Don't Pass Over Thrift Store Plates — Upcycle Them Into Garden Pavers

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No matter where you thrift, be it in a flea market, thrift store, or yard sale in your neighborhood, it seems dishware is a staple of the hunt. You might continually pass by random secondhand mismatched plates, but there's still life in them yet. What's more, you don't even need a matching set to create something wonderful. Don't pass over plates at thrift stores, because you can transform them into eye-catching garden accessories that are both beautiful and functional. When you combine a single plate or several with some cement to make mosaic art, you'll have a one-of-a-kind paver that offers safety and style in your garden.

Pavers are perfect for keeping your beautiful garden from getting damaged as they provide a solid surface to walk on and protect your plants. They help you add definition to the yard while adding an aesthetic appeal to your outdoor space. Thrift store china is often affordable, letting you easily give your garden a unique transformation on a budget with plates. You don't need to be a skilled mosaic artist either, as there's no "set" way to create a mosaic, it can look exactly how you want it to. This creative garden project lets you use a variety of colors, patterns, and styles for a whimsical stepping stone you'll love each time you view it. You'll also be reusing something that might head to the landfill if left unsold, scoring a big win for sustainability, especially since glass isn't biodegradable. If you're ready to flex your artistic muscles while also helping the planet, here's how.

To get started, you'll need some secondhand plates (of course), a bag of crafting cement, such as Jennifer's Mosaics Outdoor Cement, and a mold. You'll also need a towel and a hammer. Shop at your local thrift store for plate options, ideally looking for any dishes featuring bright colors or interesting patterns. If you'd prefer making one small paver, you can just use one plate, but working with several dishes can add more visual depth. Once you've gathered your materials, then it's time to turn them into mosaic tiles.

Wrap each plate in a towel, hitting it with a hammer to break it into pieces. Using the towel helps the shards and broken bits from flying up and causing injury. You should wear a pair of protective goggles to shield your eyes from any flying errant shards as well. Once broken, make your cement, then pour into your mold. You can buy a traditional paver mold, or just DIY it with a cake pan or other baking dish — just make sure it's non-stick so you can pop it out easily. Finally, after you fill the mold or pan, start placing the pieces into the cement. Don't worry about sitting in the pieces uniform or perfectly; the beauty of mosaic is its random style! You only need to press the pieces firmly into the cement to ensure that they don't stick up, otherwise a child or pet may cut themselves when walking on it. Let it dry and cure according to the packaging directions. When it's dry, pop it out and add to your garden.

While you can stick with a traditional round shape for your stepping stone, opt for a more whimsical-shaped mold to make your piece really pop. For the ultimate romantic decor for your garden or yard, you could use a heart shape such as Midwest Products Large Heart Stepping Stone Mold or the same brand's Large Butterfly Stepping Stone Mold. You can also stretch your imagination beyond your mold shape. Come up with materials you can use in addition to plates, such as broken coffee mugs to make a statement piece. Consider mixing in colorful glass, such as sea glass or broken old bottles, as these will shine as well, catching the light as they sit in the sun. Even natural elements like shells or leaves can be part of the paver.

You can create a mosaic design with no discernible style, or try making a picture with symbols like a spiral, heart, or smiley face. If you're feeling artistic, you could even try making decorative designs like animals, flowers, or stars, browsing Pinterest or blogs for even more fun ideas. Why not try spelling out your initials, maybe even commemorating a special date like an anniversary or birth? Whatever you do, make sure you have fun and watch the sharp edges carefully.