DIY mosaic tabletop for the garden. Mosaic tabletop: choice of material and do-it-yourself features

To create the mood not only for work, but also for relaxation, you definitely need beautiful furnishings in your home or garden. They can be not only purchased, but also homemade. I'll tell you how I decorated a simple tabletop with colored mosaics.

What do you need

Materials and tools. Table with removable glass table top, waterproof glue, tile grout a tone lighter than the mosaic or a neutral color (beige, gray, etc.), special disc cutters for mosaics or a tool of the same purpose for ceramic tiles, rubber or latex gloves.

Mosaic. The best and most budget option is mosaic from construction supermarkets for finishing bathrooms. It can be purchased in separate sheets, choosing the desired colors.

It is better that it has a thickness of no more than 4 mm, since thicker ones do not prick easily. I bought stone and glass mosaics for my table. Stone as a base for a countertop looks ideal: it is pleasant to the touch, warm and does not have very sharp corners. Against its background, the glass begins to play with color favorably.

Photo: From personal archive/Yulia Korsakova

Preparation

If the countertop is old, you need to clean and level its surface, and if necessary, degrease it with alcohol. Then we choose a pattern for the table. I settled on a simple pattern of repeating circles with alternating colors. I separated the mosaic from the grid and tried to beautifully arrange the elements on the surface in such a way that not too many pieces had to be split into pieces.

Manufacturing

After the final version was formed, I put on gloves and, spreading glue on each element, fixed the mosaic on the tabletop. True, next time, for greater density of the drawing, I would fill the middle not with circles, but with horizontal rows.

After gluing the mosaic, I left it for a day to harden. Then she took the grout, spread it exactly according to the instructions and applied it to the surface with a gloved hand, without missing a millimeter. The remaining grout was put aside for a while. Waited 30-40 minutes until dry ( exact time indicated on the package) and wiped off all excess with a damp sponge. All discovered bubbles or cavities were covered with grout using my finger. After the mixture had dried, we installed the tabletop on the base and immediately set the new tea table.

Yulia Korsakova, Ivanovo

Every year the cost of construction and finishing materials is increasing, which means that not everyone can afford to change the interior when they want to refresh it. The same applies to furniture. It's no secret that kitchen furniture exposed mechanical damage several times more than in premises for other purposes. But what a pity it is to throw away your beloved kitchen table just because his countertop was worn out and ruined!

If your table top has deteriorated, you can decorate it with mosaics to breathe new life into it.

There is no need to despair, there is a way out. It is enough just to decorate the tabletop with mosaics, and it will shine with new colors, giving the interior a fresh and original look. In order to create a mosaic, you will need to put in a lot of effort, but it is worth it. The painstaking work will be fully paid off by creating an exclusive item when minimum consumption family budget.

What to make a mosaic from?

For mosaics, you can use both finished tiles and pieces left over after renovation.

The ideal raw material for creating a mosaic is pieces of ceramic tiles left over after renovation. Often, owners specifically purchase a slightly larger quantity of tiles, because during the gluing process they can break or become damaged. Some stores sell broken ceramic tiles at the price of recycled materials or give away the remains of unclaimed collections at a reduced price. All these tiles are suitable for making mosaics.

Before starting work, the material must be crushed with your own hands. The easiest way is to cut the elements into small pieces with a simple glass cutter. In this case, the pieces may have different shape and sizes. To create pieces of equal size, a tile cutter is usually used. When cutting tiles, the pattern should be taken into account: if in one case the geometric correctness of the elements is important, then in another case the image will look more beautiful from chaotically cut pieces.

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Preparing the base and material for applying decoration

When all the tiles are cut and the resulting elements are sorted by size and color, you can begin gluing the mosaic onto the countertop. To work you will need following materials and accessories:

For the mosaic you will need: glue, solvent, pliers, sandpaper and a brush.

• latex-based glue;
• spatula for applying adhesive;
• rags;
• paint thinner;
• gloves;
• composition for grouting joints;
• soft spatula for removing grout;
• sandpaper with different sizes grains;
• furniture wax;
• piece of linen.

