DIY Patterned Coasters

I mentioned on Friday that one of my goals for the weekend was to make my own coasters, and, good news, I actually did it!

This project has been brewing in my head for over a year, so I already had the supplies on hand. Here’s what you’ll need to get ‘er done yourself:

  • 4×4 inch white ceramic tiles (about $1 each at home improvement stores)
  • Some felt or cork
  • Scrapbook paper
  • Decoupage medium

Way back before I had a blog motivating me to actually finish what I started, I got going on this project and got as far as cutting and gluing squares of felt onto the back of each tile. Those boh-ring white tiles served as coasters for the past year or so, but they never really did it for me. Plus, the super-slick surface of the tile occasionally formed a seal with whatever condensing container sat atop it, creating a recipe for disaster when you picked up your cup and the coaster was still attached. Every time this happened to me I would inevitably over-correct and spill my drink everywhere.

So I finally got down to business taking those coasters from “tile aisle” to “super style.” I started by tracing my tiles onto pretty patterned scrapbook paper left over from another project (my punched paper garland), then I cut each square out and tested its fit on the tile, giving a trim and a shave here and there as needed.

Then, I used a foam brush to coat the surface of the tile with a thin layer of decoupage medium.


I smoothed my paper square onto the tile, then applied another layer of decoupage on top, and I was done!



Let it dry for 20 minutes and you’re in business. I read somewhere online, though, that it’s best to let the decoupage cure for a few days before putting a drink on it, so I’m erring on the side of caution and just looking at them adoringly for now.


I cut one square a smidge small and didn’t have enough paper to make another full square, so I decided to bring in some other paper that I only had a small bit of and create a patchwork look, layering a few different pieces of paper to cover the entire area. I went ahead and used the same strategy on a fifth tile just so it wouldn’t be all alone in its patchworkiness.
I’m excited about the little pop of color these lovelies will add in the living room, and I’m hoping that they’ll be textured enough to avoid the condensation-vacuum effect I had going with the plain tiles. I’m not really obsessive about using coasters, especially since we have a glass-top coffee table that’s easy to wipe down, but two of the end tables in our living room are solid wood and belonged to my grandparents, and one of them just happens to be my favorite spot to set down a drink. Every time I set a glass on the bare wood I imagine my Nanny cringing.


She kept it ring-free for a loooooong time. Who am I to mess that up?

3 Responses to DIY Patterned Coasters

  1. Lauren Locher

    Oh I love these - might be doing this project soon! Thanks for the idea.

  2. Pingback: Ch-ch-ch-changes | Living Well on the Cheap

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