Tiled side table

[lifestylebymari]

An impressive side table design built using MDF panels and white tiles.

• The project
• Materials
• More inspiration for your home

The project

I created this tiled side table with a cool shape. I've been eyeing similar tables for a long time but due to the price I could never justify buying one. Once I saw Geneva Vanderzeil's inspirational tiled desk I knew I could make something similar, so the project began.

Using a circular saw, I cut the MDF panels into individual pieces and screwed all the pieces together.

I applied the tiles with Dunlop 2kg Wall And Floor Tile Adhesive and then used Davco 1.5kg #67 Cashmere Sanitized® Colourgrout to finish it off.

Applying tiles all over the MDF panels means that the side table can stand in different positions. I was able to save $575 by creating this myself instead of buying a new one for around $725.

Materials

• 16mm Standard MDF - 450mm x 1800mm

• 16mm Standard MDF - 600mm x 900mm

• Decor8 Tiles 306 x 306mm White Matt Square Porcelain Mosaic Tile

• Dunlop 2kg Wall And Floor Tile Adhesive

• Davco 1.5kg #67 Cashmere Sanitized® Colourgrout

More inspiration for your home

Mari also created this European-style mosaic tile table by upcycling a weathered piece of furniture.

It can be surprisingly easy to create an attractive and functional piece of furniture for your home or outdoor areas. Find ideas for your next D.I.Y. piece in our top 10 most popular indoor and outdoor furniture projects.

[AmyLouise]

Hello, 

I would love to know the exact dimensions of the individual pieces for this side table. It appears to have 10 pieces I need to cut?

Thanks very much in advance.

[MitchellMc]

Hi @AmyLouise,

Let me mention @lifestylebymari to alert her to your question and to see if she still has those measurements at hand. If she did, I'm sure she'll be delighted to share them with you. Failing that, I'll see if I can reverse engineer them from her images.

Mitchell

[cesimpson19]

@MitchellMc Did anyone work out a template for the MDF pieces? I'd like to try and make this as well!

thanks

[EricL]

Hello @cesimpson19

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you for joining the discussion.

Looking at the side table photos, you'll notice that the tiles turn exactly at the end of the tile folds. The entire assembly is based on the 306 x 306 Decor8 tiles. So by counting the tiles you'll actually get the dimensions of the MDF frame. I'm currently double-checking all the measurements and will post the drawings tomorrow. 

Eric

[Noyade]

"So by counting the tiles you'll actually get the dimensions of the MDF frame."

Hi Eric!

OMG - I went through 4 cups of coffee trying to solve this - but I think with hindsight the clever approach by Mari - seen in the third photograph down in her opening post, is to LAY the tiles down on the MDF to get the measurements and then rip with the saw. Trying to estimate the dimensions on this side of the screen based on 306 mm per 6 tiles isn't going to be exact - or is it?

How did you go?

Should be 10 pieces?

OMG!

Missed something?

[EricL]

Hello @cesimpson19

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @Noyade. The suggestion of placing the tile sheet over the MDF panel is quite good. By doing it this way, you can be sure where the tiles will land. You will also be able to account for minute differences, such as the 3mm tile gap. Please be aware that the measurements I've placed are for reference only, double-checking with the tile sheet is always best practice. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[EricL]

HI @Noyade

I have to admit, it was quite challenging reverse-engineering the side table. I didn't take as many cups of coffee, but I did have my fair share. The technique I used is based on the size of the tile, which is 48 x 48. I must admit using 3D software helped quite a bit, but I'm very impressed that you managed to do it with pen and paper. It would have taken me longer if I had to do it manually.

Eric 

[Noyade]

Hi Eric

I was once a draughtsman for the Australian Navy a lifetime ago, but I've lost all those skills now. What you and Mitchell and many others on this forum achieve with 'computers' is simply staggering to me - keep up the good work. For me - the above is now just an exercise to help prevent the onset of Alzheimers.

Cheers! 👍

[AmyLouise]

Thanks @Noyade @EricL for your contributions. I agree it was challenging and I too counted 10 pieces, with the two side boards being the most challenging to reverse engineer. My partner offered to run through CAD but I really wanted to work through the process myself to apply to future projects and now I have your measurements to cross check with. Check out https://www.fleurstudios.com.au/collections/in-stock/products/multi-bench-seat-1500-gloss-white-with... this bench seat by Fluer Studios. They have an almost identical side table as well called the cookie. I would love to work through building the bench table for my TV stand, any suggestions on this? This style originally inspired my desire to make my own, hence stumbling across @lifestylebymari replica. Off to the factory to have the MDF cut now

[EricL]

Hi @AmyLouise

I suggest having a look at this discussion - How to build a tile table by @Ridaren. My colleague @MitchellMc has made a detailed list of materials on how to construct a tiled table. The only difference is that you will have to shorten the legs so that it will look like a TV stand.  

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric