Thrift stores are usually full of old and worn-out pine coffee tables. Most of the time, they are made of solid wood but they look outdated and boring. This is the case with this simple coffee table Amelie found at a thrift store for a very cheap price.
It was time for a coffee table makeover! With just a few simple steps, Amelie transformed this plain and boring table into a stylish and trendy piece of furniture. Here’s how to give your pine coffee table a stunning makeover.
Table of Contents
Tools and Supplies Used for this Makeover
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Minwax Polycrylic Clear Ultra Flat
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Dixie Belle Paint – Matte Indigo Blue – Bunker Hill
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Dixie Belle Paint – White – Cotton
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1/Clean
When it comes to furniture makeover, one of the most important steps is to properly clean the piece. Amelie started by wiping down the entire table with a mix of hot water and dish detergent to remove grease and dust. Once she had finished cleaning, she used a dry cloth to remove any excess dirt and moisture.
2/Sand
The table top was full of dings and scratches. Amelie started by sanding down the entire surface of the table to remove any existing finish. She used medium-grit sandpaper for initial sanding and then switched to finer-grit sandpaper for a smooth finish.
I would recommend you to use an electric sander. If you are unsure what sander to use, check out our blogpost: What is the Best Sander for Furniture?
Once she was done sanding, she wiped down the table with a damp cloth to remove any dust or debris. Don’t skip this step. This will ensure that the paint goes on smoothly and evenly.
Prime the Surface
Priming your piece of furniture before painting it is always a good idea. Primer paint prevents bleed-through paint and allows the paint to better adhere. This is particularly important when you are refinishing furniture made of wood containing tannin like oak or chestnut. These types of woods therefore need specific protection to prevent tanins from migrating to the paint and primer is a good answer to this issue.
In this particular case, there is no risk of bleed-through with pine wood. But coffee tables should be able to withstand wear and tear. Primer paint creates a strong base for the paint to adhere to and prevents it from chipping or peeling.
Apply 2 Coats of Paint
It was now time to decide on the color and type of paint she wanted to use for this coffee table. She first planned to leave the table top raw wood and paint only the table legs. She chose a beautiful deep dark blue paint to paint the legs.
Amelie applied the first coat of paint on the table base using a paintbrush. She applied the paint in smooth and even strokes, going in the direction of the wood grain. She of course let the first coat dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Second coat: Once the first coat was dry, Amelie applied a second coat of paint. This will help to give the piece a more even and opaque finish.
Whitewashing the Table Top
At this stage, Amelie was notfully satisfied with this two tone coffee table: dark blue and raw pine wood. So she decided to paint the table top top. She was not a huge fan of the blonde wood look and felt it needed something.
However she did not want to cover the table top with paint completely. So she I decided to use a whitewash. A whitewash would give it a little color, but not take away entirely from the carvings and the wood.
She mixed equal parts of white paint and water. She applied the watered-down paint with a brush in long strokes and wiped off the excess with a damp cloth. The technique was amazingly easy and the result gorgeous.
You can still see the wood grain but the yellow finish is gone!
Seal the Table
Coffee tables need to be tough. Leaving your paint job unprotected is not an option. Once the paint had fully dried, Amelie applied two coats of ultra-flat polycrylic to protect the surface. This will not only add a layer of protection but also enhance the durability and longevity of the paint finish.
This simple makeover is now complete! In a few hours of work, you can enjoy your new coffee table!
Finally, place your newly transformed pine coffee table in your living room and style it with accessories such as books, candles, or a decorative tray. This will help to showcase your beautiful creation and make it a focal point in the room.
With these simple steps, you can easily give your old pine coffee table a fresh and stylish makeover. So why not give it a try and enjoy the satisfaction of transforming a piece of furniture into something new and exciting? Get creative and have fun with the process. You’ll be amazed at the difference a little paint can make! Do not hesitate to share your DIY with me or ask any questions in the comments section.
Happy Makeover!
