How to Make Your Own Mosaic Patio Table

Mosaic patio tables can be seen with some of the most intricate tile work around, including landscapes and even reproductions of famous paintings. Creating your own mosaic patio table from old china or tiles can give you a stylish patio table at a fraction of the cost. Create a patio table that takes you to another location with a beach scene, or match your interior design to expand your living area to the outdoors. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Collect tile pieces for your mosaic pattern. Keep broken china pieces, break china that you have chosen for the table, or break tiles in the colors you prefer to use for the table. If you are breaking your own china or tiles, place the pieces in a plastic bag, cover the bag with a towel, and break the pieces by hammering the bag. Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes.

2

Choose your mosaic pattern. Create a paper pattern of your table by cutting a piece of craft paper to the dimensions of the table you are covering. Arrange your tile pieces on the paper pattern to determine how many pieces you need and where they need to be placed on the table.

3

Apply mastic to the table and transfer the tile pieces. Following the directions on the mastic, apply the mastic to the table with your trowel, starting in the middle. If the table is large, work in small sections to make sure the mastic doesn't dry before you have adhered the tile pieces. Transfer the tile pieces from your paper pattern to the table starting in the middle and working your way outwards until the table top is completed. If you are using a mix of tile and china, make sure the pieces are fairly level by adding more mastic to thinner pieces. Allow the mastic to dry at least 8 hours, or as directed on the packaging.

4

Grout the table. Apply grout to the table with your trowel by forcing grout into the spaces between all of the pieces of tile. Smooth the grout with a damp towel, making sure to remove any extra grout on top of the tile and china. Allow the grout to dry.

5

Apply grout sealer. Following the directions on the package, apply grout sealer and allow to dry.