DIY Coffee Table | How to Transform a Thrifted Coffee Table
Who likes a little DIY project? I do! I’ve been working on a DIY coffee table for a couple of weeks now and I need YOUR help! Keep on reading and ease my indecisive mind!
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DIY Coffee Table | From Trash to Treasure
I started this DIY coffee table project with the thought in mind that I would give you a full tutorial on how I transformed this beast of a table into a modern farmhouse beauty. I was all about showing you how easy it is and how much money you could save with this simple DIY project.
(After all, this beauty cost me $100!! New coffee tables this size easily range from $250-$500!) Then I realized that I used the exact same process on my dining room table refinishing project! So, I changed directions!
If you’d like to learn about how I stripped the top of this table, simply follow the tutorial here. After stripping the varnish off the top of this table I simply painted those curvy legs (the best kind) with Magnolia Kilz Brand chalk paint in Shiplap. If you’re interested in my thoughts on the Magnolia brand paint, I’ve written a review of it here!
DIY Coffee Table | The Process
Instead I want to walk you through the process of the DIY coffee table project, start to {almost} finish.
Here she is in all her refinished glory! Now, remember, I need your help! So keep reading because I’ve got a dilemma on my hands.
DIY Coffee Table | Where to Search
First off, let’s chat about where to look when you want to take on a quick DIY project. Think sources like Craigslist.com, Facebook Marketplace (which is where I scored this beauty!), Salvation Army, Goodwill, thrift stores in general, and don’t forget family and friends!
Parents are always a great source for old furniture hand-me-downs. (Thanks Mom for basically every piece of furniture in my first home!) 😉
DIY Coffee Table | What to Look For
You know how you always hear designers talking about seeing “good bones” in a house, furniture item or basic design? Well that’s what you need to look for!
Good Bones.
Good bones simply mean that the piece is structurally sound, has appealing design elements (like the curvy legs of my table), and has potential for modernizing. Or making it look old. To each their own. 😉
Specifically on my DIY coffee table, the first thing I noticed was the thick curvy legs and the simple molding accent. I knew that those pieces would pop after I got my hands on them and add lots of interest to the table.
DIY Coffee Table | What to Do
You’ve done your search, you bought your table for a ridiculously cheap price, and you’ve got good bones. What now? Now you make some decisions. Do you want to refinish the entire table? (There is a lot of commitment to stripping detailed pieces so know yourself and your comfort level!) Do you strip just the top or just the legs? Do you just paint the entire thing instead of stripping anything?
These are all questions to consider, keeping in mind that stripping (or sanding if you prefer) takes more work. Painting is the simplest option. But if your heart desires some contrast and interest then go for both!
Take your time, evaluate your space and your complimenting decor, and take a few days to mull over the decision. A hasty decor decision usually ends in regret and a second DIY refinishing project. 😉 So here’s where you come in!
DIY Coffee Table | What Should I DO!?
Ok ya’ll. I’ve taken my time. I’ve lived with it in my space. And I still don’t know what type of stain I prefer to finish this beauty off with! The pictures shown are with my DIY coffee table top completely stripped of poly and varnish. It is raw and natural in all its glory.
I like it quite a lot, but I keep letting my indecisive mind go back and forth on whether or not to re-stain the table top. So I need your vote! Leave me a comment below with your vote!
- Option 1: Leave natural as is and just put a coat of poly to protect the surface.
- Option 2: Stain Special Walnut
- Option 3: Stain Weathered Oak
- Option 4: Your own favorite go-to stain color!!
For now though, I will enjoy her in all her natural beauty. And yes, I do call my DIY projects personal pronouns.
It’s all up to you friends! Help this indecisive DIYer finish up my DIY coffee table. 🙂 Thanks in advance!
{Do one thing every day that scares you.} – Eleanor Roosevelt
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Natural ????
Thank you Rachel! I love it natural too. It’s such a close vote!
What a beautiful job you did with this piece! Love it! Option 1!
Thank you Lisa! The natural option is definitely popular!
I think going with option 3 would be different, it would be not as dark melding with the gray tones in the room. It would bring out the tones in your fireplace,walls,and furniture. It’s a great piece good job!!!!!
Ooo, I love the thought of the grays pulling from the fireplace. Thank you Debbie!
Natural
Thank you Susan! The natural option is a forerunner!
Option 3. It looks like it would match the table next to the fireplace.
Thank you Donna! Yes, I think it would be very close to that color and would be lovely!
I really like the weathered oak or maybe even another option? (white or gray wash the top?)
Hmmm, a grey wash. That could definitely be interesting. I might need to add that as an option! 😉
Sarah you table turned out beautifully
Thank you so much Rhonda!
Your coffee table turned out great! I love it as is, but if you decide to stain it, maybe match it to the little table beside the fireplace. I am wanting to redo my dining chairs, but stripping and sanding is such a chore! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you Tammie! A few have suggested matching it to other wood in the room and that’s a great idea! Good luck on your chairs! The sanding is the worst part but it’s always worth it in the end!
Wow! You’ve done it again! A great transformation! We love your savvy tips and step by step tutorial. This is invaluable information for anyone looking to transform furniture on a budget. Thanks so much for linking to our Friday Friends Parade! We love your inspiration. XO ~ Julie & Jodie
Thank you so much lovely ladies! I appreciate your kindness and I’m grateful that you give others an opportunity each week to link up to your Friday Friends parade!
Beautiful make-over, and beautiful decor! I pinned to one of my boards! Came by way of Friday Friends Parade!
Thank you so much Julie! I appreciate the feedback! It was a fun project. 🙂
Love this refinishing. Your table looks beautiful, I love that it is in light airy colours.
Thank you Leanna! I appreciate that. I am loving the lightness of it too since many of my woods are dark.
Option 3 🙂
Thank you Sarah! We’ve got a vote for weathered oak!
I think you should use the special walnut stain. It will bring out the wood grain and look really rich, and will contrast with the neutrals in the room.
Yes, I love how special walnut brings out the wood grains. That is my favorite part of a darker stain. Thank you Cherise!
I think I’d go with the darker Option 2 because of your floors.
Thank you Teddee! Several people have mentioned coordinating the woods so that is a definite trend!
I Love the color of is!!
Thank you Penny! I love it too! The votes are split between the original color and a walnut stain so we shall see!
Option 1!
Thank you Alicia! I’m putting it down!