Ideas for Ceiling Tiles

Leftover tiles can be used around the house.ceiling image by Adrian Hillman from Fotolia.com

If you've just completed a ceiling project and have leftover tiles, it may seem like a waste to throw them away. In fact, you can use them for projects around the house. Unused tiles can be a blank slate for your creativity or can contribute usefully to daily aspects in the home. Even though your ceiling remodeling project may be finished, you can find new ways to repurpose the excess tiles.

Place Mats

With a few tools that may be in your garage, you can create homemade place mats. This can be an activity you do with your children, where applicable, or a way to spend a rainy day and add to your home's decor. Using the tools to cut your tiles into plate-sized circles, make sure to shave off any serrated edges. Tiles that are especially thick may be sliced through their middles, leaving two potential place mat pieces. Next, use water-safe paints to paint patterns on the place mats--create something to match your theme such as roosters, apples, pigs or even sports logos. You can paint the mats one entire color or do a pattern of polka dots, paisley or flowers. When the place mats dry, coat them with enamel or another food-safe protectant, which will allow you to slip them into the dishwasher or cleanse by hand after a meal.

Leftover tiles can be a great garden enhancer or walkway to your home. The beauty of the idea is that even cracked or broken tiles may be used and may contribute to the shabby-chic decor. Press large square or rounded tiles into the ground outside your home, working from the front door out to the driveway, road or walkway. (Clear away any tree roots or rocks before starting.) If you've got detritus after an installation job of broken tile pieces, use them to section off parts of your garden and create pathways from the vegetables to the fruits and anchor new plants.

If your pet makes a mess when crunching on his daily kibble, you can use extra ceiling tiles to prevent food from getting ground into your floor and scattering throughout the area. Depending on the size of your pet and the pet's food dish, slide one or two tiles underneath the bowl (if you have the room, make a square with four of the tiles, then put the pet's bowl in the center of the square). Your pet won't notice a difference, but you'll be able to easily scoop any wayward kibbles back into the bowl, while protecting your floor. The tiles can easily be removed for washing, then slipped right back into place.