How to Upcycle Tiles as Wall Art

I have cupboards full of breakable stuff that used to be out on display before I had my two kids and is now squirrelled away until that mystical day when they are big enough to not pose a danger too it!

One example of this was a stack of single Mexican Tiles that I bought and used for years as coasters.

This week I decided to pull them out and put them up on the wall – gallery style – where my kids can’t reach or break them and I still get to look at them.

These particular tiles are pretty sentimental to me as I bought them on a visit to Mexico when my Father was living there. He used to live there half the year before he passed away.

I’ve not been back for years so they hold memories of my Dad. It seemed a shame to have them stuck away in the cupboard!

Did I mention how super simple it is to upcycle tiles as wall art?

It’s super simple.

And you don’t have to use exotic Mexican Tiles either – what about making a colourful tile wall out of sample tiles that you got when you were redoing a kitchen or bathroom?

They might not have been right for that project but that doesn’t mean you can’t group them together and make an amazing art installation!

Materials Needed – Upcycle Tiles as Wall Art

Tiles – as many as you like. I used 5.
Invisible Disc Plate Hangers
Nails and/or Picture Hooks.

Step 1: Apply the Disc Plate Hangers

upcycled tiles as wall art - hanging discs — Photo: Upcycle My Stuff

I’ve used the Invisible Disc Plate Hangers before for hanging actual plates but not for anything else.

The discs come in varying sizes depending on the weight of the object you are trying to hang. I decided to buy the smallest size for this project.

Below is what the back of my tiles look like. The advice for using these hanging discs on plates is to clean them first (the plates).

I did give the tiles a quick wipe, but as you can see they are terracotta and pretty rustic so I didn’t attempt more than that.

While this is a super simple way of hanging tiles or other objects as wall art and it takes no actual time to apply the discs – you do have to wait overnight before you actually hang your items.

I know! Total bummer when the project is otherwise so quick!

upcycled tiles as wall art — Photo: Upcycle My Stuff

Basically you have to put a bit of water on the back of the discs. Wait 5 minutes. Stick it to the back of your tile, plate or other object….and then wait a whole 24 hours before you can actually hang it.

But it’s worth the wait to get something that allows you to actually hang your tiles flush to the wall. I actually tried another product on one of the tiles – a sticky back saw tooth hanger and the result was I couldn’t get the tile to sit flush at all.

And I’ve yet to attempt to pry it off the back so I can add it to my wall with a disc hanger.

upcycled tiles as wall art - sawtooth hanger — Photo: Upcycle My Stuff

The Invisible Disc Hangers by contrast are made to be soaked off and removed without damaging your item. So if I wanted to take them off the wall when the kids are older and use them as coasters again, I could. Which is a bonus.

DIY Seashell Mirror

Step 2: Choose your Hanging

I just used small nails directly into the wall to hang my tiles on the loops of the disc hangers.

It is probably a bit more secure to use a proper picture hanger but I was concerned it might stop them sitting flush on the wall.

Step 3: Hang your Tiles

All that’s left is to choose a layout that you love. You could group tiles by colour, go totally random or line them up in a straight row. I love a good gallery wall so I often look at Pinterest for inspiration.

Mine here is much more simplistic than some of the busy ones you see in magazines but it suits me!

I hung my tiles on the wall of my stairway so I put them at a bit of stepped angle as it just seemed to suit the space and the way I would be looking at them. You can also see my upcycled pallet art on the other wall.

Upcycled Tiles as Wall Art

upycled tiles as wall art — Photo: Upcycle My Stuff

And that’s it! Possibly the easiest upcycle project on this site!

gallery wall of tiles as walll art — Photo: Upcycle My Stuff

I hope it’s sparked your imagination to not only upcycle tiles but also to find other ways you could fill the blank walls in your home with any manner of objects like this. I’d love to see what you come up with!

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