Does Your Outdoor Table Look Tired? The Easy DIY That Gives It New Life

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Few possessions last forever, and your patio furniture is no exception. In fact, with constant exposure to the elements, it could be one of your shortest-lived purchases. While some pieces may last longer than others, they will all ultimately need a refresh. That doesn't always mean you have to throw away that old terrace table set or furnish your outdoor living space with all new pieces. With a little inspiration and effort, you can refurbish your existing furniture. The place to start is your well-worn wooden table. If you're even slightly handy, you can craft a new table top using tiles, giving your table a fresh new look and covering any trouble spots.

As your wooden patio furniture begins to deteriorate — perhaps it's fading, splintering, or cracking — it becomes unsafe and far less useful. One creative way to use tile in unexpected places around your home is by renovating a fading outdoor table. Adding brightly colored tiles to the table, like this set of nine 4-inch by 4-inch mixed-design Talavera Real Ceramic Tiles, brings a pop of color; using different colors and shapes could be a neat upgrade, depending on your tiling skill level. This one-pound mixed pack of botanical Yoziemq Ceramic Mosaic Tiles costs about $18.

A square table with slats is probably easiest to work with for this project, but there's no reason you couldn't tile other styles. To create a solid base for your tiles, you'll also need a sheet of marine plywood large enough to cover the tabletop and some Gorilla Water-Resistant Wood Glue. For the tiling itself, get ¼-inch spacers, a rubber float, some mortar, and some grout in your choice of color. With all these supplies gathered, you're ready to breathe new life into your pre-loved table.

When it comes to crafting something new from old, worn outdoor furniture, first, you have to consider the structure itself. Bistro tables made of hardwood, for example, may simply need a good clean with water from the garden hose and a scrubbing brush. Other pieces may need significant attention before you can top them with heavy ceramic tiles. At minimum, when refurbishing your wooden furniture, you will need to sand and stain or paint the wood. You may even need to fix cracks or replace some stretchers. Then, when your table is ready to work on, cut the sheet of marine plywood to fit your tabletop using a circular saw — if it's not already the right size, that is. Adhere it to the surface using the exterior wood adhesive.

Help yourself and your table by employing some simple tips for installing tile. Lay tiles out on the plywood with ¼-inch spacers between them to confirm your design before cementing them into place. Take a photo so you can remember the layout. Mix and spread the mortar in small sections, laying and spacing tiles as you go to prevent uneven drying. Once your tiles are in place and look even, allow the mortar to dry for 24 hours. Finally, remove spacers and add some grout, pushing it deep into the crevices between the tiles with a rubber float. Wipe away excess grout from tiles and allow grout to set per the manufacturer's instructions. Once the grout has dried (up to 72 hours), your fresh, vibrant table is ready to go back outside and spice up your patio. Enjoy your breakfast al fresco the next day to really appreciate your work.