How to Transform Old Coffee Tables With Mosaic

Susan Goode
by Susan Goode
4 Materials
$9
4 Hours
Medium

I love up cycling breathing nd life into old tired worn furniture and so when I saw this pair of mid century plain tired tables I knife they were destined for something much more special.

Old coffee tables

I decide which colour palette and vitreous glass mosaic tiles to use on this project.

Choosing colour palette

I decide on black white beige and pink in a variety of sizes.

first step is to prep tables for tiles .

I use PVA glue to cover the surfaces and then cover with white photocopy paper to give a good key surface for the tiles and to give me a light bright blank canvas to design from.

Pva glue table surface
Cover with paper

I begin placing tiles into position from outside border and start to formulate the design . Doing this is to make sure of my design before starting flying process.

Planning design

It’s ready for next step of glueing with pva the outside edges and then on to inner section .

Using pva glue to stick glass tiles
Making flowers centre

I decide to cut some pink tiles into diagonals for triangle inner fill shape . I use wheeled tile nippers and create lots of little triangle which infill and create a nice contrast pattern for the background.

Using wheeled tile nippers

When the tiles are all done and dry it’s time to grout ans I prefer to use ready mixed black grout for this design. It’s a bit tricky sometimes getting the consistency right if you use powdered grout and so I make it easy for myself by using a really good and big economical tub that’s ready to go.

Wear rubber gloves as it stains and can get messy and a stuff piece of cardboard or credit card is fine to spread with.

Grouting the table
Grouting the table

Working it evenly into all the gaps and then wiping off the excess. I use wet wipes but you can use a cloth with warm water but be careful where you dispose of the cement waste water.

Cleaning the excess grout off

I keep wiping and cleaning the tiles until I’m happy with the result and so proud of my new designs!

Mosaic table makeover
Resources for this project:
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  3 questions
  • J J on Jan 07, 2021

    How much glass did you purchase for the two tables? Did you buy it by the pound as the materials link suggests?

  • VGSelf VGSelf on Jan 07, 2021

    I don’t understand putting the paper down to place the tiles on. What am I’m missing?

  • Diane Diane on Jan 08, 2022

    So you glue down paper then glue it again right?😉

Comments
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3 of 37 comments
  • Patty Patty on Jan 12, 2023

    These are beautiful! The colors you chose are awesome.

  • Joa51016966 Joa51016966 on Dec 29, 2023

    Absolutely gorgeous! At first I couldn’t see where you were going with this and then it emerged into this beautiful work of art. Having a vision is sometimes hard to follow. GREAT job.

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