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Cool Ways to Use Tile (Beyond the Bathroom Floor!)

Tile is a wonderful product: it’s cheap, durable, and easy to work with.  Maintenance is low, and it can stand up to even the toughest abuse. But there are many things that can be done with tile besides simply covering your bathroom floor.  Here are a few ideas for how you can use tile throughout your […]

Tile is a wonderful product: it’s cheap, durable, and easy to work with.  Maintenance is low, and it can stand up to even the toughest abuse. But there are many things that can be done with tile besides simply covering your bathroom floor.  Here are a few ideas for how you can use tile throughout your home. 

Picture Frames

You can use leftover tile pieces to create your own unique picture frames.  This can be done in a number of ways: from gluing pieces of tile to a wooden frame to laying rectangular tiles end-to-end to make your own frame.  The only limit is your imagination on this one!

Table Tops

The durability of tile lends itself to use as a table top covering.  You can easily lay down leftover tile on top of an old table—simply lay the tiling the same way you would lay it on the floor—and breathe new life into it!  An old table which has been resurfaced with tiling looks brand new, and it will be fully functional for years and years to come.  Tile wears better than wood, and you needn’t worry about spills or scratches!

Make a Mosaic Tray

If you have plenty of little scrap pieces of tile left over from a project, you can use tile to assemble them on the top of a tray to form a beautiful mosaic.  The tray will look great, and you know that it will last for years and years. 

Update the Look of Your Tub

Certain types of tiling—such as airstone or other tiling made to look like natural stone—can be attached to the side of your tub to make it look like you’re bathing in an old stone pool.  This will only work on tubs that are flat—such as ones that are built into a recess in the wall—but if you are lucky enough to have such a tub you can easily update the look of your bathroom in an afternoon or two.

Put in Your Own Unique Stepping Stone Path

Larger tiles can be placed over a bed of pea gravel to form a unique pathway. If you are feeling really adventurous, you can head to the store and select a wide variety of brightly colored and patterned tiles, or you could just use whatever you have on hand.  Either way, you’ll have a stepping stone pathway that is uniquely yours.

Make Your Own Coasters

The smaller tile pieces make perfect coasters.  If the finish on the tile is rough, you can paint your own pictures (or even glue photographs) on the tiles, then seal them with a clear sealer.  The result will be your own coaster set with your personal touch indelibly printed on them. These make great wedding gifts, too, especially if you can get your hands on some old photos of the bride and groom.

Conclusion

Tiling is great for use as a floor; however, don’t let this use cloud your imagination and close you to all the other possibilities.  Anywhere you need something that is durable, you may find that tile is exactly what you’re looking for!