Mosaic Table

Crafts mosaic tables

Once you have mastered the art of mosaic making you can begin to progress onto more difficult projects, a mosaic table would come into this category. In fact, a mosaic table is not that much more difficult unless you are making the table too and it is entirely possible to simply cover any old table with a layer of mosaic tiles and use it either in your conservatory or on your exterior garden patio to great effect.

Mosaic patterns

If you are making a complete table and making an inlay of mosaic patterns for the top surface then it is possible to decide every aspect of the table, its size, shape and height and the size and shape of the recessed mosaic top. It is your choice on the materials of the table and what will suit the decor of your house. A table of this calibre will probably be suitable for a coffee table in your lounge or sitting room or even a bedside table in your bedroom.

Mosaic covering a table

Work on your design and the colors you want to use, draw your design onto a piece of paper and use colored paints or marker pens to determine where the colors should go and what they should be. You may decide to do a couple of photocopies of your design and color them with different combinations so that you can see which works best for you and your home. Bear in mind where the table is going to be used and what it is going to be used for. If it is going outside then possibly something that will blend with the color scheme of your garden would be a good option, use organic forms and odd numbers to make it natural looking. (there are no even numbers in nature and no perfection)

Mosaic matching table

If the table is to be used inside then look at the wall color you are using in the room and tone in your table accordingly. Decide if the table is to be figurative (a picture of something) or abstract (shapes, lines no picture) draw your design onto the surface of the table.

Starting your mosaic tables hobby

Broken china tiles mosaic table

There are a couple of different ways of tiling your table. If you have evenly sized square pieces of mosaic tile or tesserae, then it is a simple matter of covering a small area of the table with tile cement and then placing all the tiles down onto the cement in quick succession following the lines of your design. However, if you are using broken kitchen tiles or china then it is important to lay a few pieces down without cement and when you are happy with the fit, cement them in one at a time making sure that you leave a small gap between each piece so that there is enough room for the grout. Continue, following the lines of your design until the whole surface is covered with ceramic at which point leave it to dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours before grouting.

Grouting mosaic glass or tiles

Mosaic table finish

When you are grouting it is very important to push the grout down between the tiles, particularly if the table is to be used outside. Cover the whole surface with the grout and after ensuring that all the gaps are filled wipe off the excess. If the excess tile cement dries onto the tiles without being wiped it is very hard to remove it without damaging the surface. It is also important that the tiles and the grout are weatherproof if the table is to be based in the yard.

Edging for a mosaic table

Sometimes the edges of the mosaic are left unfinished or perhaps the mosaic tile pieces continue over the lip of the table, but this is not best practice. It is possible to give a professional finish to the mosaic table by covering the rough edges all around with a thinly veneered piece of varnished timber.