Making a Mosaic Tabletop

So you have some leftover pieces of tile from a previous project. Or maybe you just want to add a punch of pizazz to a bland, wooden coffee table. Creating an eye-catching tabletop mosaic, although time-consuming, requires little artistic skill. As long as you have small, colorful pieces of tile, leftovers or from a mosaic tile kit, you can create a fun mosaic design for nearly any tabletop!

1. Gather small pieces of tile. If you choose to use leftover pieces, no matter their size, you can easily break them down to mosaic-friendly pieces by placing them upon a concrete slab and under a dishcloth. Then take a hammer, and smash the cloth, right in the center of each tile piece. Take care to watch for flying shards in your work area.

2. From these pieces, choose a color scheme and style from pieces the same thickness. Remember, the smoother the tile pieces and the more basic the design, the easier the installation process and more formal the result. Determine if you want to attempt a central icon or color theme. If you opt to tile an image in the middle of the mosaic or repeat a theme, take note that the process requires more time and attention.

3. Either trace and sketch the design directly onto the tabletop, or cut a piece of cardboard the same size as the area you intend to tile. Lay out the mosaic pattern on the table or cardboard, starting in the middle and working your way out. Leave at least.25″ between each piece for grout when spacing your mosaic design.

4. Sand down the tabletop to remove any existing finish, dirt, and debris.

5. Add only as much adhesive as you need to set one tile at a time, as adhesive dries very quickly. Transfer your design directly from the cardboard and caulk each piece one at a time into the wood, working from the inside out. Let the mosaic set for 24 hours.

6. Apply grout to the mosaic, smoothing it in between each tile piece and extending the grout to the edge of the design.

7. Allow the grout to dry and then wipe the entire surface of the mosaic with a dry cloth to remove any excess grout left behind.

8. Spray a tile sealant or use a tile scrubber to keep your grout from staining and your tiles looking worn. Let the surface cure before using it.

With the addition of a colorful mosaic, a mundane coffee table or kitchen island has transformed into a stationary piece of artwork! Now that you’ve completed a table, why not consider adding mosaics to other surfaces in your home, such as the entryway, fireplace mantel, bathroom floor, or on an interior wall? The possibilities are endless and the materials available! There is plenty more to read about creative things you can do with tile at Denver Tile Installation ‘s website, just look for the blog link and enjoy.