How to Decorate a Planter with Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is popular for use on the bathroom floor and as a kitchen backsplash, but they are also ideal for use in craft projects. They not only are ornate, but useful as they protect wood wall or other materials from moisture. You can use them to make a frame around a bathroom mirror, create a mosaic on a patio table or create beautiful planters. Inexpensive planters are a drab burnt sienna color and made from clay. They have no oomph or pizzazz, but with a little time and ceramic tile, you can make them unique and beautiful. You can paint ceramic tile, stencil them, buy ones that are created with texture or designs or you can decorate them yourself. The sky is the limit to what you can do, so follow the simple steps below to get started.

Step 1 – Prepare Work Area and Planter

This can be a messy project, so cover your work area with plastic to protect it. Ceramic, porcelain or clay attract grease and dirt by being outside or touched. All of these things can cause ceramic tile to not adhere properly. Spray the planter with degreaser, and then wipe it down.

Step 2 – Selecting and Designing Ceramic Tile

Many planters are round, which makes placing ceramic tile on them difficult. Choose a tile that is small, like 1x1-inch. If you have a square planter, then choose tile that best fits your taste and planter.

Dry fit the tile to the planter, leaving ¼-inch of space between each one. This will determine how many tile you need for each side.

You can also create a mosaic. To do this, select different colored ceramic tile and place each inside freezer bags. Gently tap with a hammer. You want the ceramic tile to break, but to maintain larger pieces along with smaller ones.

Step 3 – Place the Tile

If using full pieces of tile, you will want to space them apart at ¼-inch and use the spacers to maintain the distance. If creating a mosaic, then the pieces can be much closer and no spacers are needed, but make sure you handle the pieces while wearing gloves. Apply the adhesive to the back of the tile with the putty knife, making sure you cover the entire surface. Place the tile and apply pressure to stick it to the planter. Continue until the planter is covered. Placing a mosaic is like putting together a puzzle. Begin with the top and bottom and the fill in the center, making sure lines and curves look natural.

Step 4 – Finishing

You need to wait for the adhesive to dry completely. While the adhesive is drying, read the instructions on the grout and mix it accordingly. Use the grout float to apply it, moving it back and forth and from corner to corner. When the grout is dry, wet a sponge and wipe off the surface of the ceramic tiles. This will remove the grout film.