Black Penny Tile Coffee Table
A tutorial by .
- 3 – Hairpin Legs, in desired height and finish (we spray-painted 16" raw steel)
- 3/4" Plywood
- Penny tiles
- Screw and string
- Pencil
- Drill/driver
- Jigsaw
- Orbital sander and sanding disc (we used 100-grit)
- Construction adhesive and caulk gun (or thin-set)
- Grout float
- Utility knife
- Acetone
- Angle grinder and discs (we used a masonry abrasive disc)
- Thin-gauge sheet metal
- Straightedge
- Sandpaper
- Metal spray paint
- Ratchet strap
- Grout (we went with Fusion Pro grout in charcoal) and grouting supplies
- Screws
- Safety gear such as eye protection, a mask/respirator and gloves
1 Maker Tutorial
Mike Montgomery
Modern Builds | @modernbuilds
I create DIY tutorials for furniture and home improvement projects on Modern Builds. My goal is to show people that they can do more than they think, all the way from giving them the motivation and resources to build their first coffee table, or remodel their ugly bathroom themselves.
Building and making is becoming less and less of an exclusive hobby / profession. My goal is to reduce that separation even further.
Building and making is becoming less and less of an exclusive hobby / profession. My goal is to reduce that separation even further.
We used all-black components for this DIY coffee table—black tiles, black grout, and black hairpin legs! This all-black look is sleek, but the design would look great in many different colors and variations.
Step 1:
Cut the plywood base
Use a screw and string to mark out a 30-inch diameter circle on your plywood. Drill a pilot hole inside the circle, and insert your jigsaw blade. Follow the line carefully, then sand the plywood with an orbital sander.
Step 2:
Add your tile
Begin by adhering your first sheet of penny tile to the center of your plywood base. Add a small dab of adhesive (or thin-set) to each tile back, flip the sheet over, and use a grout float to apply even pressure. Repeat with each tile sheet until the base is covered. Clean any adhesive from the front of the tiles with acetone.
Step 3:
Cut overhanging tiles
Use a utility knife to cut away any tiles that extend over the edge of your plywood base. If there are tiles just barely overhanging, you can trim those flush with an angle grinder and a masonry abrasive disc.
Step 4:
Add metal edge banding
Use a straightedge, utility knife, and angle grinder to cut strips of sheet metal that measure one and a quarter inches wide. Sand the edges, and spray paint. When dry, wrap the strips around the base edge, and secure with a ratchet strap.
Step 5:
Grout the tile
Apply the grout with a grout float, following the product instructions. Alternate the directions that you’re pulling to make sure you get into all the cracks as you blend the grout across the tabletop.
Step 6:
Clean up the grout
Wipe the top of the tiles with a sponge that's wet, but not dripping. With penny tile, a circular motion works great. Use light pressure and constantly clean your sponge so that you're removing as much excess grout as possible. Wipe away the haze (or let dry), as directed.
Step 7:
Attach the hairpin legs
When dry, turn your tabletop over, and position your hairpin legs. Use a drill/driver to drive the screws through the base plate holes. Check that the Hairpin Legs are secure, turn your table over, and that's it! Enjoy!