Looking for coffee table makeover ideas that don't cost much money? That old coffee table you're sad of looking at doesn't have to go in the garage. You can make it look completely different with unique coffee table legs, some paint, and a little work.
If you've never painted furniture, don't worry about it. These 10 best coffee table redo ideas aren’t hard to figure out. You could have a coffee table that looks brand new by the weekend. Read more!
2 Easy Paint Coffee Table Makeover Ideas for Beginners
We're going to first share two easy ways to paint your coffee table. Both methods are perfect if you've never painted furniture before.
The cool part is that these painting techniques actually look better when they're not perfect. So, if your brush strokes show a little or the paint isn't completely smooth, that's exactly what makes it look charming and handmade.
1. Distressed White Paint Coffee Table Transformation
Time required: 3 — 4 hours | White paint cost: $20 — $30 | Skill Level: Beginner
This idea takes inspiration from blogger Kristine of The Painted Hive. She stumbled upon a coffee table top on eBay for just $35 and Tulipe table bases, but she combined them in a unique way to match her cottage-style living room.
Easy diy painted coffee table ideas for beginners
Credit: Flowyline
Shop now: 311S Lithe 28" Tulip Dining Table Base
What you'll need for white paint diy coffee table makeover ideas:
- White acrylic paint (2 coats)
- Sandpaper — get two types: rough (120) and smooth (220 and 320)
- Steel wool
- Brown craft paint
- Clear sealer to protect everything
- Paint brushes
How to paint a coffee table:
- Step 1: Give the whole thing a light sanding with the rough sandpaper
- Step 2: Put on two coats of white paint. Wait about 2 hours between coats so it dries properly
- Step 3: Once it's dry, use your sandpaper and steel wool to rub off some paint around the edges and corners (places that would naturally get worn down).
- Step 4: Mix a little brown paint with the clear sealer. It’s about 1 part brown to 3 parts sealer. You brush this on lightly to make it look aged.
- Step 5: Sand the table top, add some stain if you want, then put on the clear sealer. And please be gentle if your table has that thin wood layer on top
2. Rose Gold Spray Coffee Table Redo
Time required: 1 — 2 hours | Cost: $20 — $40 | Skill level: Beginner
Flowyline tried this painting a coffee table idea with rose gold spray paint for table legs (a wonderful custom order from our customers), and it turned out beautiful. It's one of those projects that looks way fancier than it actually is.
Rose gold paint coffee table makeover ideas for coffee table legs
Credit: Flowyline
Shop now: Table Base 308 Odila 28H for Luxurious Furniture Legs
Shop bench legs at: Bench Legs 105 Cleo 16H Metal Handmade Furniture
What you'll need for gold spray coffee table makeover ideas:
- Rose spray primer (1 can)
- Gold metallic spray paint (2 cans)
- Painter's tape
- Drop cloth
- Fine-grit sandpaper (220 — 320)
How to spray it:
- Step 1: Scrub off any dirt or sticky stuff with a good cleaner
- Step 2: Spray primer on table with an even coat and wait about 30 minutes for it to dry
- Step 3: Hold the can 8 — 10 inches away and move it back and forth smoothly
- Step 4: You add several light coats, and please note that 3 thin coats work way better than 1 thick, drippy coat
- Step 5: Allow 24 hours before use, and don't touch it for a full day before you start using it again
3 Advanced DIY Coffee Table Makeover Ideas
We've put together some simple makeover ideas that won't break the bank or require expert skills. Most of these projects use materials you can find at any hardware store. Let's take a look!
1. Chalk Wooden Coffee Table Upcycle Ideas
Time required: 2 days | Cost: $30 — $40 | Skill level: Intermediate
Two women named Steph and Michelle found a beat-up coffee table at a thrift store and made it look amazing with chalk paint. This refinishing coffee table idea is great because chalk paint is really forgiving if you mess up.
Chalk paint is great because this coffee table makeover idea is really forgiving if you mess up
Photo: Freepik
Why chalk paint is great refurbished coffee table ideas:
- You don't have to sand or prime first
- Covers up old paint and scratches really well
- Gives you that old-fashioned, flat look
- Good for people who haven't painted furniture before
How to use chalk paint for coffee tables:
- Step 1: You fix any holes on the table surfaces with wood filler and wait about 4 hours for it to dry.
- Step 2: Wipe it down with a damp cloth. You don’t have to sand anything.
- Step 3: Put on two coats of chalk paint for furniture with a regular paintbrush (wait 1 — 3 hours between coats).
- Step 4: Once it's completely dry after 2 — 4 hours, you can lightly sand the edges if you want that worn look.
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Step 5: To protect your coffee table, we put on 3 coats of clear varnish protector or furniture wax so it lasts.
2. Beach-Style Coffee Table Coffee Table Makeover Ideas with Lime Wash Takes
Time required: 4 — 5 days | Cost: $35 — $50 | Skill level: Advanced
A woman named Lindsey figured out how to turn dark wood tables into something that looks like driftwood from the beach. The design takes some patience, but the results look really special.
Beach style diy coffee table makeover ideas
Photo: Freepik
What you'll need for this small coffee table makeover ideas:
- Paint stripper (to get the old finish off)
- Lime wax (this is what makes it look beachy)
- Clean rags that don't leave fuzz
- Very fine steel wool
- Fine sandpaper (220 — 320)
- Clear wax to protect everything
How to beach style your table:
- Step 1: We put on the stripper, wait about 15 minutes, then scrape it off carefully
- Step 2: Next, you sand the table with rough sandpaper, then switch to fine sandpaper (220 — 320)
- Step 3: You rub it in by following the wood grain with your clean rag
- Step 4: Wait 30 minutes, then we buff it lightly (don't go crazy with the buffing)
- Step 5: Finally, we put clear wax over everything to make the coffee table last for years to come.