Before applying the decoration to the table, you need to think carefully about the design. You can draw a sketch of the future image on a sheet of paper, the scale of which will be equal to the tabletop being processed. It is quite problematic to create a complex picture the first time, so experts recommend starting with an abstraction, which can be made from chaotically scattered pieces of tiles.

Before applying the mosaic, you need to decide on a pattern and draw it on the surface of the countertop.

Then you need to treat the countertop. First of all, it is freed from varnish or paint using a solvent. Wooden surface It is enough to cover it with solvent and leave it for a while. The composition will corrode the varnish, which can only be wiped off with a dry cloth.

After removing the varnish, the table is processed sandpaper. First, coarse abrasive No. 2, 3 is used, and then smaller abrasive No. 1, 0. Processing with sandpaper will make the surface rougher, which will significantly improve the quality of adhesion between mosaic elements and wood or plastic. At insufficient fastening pieces can easily fall off, which will ruin the entire result of the work.

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Mosaic creation algorithm

When preparatory activities finished, the process of creating a mosaic with your own hands begins. Here you will need to use a prepared sketch. From it, the drawing is transferred to the tabletop using a pencil.

If you are not confident in your abilities, you can use a simple circular pattern that will look great on a round tabletop.

To create it, you need to draw circles diverging from the center. Each row of circles is tiled different color. In this case, it does not matter which geometric shape will have mosaic elements. Only one rule needs to be taken into account: larger and even pieces should be located at the edges, and small ones should be closer to the center.

Then you can start gluing the tiles. Experts recommend starting work not from the center of the panel, as is required when processing walls, but from the edges of the tabletop. Each element must be applied as tightly as possible to the other, gluing it with latex glue. Unlike wall finishing, where the base is covered with an adhesive, when processing a countertop, the tiles are coated with glue. Each particle is covered with glue using a spatula and pressed tightly to the base. Excess glue is removed immediately with a dry soft cloth.

The end result should be smooth and smooth surface with almost invisible seams. After this, the tabletop is left until completely dry. It is not recommended to use a hair dryer or other heating devices for drying. Typically it takes about 24 hours to dry.

A beautifully designed interior depends on many details. One of difficult moments was and remains decor. Exactly decorative elements make the design style unique. Many people believe that decoration is only about figurines, dishes and textiles. However, furniture finishing is also considered decor.

An interesting design idea is a mosaic tabletop. This decoration will not only decorate, but also renew kitchen set. Mosaic will make the interior luxurious and exclusive, adding Italian flavor.

Advantages and disadvantages of mosaic countertops

Mosaic in kitchen interior looks very organic. This cladding will be a real highlight. But the most important thing is mosaic tiles has excellent performance , which allows it to be used in any type of premises.

Peculiarities! Mosaic – durable material, which is not afraid of mechanical damage and external influences. She tolerates it well high temperatures, therefore finishing is used for surfaces near kitchen stoves, sauna or fireplace heating devices.

Like any decorative design, mosaic has its pros and cons. Let's consider advantages of the material in more detail:

The features of the mosaic are truly impressive, but there are still disadvantages:

1. Difficulty of installation. Needs to be monitored correct location each element. If one tile is placed even slightly unevenly, the entire pattern will be disrupted.
2. A large number of seams. This leads to long and painstaking cleaning, because dirt likes to accumulate in the seams.

Despite the minor drawbacks, the mosaic countertop will serve the owner faithfully for decades. Working surface will not only protect the set, but also decorate it.

Manufacturing Features

Mosaic pieces are made different forms and sizes. They can be not only square, but also round, diamond-shaped or hexagonal. Before choosing a shape, it is worth paying attention to the cladding material.

Attention! Laying mosaics in the kitchen is a painstaking task. To make the process easier, tile manufacturers created chips, or in other words, tesserae. These are separate modules, the size of which varies from 10x10 to 100x100. There are several small plates located on them, which form part of the overall pattern.

