DIY tiled outdoor table: White grid tile table top

Dreaming of a stylish outdoor table without the designer price tag, I decided to DIY my own tiled outdoor table. I found an old outdoor table on the side of the road and gave it a contemporary white makeover by spray painting the frame and tiling the top with a modern grid mosaic tile.

Start by giving your old table a thorough clean. For rust and hard-to-reach spots on the metal frame, spray WD-40 EZ Reach, wait 5 minutes, then scrub with a metal bristle brush. This removes grime and protects against future rust.

Once clean, spray paint the frame with two coats of all-in-one spray paint. This instantly refreshes the look and protects the metal from weather damage.

Before tiling, apply Eco Prim Grip to the glass top. This gives the surface a gritty texture so the tile glue can adhere properly. Let it dry completely before laying your tiles.

Spread a layer of tile glue using a notched trowel, then press the mosaic tile sheets into place. If you don’t have tile spacers, you can improvise — I used paddle pop sticks and they worked fine!

After the glue dries (24 hours), mix your white grout according to the instructions — it’s important to follow the exact water ratio to avoid cracks later. Work quickly to press grout into the joints, then wipe away the excess with a damp sponge before it sets.

Tip: It’s best to use 2 buckets when wiping away grout — use one with clean water to refresh your sponge and use the second bucket to squeeze out the dirty water. This will save you so much time and minimise grout haze.

For a clean edge, apply white silicone around the perimeter of the table. This seals any gaps and gives the table a polished finish.