A small outdoor tile side table with a star-patterned white surface holds a glass of red wine. It is surrounded by a lush green fern and a colorful flower pot with vibrant red, orange, and yellow blossoms on a brick patio.
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DIY Faux Cement Tile IKEA Marius Side Table Hack

ByLisa

Cute outdoor side tables that also function well can be a challenge to find at an affordable price. But in my opinion are a necessity for summer fun on the patio or deck. A few years ago I came up with an easy way to combine two affordable pieces to create a functional side table and table top for outdoor use. But I just took this small side table hack a step further by adding a faux cement tile to the mix. The best part is, this DIY faux cement tile IKEA Marius side table hack requires no messy tile grout or tile adhesive, just a few simple steps!  

A small outdoor setup features a DIY IKEA stool transformed into a captivating tile side table with a sun motif. It's nestled on gravel alongside a black chair, a polka-dot pillow, vibrant yellow flowers, and a shed in the background. A geometric candle holder graces the tabletop.

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DIY Faux Cement Tile IKEA Marius Side Table Hack

I have been wanting to upgrade my outdoor IKEA side tables since last year with a modern twist. I was originally hoping to do a tiled table with ceramic tiles, but I couldn’t find a 12×12 tile that included a full Moroccan inspired pattern. Setting up the wet saw  and mixing mortar and grout seemed like a lot of work for just a few tile pieces so I decided to pivot. 

That’s when I found these 12×12 stencils with multiple pattern options. By using a stencil I could also choose different colors of paint if I wanted. 

IKEA Marius Faux Cement Tile Hack Supplies

12×12 Paver Stone 
IKEA Marius Stool
12×12 Patterned Stencil
Spray Paint
Paint 
Paint Brush

Step 1 – Go to IKEA

Hopefully you are lucky enough to live near an IKEA but if not, they ship! The IKEA Marius is a small stool they sell for less than $10! I have been using them for years in my DIY projects but never as intended. The frame of this cute little stool will be the base of the table. 

A black IKEA MARIUS stool with a round seat featuring circular cutouts and four slender metal legs stands against a plain white background, offering inspiration for an easy tile side table DIY project.

Step 2 – Pick Up Some Pavers

Pick up some 12×12 concrete pavers from your local hardware store. I found my pavers at Home Depot for less than $3! These are the perfect size to sit on top of the IKEA Marius stool. With the weight at 17lbs they also add enough weight to keep the stool from tipping over. 

Two square concrete pavers rest on a textured, beige surface like tiles waiting to transform into a chic side table. They are aligned vertically with ample space between them, and the background reveals a subtle pattern.

Step 3 – Spray Paint the Pavers

This step is definitely optional but I wanted to give my pavers a nice clean look before I stenciled them. This will also keep them from soaking in water from the rain and changing colors. I set up some cardboard to protect the floors and sprayed them in my garage. You could also use normal paint here. See my notes below on why it might be a better option. 

Two square stone tiles are artfully arranged on a textured surface, surrounded by a light spray of white paint forming circular halos. The backdrop, reminiscent of cardboard, suggests the beginnings of a DIY tile side table project.

For best results, make sure your pavers are completely dry before you paint them. Mine were sitting outside when a storm rolled through and I had to dry them out before painting them which took a bit of time. 

Step 4 – Stencil the Pavers

I specifically chose this stencil four pack because they are 12×12 and would cover the surface areas of the entire paver. Some stencils are for small square tiles and required the stencil to be repeated. Just pay attention to the size of the tiles the stencil is intended for. If you are doing a larger area you will want to use a stencil that includes the grout lines. 

If this is your first time stenciling, you may want to practice on scrap pieces of tile or pavers before you try it on a piece of furniture. But the good news is you can also paint over any mistakes. 

Center the stencil on the flat surfaces of the paver. You can use tape to hold the stencil in place if you would like. I taped my first one but didn’t tape the second one and I didn’t feel like there was much difference. I had some bleed through on both of mine.  