There are dozens of types of mosaics. Let's look at the most common of them:

1. Glass. Glass tiles have a unique structure. Thanks to decorative inclusions, the surface of the tabletop will surprise you with its depth and richness of color. How brighter color mosaic, the higher its cost, since it is more difficult to create a rich shade. TO budget options include beige, gray and pale blue material.
2. Smalt. Smalt is a type of glass, but with a modified composition. During production, potassium salts are used instead of sodium salts, which makes the surface of the tile completely matte. Smalt mosaic is characterized by increased impact resistance, resistance to temperature changes and immunity to aggressive cleaning agents. The cladding will turn the tabletop into a work of art, because thanks to the special production technology it is impossible to find two identical tiles.
3. Ceramic. Such tiles are similar in characteristics to tiles - they are, in fact, a miniature copy of them. Ceramic mosaics are made from clay, quartz sand and others natural ingredients, so it amazes with its variety of colors. The material is wear-resistant and durable. The tabletop will not lose its brightness under the influence of ultraviolet radiation or aggressive chemicals.
4. Metal. This type of mosaic was created for modern interiors, but this did not stop it from being implemented in various styles. The material harmonizes well with the dishes and household appliances, which makes the cladding universal. Chips are made from copper, brass, bronze, aluminum and of stainless steel. The tabletop looks original and makes the interior shine thanks to its iridescent surface.
5. Wooden. Wooden mosaic will suit almost any set. The material looks stylish and unusual, creating the effect wooden parquet right on the table. Among other things, the peculiarity of tiles is that they bring warmth and comfort to the interior, which is important for creating a special homely atmosphere.
6. Mother of pearl. Mother of pearl is used much less frequently than the listed materials. This finish looks truly magical, creating an “underwater” effect. A mosaic is made from uncut pieces of mother-of-pearl shells. It shimmers and plays with different shades even in poor lighting.
7. Stone. You won't find anything stronger than a stone mosaic. The finish is beautiful and durable. Tiles are made from natural marble, tuff, granite, onyx and other rocks. You should not use porous stones for countertops. They will absorb moisture. To protect the surface use special composition, which fills the pores and creates a dense coating.

Experts advise using a mix of materials. The combination of colored glass with flexible tiles is considered optimal. This is a product made from crumbs processed to resemble the texture of a brick. Due to its elasticity, flexible tiles allow you to design a surface of any shape.

Advantages of finishing:

• resistance to moisture, mechanical damage, frost and ultraviolet radiation;
• long service life;
• strength.

This material is ideal for finishing a tabletop with your own hands.

DIY mosaic kitchen countertop

“Nothing lasts forever,” says the well-known worldly wisdom. No matter how hard we try, kitchen furniture sooner or later becomes unusable. Work surfaces are the first to be affected.

It is completely expensive to replace furniture, as its cost increases every year. There is no need to be upset: it is not difficult to carry out the reconstruction with your own hands. Mosaic tiles will save, refresh and update your countertop. Finishing will not only decorate the product, but will add originality to the entire interior.

Important! Remember that a mosaic countertop has considerable weight. Pay special attention to the stability and strength of the base. The structure is made of wood or metal profile. It is preferable to use metal, as it is not afraid of high humidity.

Mosaics are used not only for decorating tabletops. It is perfect for decorating a living room, bathroom or creating kitchen apron. Using mosaics to camouflage washing machine, decorate the walls, connect the sink to the screen.

It is advisable to install the mosaic on a new set. The old one may not withstand the weight of the cladding, since it was not designed for such decor. Robust construction you can do it yourself. It is important to properly prepare the foundation.

