as granite or sandstone. Before you begin, mark the location and dimensions of the path in your garden. Dig out the area to a depth of about four to six inches, and lay down a weed control fabric.
Fill the path with a base material such as gravel or sand, compacting in firmly to provide a stable base for the path. Arrange the tiles along the base, using a spacer to create consistent gaps between them. Tap them down with a rubber mallet, and fill in the gaps with grout, cleaning off any excess as you go along.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully regarding the setting times for the grout, and take care to keep any children or pets out of the garden while it has time to fully set.
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