How to Make a New Kitchen Tabletop

Sand the tabletop with 400-grit sandpaper, removing as much of the original stain or finish as possible. Wipe the table off with a tack cloth. Check the table for any remaining stain and sand again if needed. Clean the dust off the table with the tack cloth.

Measure the size of the tabletop, which gives you the amount of tiles needed. Pick large or small tiles depending on your personal taste. Make sure that you have enough tiles to cover the table with a few leftover for breakage or accidents.

Paint a thin layer of tile glue on the surface of the table. Gently set ceramic tiles down on the glue. Press down on each tile, ensuring that the tile adheres to the glue. Work your way around the tabletop, completely covering the top with the tiles.

Mix the grout and water in a plastic bucket, following the manufacturer’s guidelines. Dip the trowel into the mixture and apply the grout to the surface of the tiles. Smooth the grout with the trowel, filling in the space between the tiles.

Rub the damp cloth over the tile, while the grout is still wet. The cloth wipes away any excess grout and makes the grout sit even with the tiles. Once the grout dries, rub a damp cloth over the tabletop, wiping off any dust or debris.