Tiled kitchen tables: features, types and selection tips

A kitchen table is included in the minimum set of functional items for a room intended for cooking and eating food. And if you do without formalities, then a table in the kitchen is an absolutely necessary thing. If the area is small, you can abandon it in favor of a bar or a transformed window sill (with a wide and often angular tabletop).

But in most cases, standard options are considered, for which you can not only have lunch and dinner, but also cut products, roll out the dough etc. In this case, it should be durable, stable and not “afraid” of scratches, pressure. Such is the kitchen table with tiles.

The first and most important, but not always obvious advantage is the ability to build such a table yourself by restoring old, but still strong furniture.

And instead of the old table, get a new one: fashionable, very practical and durable.

A ceramic coating has at least 5 other advantages.

1. A tile worktop is not only a dining surface, but also a work surface. If a kitchen set is not the most convenient for modeling dumplings, making dough products, cutting salads, etc., then a table with tiles is quite suitable for such purposes.
2. The coating itself is durable, wear-resistant and functional. If initially the table has high decorative qualities, then even over time stretched tiles will not reduce them.The table actually becomes a family value, and you do not want to change it to modern, but often faceless designs.
3. The tile has excellent moisture resistance, and for the kitchen this quality is one of the most important. Any tree sooner or later begins to swell from moisture, with tiles (or other coating options) this will not happen.
4. Hot dishes can be put on the coating; it is also “not afraid” of knife cuts.
5. There is no need for additional table decor. Even without oilcloth, tablecloths, napkins, the furniture will look modern, self-sufficient.

But you can still recall the fact that ceramic tile does not absorb odors, does not leave stains after spilled liquids. She responds well to washable products, so caring for such a table will not cause difficulties.

No cons, too. For example, a ceramic countertop will certainly make the structure heavier.

Other disadvantages must be mentioned.

• The seams between the tiles, if they are at least partially uneven, will accumulate dirt. And pretty fast. Their color, due to pollution, changes, the table loses its aesthetics.
• If a mistake is made in the technology of fixing the tile, it can crack under the influence of loads. For example, often this happens when a dimensional object falls.
• A finished ceramic table (rather than a home remodeling) is not cheap.

Not the most convenient option - a folding table with tiles. It is easier to transform stationary options with ceramics that are not planned to be moved, transformed, etc.

Of course, it’s easier to choose a new design in the store, pay and bring it to the kitchen. But it’s still more interesting to participate in the creation of furniture yourself: choose, study restoration technologies, stick, align and enjoy the product of your creativity.

There are some more interesting ideas for making a table with a do-it-yourself tile.

• If the kitchen has an island countertop, it can also be trimmed and reinforced with tiles. It's great if it matches one of the interior elements of the kitchen. It is not necessary to “merge” it with the floor or walls; rather, it is better to make the coating accented. Roll call design can be achieved by repeating the print of a lamp, a kitchen apron or even a rug.

• The old grandmother’s round table, as it turns out, may be stronger than modern ones. That's just the appearance requires good "tuning". You can repaint the table in a fashionable color (or neutral white), create artificial scuffs, and lay out the countertop with large tiles or mosaics. It will turn out a magnificent thing, which will attract households and guests with a magnet.

• Metal tables can also be decorated with tiles, this is quite an idea in the spirit of an inexpensive restaurant. Not for every kitchen, but for atmospheric apartments with non-standard repairs - a cheap idea with an expensive result.

Decorating a sliding table with tiles is a little more difficult, but still possible. The main thing is to understand the design technology itself and do all the "dirty" work as cleanly as possible.

If you decide on such an experience, first arrange Internet surfing: evaluate possible options, accumulate ideas, scroll through them in your head.

In the standard case, to create a table with tiles you will need:

• the base is usually an old table;
• Particleboard 19 mm thick or moisture-resistant plywood 12 mm (it is important that the material can withstand the weight of the ceramic);
• tile cutter;
• screwdriver;
• self-tapping screws;
• special glue;
• ruler and pencil for marking;
• putty knife;
• grout with two-component epoxy for joints.

Finally, you need the tile itself. For a kitchen table, its minimum thickness should be at least 5 mm. Most prefer the mosaic version, without large differences. Matte shades of tiles look more effective than glossy.

The decoration process consists of several stages.

1. From the prepared base (plywood / chipboard), a workpiece is cut to the size of the table. With screws, it is screwed to the base. The ends are also closed with screws.
2. The base should be impregnated with a moisture barrier, leave to dry completely.
3. After marking the middle lines on the surface, you need to start marking.
4. The first tile, plastered with special tile glue, is laid in the center.
5. The line of the tile should clearly coincide with the line in the center of the table. Any shifts to the side will give an incorrect placement of all other elements. You need to control the installation with the help of a level, the remnants of tile glue should be removed in a timely manner.
6. Sometimes tiles in the last rows have to be cut. If you lay out the edge with a mosaic of debris, you do not have to do this.
7. After the tile adhesive has completely dried, grouting begins.
8. Next, you should do the design of the ends. This can be done with the help of wooden slats, beautiful corner elements, adhesive decorative tape or mosaic tiles.

The quality of the material you choose. Tiles made of porcelain stoneware, ceramic or tile are suitable options that, with proper care, will really last a very long time.

Natural questions: "What kind of kitchen is this table suitable for?" and "What if he was" alien "in the room?".

It’s still necessary to try to buy or make a table with a tiled surface, which will resonate with the overall design of the kitchen. Looking at photo examples, you can see in which different spaces tables with tiles are used, how they can differ from the general color scheme and the materials that dominate the interior.

It is the beginning from which to build on the overall composition, image of the kitchen. If such a table is in the interior, you can not spend money on paintings and other large decor. The brighter the tile, the more interesting the furniture and the space around it look.

Tables come in many forms. Glossy ones require more care and are not always able to create the impression of family value, exclusivity. But the matte tile even changes beautifully over time, it only acquires furniture, it becomes vintage and solid.

If the house has small children, it is worth giving preference to furniture with rounded corners.

A table with tiles and solves practicality issues, and answers to decorative claims. With his appearance, the kitchen ceases to be boring, something solid and attractive appears on it. Perhaps this is exactly what your kitchen lacked.

About decorating the table with tiles, see below.