Things You'll Need:
- Tape measure Pencil A square table Ceramic tile (the size and number of squares will be determined by the size of your table) Finished wood trim of any style you want, but with a 3/8-inch high straight back Miter saw Carpenter's glue Hammer Trim nails Tile adhesive Adhesive trowel Powdered grout Six-inch putty knife Sponge Liquid grout sealer with sponge-bottle applicator
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Step 1
Measure the table and figure out what sized tiles you will need to cover the table fully without having to make cuts at the edges. Make sure to take into account a 1/4-inch grout line between the tiles, and to leave a 1- to 2-inch border around the edge for trim.
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Step 2
Measure and cut your 3/8-inch trim to fit around the perimeter of the table. The trim should sit with the flat vertical side (which would normally go against a wall) facing in toward the middle, forming a 3/8-inch high wall around the middle space of the table. Use your miter saw to cut the corners of each piece at 45 degrees, with the outer side of the piece longer than the inner side. Attach to the table with carpenter's glue and trim nails.
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Step 3
Using your adhesive trowel, spread tile adhesive over the table top within the borders of the frame. Press your tiles into place, spacing them about 1/4 inch from each other and from the trim at the edges. Adjust the size of the spaces between them as needed to make all the full tiles fit and look uniform. Let dry.
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Step 4
Mix your powdered grout in a bucket with a putty knife until it is the consistency of thick mud. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes. Spread it in the lines between the tiles and next to the trim, pressing it down into the spaces. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it off with a damp sponge, smoothing out the grout in the lines.
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Step 5
Give the grout a day to dry, then use grout sealer along the seams.
