Cover Old PVC Pipe With Thrifted Dishware Pieces To Create Adorable Garden Decor

Your backyard doesn't need another generic big-box garden decoration. It needs a stunning mosaic centerpiece that stands proudly above all the plants and garden borders. And you're going to DIY it! Don't worry, you don't need to be a mosaic artist or invest in expensive items. The ThriftedandGiftedMosaics TikTok account demonstrates how to make a mosaic garden pole using a thick PVC pipe as the structure. The DIYer carefully pieces together little bits of old dishware and glass to create a mosaic flower garden on the pipe. 

If you have an old piece of PVC pipe, you can use it for an inexpensive start to the project. You might also find some for cheap on Facebook Marketplace. There are different types and sizes of PVC pipe, from as small as ⅛ inch to as large as 24 inches wide. The size you choose depends on how large you want your display to be. Choosing a larger pipe, at least 6 inches in diameter, gives you more space to create mosaic designs. You'll also want it to be wide enough to accept a post to hold it upright — the original creator uses an old Christmas tree stand, but you an also use a metal stake or a piece of rebar.

For the mosaic part, gather old mugs or plates with colorful designs. A trip to the thrift store gives you plenty of additional material. Look for interesting patterns and colors. If you already have a design or color scheme in mind, narrow your search down to options that match that vision. Grab a hammer and towel to break up the plates. For adhesive, the creator used Gorilla silicone adhesive. You'll also need grout — epoxy grout works well for high-moisture areas.

Decide how tall you want your garden pole, and cut the PVC pipe to length using a hacksaw, ratchet-style cutters, or power miter saw. You can also make multiple posts of varying heights or a row of several posts that are the same height. In the inspiration project, the DIYer adds a PVC elbow piece at the top — you can do the same or add a PVC pipe cap for a flat post top. The original creator sands the pipe after cutting but admits she's not sure it's necessary. Wipe the pipe clean. 

Slip on safety goggles for the next part. To turn old plates into cute garden decor, break up your dinnerware into small pieces — since the pipe is round, smaller pieces work better to avoid sharp edges that stick out. A cost-effective option is to wrap each plate in a towel and break it with a hammer. However, you often don't have as much control over the pieces, and the hammer could crush the pieces or leave ragged edges. A compound tile nipper works well for breaking the larger chunks into smaller pieces.

Now you can start adhering the broken dinnerware pieces onto the PVC pipe. Test arrangements on your work surface first. Then, glue one piece at a time to the pipe. You can also fill in spots with beach glass, pebbles, or glass gemstones. Use a glass gemstone as the center of a flower with slender pieces of a plate to create petals, for example. Cover the entire post with the mosaic designs, leaving small gaps between the pieces for grout.

Wait at least 24 hours for the adhesive to set up fully before you grout the mosaic pole. Grouting it too soon could cause the pieces to shift. Smooth the grout over all of the gaps, and wipe away the excess to make sure all of the broken dishware pieces are visible. The color of grout you use helps create contrast with the dishware pieces — the original features dark grout to make the lighter mosaic pieces pop. If you prefer a subtle look, choose a lighter color for the grout. If you use regular grout instead of epoxy grout, apply an outdoor grout sealer to the lines to protect it from weather elements.

To install the post, drive a stake into the ground. It should be almost as tall as the PVC pipe and sturdy. Then, slide the PVC pipe over the stake. You can bury the bottom of the PVC pipe slightly for a little extra stability. Decorate the base with rocks, or turn old plates into beautiful and functional stepping stones that lead to the mosaic post to carry the theme throughout the area.

Small modifications to the PVC mosaic post make it more functional. For example, you can attach a hook to the PVC pipe before you add the mosaic pieces. Then, hang a pot, garden flag, or other decorations from the hook when it's finished. Or, attach a wooden platform to the top of the post and add a birdhouse, decorative mailbox, garden orb, or sign on top.