Stages of work:

1. Create a drawing. Any construction works start with diagrams and calculations. At this stage, the presence of shelves and cabinets for storage must be provided. Then determine the quantity required material. Finished drawing transferred to the walls and floor using a ruler.
2. Frame making. For this they use wooden blocks section 50x50 mm or metal profiles. The choice of material depends on the conditions in which the furniture will be kept. For rooms with high humidity use metal because the wood will begin to rot.
3. Preparing elements. The timber or profile is cut into pieces of the required length and secured to the floor and walls. Vertical guides are screwed to the contours of the frame, connecting them to the upper contour. Then the tabletop is given the desired thickness.
4. After installation work the frame is sheathed. Professionals advise using moisture resistant drywall or DSP. The cladding parts are cut out according to the diagram and attached to the frame with screws in increments of 10-15 cm. Holes are created in the plane of the tabletop for a sink, stove or communications.
5. The final stage - table top finishing.

Mosaic pasting

Before decorating the tabletop with mosaics, prepare everything you need. For work you will need:

• grout;
• primer;
• putty;
• antiseptic;
• tools: spatula, rag, sandpaper;
• containers for mixing grout and glue.

To ensure that the mosaic is firmly attached to the surface, use plastic ones adhesive mixtures white . For opaque tiles, any adhesive mixtures are suitable.

Let's consider installation process step by step:

1. Surface preparation. It is important to carefully treat the countertop and rid it of unevenness. For this you will need putty. Then the surface is cleaned and degreased. To protect against mold and mildew, the countertop is treated with an antiseptic.
2. Applying primer. The surface needs to be primed in two layers.
3. Making a mosaic. Before applying glue to the surface, lay the tiles on the table and make the necessary pattern. This way you can evaluate the options and correct something in time. After this, you can safely use glue. The solution is applied thin layer with a special comb spatula.
4. Laying out the mosaic. To make work easier, a special mesh or paper is laid on the tabletop, and tiles are placed on top of it. The parts are aligned and adjusted to the level, forming a pattern. It is recommended to start laying the mosaic from the near edge of the tabletop. Why? It happens that parts need to be trimmed, but it will be less noticeable near the wall. If you need to lay out a specific drawing, then work begins from the center of the tabletop.
5. Baseboard sticker and grouting. The final stage is the most important, since the attractive appearance of the mosaic depends on it. The ceramic plinth is matched to match the tiles, but if the joint with the wall is well sealed, then you can do without this detail. The grout also varies in color. Apply it with a soft spatula, carefully working out the seams. High-quality grout will extend the life of the coating and make it more durable. Next, the tabletop is left until completely dry. Heating devices should not be used to speed up the process. The longer the tile dries, the more firmly it will adhere to the surface.
6. Polishing tiles. After drying, remove excess composition with a dry soft cloth. If the mixture has hardened too much, use sandpaper. Then the tabletop is polished with furniture wax and left to dry for a day.

Conclusion

Decorating furniture with mosaic tiles requires patience and painstaking work, but the result will meet all expectations. Originally designed surfaces will become the center of attraction of admiring glances and will cause a lot of compliments.

Mosaic looks luxurious and elegant on different surfaces, so don’t stop the flight of your imagination on the countertop - do mosaic finishing on other interior elements.

Mosaic is an interesting and original design move that dilutes the interior with symmetrical patterns.

This finishing method can be used in the bathroom, kitchen and even in the dining area of ​​the house.

Mosaic will look great not only on the walls or floor, but also on the countertop. In this instruction we will tell you how to make a mosaic table with your own hands.

Such a table will look great at home or in the garden, creating an interesting accent and emphasizing the subtle taste of the owner. Besides the cost homemade table much lower than purchased.

Tools

• Transparent glue. Needed to give additional strength to the finished mosaic pattern and fix the corners. The glue should be moderately thick to prevent it from spreading over the surface.
• Ruler. A forty-centimeter thick frost is necessary for marking tabletops. The main guiding elements of the drawing are then laid out along these lines. To mark large countertops, you can use a regular tape measure.
• A simple pencil. Needed for drawing marking lines. A soft stylus is best suited for these purposes. It will require frequent sharpening, but will leave clearer marks on the surface.
• Rubber spatula. Used to distribute grout evenly over the entire surface. A rubber spatula will not damage mosaic tiles and will not leave scratches.
• Foam sponge. It will help get rid of excess grout and clean the surface of the mosaic panel. You can replace it with a regular rag, but it’s more convenient to work with a sponge.

