Porcelain Perfection: How to Build a Stunning Tiled Bench

If you’ve ever embarked on a DIY project, you know the joy of transforming beautiful materials into striking pieces that elevate your home. Recently, I fell in love with the stunning Hoxton black gloss porcelain tiles and wanted to create a piece that truly highlights their beauty. Inspired by Emmanuel Boos’s “Come un Lego” table, I aimed to design something modern, textured, and visually captivating.

I started with an IKEA Lack bench, chosen for its affordability and lightweight design—an ideal base for my project. To prepare it for tiling, I added a layer of MDF board, precisely cut to match the dimensions of my porcelain tiles. This not only created a smooth, even surface but also enhanced the bench’s durability.

Initially, I thought I had a clever plan. I built a custom base from numerous small pieces of wood, carefully assembled to match the exact size of my porcelain tiles. My goal was to avoid cutting the tiles altogether. However, this approach turned out to be a complete failure—an important reminder that not everything always goes to plan in DIY. The tiles kept falling off during the process, and the shape of the bench didn’t quite fit the space.

This experience taught me an essential lesson: trying new methods is part of the journey, even when things don’t go smoothly at first. Sometimes, a failure is just a stepping stone to a better solution.

Adding to the challenge, the original bench design didn’t suit the space, which is more of a passageway than a traditional bench. Seeing these issues, I decided to change my approach entirely. Instead of a bench, I designed and built a new console table from scratch, creating a perfect-sized base that minimised the need for tile cuts. This new structure fit the space flawlessly and provided a more functional and aesthetic solution for the passageway.

Once I had the right foundation, the fun part began—laying the tiles! The porcelain tiles, Hoxton black from Mandarin Stone, feature rich brown pigmented edges that add unique character. Their reflective surface is breathtaking, transforming the piece into a striking focal point in any room. Applying the tile adhesive was straightforward, and I used 1mm spacers to ensure a polished, professional finish.

Cutting the tiles, however, proved to be quite challenging. The tiles were particularly thick—about 1cm—and my initial attempts with manual tile cutters failed completely. I finally invested in a hand saw with a diamond blade. It took some time to build the confidence to use it, but I highly recommend investing in quality cutting tools for such projects. To make the process smoother, I kept the tiles and blade watered during cuts and applied masking tape to prevent chipping.

When the project was finally complete, the results exceeded my expectations. The black porcelain tiles reflect light beautifully, and the brown pigmented edges give them a distinctive charm. The transformation turned this simple piece into a remarkable statement that adds elegance and character to my home.

Now, I pass by this corner every day. It’s where I drop my jewellry at night and remove my earrings. The soft lighting, combined with the elegant tiles and this lovely art print Pion V by Jörgen Hansson, warms up the space and creates a peaceful, inspiring atmosphere.

A word of caution: the bench is quite heavy now! If you enjoy rearranging your furniture often, consider the weight of the materials you select. While moving it can be challenging, the rewarding transformation and the beauty of this custom piece make it all worthwhile.

For anyone considering a similar DIY project, I encourage you to explore beautiful materials, seek out affordable bases like the IKEA Lack bench, and let your creativity flow. Just be prepared—you might find yourself wanting to incorporate the elegance of black porcelain tiles into every corner of your home after experiencing their stunning beauty.