Are you looking to give that old coffee table a fresh, new lease on life? You’ve come to the right place! Transform your table with these easy coffee table makeover ideas. Take your thrift store table from a bland, overlooked piece of furniture into a focal point that adds charm and character to your family room.
Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or a beginner looking to get started, these easy coffee table makeover tips are designed to inspire and guide you through the DIY project process. So, grab your paintbrushes, or your power tools and discover how you can effortlessly renovate your coffee table from drab to fab with a little elbow grease and a lot of creativity!
The Art of Giving Your Coffee Table a Fresh Look
As the most used piece and the centerpiece of your living room, the coffee table is pivotal in your home’s aesthetic. It’s the meeting point of style and function, often reflecting your taste and serving as a platform for your decor.
Today, we’re delving deep into the transformative practice of DIY coffee table makeovers. While purchasing a brand-new furniture piece is always the easy way, updating your existing one with some of your creativity not only saves you money but also results in a one-of-a-kind piece that no store-bought item can match.
Embrace the power of DIY, and you will not only discover a new side of your creative talents but also gain a great sense of satisfaction from the finished project. Additionally, the environmental benefits of upcycling are not to be ignored. By breathing new life into your coffee table, you’re also contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Finding Inspiration for a Coffee Table Makeover Project
Before you roll up your sleeves, finding inspiration that fits into your decor style and is perfect for your skill level is essential. Start by browsing through Pinterest boards or Instagram for that ‘aha’ moment. Look for color ideas and styles that you’re drawn to. The objective is to find and save a few projects to gather a bunch of ideas. Collect images that feel right for your space, and by the end of this step, you should have a clear direction for your coffee table makeover concept.
Thrift and Paint a Coffee Table
Painting is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to breathe new life into your coffee table. Whether you’re aiming for a contemporary feel or a vintage look, the right choice of color can dramatically alter the atmosphere of your room.
The best places to find second-hand coffee tables are thrift stores, Facebook MarketPlace, a garage sale find, yard sale, and sometimes thrash on the curbside.
If you are new to furniture painting projects, there are a few basics that you will want to know. I have these helpful posts to guide you to a beautifully finished table.
- How to Choose the Right Furniture Paint
- How to Buy Second-Hand Furniture
- Furniture Painting Tips and Tricks
Furniture Painting Guide
- Learn the basics and more about how to paint furniture
- Discover how to find furniture and inspiration
- Tips for painting, sealing, and glazing
- Learn steps to get started along with my favorite products and tools
Get Creative with your painted coffee table makeover
If you’re feeling adventurous, consider using painter’s tape to create geometric designs, stencils for more intricate patterns, or furniture transfers. Stripes, chevrons, and even faux marble are trendy looks that are easily achievable with a creative mind and a steady hand.
Painting is not just about the right color – it’s about creating a unique look that adds to your home decor. Thrifting and painting a second-hand table can save you tons of money. So let your imagination guide you, and remember that this is your chance to make your living space truly yours.
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The coffee table above was a $22 thrift store find. It was painted in linen, sealed with high-performance flat, and glazed with a mix of smokey quartz and graphite.
Painted Coffee Table Makeovers
Here are a few amazing coffee table makeovers to help you find additional inspirations and ideas for the new look of your coffee table transformation.
- Painted Glass Top Coffee Table
- Black Duncan Phyfe Coffee Table with Furniture Transfers
- Accent Side Tables Makeovers (not coffee tables but gives you some inspo)
- Stenciled Table
- Decoupage Fabric Top End Tables
Build a Coffee Table from Scratch
For the more hands-on DIY’er, building your coffee table is the ultimate way to ensure the finished piece fits your exact needs. This project will require some woodworking skills or a willingness to learn, but the rewards are limitless.
Find a Coffee Table Build Plan That Fits your Skill Level
On the internet, you’ll find various websites offering free plans for DIY coffee table ideas of all shapes and sizes. Some will be as simple as piecing together precut wooden boards, while others will involve sawing, sanding, and assembling drawers and other pieces of lumber.
Before you decide on the build plan you must consider your build skills and the tools you have for the entire process. Carefully read the detailed instructions to figure out if that particular build is within your means.
Once you’ve chosen a plan, it’s time to gather your materials and tools. Depending on the plan, you may need anything from plywood, lumber, screws, nails, wood glue, premade coffee table legs, and tools such as a saw, drill, and sander. If power tools intimidate you, many hardware stores offer cutting services to match your specifications.
Coffee Table Build Plan Inspirations
Creating your coffee table can be surprisingly economical. If you’re able to source materials smartly, you can end up with a beautiful table for a fraction of the cost of one from a furniture store. Plus, you’ll enjoy the added benefit of being able to take pride in the fact that you built it with your own two hands.
- DIY Fluted Coffee Table
- DIY Herringbone Coffee Table
- Rectangular Coffee Table
- Modern Coffee Table
- $30 DIY Coffee Table
Repurposed Coffee Table: Turning Salvage into Style
An incredibly sustainable and unique approach to a coffee table makeover is repurposing existing furniture or materials. You’d be amazed at the possibilities that await within items that may otherwise be discarded as unusable.
The Splash of Character
An old, unused window can become the top of your new coffee table, displaying arrangements under a glass surface. Industrial wooden spools can transform into smaller coffee tables or ottomans with a little creativity.
Adding decorative legs or casters can elevate the look and functionality of your repurposed table. Don’t be afraid to mix and match styles – a rustic top with sleek, modern legs can make for an eye-catching finished product.
Whether it’s an upcycled door that represents your open spirit, or a retro suitcase that hints at your love for travel, each piece carries a unique charm that store-bought tables simply can’t offer.
Repurposed DIY Coffee Table Makeover Ideas
- Repurposed Driftwood Coffee Table
- End Table Converted to a Coffee Table
- Tiled Coffee Table
- Jigsaw Puzzle Coffee Table
- Tufted Upholstery Coffee Table
Your Coffee Table, Your Style, Your Canvas
Transforming your coffee table through DIY projects isn’t just about changing the look of a piece of furniture. It’s a way to refresh your living space, express yourself, and feel the immense satisfaction of creating something beautiful. In today’s throw-away society, taking the time to paint, build, or repurpose an item saves money and the environment from discarded items.
Embark on your DIY coffee table makeover journey with excitement and confidence. Experiment with the perfect color, embrace woodworking or delve into the world of repurposing. The process is as invaluable as the outcome. You may encounter a hiccup or two along the way, but every brush stroke, every saw cut, and every screw tightened brings you closer to a new project and a space that feels authentically you.
Are you in need of more home decor inspiration? Be sure to check out our other home makeover articles for tips and tricks that will make your space shine. Your dream home is just a project away!
- Insider Tips & Tricks for Painting Furniture
- DIY Beginners Guide
- Online Furniture Painting Workshops
DeDe Bailey
DeDe Bailey is the artistic mastermind behind Designed Décor and The Puzzle Table. With a rich background in home décor retail, she has transformed her website into a platform driven by a profound passion for helping individuals craft spaces they adore. As a self-taught furniture painting artist and thrift decorator, she loves sharing her knowledge and empowering others to beautify their homes through furniture painting and thrifting. When she isn’t sharing her wisdom on the Designed Décor blog, DeDe is occupied with showcasing her ingenious jigsaw puzzle table design and expanding her short-term rental located in NE Ohio.
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