Materials

If you do not have experience laying out a table with mosaics, it is better to choose a model with a square top. It is easiest to place a symmetrical pattern on it.

We will also need waterproof chipboard, we use it as a basis for a future painting. Of course, you can glue the mosaic directly onto the table, but its surface may not be smooth enough for good adhesion to the tile.

And finally the mosaic itself. IN classic version individual pieces are applied to the glue one by one, but it is much more convenient to work with tiles already assembled into a square on a self-adhesive base. They can be glued as a whole array, or they can be separated in small pieces.

Assembly

1. We mark the chipboard panel using a ruler and pencil. The marking lines will help us not to get lost when drawing up the drawing and will indicate the direction for the main parts of the pattern. Divide the model into equal sectors, maintaining symmetry.
2. Secure the chipboard panel to the table top with glue. Glue the panel thoroughly, it should fit snugly to the tabletop.
3. Separate the mosaic tiles from the overall array without removing protective film from the adhesive side. Repeat the selected pattern by placing it on the marked panel. Lay out the mosaic carefully, remembering to maintain symmetry. At this stage, you can experiment, but by the time you put it on the glue, you should be absolutely sure of the design.
4. Having achieved the desired pattern, begin to carefully lay out the tiles. Do not disassemble the design completely, carefully remove one tile and place it on the glue. Then repeat the procedure with the adjacent one and so on until you reach the end of the pattern. This is the easiest way not to spoil the composition. Refer to the drawn lines and try to make the seams as narrow as possible.
5. When drawing up the drawing, do not forget to glue unreliable seams and corner elements. In these places the panel may fall apart, so pay special attention to the quality of gluing. The glue should not stand out much or create sagging.
6. After waiting for the glue to dry, apply grout to the mosaic. This is the final stage, after which the mosaic will be firmly fixed on the countertop. The grout must be distributed evenly over the entire surface using a rubber spatula.
7. Remove excess grout with a damp sponge. It is better to do this immediately after application, without waiting for the solution to harden.

Labor and cost

One square meter self-adhesive mosaics cost about 5,000 rubles. The price depends on the supplier and manufacturer. An already sized chipboard panel will cost 100 rubles. Transparent glue within 200 rubles. 250 grams of mosaic grout cost 230 rubles.

Marking the panel and applying mosaics to the surface is a rather painstaking process. Without experience, you can spend three to four hours on this. Subsequent treatment with glue and grout should not cause any particular difficulties and will take a total of about an hour.

Since ancient times, mosaic tiles have been used to decorate the walls of temples and palaces, but now the possibilities for using this material are much wider. Today, to make a bathroom, kitchen or any other room stylish, if free space allows, a mosaic countertop made by yourself will help you. In addition, you can make copyright coffee tables for home.

Let's sort it out manufacturing in more detail tiled countertops. To do this, choose glass, ceramic, stone, metal, wood and other types of tiles.

Peculiarities

Every year the cost of furniture and building materials is only increasing, so updating the interior regularly is not possible for everyone. Kitchen furniture is especially deformed over time. There is no need to be upset, there is something for such a case perfect solution. Mosaic tiles will help you save, renew, decorate your old kitchen set or other surfaces and add originality and freshness to the interior.

The mosaic represents tiles, the dimensions of which are determined from one and a half to 2.5 cm. The shape of the fragments can be very diverse. They can be square, triangular, rectangular, round and any other arbitrary shape.

Mosaic for cladding various surfaces in the interior is divided into the following types:

• glass is the most used type, main feature which are low price and different types designs (matte, transparent, colored, gold and silver, with various shades and additions);
• metal mosaic;
• ceramic - it happens: in the form of cut sheets of porcelain stoneware and ceramic tiles;
• stone - from lapis lazuli, jasper, marble, travertine;
• smalt tiles are the most expensive type, but at the same time high-quality and reliable.

Reliable and unusual appearance– this is what distinguishes mosaic countertops. This decorative solution Ideal for decorating the living room, bathroom and other rooms. Small tiles make up a picture or a beautiful pattern.

