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How to make a mosaic coffee table

Transform your old coffee table in 10 easy steps.

Rather than getting rid of your old, wooden coffee table give it an upgrade by simply redecorating. This easy-to-do DIY will have it looking brand new in only 10 steps. 

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Gather your supplies

• Solid timber coffee table
• Dulux Preplock Shellac Based Stain Blocker (spray) or similar
• Dulux Design Metallic in Neutral Intrigue (silver)
• Mosaic tile sheets in Pearl White

You’ll also need

Drop sheet; safety glasses; dust mask; power saw; clamps; straightedge; power sander with medium-grit sandpaper to suit; fine-grit sandpaper; paintbrush; PVA; mosaic tile adhesive; white grout; glass mosaic additive; spatula; rubbersqueegee; soft sponge

Here’s how

(Credit: Better Homes and Gardens) (Credit: Better Homes and Gardens)

Step 1

Trim rounded edges off table for a modern look, if desired. To do this, lay out drop sheet and, wearing glasses and dust mask, use power saw along clamped straightedge to cut off rounded edges from all 4 sides of tabletop. Keep your cuts square and even on each side. Discard offcuts.

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(Credit: Better Homes and Gardens) (Credit: Better Homes and Gardens)

Step 2

Wearing glasses and dust mask, use power sander to sand top of table. Work in the direction of the grain, removing all varnish.

(Credit: Better Homes and Gardens) (Credit: Better Homes and Gardens)

Step 3

Using fine-grit sandpaper, gently hand-rub over timber legs to provide tooth for stain blocker to stick. Brush dust from table and shake out drop sheet.

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(Credit: Better Homes and Gardens) (Credit: Better Homes and Gardens)

Step 4

Position table in centre of drop sheet with top facing down. Brush or spray table legs, frame and cut edges of top with stain blocker. Do not apply to tabletop. Let dry.

(Credit: Better Homes and Gardens) (Credit: Better Homes and Gardens)

Step 5

Use paintbrush to paint legs, table frame and edges of top with 2 coats of Silver. Let dry after each coat.

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Step 6

In a small bowl, mix a solution of 50% PVA and 50% water. Use paintbrush to apply to raw timber tabletop. Let dry.

(Credit: Better Homes and Gardens) (Credit: Better Homes and Gardens)

Step 7

Working with 1 sheet of tiles at a time, place a dot of mosaic adhesive on the back of each tile.

(Credit: Better Homes and Gardens) (Credit: Better Homes and Gardens)
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Step 8

Starting at 1 corner of tabletop, stick tiles to timber. Repeat applying adhesive and sticking down evenly spaced sheets of tiles until top is covered. Where necessary, trim sheets of tiles to suit before sticking in position. Let dry

(Credit: Better Homes and Gardens) (Credit: Better Homes and Gardens)

Step 9

Use spatula to mix a 50/50 ratio of white grout and liquid (25% water and 25% glass mosaic additive) to a toothpaste consistency. Working in sections, apply dabs of grout to tiles and spread into grooves of tiles using rubber squeegee. Repeat until all tiles and perimeter are grouted. Let dry.

(Credit: Better Homes and Gardens) (Credit: Better Homes and Gardens)
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Step 10

Wipe away residual grout from top of tiles with damp soft sponge. Let dry

(Credit: Better Homes and Gardens) (Credit: Better Homes and Gardens)

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