Cement Leaf Coaster

I wanted to make simple, natural-looking coasters using cement and real leaves. The leaves create beautiful vein patterns on the surface, making each coaster slightly different.

This is an easy DIY project that needs only a few basic materials and can be customized with different colours.

1. White cement
2. Water
3. Fresh leaves with prominent veins
4. Mixing bowl
5. Spoon or spatula
6. Sandpaper
7. Green acrylic paint
8. Paintbrush
9. Clear varnish or sealer
10. Gloves
11. A flat surface or plastic sheet for working

Select fresh leaves with clearly visible veins. Large, broad leaves work especially well because they create a more noticeable pattern on the cement.

Mix white cement with water to make a thick, workable paste. Avoid making it too runny, as the mixture needs to hold its shape on the leaf.

Place the leaf on a flat surface with the veined side facing upward. Spread the cement mixture over the leaf and shape it into a roughly circular coaster, keeping the thickness fairly even. Cut the Coaster shape while the cement wet so they can easily remove when dry.

Leave the cement undisturbed until it has hardened completely. Once it is firm, carefully remove the leaf from the underside.

Sand the edges and surface gently to remove loose pieces and sharp edges. Clean away the cement dust before painting.

Paint the coasters with green acrylic paint. I used different shades of green to bring out the natural leaf-vein pattern.

Once the paint is completely dry, apply a clear sealer or varnish. This gives the coasters a smoother finish and helps protect the paint.

Your handmade cement leaf coasters are ready to use. They can also be used as small decorative pieces or plant-pot stands.