Green Crush: Recycled Tile Backsplash

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One glance at a backsplash made of recycled tile on Re-Nest.com, and we were smitten. (When I sent the link to Sara, her response was hilariously succinct: “want.” That makes two of us.) If you have leftover tile from a bathroom remodel or tile that’s slightly cracked or irregular in size, this is the perfect project! In fact, we love how the variations in the size and shape of the tiles play off the monochromatic color palate in Re-Nest’s example.

But it turns out that you can also use mix different colors or different shades from the same color family. The DIY Network has step-by-step instructions on creating a backslash from recycled tile.

You can also use stencils to dress up your existing tile backsplash. Or you could opt for recycled aluminum tile for a glossier look, perhaps playing off of stainless steel appliances.

Don’t have extra tile lying around? We also uncovered several companies that specialize in recycled glass, like the Seattle-based Bedrock Industries and Oregon-based Stardust Glass Tile. According to one source, recycled tile is a bit more time-intensive to prepare and install, but we think the eco benefits (not to mention the stylish results) make it worth a little extra prep time.