How to Make a Mosaic Headboard

Mosaic designs add a dynamic design to your craft project.

Mosaic art is created by arranging pieces of tile or other objects to give a ragtag appearance or a specific design on a surface. Planters, table tops and other flat surfaces work well for mosaic art. Decorating a headboard with mosaics is a creative way to add design, color and texture to the bedroom area. Working with mosaic crafts is not difficult, although it may be time consuming depending on the size of your tiles or other objects used in the project.

Things You'll Need

• Butcher paper
• Vintage plates or ceramic tiles
• Pillowcase
• Hammer
• White craft glue or all-purpose adhesive
• Grout
• Trowel
• Large sponge

Instructions

1. Draw a simple design on a piece of butcher paper. This is a wise way to determine the spacing of your patterns if you are using designs like flowers, diamonds, circles or triangles. Many people simply place the mosaics on in a random and colorful pattern, therefore no drawing is necessary.

2. Wear work gloves to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the broken tiles.

3. Place vintage plates or ceramic tiles into a pillowcase. Secure the opening of the pillowcase with your non-dominant hand. Knock a hammer against the pillowcase to break the plates or tiles in small pieces -- no larger than 2 or 3 inches. Another option is to purchase faux gems or mosaic squares from discount or craft and hobby stores.

4. Remove the headboard from your bed and place it on a flat work surface covered with an old sheet. Another option is to purchase a plain wood headboard that is flat and has no carvings or other details to make the job less complicated.

5. Arrange the mosaic pieces on your headboard without any adhesive, if you are working with a design. Leave about 1/8 inch space or less between the tiles to allow room for grout. Once the design looks right to you, begin gluing the back side of each piece with a white craft glue or all-purpose adhesive and placing each on the headboard. If you are using a random pattern or all one color of tile, just begin gluing anywhere.

6. Wait for the adhesive to dry completely before attempting to grout the headboard. Read the glue instructions to determine the drying time.

7. Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands from the tile grout.

8. Mix the grout according to the label directions. Grout comes in many colors, therefore choose the shade that gives your mosaic headboard the look you desire. White is acceptable for most projects; it's best not to use grout that matches your tiles, or you will lose the mosaic effect.

9. Spread the grout over the mosaic pattern with a trowel. Press firmly to ensure it goes down in between the mosaic pieces and fills in the cracks. Don't worry about getting grout on top of the mosaic design -- it will wipe off.

10. Wet a large sponge and wipe off the top of the mosaic designs once the grout fills all the cracks. Don't press so hard that you remove grout from between the tiles. The goal is to clean the tiles and leave an even layer of grout between the broken mosaics.

11. Rinse your sponge, wring it out so that it does not drip and continue cleaning the grout off the top of the mosaic pieces. Once it is clean, allow the grout to harden according to the directions on the label. Attach the mosaic headboard to the bed frame.

Tips & Warnings

• Seashells, stones and pebbles are useful in mosaic designs and are an excellent way to use your collection in a permanent work of art.

• Purchase seconds or damaged tiles inexpensively from home supply stores to break for your mosaic design. Use all one color to make an understated and classic-looking headboard or create a rainbow of color.

References

• Mosaic Art Supply: Frequently Asked Mosaic Questions