Please note that such a tabletop has considerable weight, so it is necessary to pay attention to the reliability, strength and stability of the base.

How to do it yourself?

To begin with, decide on a specific location area. Most often, the following options are chosen: a transition between furniture, a mosaic coffee table, and simply a mosaic surface. All tile finishing options are an excellent solution for your interior. It is used to decorate the living room, finish the apron and countertops in the kitchen, but it is not recommended to lay mosaics on an old set.

Sometimes, for expansion working area in the kitchen, the window sill is decorated with mosaics. But the most options for using such tiles can be found in the bathroom. For example, it is used to disguise washing machine, decorate the walls, link the washbasin with the screen.

Keep in mind that constructing a tile table requires dexterity and some experience, although it appears to be a routine task. The following materials are ideal for the base: concrete, wood materials with good, moisture-resistant impregnation, water-resistant plasterboard surfaces, dense polyurethane.

It is worth noting that you can make a mosaic yourself. You just need to make fragments of glass that are suitable in shape and color. And glass fragments can be obtained from any sales company Supplies and colored glass for stained glass. This great way try yourself in something new and get carried away by it.

For folding tiled surface you will need:

• grout for seams;
• primer;
• putty;
• antiseptic.

Tools:

• putty knife;
• container for mixing glue;
• container for mixing grout;
• rags;
• sandpaper;
• soft spatula for grouting joints.

To ensure that the mosaic tiles are firmly attached to the table, special adhesive mixtures are used. Experts recommend choosing white plastic mixtures. You can use any adhesive mixtures for tiles, but only when laying opaque mosaics. For glass tiles you need to choose only transparent or white mixtures.

Before starting work, you need to treat the surface so that base defects are not noticeable in the future.

Surface preparation

Before laying the tiles, it is necessary to level the surface using putty. Next, the surface must be cleaned and degreased. To protect the surface from the appearance of mold and mildew, it is necessary to cover it antiseptic impregnation. The next step primer will be applied.

Laying out the mosaic

The process is a bit similar to making stained glass using the Tiffany technique. Before you start laying tiles, be sure to lay them out on the table and form the pattern you want. So you can evaluate possible variant and, if necessary, correct something.

It is recommended to start laying the mosaic from the near edge of the tabletop. Thus, if it is necessary to trim elements, it will take place on the far side and will not involve special attention. But if you are sure that pruning will not be necessary, then you need to start from the far side. If the mosaic should form a certain pattern, then lay it out from the center of the tabletop.

There are no rules for laying tiles as such; the main thing in this process is to think through the design and number of elements in advance.

Operating procedure:

• Prime the surface in two layers.
• Apply a small amount of glue to level the surface.
• A special mesh is laid, and tiles are placed on top of it. It is leveled (you can also use paper instead of a grid; it will get wet and be removed later). But be sure to think over the design before laying out the tiles, and draw it first on a sheet at a scale of 1:1, and later on the surface, in order to protect yourself from an undesirable result.
• Next, the result of decorating the surface must be covered with grout. It will make the finished coating more reliable, stronger and more durable. Apply it to the seams with a soft spatula and rub in thoroughly. It is necessary to leave the surface until completely dry, and do not use a hair dryer or other heating methods. The rule is this: the tile will stick to the surface more firmly if it takes longer to dry.

• Excess dried composition is removed from the mosaic using a dry soft cloth. Sometimes, when the mixture dries out very much, it becomes necessary to use sandpaper with the finest grains.
• Polishing tiles. For this they use furniture wax. It is necessary to apply it to a soft, lint-free cloth and thoroughly rub into the tile elements.
• Wait until the surface is completely dry. This usually takes about a day.

If you are not confident in your abilities to create complex patterns and paintings, then experts recommend using a circular pattern. To perform it, you need to draw diverging circles from the center of the surface. The shape of the elements doesn't really matter, the only important thing is that the small elements are located closer to the center, and the large ones towards the edges.

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