It’s been a little while since we have done some Quick and Easy DIY Projects here at The Cottage Market and that is about to change. I am going to try really hard to bring you at least one or two original DIY’s Projects and/or Crafts each week along with your regular morning collection. Going to sneak some fun recipes in there along with some Home Decor DIY Projects also. Sure hope you enjoy them. Would love to hear if there are special things that you would like The Cottage Market to cover…always all ears!!!! Today we are going to create a Quick and Easy Floor Tile Mosaic Coaster DIY Project!
You know what I love about these? Ok…first they are really quick and easy but what is really cool is you can get this look on a low low budget!  I purchased 3 standard wood grain floor tiles…you know the ones that you can buy loose in a box at your favorite hardware store or chain hardware store. They were $.79 each and you could probably make about 60 coasters with that amount! Much cheaper than some of the inlay tapes and they really give you the same look!
So all you are going to need is an assortment of the peel and stick floor tiles (you can use all wood or mix patterns…anything that you love!) …then you will need to cut some 1/4″ mdf squares. Mine are cut 4″X4″ and of course you can make yours any size you want. You can even make them large for trivits. Then you will need some paint to paint the mdf squares…a box cutter or exacto blade…a t-square or some sort of straight edge…a piece of sand paper or sand paper block and you are ready to go. The tiles are peel and stick so you don’t even need glue.
Now it is time to cut a bunch of strips from the floor tiles. I cut 1/4″ strips … 1/2″ strips and 1′ strips. You can cut them whatever width you would like including squares…triangles…etc. The strips are really a lot easier to cut and to assemble. Simply measure your width…place you straight edge down and cut. Make sure to have a mat or some sort of protection under the tiles so you don’t cut into your work table. Also be very careful not to cut yourself! Cut a bunch so you have tons to choose from while assembling the coasters.
Time to sand your mdf squares and give them a coat of whatever color paint you would like. The sides are what shows…so any complimentary color will work. I just love the black edge but your favorite color will look fabulous! They dry almost instantly… but I still like to give them a little blast of the hair dryer! You really don’t want them to be tacky at all or the peel and stick won’t work.
Time to assemble! You can do this a couple of ways. You can pre-measure all of your strips prior to assembling or you can place them on the mdf or wood with over hang and then trim. I did the later…that way I had a lot less margin for error. Whatever way you prefer…it will work great. Before you take the stick strip off…play with your design…pattern or random pattern and then lay the pattern out next to the wood block and assemble from left to right so you get it just the way you wanted it.
Now all you have to do is trim.
You will want to touch up the sides of the coasters with a bit of paint…a thin white line shows and all you have to do is clean it up with your paint brush and edge the whole coaster for that finished look. The tiles are all ready treated so you don’t even have to coat them with a protective seal!
Oh there is one more step… pour a glass of wine… or whatever you would like and enjoy!
These would make amazing gifts and never hurt the purse strings! Let your inner design come out and enjoy!
(((((HUGS)))))
Jen Kelevra says
Hi andrea, love the idea of making your own coasters. just a quick question, could i use a mat like this…traditional yoga mat… as i have an old one lying around somewhere in the house. Do you think it would have the same non-slip affect?
many thanks, Jen
Andrea says
Hi there Jen, how are you : ) The old yoga mat would work great…it would make a great non-stick/skid backing and with strong adhesive…the wooden strips would adhere : ) or you could just add the mat to the bottom of the wood like you would felt or cork. Great idea! Let me know how they turn out! Hugs…