Coasters are so handy to have around! Not only do they protect surfaces from water marks and scuffs but they come in many different colors and patterns adding a small decorative pop of color to your room. Making your own tile mosaic coaster is super easy and a fun project you can do with your kids!

This project will take a few days from start to finish but the end results are sure to please! I had the perfect helper to work with me on this project, my ten-year-old son. He enjoyed creating his pattern and placing the tiles on the board base.

We were both blown away by the finished result and I'm sure you will be just as happy with your own DIY mosaic tile coaster too.

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Materials To Make A Tile Coaster

Do not let tile and grout intimidate you! For this project I used pre-cut tiles I purchased from Amazon so I didn't have to do any cutting with any specialty tile-cutting tools.

Also, for this project, I recommend using pre-mixed grout instead of the powdered version. Premixed grout is available in a variety of different colors and comes in a small resealable container so you can use it on future tiling projects. Powder grout is very dusty and needs to be mixed with water in order to use it making it a little more difficult to use if you have never used grout before.

Another important tool for this project is a small plastic or metal putty knife. If you don't have a putty knife you could use a plastic ruler or even a large popsicle stick to wipe and smooth out the grout over the surface of your tile. Anything with a smooth flat edge could be used too if you don't have a putty knife.

DIY Mosaic Tile Coaster

Materials needed to make a tile coaster:

mosaic tiles (Amazon has a big variety to choose from)
4" x 4" wood coaster base
glue (I used regular craft glue)
paint brush
toothpicks
pre-mixed grout
acrylic paint (optional)
rubber or latex gloves
plastic spoon
small putty knife or large craft stick
stick on felt squares or circles

How To Make A Mosaic Tile Coaster

Step 1:

It is completely optional, but if you choose to paint the wooden base make sure to do this before you start the next step. Let the paint dry completely before continuing.

Step 2:

Lay out the tiles on the surface of the wood base in the pattern you like. You can get creative with your tiles and design a special shape or pattern or just wing it and place them in a random order.

Step 3:

Carefully slide the tiles off of the wood base so they remain in the pattern you just placed them in.

Then spread a layer of glue over the surface of the wood coaster base. Begin placing the tiles back onto the coaster, leaving a small gap between each tile.

Toothpicks are a helpful tool to use to space the tiles out and to gently nudge them into place making sure they aren't crooked.

After all your tiles are glued onto the coaster base let the glue dry completely before moving to the next step.

Step 4:

Put on a pair of rubber or latex gloves then scoop out a small amount of pre-mixed grout and pour it over the tiles.

With a putty knife or a large craft stick with a flat edge scrape the grout across the tiles gently pressing the grout into the gaps between the tiles.

Continue applying the grout until all of the gaps are filled evenly. Then let the grout dry slightly according to the grout directions before wiping off the tiles.

Step 5:

Once the grout has slightly dried and set for a short period of time use a damp sponge to wipe off the excess grout that is covering the tiles. Rinse off the sponge regularly and continue cleaning off the tiles until they are no longer cloudy from the grout. Then let the grout finish curing completely.

Step 6:

Apply small pieces of stick-on felt squares (or circles) to the bottom of the coaster to prevent it from scratching your table.

Congratulations! Now that the grout is completely cured and your coster bottom has an anti-scratch surface you are ready to start using your coaster!

Make a set of four to give to someone special for a housewarming or holiday present or make them to match your home decor and use them for yourself. Once you learn how to make these tile coasters you aren't going to want to stop making them!