How to make a tile doormat, mom-and-son DIY

We used tile from Habitat for Humanity ReStore to make a tile doormat for our home.

19 Tile Doormat Habitat ReStore MyFixitUpLife after Theresa Jack high five

I’m lucky that my son Jack is willing to do home improvement projects with me and Mark. It’s fun to spend time together, and he likes learning how to do new things.

We decided to create a tile doormat together with a box of tile from our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. The project involves many kinds of skills and tools, so it was an ideal way to introduce a variety of new skills to my Jack.

1 Tile Doormat Habitat ReStore MyFixitUpLife theresa Jack supplies2

Gathering the supplies took a bit of time, sorting through our workshop to find glue, gloves, buckets, towels, clamps, tiling supplies, utility knife, and more. (The full list of required supplies can be found on the blog I shared with Habitat for Humanity.)

3 Tile Doormat Habitat ReStore MyFixitUpLife theresa Jack selecting tile2

Jack was in charge of selecting the tile and figuring out a pattern. After working with the tile for a while, he decided to do a random layout. I think it’s important for everyone to share in decision-making during a project.

8 Tile Doormat Habitat ReStore MyFixitUpLife Theresa cutting wood frame miter saw Craftsman

While Jack was our chief creative officer on this DIY, I was captain of power tools. I cut the frame to length with my battery-operated miter saw, and cut the backerboard to size with an angle grinder and utility knife.

11 Tile Doormat Habitat ReStore MyFixitUpLife Theresa gluing wood frame to backer


We used construction adhesive to secure the frame to the backerboard.

15 Tile Doormat Habitat ReStore MyFixitUpLife Jack mixing grout

Jack helped mix the mortar and the grout for the tile doormat. He wears safety glasses whenever he’s using chemicals or tools.

18 Tile Doormat Habitat ReStore MyFixitUpLife Theresa Minwax staining wood frame

Jack wanted the frame to be black, which goes with the details on our front porch railing and entry door. We used Minwax’s Express Color in Onyx because we only needed a little bit of stain and it dries quickly.

Tile Doormat Habitat ReStore MyFixitUpLife after1

I enjoy walking on this doormat everyday, and it makes me smile. It’s a DIY project that we made together, and I can’t wait until we make our next project.

19 Tile Doormat Habitat ReStore MyFixitUpLife after Theresa Jack front porch

Watch us make this tile doormat on YouTube.

The blog for Habitat for Humanity is below. Click on the image to view the blog bigger, so it’s easier to read.

MyFixitUpLife_Habitat_ReStore_Tile Doormat blog1
MyFixitUpLife_Habitat_ReStore_Tile Doormat blog2
MyFixitUpLife_Habitat_ReStore_Tile Doormat blog3
MyFixitUpLife_Habitat_ReStore_Tile Doormat blog4
MyFixitUpLife_Habitat_ReStore_Tile Doormat blog5
author avatar
Theresa
A handy designer and writer, she shares DIY projects, tool how-to, and home makeovers as a book author, home show speaker, DIY workshop coach, and radio host. Plus, she has a degree in journalism with a minor in architecture, and is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPs) and certified color consultant. She's created fast-paced makeovers for TV shows, and shares home trends and DIY tips as a freelance writer and guest on news shows and satellite media tours for TV and radio.

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