Design and interior ideas

Spectacular decor for a penny: 9 options for unusual use of ordinary tiles

Ceramic tiles are almost universal material for decoration.
Ceramic tiles are almost universal material for decoration.


What could be more familiar than ceramic tiles? Tiled floors or walls are a classic, but far from the only option for its use. It is worth connecting imagination – and even a standard finishing material takes on a second life!

Where can I get ceramic tiles to use as decor? Check the attic for remnants of this material from the renovation. If they are not there, contact any hardware store. There you can buy the remains of the tiles for just a couple of rubles.

1. Facing the work surface of the kitchen set

A bright apron will transform even a standard kitchen.
A bright apron will transform even a standard kitchen.

Ceramic tiles are a strong and durable material that is not afraid of high temperatures, humidity, and the effects of almost any cleaning agent. You can put hot pots directly on the tiles, without worrying about its possible damage.

The backsplash blends seamlessly into the countertop cladding.
Kitchen apron blends seamlessly into the countertop cladding.

An interesting solution is the work surface and the kitchen apron, faced with matching types of tiles. One surface smoothly merges into another. At the same time, the need for arranging joints disappears, which makes it easier to clean the kitchen.

2. New life of old furniture

The tile goes well with wrought iron elements.
The tile goes well with wrought iron elements.

The dining table, the tabletop of which is decorated with tiles, will become a real decoration of the living room or kitchen. You don’t have to use a whole tile. A picturesque mosaic panel can be laid out from small fragments of tiles left after repairs. If the remains of the tiles have not survived, you can buy them at the nearest hardware store for almost nothing or even take them for free.

The tile is also appropriate for garden furniture decoration.
The tile is also suitable for garden furniture decoration..

On the cleaned surface of the countertop, the tiles are glued with latex glue, the seams are filled with tile grout. After the grout has completely dried, the table is ready to use! Similarly, you can decorate an old bench or chair, the doors of hanging cabinets..

3. Wall panel – replacement for boring pictures

The broken tile mosaic is a democratic replacement for the usual mosaic.
Broken tile mosaic – a democratic replacement for ordinary mosaic.

It will turn out to create a colorful panel from multi-colored fragments of ceramic tiles. The complexity of the drawing depends solely on your degree of creativity! A simple motif on the wall, which is then laid out in tiles, can even be drawn by a child. It can be schematic images of flowers, animals, ornaments..

An idea that is easy to implement – an abstract panel of multi-colored stripes, geometric shapes. As a mosaic, use not only the remains of a tile, but also broken dishes, large beads. To design a complex panel, we recommend bringing in friends with an artistic taste. This is necessary to create a color scheme that will add volume to the image. If you draw up the scheme yourself, then remember: the more shades are used, the more effective the panel. The tiles can be painted: the surface is cleaned of the glossy layer using an abrasive, for example, sandpaper, and then coated with paint for ceramic or glass. Don’t forget a layer of protective varnish.

4. Unusual and durable garden decor

Flowers in a pot decorated with tiles look even more beautiful.
Flowers in a pot decorated with tiles look even more beautiful.

Even rough flower beds, old pots and buckets are transformed after decorating with the remains of ceramic tiles. The tiled garden path will become the highlight of the personal plot. But in this case, we recommend using floor tiles with a matte surface. Otherwise, the track will be too slippery, especially in wet weather..

The base for garden decor can be made from cement mortar.
The base for garden decor can be made from cement mortar.

5. Wall clock – let the time pass beautifully!

Tiled Mosaic Clock is a simple yet functional decor.
Tiled Mosaic Clock – Simple yet functional decor.

In order to make an original clock for the kitchen with your own hands, you need a whole ceramic tile with a beautiful pattern and a ready-made clockwork. You can get it from an old watch or buy it from a store that specializes in hand-made products. In the central part of the tile, you need to make a hole with a drill. The clockwork is inserted into it, and the practical decor for the kitchen is ready! Paint the dial on the watch with paints for glass or ceramics. If there is no whole tile that could become the basis for the clock, glue the finished clock with its fragments.

6. Ceramic canvas – the basis for a painting

A tile pattern will be especially appropriate in the kitchen.
A tile pattern will be especially appropriate in the kitchen.

Plain-colored ceramic tiles become a non-standard basis for a drawing, replacing paper or canvas. If you are confident in your own artistic skills, create on one or more tiles glued to a common base using glass or ceramic paints. Complement the finished composition with a frame suitable in style and size.

For the base, it is better to choose a light monochromatic tile.
For the base, it is better to choose a light plain tile..

7. Tile + paper = decoupage

Decoupage is a great opportunity to create a painting without having artistic skills.
Decoupage is a great opportunity to create a picture without having artistic skills.

Decoupage is gluing with special cards, patterned napkins or pieces of textile on a certain surface. This decoration technique is indispensable in cases where you need to create a beautiful image, but at the same time, ordinary painting with paints and a brush is too laborious. The surface of the tiles is cleaned, degreased and covered with a thin layer of primer – a mixture of PVA and acrylic paint. After drying, the tiles are painted in the desired color, a paper or textile motif is glued to it. The dried image is covered with several layers of acrylic varnish. Decoupage will make a real work of art even from ordinary tiles! Tiles with a similar decor can be used to decorate walls..

8. Non-slip and beautiful staircase

The staircase with tiles becomes a bright interior accent.
Tiled staircase becomes a bright interior accent.

Ceramic tiles go well with natural wood, in harmony with forged elements. The staircase, whose risers are decorated with tiles, not only looks unforgettable, but also becomes more functional. Its service life is increased, because ceramics are less susceptible to negative external factors than wood. Such a combined staircase in the interior looks much more attractive than a fully tiled staircase..

9. Cold stand for a hot dish

For the stand, use tiles with a large motif.
Use large motif tiles for the stand.

You will need a wooden plank, which any housewife has in the kitchen, and the remains of ceramic tiles. With glue «liquid Nails» fragments of tiles are fixed on the board in a chaotic manner or according to a selected pattern. Seams are filled with tile grout. You can also glue a whole tile of the original color onto the board.

Of course, ceramic tiles are far from the only way to liven things up. Are worthy of your attention and 9 unique interior design ideas worth trying at least once

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