Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. DIY

How to make a mosaic letterbox

You’ll instantly be the tiled talk of the street! - by Better Homes and Gardens
  • 05 Aug 2021

Creating this kaleidoscope of mosaic colour will definitely brighten up your front garden, and leave your home the talk of the street!

WATCH: Charlie's quick driveway makeover

How to make a mosaic letterbox

Gather your supplies

  • Timber letterbox (with or without post)
  • Water-based exterior primer (we used Wattyl AquaPrep)
  • Exterior tile adhesive
  • Tiles in assorted colours and sizes
  • Flexible grout in white (or colour of choice)

You’ll also need 

  • A drop sheet or newspaper
  • Paintbrush
  • Heavy-duty gloves
  • Eye protection
  • Tile nippers
  • Hammer
  • Old blunt butter knife
  • Rubber gloves
  • Soft sponge
  • Bucket

Notes

1. Search online or visit your local hardware store for similar letterboxes.

2. Check out reclamation yards or tile seconds centres for inexpensive batches of tiles.

...
Better Homes and Gardens

Step 1

...

Step 1

Better Homes and Gardens

Lay out drop sheet or newspaper and place letterbox on top. Using primer, paint all surfaces of the letterbox (inside and out). Let dry.

Step 2

With chosen tiles in mind, think about or sketch on paper a design that you’d like to create on each face of your letterbox. Also think about whether you’d like to tile your house number on the front face of the letterbox.

Tip

Try lightly sketching your design onto the letterbox.

Step 3

...

Step 3

Better Homes and Gardens

Wearing heavy-duty gloves and eye protection, break tiles to desired size using tile nippers. Or, gently tap tiles using hammer on a sturdy outdoor surface. For safety, and so you don’t mark tiles, cover tiles in a rag to prevent shattering.

Step 4

...

Step 4

Better Homes and Gardens

Following pack instructions, use tile adhesive to stick main parts of your design onto your letterbox (for example: a sun, birds, flowers, house numbers, etc). Apply a small amount of adhesive to back of tiles using blunt knife and press in place.

Step 5

...

Step 5

Better Homes and Gardens

Fill gaps between your main design using more broken tiles. You may wish to fade background colours, use random colours, or a single background colour. Stick tiles in place using tile adhesive, leaving small gaps in-between, and wriggle each a little so pieces will sit flush with surrounding tiles.

Step 6

...

Step 6

Better Homes and Gardens

Continue sticking down tiles until all surfaces are covered. Try using mosaic tiles for narrow edges of the roof, along the top ridge, and around the base of the letterbox. Remove excess adhesive using knife where necessary and let dry.

Step 7

...

Step 7

Better Homes and Gardens

Prepare grout following pack instructions. Force grout into all gaps using knife. Remove excess grout, where necessary, using knife. Leave to part-dry (usually 10-15 minutes).

Step 8

...

Step 8

Better Homes and Gardens

Wearing rubber gloves and using a dampened sponge, wipe away excess grout from the face of tiles. Do not remove grout from gaps. Fill a bucket with fresh water and use to rinse the sponge. Wipe away all excess grout. Let dry. Polish surfaces using a dry cloth. If using a post, repeat steps to decorate.

...

The result? A vibrant, welcoming letterbox

Better Homes and Gardens
  • DIY
  • Craft
  • Front Garden Ideas

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to dye wooden beads

How to dye wooden beads

5 of the most-searched DIY projects in 2020 (according to Google)

5 of the most-searched DIY projects in 2020 (according to Google)

How to make a wooden bead trivet

How to make a wooden bead trivet

Creative ways to display air plants

Creative ways to display air plants

{headline}

{headline}

How to plant a garden in a crate

How to plant a garden in a crate

How to make an upcycled denim pouf

How to make an upcycled denim pouf

How to hang a towel rail

How to hang a towel rail

{headline}

{headline}

How to weave your own baskets

How to weave your own baskets

Before and after: Old shed to stunning greenhouse

Before and after: Old shed to stunning greenhouse

Inspiration and design ideas for DIY shipping container pools

Inspiration and design ideas for DIY shipping container pools

Kmart hack: How to make pineapple-shaped door knobs with a $1.50 ice cube tray

Kmart hack: How to make pineapple-shaped door knobs with a $1.50 ice cube tray

Reader project: From old coffee table to Hamptons-style ottoman

Reader project: From old coffee table to Hamptons-style ottoman

How to turn coconut shells into succulent gardens

How to turn coconut shells into succulent gardens

One granddad made this pink playhouse on wheels for his granddaughter

One granddad made this pink playhouse on wheels for his granddaughter

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription