Coasters are one of those home essentials that often go unnoticed—until you really need them. However, they can actually be a subtle way to add style to your space while keeping your dining table and other surfaces clean and protected.

While you can find coasters in nearly every home goods store, ranging from simple cork designs to intricate marble patterns, creating your own is where the real fun begins. DIY coasters are surprisingly easy to make, and the process can be an enjoyable and creative project.

Whether you’re looking for practical coasters to help prevent messes from kids or teens, or you want to impress guests with stylish, handmade pieces—crafting your own coasters offers a personal touch. If you’re ready to protect your surfaces with flair, here are some DIY coaster ideas to inspire your next project.

Geometric Tape Coasters

In the world of DIY, few things are more frustrating than trying to achieve a perfectly straight line. But if you’re an experienced crafter, you likely already know about the magical power of tape. Tape is your best friend when it comes to creating those clean, crisp lines, and this DIY project takes full advantage of that.

With tape, you can create any design you like—whether it’s stripes, zigzags, checkers, or diamonds. Just be sure to let the paint dry completely before removing the tape to ensure a flawless finish.

Once you peel off the tape, you’ll reveal a perfectly geometric coaster that looks so polished, it could easily pass for store-bought.

Alcohol Ink Resin Coasters

If you have kids, this next DIY project is a fantastic way to spend creative time together. It involves dotting a coaster mold with various colors of alcohol ink, then pouring in resin and watching the colors disperse to create a truly unique design.

This project is especially fun for young children who are learning about colors, as it teaches them about color blending and how different shades can mix to form new ones. Plus, the final result is a beautiful and functional coaster that your kids can proudly display and use, making it both an educational and rewarding experience.

Decoupage Coasters

If you’re looking to make coasters using items you already have at home, these pretty little creations might be just what you need. They’re made using paper napkins, which can feature a floral design or any pattern you prefer that you can easily transfer onto your coaster base. The beauty of this project is that napkins come in countless prints and patterns, giving you endless possibilities. Simply choose the design that speaks to you, and watch as your custom coaster project comes to life, adding a personal and stylish touch to your space.

Tufted Rug Coasters

These poofy, little coasters are the absolute cutest! And not only are they adorable to look at, they’re really fun to make! Kiana Bonollo made a cherry and heart design for her coasters, but you can make whatever you want, so let your imagination run wild.

Keep in mind that this project is a little more tedious than some of the more simple coaster designs. So if you’re new to crafting, don’t get overwhelmed! Just remember to take your time and be patient—the outcome will definitely be worth it in the end.

Teacher Coasters

The creator of these DIY coasters used a crayon, pencil sharpener, and other school-related items to make her coasters since they were a gift for a teacher. But you can add any small item to yours to make it your own. Here are some ideas:

• Seashells
• Dried flowers or petals
• Buttons
• Feathers
• Small pebbles or stones
• Watch parts or gears
• Gems and jewels

After you’ve picked out your items, place them into your coaster mold, and then pour your resin on top. When it hardens, pull it out of the mold and enjoy.