paint the border. get some paint for ceramics at an art store and paint a design on the tiles. you could even just do dot painting if you're not comfortable with line painting. you can use transfer paper (from a fabric store notions section) to sketch out a design to follow that you can wipe away after the paint dries.

I guess it all depends on what you don't like about it. If you don't mind having tiles on the top, then you could just re-paint them. This could be done by sanding the tiles with 150 grit sandpaper to rough them up and then painting them with epoxy primer and paint.

Also, check out this small table top I made from scrap wood. You could make a new top using this method if you have the tools.

http://jwolski.com/wordpress/?p=6

how about a good old fashioned table cloth?

If you don't like the tiles, rip them out and put in a thin piece of wood and then paint/varnish to your liking.

Repaint the wood and apply a colored grout on top of the existing grout. Keep the tiles white.

I also love the simple idea of using a tablecloth. It gives you the best flexibility and comes in fantastic patterns

Craigslist has plenty of free coffee tables, or there are swap sites where it could be exchanged, and of course freecycle: tell people what you are looking for and you might be surprised what's available. I think you will be happier with the results and in the end spend less than you would on trying to change the table you've got.

paint the wood a bright color (i recommend red) and the tiles black and white checkers. on some of the white tiles, use a simple cutout template and paint a design in another bright color (i recommend blue).

Paint or stain the wood border, modge-podge and seal a textured scrapbook paper on top of the tiles (so they look like cute, stylish tiles), and put a large sheet of glass over the top. My table was redone this way, and it looks and works great.

I agree, getting a new table on craigslist or freecycle will probably be cheaper than anything you do to this one besides resorting to a table cloth. Depends on if you have a car and the time to look, though.

If you already have a lot of crafty materials and tools so you don't have to buy any, that's another matter, of course.

I would just put a tablecloth across it until you can afford to replace it.

Yes I agree with above posts, about using a tablecloth. If you sew or have a friend/granny who sews you can have some made from fabric you like at a fabric store. Easy, cheap and pretty.

I agree with the comment about finding something on Craigslist. Coffee tables come up on there all the time (if you're in a big city).

Barring that, if it were my table, I'd probably paint the wood a red or turquoise and leave the tiles white!