Is Using Broken Plates To DIY Homemade Tile A Good Idea?

Let's face it: tile can be expensive. Often, it feels like you have to choose between getting the tile (and blowing maybe your budget) or waiting for a sale. Frustrated, DIYers are trying a different way to get beautiful tile without the cost: using pieces of broken ceramic dishware. But is using broken plates as DIY tile really a good idea? It depends on a few factors.

On the surface, this seems like an easy swap. Both plates and tiles are made from ceramic or porcelain — though in some cases, tiles are made from other materials such as natural stone, while plates rarely are. With both products coming in a wide variety of hues and patterns, it's easy to find colors to match your existing decor at the thrift store or your local big-box retailer. Plus, upcycling plates for tiling is creative way to reuse broken dishes in your home.

But in some situations, repurposing broken plate pieces into homemade tile has some drawbacks. The pre-loved pieces could harbor bacteria or impede the function of the surface you're tiling. There are a few things you need to know before you get started on a project like this. For example, you should consider where broken plates work best as homemade tile and under what circumstances you should proceed with caution.

Where can you use broken plates as homemade tile? Flat, dry surfaces tend to work the best. Think tables, backsplashes, or countertops. You could even give your bathroom a more luxurious feel with this stunning tile trend by turning your shower floor into a mosaic. Like store-bought tile, you need to use adhesive, grout, and sealant to install and protect a design made using broken plates. But unlike the smooth edges and uniform shape of commercial tile, smashing chipped dishes that are not worth keeping results in curved pieces with jagged edges. These sharp points can cut feet or hands, and bacteria might move into crevices created by the curves.

The solution is more adhesive, grout, and sealant to ensure a smooth surface. But that comes with its own problems. The first is aesthetic: your artwork might look clunkier and duller than it would when using uniform commercial tiles. On a flat surface, thicker installation isn't a problem. On a sloped surface, like a sink, it can create problems. The plate pieces, grout, adhesive, and sealant may result in an incorrect gradient, making it hard for the water to drain properly. The added moisture could give bacteria and mold the opportunity to grow. If you have your heart set on making over a sink or other wet area with old ceramic dinnerware, make sure to grout and seal the installation thoroughly and install a large drain.