Two stone tiles, perfect for a DIY tile side table project, are laid on a surface, each featuring a star-shaped pattern. A can of Behr Ultra Stain-Blocking Paint & Primer sits behind them, suggesting the creative possibilities of this workshop or garage setting.

The next step is to apply the paint. I used a foam brush on my first paver and a chip brush on the second one. The key is to apply only a little bit of paint in an up and down circular motion. The hardest part is keeping the stencil from shifting which will make your lines bleed as well as apply too much paint. 

A square resin block with a black starburst pattern sits on a cardboard surface, hinting at a DIY tile side table project. A paintbrush with black bristles lies nearby, while construction tools are visible in the background.

Two concrete pavers are shown with black stenciled star patterns. The top paver features a large star, while the bottom one displays multiple smaller stars in a geometric pattern. Perfect for a DIY tile side table, the logo in the bottom left corner reads "Garden Street Design Studio.

Once you are finished with the stencil, wash it off with warm soapy water right away so the paint doesn’t dry to the stencil.  

Step 5 – Add the Tiled Top to the Base

Place the stenciled paver in the center of the assembled base of the IKEA Marius stool. And viola, you have a new little side table!

In a backyard setting, a black Adirondack chair is paired with a DIY tile side table showcasing a black geometric pattern. A small black candle holder rests on the table, complemented by yellow flowers and a white garden shed in the background.

I did not glue my paver to the base because it is easier to store in my shed during the winter if the top tile is removable. However, if you have children or rambunctious pups, I highly recommend gluing the paver to the base with landscape adhesive. 

What I Would Do Differently Next Time

If I make another small table like this I think it would be better to use regular paint on the paver rather than spray paint. The reason I say this is because then you can touch up the stencil lines that bleed with a small artist brush. This is the only thing I would do differently because I love the look of my new table! 

Where to Try Faux Tiles 

The options here are endless! You could easily duplicate this look on any old wooden tables for a new coffee table, a bedside table, or dining table. You could also use the IKEA lack side table table for an indoor option rather than my outdoor table. Additionally, you could turn a local thrift store find into a beautiful work of art with this method using any paint colors you choose!

Faux tiles are not just for the top of the table, they are also a great way to add an accent wall in a living room, a backsplash in a kitchen, or to update a tiled surface you no longer love. 

A backyard scene with a black Adirondack chair beside a DIY tile side table holding a candle. A white flower pot with colorful flowers sits on the gravel ground. In the background, there's a wooden fence, a tree, and a small shed.

Why I Chose to Stencil a Tile vs Tile

Tiling projects are VERY messy and require specific tools like a tile cutter, that can be costly. While I have tiled many times, in my kitchen, bathroom, and guest bath and half bath, a tiling project also takes a fair amount of time. Not to mention grouting tile is one of my least favorite tasks. And don’t get me started on how annoying grout haze is. Also, you usually have to buy entire boxes of tile rather than just one or two which would have made for a lot of leftover tiles on this small project. 

A small DIY tile side table with a black and white geometric patterned top stands on a brick patio. Nearby is a potted plant with colorful flowers and a black lantern. A large fern in the background adds greenery to the scene.

Outdoor patio with a cushioned bench featuring a geometric-patterned pillow. A small black stool labeled "before" is placed in the corner, paired with a DIY tile side table. A potted plant, lantern, wine glass, and greenery surround the area. Sunlight filters through the trees.

A cozy outdoor patio scene features a cushioned sofa with a geometric black and white pillow, a lush fern on a DIY tile side table, a glass of wine, and a black lantern on the brick floor. Sunlight gently filters through the trees in the background.

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A backyard scene with a gray shed in the background is surrounded by lush green plants and bright yellow flowers. In the foreground, an Adirondack chair features a spotted cushion next to a DIY tile side table holding a candle holder.

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A modern patio setting showcases a black and white patterned side table, reminiscent of a tile side table DIY project, paired with a glass of red wine. A white outdoor sofa with a geometric pillow complements the scene, alongside vibrant potted flowers and green ferns. Text reads "IKEA Marius Stool Hack.

This post, DIY Faux Cement Tile IKEA Marius Side Table Hack, appeared first on Garrison Street Design Studio.

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