How I Store and Sort My Tiles: Organising Chaos into Creativity
Mosaicing means dealing with thousands of tiny pieces—and if you’re not organised, it’s easy for your workspace to turn into chaos.
Over time, I’ve developed a system that keeps my tiles sorted, accessible, and easy to use, so I can spend more time creating and less time digging through random piles.
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My Tile Storage System
Here’s how I keep my materials under control:
1. The Worktable Cupboard
I keep a small, curated selection of whole tiles right near my worktable.
These are the colours and materials I use most often, so they’re easy to grab when I need them without going outside.
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2. Outdoor Bulk Storage
The bulk of my full tiles live outside in boxes, neatly stacked on shelves.
This way, I don’t have to crowd my studio with materials I’m not currently using but still have everything ready when I need to restock.
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3. Snap-Lock Carry Case for Broken Shards
Because I work with shards instead of uniform pieces, I’ve set up a carry case with snap-lock containers just for broken tiles.
It’s portable, easy to sort through, and lets me take my materials to whatever part of the studio (or garden) I’m working in that day.
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4. Colour-Organised Drawers
I use a shelf unit with drawers of various sizes to store pre-cut pieces.
Each drawer holds a different colour, arranged in a gradient from light to dark for quick and easy selection.
To keep track of what’s inside, I tack a sample tile to the front of each drawer—this saves me time rummaging and keeps everything visible at a glance.
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Why This System Works for Me
This setup lets me:
Work efficiently without constant interruptions
Keep broken shards, full tiles, and cut pieces organised
Stay inspired by colour gradients and visual sorting
When materials are easy to find, it’s easier to stay in the creative flow.
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Final Thoughts: Organised Chaos = Creative Freedom
Mosaicing involves a lot of tiny moving parts, but once you get your system right, it feels like magic.
For me, organisation isn’t about perfection—it’s about setting myself up to create freely.
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