3. Coffee Table Driftwood Look with Glaze Takes
The next paint coffee table makeover idea makes your table look like expensive driftwood furniture you'd see at fancy beach houses.
Real driftwood gets its look from spending years tumbling around in the ocean. The waves, sand, and rocks wear it down and smooth it out naturally.
The salt water and sun work together to give it that beautiful weathered gray color that people love so much. You won't get that same look from wood that's just been sitting by a river. This is due to it takes the ocean to create that special finish.
Real driftwood gets its look from spending years tumbling around in the ocean
Photo: Freepik
How to mix the glaze to get real driftwood for coffee table:
- 4 parts glazing stuff (you can get this at the paint store)
- 1 part light gray paint
- A tiny bit of white paint for lighter spots
How to makeover coffee table:
- Step 1: Put on 2 coats of white chalk paint and let it dry completely
- Step 2: Next, you sand the table with rough sandpaper, then switch to fine sandpaper (220 — 320)
- Step 3: You rub it in by following the wood grain with your clean rag
- Step 4: Wait 30 minutes, then we buff it lightly (don't go crazy with the buffing)
- Step 5: Finally, we put clear wax over everything to make the coffee table last for years to come.
5 Alternative Coffee Table Makeover Ideas Less Than $200
Do amazing coffee table makeovers and upgrade the coffee tables with unique metal table legs designs to match the new room decor! Check out here the sample of less than $200 coffee table legs that have been made for a gorgeous looking appeal, and come with brilliant designs!
1. Uzar Coffee Metal Table Legs
Uzar coffee metal table legs will be your best choice to quickly coffee table makeover and create a fresh style for your home. Customers always choose these coffee table legs to design their living room coffee table or accent table!
Uzar Coffee Metal Table Legs
Credit: Flowyline Design
Buy now: 117 Uzar 16H Modern Table Legs
2. Namu Coffee Metal Table Base
Namu coffee metal table base from Flowyline Design with the handcrafted design made by Alex that you can't find anywhere else. It’s one of the coffee metal table bases that’s both budget-friendly and uniquely stylish.
Namu Coffee Metal Table Base
Credit: Flowyline Design
Buy now: Coffee Table Base 106S Namu 16H Modern Furniture
3. Tulipe Coffee Metal Table Base
Like the other Flowyline coffee table base design. 121 Tulipe offers great value and is definitely worth a place on your bucket list.
Tulipe Coffee Metal Table Base
Credit: Flowyline Design
Buy now: 121 Tulipe 16" Black Metal Base for Coffee Table
4. Xeni Coffee Metal Table Legs
Don't say you don't know which table legs can makeover your coffee table. While also keeping your home looking simple, these Xeni coffee metal table legs will help you do it without breaking the bank. Now is the time to install Xeni metal table legs in your home.
Xeni Coffee Metal Table Legs
Credit: Flowyline Design
Buy now: Bench Legs 109 Xeni 16H Mid-Century Modern Style
5. Cleo Coffee Metal Table Legs
As you can see, the Cleo Coffee metal table legs are also an option for coffee table makeover.
Cleo Coffee Metal Table Legs
Credit: Flowyline Design
Buy now: Coffee Table Legs 212 Cleo 16H Modern DIY Furniture
Want an exquisite-looking coffee table? Add in a table with premium bases and legs by Flowyline. We're furniture manufacturers based in California and sell customizable metal table legs and bases, including farmhouse table legs, iron table legs, dining table legs, metal table bases, wishbone table bases, and more.
FAQs
1. How Can I Make My Coffee Table Look Better?
You can easily make your table look better with what you've got before buying something new. For example:
- Give it a good cleaning, then try styling it with a few simple things. Maybe that is a small plant, a nice candle, or a stack of books.
- If the table itself looks tired, a fresh coat of paint can work wonders.
- Sometimes just changing what's on top makes the whole thing look completely different.
- Always keep your table simple, though, because too much stuff makes it look cluttered instead of better.
2. What is the 2/3 Rule for Coffee Tables?
Your coffee table should be about two-thirds the length of your couch. So if your couch is 90 inches long, look for a coffee table that's around 60 inches. You don't have to be exact with the measurements, but somewhere in that range usually looks right.
Read about this more at: How Tall Should a Coffee Table Be
3. What Do You Put in the Middle of a Coffee Table?
A small tray with a few things on it works well, such as candles, a small plant, or a bowl for keys and remotes. Besides, books are always good, especially if you stack 2 — 3 of them.
And don’t forget to leave some empty space too, so people can actually put their drinks down.
4. What is Trending in Coffee Tables?
Right now, people are going for natural materials like live-edge wood and stone tops. Round and oval shapes are popular instead of the usual rectangles.
You can mix materials like wood tops with unique metal legs. A lot of folks are also choosing tables with storage built in, since everyone needs places to hide their stuff. The overall vibe is more organic and less perfect than it used to be.
Coffee Table Makeover Ideas: Final Takeaways
These DIY coffee table makeover ideas not only offer a budget-friendly alternative but also encourage sustainability by repurposing. But if you don't have the time and skills needed to restore it or it's too old for a makeover, then it's time to buy a new one! Visit our website to view our most popular coffee table leg collection and request customization at customerservice@flowyline.com to meet your needs. Thank you for reading!
