How To: DIY Tile Table
It seems like we’ve all had some extra time on our hands to dive into a new hands-on project this year, whether that’s bread baking, a paint-by-number you never finished, or a full-on house renovation. In the DIY decor realm, tile tables have become a bit of a sensation over the last several months. They add a unique new texture from your ordinary wood furniture, they come in so many fun colorways, and they don’t require coasters (they’re essentially one giant coaster that’s easy to clean and fun to look at). I’ve certainly ogled over these chic tables, but I’m not quite in the position to fork over $2k for a new one. So, two months ago when I came across a similar DIY, I jumped at the opportunity to get my hands dirty and create a tile table of my own. Here we go!
First things first: round up some supplies. Because the process of making this table is quite a commitment, you want to get tiles and grout that you’re super happy with, as well as high quality adhesive. I went to a Seattle tile shop where I found the exact white tiles I wanted and pigment to color the grout. Research your area to find a similar local business, or head to a big-box home improvement store to find your own materials.
Here’s what you’ll need: - A table to work with! (I got this one) - Tile adhesive - Adhesive trowel - Adhesive spreader - Float - Bucket for water - Unsanded grout (I bought a 5lb bag, which was more than enough) - Grout pigment (I used seafoam green) - Grouting sponge - Spray bottle for water and vinegar - Depending on the size of your table, enough 2”x2” tiles to fully cover all surfaces. (I chose white tiles that came in square-foot sheets, which was helpful for covering the table top. I ended up needing about 360 tiles) - A big tarp or somewhere you can get messy
Step 1: Before buying your tiles, measure your table to calculate exactly how many 2”x2” tiles you’ll need. Then, lay out your tiles to see exactly where you’ll want to place them on your table. I cut out some sections from the tile sheets for the legs and sides, and used as many full sheets as I could to lay over the top. The sheets already have the tiles spaced out perfectly, which makes them really easy to use.
Step 2: Set the tiles aside, remembering where and how you want to lay them (snap a photo you can go back and reference), and start covering your table with tile adhesive and adhesive spreader. Using the spreader, cover the entire surface area of your table (one side at a time) and then pass over the adhesive with your trowel before laying the tile down. Press the tiles firmly into the adhesive. Be patient, allowing the adhesive to dry enough that your tiles don’t start sliding around before moving to a new section of the table..
Step 3: Once all of your tiles are placed, give them about 24 to 48 hours to dry. Yep. This is the part where you wait...and wait.
Step 4: Now to prepare the grout! Follow the instructions for the specific grout you have chosen, including mixing in your grout pigment if you’re using it.
Step 5: Time to grout. This part is exhausting, so turn on your favorite podcast or music before you get to work. Start by slabbing on a thick layer of grout over the tiles on the table’s surface. Try to fill in every gap with a thick layer of grout so you don’t end up with any holes at the end. You’ll want to do this part in sections, so the excess grout you scrape off (we’re getting there next!) can be reused for other areas of the table.
Once you’ve finished layering on the grout, take your float and scrape diagonally over your surface to remove the excess grout. Scraping diagonally is very important because it keeps the grout at an even layer between all tiles. You want to scrape hard enough that you don’t leave clumps of grout on the tops of the tiles—the only grout remaining should be between the tiles. Of course, there will still be some thin layers of grout left on top, but you’ll be able to clean that off later. Right now, only worry about how your grouting looks, checking for any rough surfaces or holes that need to be covered.
You’ll also want to be very mindful of the table edges, sides, and legs. Once you’ve applied grout on these 90-degree angles, scrape your float across them to create clean lines and angles.
Step 6: Once your entire table is grouted, wait up to an hour for your grout to dry enough to start cleaning your tiles. If the grout is still wet and malleable, wait a little longer so you don’t ruin your hard work. Take a spray bottle filled with a 4:1 mix of water and vinegar, spraying a section at a time as you gently wipe off the excess grout with your grouting sponge. A few hours later, repeat this process once your grout has fully dried.
Step 7: Voila! Now relax and enjoy your new centerpiece! If you want to see videos of my process they're on this post on Instagram, and if you want to share what you've made with us, we would love to see via @Garmentory on Instagram!
