How To Tile A Table Top (or other furniture & decor, the easy way!)
Tiling doesn’t have to be hard or intimidating. Let me show you how to tile a table top (or any furniture or decor piece) the simple way!
Hello sweet friends! More tiling in store for today. :)
You guys know I’m a sucker for a tiled surface. I’ve done quite a few tiled projects around here.
And let me tell you, if it weren’t fairly simple to do…I wouldn’t do it! lol
I like easy.
No one has time for complicated.
Although I have found myself with a complicated makeover from time to time. But hey, that just goes along with this type of work.
Today’s makeover was simple though. Not even kidding. You can do this.
How To Tile A Table Top (and any furniture or decor item…the easy way!)
This makeover started with this gorgeous blue tile I found…
Awesome price at Lowe’s… but on clearance…boo.
No way could I pass that up.
As a matter of fact, when I saw it I knew exactly where I’d be using it…on this table…
I picked up this table at my local ReStore recently..$25.
I’ve been finding quite a few nice things there lately. Luckily we now have a very large store here. The one we had previously was small and didn’t have a whole lot.
I originally wanted to try to save the wood grain pattern on top but when I saw that tile I knew it’d be perfect for this table.
I cleaned up the table and then sanded here or there where there were bumps or scratches, etc., for a smooth finish.
Then I took it outside and gave it one or two quick coats of spray with primer.
MATERIALS LIST
- Blue Tiles
- E6000 Glue
- White Spray Primer (I use this one to help with “bleed-thru”)
- Sandpaper
- Grout
- High Performance Top Coat
- White Paint
I actually calculated out the size of the table top and size of the tiles and knew I’d not have to cut a thing.
That is when your tile job gets even simpler.
They fit absolutely perfectly.
BUT I’ve also fudged a little in the past if they don’t. You can move and add space to make things fit if they don’t.
I did that exact thing on this blue and white tile project I did a while back.
Next, I opened the packaging and laid them all out where they would go.
Perfect!!
Then I went piece by piece (some of the “pieces” are 9 pieces, etc) and added glue to the backs. (check the links in the “Materials List” box above for all the products I used for this project).
So simple.
You don’t have to use a lot of glue. I just did dots on each corner of each tile, and one bigger one in each center.
That’s it! That glue STICKS. I think I’ve said that before. ;)
But it really does.
So much easier and neater than messing with mortar and all that. Especially on furniture, decor, etc.
I let that sit for 24 hours to get good and dry/cured.
While I was waiting for that to dry, I painted the base with a coat of white paint.
Then I mixed up my grout per the box instructions and added that. Follow the instructions I gave in >>> this post.
And you are done with the tile!! Simple, y’all. Truly.
And you have a beauty on your hands afterward.
Edited to add a link to the rug, here. (I love this rug and it is a steal!)
The last thing I did was cover the entire thing with a top coat, including the grout.
They have grout sealers you could use but why bother with that? The top coat does just as well a job for these purposes.
You do have to go back over it with a damp paper towel to remove any top coat from the tiles though. (I’m kinda lazy and just brushed it on each line of grout quickly, not worrying whether I was getting it on the tiles. ;) )
But it comes right off. Just wipe several times and buff to make sure it’s all gone.
And that’s how to tile a table top, the easy way!!!
I won’t be using it in here but it sure does go very well in this room.
Want to see some of these projects in “live” time? I shared about this tile as well as when I was actually doing the project in my “stories” over on Instagram.
So hop on over and follow along with me on INSTAGRAM. Besides this one, I’m always sharing in my stories as I’m doing projects, finding new furniture, fun finds….just all the day to day behind the scenes.
Those blue tiles are just gorgeous. I can’t believe they are on clearance. What a bummer.
There’s just something I love about blue and white together. Especially this somewhat darker blue.
So striking.
Really happy with this one and I think even more tiling is in my future! :)
Are you ready to tile something??
I hope so!! Go give it a go.
Then send me a photo and share your new beauty with me.
I’d LOVE to see it!
PIN it to save it!
Want to see some of my other tiled projects?
- Simple Thrift Store Tray (most recent)
- Thrift Store Tray Makeover with Tile
- DIY Tiled Table Top
- Blue & White Tile Tray Makeover
- DIY Tiled Frame Criss Cross Tables (which are pictured above on each side of my couch)
- Old Frame Turned DIY Tiled Tray
- Thrifty Print Turned Coastal Tiled Tray
Be sure to stop back by to check out my latest furniture makeover below!
UPDATE!! See it now, here!!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
See you right back here next week with more!
xoxo
The table is awesome! I love it Nancy!
Thank you, Aunt Jo! :) xoxo
Nancy, you have found your niche! Tile Lady! Love the blue tile and how you brought the outdated table back to the 21st century. Perfect coastal look in your home.
I’m kinda thinking you might be right! I do love playing with tile, Cecilia! :) And thank you! xoxo
Nancy, great find with the table AND the tile! It really turned out so pretty! Way to go! (giving you a virtual high five and/or fist bump lol)
Have a great rest of your week and weekend.
