Does Mod Podge Dry Clear – Coffee Table Decoupage Photo Collage Idea

Are you unsure if does Mod Podge dry clear? In this post, I will show you that you can use Mod Podge in large projects. It will dry clear nicely if you follow the steps below.

This is a photo collage idea where you will learn how to decoupage photos, a technique to spruce up your old furniture with your favourite photos.

I love pictures but rarely print them out so I thought it would be nice to have more pictures of the family displayed around the house.

I really like my coffee table, it is simple, I bought from Ikea years ago and over time the tabletop suffered wear and tear and has blistered in some areas as you can see on pictures below:

Taking a closer look the paint has lifted, exposing the MDF under…

As the only issue with the table is the top,  I decided to recover and create a photo collage instead of buying a new coffee table. It is also an “excuse” or let me say, another “opportunity” to use the so versatile decoupage technique that I enjoy.

It is also a great idea to spruce up a piece of furniture and save money instead of spending and create trash to pollute the world.

How to Decoupage Photos

I think technology is good but sometimes we rely on it too much. In recent years we are uploading all our pictures and precious moments online. We do not print as before or keep paper albums. Sometimes the new generation doesn’t know that “photo paper album” even exists or did not have the pleasure to gather together with family and friends and spend hours going through all albums. These, unfortunately, are moments of the past.

Here you will learn how to use your precious photos and will bring your best memories to life. Learning how to decoupage is a great skill to use to upcycle furniture and any objects like vases, boxes for example. 

I love technology, don’t get me wrong!! but I miss these “family time” moments with my granny…

Well, let’s be happy and transform these memories into something unique which would hopefully be an opportunity to get these moments back into our “Tech life” in a different way.

Follow the project below. I also added a video at the end of this post.

The Project

Materials I used:

• Mod Podge 
• Foam Board – size to cover the surface
• Craft knife
• Ruler (preferable metal ruler)
• Several Photos printed in Inkjet printer (normal paper)
• Duck Tape
• Paintbrush
• Pencil
• Toughen Glass (top table size)

Measuring the Coffee Table:

I am using foam board to add the photo collage. As the foam board is smaller than the table we need to use two foam boards. So I need to find the middle measurement of my coffee table.

Measuring the Foam Boards:

I start by cutting two boards the same size to cover the table.

Using a cutting board as we didn’t want to damage the table more than it was already…

Cutting the foam board with a craft knife and using a ruler and keep craft knife straight.

Now we have to pieces of foam board which will cover the table perfectly:

I will add the boards with duck tape so I can bend to make it easy to work on it when doing the photo collage and decoupage. I will be also able to store if later I decide to change it for something else.

Adding a duck tape to the foam boards:

I put some magazines to hold it in place.

Applying the duck tape.

Now I can bend it as planned!

Foam Boards Frames:

The frame foam boards will be around the table and in the middle which will sustain a toughen glass that I just ordered.

It will be easy to move around and remove the board as I did not attach the pictures straight on the table. I can make another board or create something different under the glass if I decide in the future.

Just measuring the board frames that will go on top of the board to sustain the glass top.

The frame boards are 3.5 cm wider and the length is the same as the coffee table length.

• Cut 4 frames for the outside (around the table) and 2 for the inside.

Choosing the Photos:

I chose my favourite photos and print them using in an inkjet printer (normal paper) and I tear off using my hands around the boards instead of using a scissor.

Time to Decoupage – Mod Podge Ideas

Spread Mod Podge on the board and behind the photo. Place it on the board and stick the picture smoothly,  Take care and avoid making wrinkles or bubbles, so do not rush it. Enjoy the process. Mod Podge is an amazing product to use in decoupage and in many other crafts especially to spruce up old furniture.

After that, spread Mod Podge on the top of the photo and around covering the whole picture especially around the boards.

Adding photos as which covering the boards. It is OK if the pictures go over the marking board as it will be covered with a foam frame.

I carefully placed the board on to the tabletop then I applied small dabs of glue to all four corners of the table to prevent the board from moving.

Does Mod Podge dry clear?

Yes! It looks thick in the bottle, however, Mod Podge dry clear if you apply with several layers instead of one thick. Give time to dry between each layer around 10 – 15 minutes depending on the size of your project and the weather.

See other Mod Podge ideas here.

Adding the Foam Board frames:

I applied glue to the foam board to secure the borders.

Adding the Toughen Glass:

I ordered toughen glass because it is stronger and safer.

Now I gently placed the glass on the top.

How to Decoupage Photos – Coffee Table Decoupage

Maybe this project is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I like the idea to have my pictures displayed on my coffee table. I think it is also a chance to remember the best moments we had and to attract even more of these times.

Let’s give a chance to the Universe to bring more amazing moments in our lives as we will be looking at these pictures every day in our sitting room, so it’s just a little push to focus our minds in good things!

“thoughts become things, if you see in your mind, you will hold it in your hands” (Bob Proctor)

What do you think about this project? Let me know your comments!

See one of my other decoupage projects here >>> tin can craft decoupage project

If are still asking weather does mod podge dry clear, watch the video below and see the finished result!

Keep Crafting! ✂