Thanks, Christina!! I just love it when things work out so perfectly like this! :) Thanks for the high five, fist bump! lol Hope you have a wonderful weekend, friend! xoxo
Gorgeous!! Love that beautiful blue and you’re right, it looks perfect in that spot!! XOXO
Thank you, Christy! Too bad we can’t keep them all! lol xoxo
I am a blue and white lady, so am in love with that table. Beautiful job. Are you keeping it in your room? It sure looks great there!
Thank you, Darlene! No, I don’t think I am keeping this one, although I’d love to! I have an ottoman that I usually have in this space and my son and hubby would really miss it if I didn’t put it back! ;) xo
You table is beautiful! So awesome that the clearance tile was a perfect fit for the table topā¤ļø
Thank you, Vicki! I know, isn’t that the best! Sure did make it EASY! :) xo
Hi Nancy! Well i definitely pinned this for later. I love the tiled projects you do and i know i will go back to reference your “how to”. Thank you!
Hi Cheryl! I am so glad you enjoy the tile projects. I’m thinking there will be more! :) xo
Love this! The colors are beautiful. May have to venture into tile if I can find something that pretty and the white grout is perfect.
Thanks, Tess! :) Yes, do!! It is so much fun to transform a piece with pretty tile. xoxo
It does look good there, Nancy. Love seeing another tile table, I’m still trying to get up the courage to try it myself because I’ll never end up with tile that fits so perfectly!
Thank you, Marcie! I think so too but think my son and hubby might not be too happy if I don’t put the ottoman back! lol Oh yes, I hope you give it a go with the tile! I really enjoy doing makeovers with it but you are right, nicer when the tile ends up fitting perfectly! But even if it doesn’t, you can fudge it a little. :) xo
I love this! I have a tile set that is hand-painted of an ocean scene and this is a perfect idea! I love yours as well!!
OH yes! Get busy with that pretty tile. Make it the star of the show. :) xo
Beautiful table.
Thank you, Wendy! :) xo
What a great idea. Loved the colours you chose. Question, have you ever refurbished an old fashioned end table? The one in mind is round and has 2 doors on the front that open outwards. I would love some ideas on how to redo my Mom’s table that has to be over 40 -50 years old. Thanks, Lynne.
Thank you! Hmm, I think I know the exact style you are referring to, and no, surprisingly I’ve not done one of those. I actually just was one like it at the ReStore a couple of weeks ago. I see those quite often made over. Try searching Pinterest and see what you can find. I’d say good ole paint is a good place to start! :) xo
So pretty!!!
Thank you, Robyn! :)
I love the tile and the beautiful rug but I don’t care for the white paint on the table. I think another color would make it more expensive looking. But nice table and great job!!!
Thank you, Helene! Yes, another color would be nice too! :) xoxo
I could see it with a light to medium shade of brown. But the white is certainly right for your furnishings and that room. Bravo!!!
Thank you! :) xoxo
I am so excited to find this. I just found a table similar at a yard sale, and did not know what on earth I would do with it. But for $15. I couldnāt pass up (storing more junk in my garage. ) lol
So now, I am prepared to do something, with your beautiful design. Thanks for much for sharing!
OH yay, $15! Great find! (but haha, yes, I know all too well about junk in the garage! ;) ) So happy you are inspired by this!! Have fun with yours, Dolly!! xoxo
Yikes!!! Those are gorgeous!!!
Two things really amaze me:
1. How you find the tile that fits perfectly or the table that fits the tile perfectly?????!!!!!!
2. How do you manage to do all these projects with perfectly manicured nails!!!!????
I am a mess!!!! I sacrifice the nails for the projects!!!….lolololo
Happy 2020!!!! I am reading this from your 12/2019 fav project post.
Aw, thanks so much, Addie!! I try to make it work out that way. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t. But it sure is so much easier when it does! And haha!!! Oh if you only knew!! ;) My nails look a mess way more often than they look good!lol Happy 2020 to you too! (and yes, that really does flow, doesn’t it?!) xoxo
Hi Nancy,
Quick question. I noticed you used E6000 glue for this, would you use this glue if it were a larger table top? Or mortar and what kind?
Tx much,
Dawn Lafferty
Hmm, it really depends. Mainly on the size of the tiles, usage it was going to get, etc. Knowing me, and since I wouldn’t really have to worry about standing water, etc, I would probably still use the E6000 glue but mortar could definitely be used too. I’m not sure on the mortar for a tabletop since I haven’t done that. I would have to ask the tile experts at The Home Depot, etc, what they think. :) xo
Hi Nancy,
Itās really an old high boy/side board. I think your right, the glue would be easier. Since the top is only Used to display items, nothing heavy.
Many thanks for your input,
Dawn š
Yes, exactly. You are very welcome! :) xo
Hi Nancy! Do you have the same rug in your Dining Room and Family Room? I just love it! Do you still love it? I’m thinking of ordering one on Amazon for my Dining Room.
Hi Jan, no the one in the dining room is different. And yes, I do!! It’s been a great rug and you can’t beat the price! :) xo
It’s stunning, Nancy! Hope you’re doing well this week. Hugs, xo
Thank you, sweet friend! This week is better. Day by day. xo