• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Boondocks Blog

  • Home
  • Re Purpose
  • Furniture
  • Seasonal
  • About Us
    • Privacy Policy

How to Re-Invent your old Coffee Table with Paint

January 14, 2019 by boondocks 64 Comments

Sharing is caring!

2 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
In preparation for the holidays I bought a new rug for the living room.  It was blue, it matched my cloudy wall.  I was in love.  Some of the room, the cabinet and the bookcases, looked great with the new rug.  Some other things, not so much. Did that stop me from plowing ahead?  Of course not.  I was determined to make the room look presentable for the holidays, as best I could. 

Like I said, some of the furniture looked out of place.  Now I am on a budget so buying a new coffee table was not in the foreseeable future.  But I figured I could always paint that table that looked oh so dark and gloomy and make it fit in just a bit better.  This is how I went about reinventing my old coffee table with paint to fit in with the rest of the room. 
​

Old Wood coffee table with black vinyl on top, How to Re-Invent your Old Coffee Table With Paint www.theboondocksblog.com
Disclosure: I was compensated for doing this post with product.  However, all the opinions stated here are my own. I only use products I love and would recommend to my viewers. 
​​​​
​
But let’s back track for a minute.  This table has been with us since my boys lived here. I had originally covered it with a black vinyl contact paper because… well you can read all about that story here. And you see why it worked before in that setting.

The plan was to paint the whole table and hide the darkness of the wood and the black vinyl. Because this was no longer the boy’s bachelor pad.  It was my living room and it had to reflect my taste.  Mainly my love of blue and warm and cozy things. 
​

Old Coffee Table Before, How to Re-Invent your Old Coffee Table With Paint www.theboondocksblog.com
​
​
Disclosure: This website contains affiliate links. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission, that way I can continue to provide you with lovely content.  There is no extra charge to you for purchasing through my affiliate links.

What I Used:

  • DecoArt Americana Decor Satin Enamels in Beige
  • Decoart Americana Decor Satin Enamels in White
  • DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paint in True Blue
  • DecoArt Americana Multi Surface Satin Acrylic Paint in Pewter
  • ​
Americana Satin Enamels Paint, How to Re-Invent your Old Coffee Table With Paint www.theboondocksblog.com

The How to:
​

I started off painting the whole thing in the beige color. A few coats and lots of wait time in between because winter is not kind to painting.  And obviously I was not able to paint outside in the winter. 
​
After one coat of paint, How to Re-Invent your Old Coffee Table With Paint www.theboondocksblog.com
Isn’t this the ideal painting situation?  In between all the Christmas festivity I had this mess in the living room.  But what was I to do?  I was determined to have the living room of my dreams.  Or at least as close to it as I could get DIY style. 
​
After finishing with the beige paint, How to Re-Invent your Old Coffee Table With Paint www.theboondocksblog.com

​I liked the beige but felt it was too bland.  I thought maybe the top could use a different color, so I mixed up my own special color trying to match it as closely as possible to a blue shade that was on the rug. I used a bit of True Blue and Pewter to achieve this effect, and lots of white along with the original beige. 
​

Mixing the blue paint, How to Re-Invent your Old Coffee Table With Paint www.theboondocksblog.com
I let the coats dry for a least a few hours in between.  There was no need to add a top coat to this paint since it dries as hard as nails. That’s also why it is my favorite paint and I use it all the time!
​
Finished table with blue top and beige bottom, How to Re-Invent your Old Coffee Table With Paint www.theboondocksblog.com
area rugs

​It is a soft bluish grey!  And such a warm color. The beige looks almost like a cream color next to the blue top. 
​

Picture
The accents really pop!  I had consulted with a paint group on Facebook about what to do with this piece and many suggested that I add a stencil on top.  But I feel that between the accent wall and the media cabinet, things are busy enough in here.  I think adding stenciling would have made the room even busier. 
​
Details of the legs, How to Re-Invent your Old Coffee Table With Paint www.theboondocksblog.com

​For now, I’m going to leave it like that. 

But in the future, I am actually thinking of distressing it a bit or even adding some dark wax to make them pop more.  What do you suggest?
​ 

Details of the sides, How to Re-Invent your Old Coffee Table With Paint www.theboondocksblog.com
This is so much better than the wood and black it was before. 
​ 
Against the rug colors, How to Re-Invent your Old Coffee Table With Paint www.theboondocksblog.com
Looking down at the top of the blue table top, How to Re-Invent your Old Coffee Table With Paint www.theboondocksblog.com
You can’t really tell from the photos but the whole room is really coming together now. I had painted the wall first and then bought the rug with the hope that it would complement that wall. 

A piece of advice here.  Always paint your wall last.  It took me months to find this rug and even then I was worried that the color would not work since I ordered it through the internet.  Luckily all turned out well but I had quite a few days of nail biting over this. 

Table in the festive living room for the holidays, How to Re-Invent your Old Coffee Table With Paint www.theboondocksblog.com
I managed to finish this table and one other project just in time for the holidays and enjoyed the harmony and coziness of the room.  Because to me spending time with family at home is what the holidays are all about. 
​
Finished wood table with blue top and beige bottom, How to Re-Invent your Old Coffee Table With Paint www.theboondocksblog.com

​I know that many of you were out there decorating and shopping and even baking.  But for me it was important to prepare for the holidays by painting.  Am I nuts? Maybe but having a cozy room and a calm ambiance for my family to spend time, is what it’s all about for me.  I hope you’ve enjoyed how I re-invented my coffee table with paint.  
Picture
Coffee Table Makeover using Satin Enamel Paints, #furnituremakeover #DecoArtmedia #woodtable #Upcycle #SatinEnamelpaint #cozylivingroom #decorating How to Re-Invent your Old Coffee Table With Paint www.theboondocksblog.com
​If you really like what you see subscribe to my blog and get my adventures in your mailbox. The form is on the sidebar and on top.  To see my privacy policy click here.
Picture
More Painted Furniture:
Laminate Table
Laminate Table Makeover

bookcases
Bookcase Makeover with Paint and Wrapping Paper

 < Most Popular 2018 Projects         HOME            Clay Valentine’s Day Garland >

Linking up to these Link Parties

This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here.​

I love it when I get your comments and I will try to reply to every one of them. 

Filed Under: DecoArt Paints, Decorating, Furniture, Projects, Uncategorized, Up Cycle

Previous Post: « Sweet Inspiration Link Party #139
Next Post: Sweet Inspiration Link Party #140 »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michelle Leslie

    January 14, 2019 at 7:58 am

    Oh Mary, it’s beautiful now. Those colors work so well together. That one picture where you can see the soft blue against the dark wood and then the beige actually made me go “ooooooeeeee” That’s such a lovely touch. I’m not sure I would do anything else to the table. It reminds me of a hazy, salt scented sky when the sea breeze blows inland. Refreshing

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 14, 2019 at 8:43 am

      Michelle it makes a huge difference to the room. Everything is soft and nothing sticks out like a sore thumb anymore. I love all those soft colors and do not want to add anything to the table as I think it will make the room too busy. I think the rug is busy enough.

      Reply
  2. Roxanne

    January 14, 2019 at 8:12 am

    The power of paint never ceases to amaze me, this looks like a brand new table! I tried DecoArt paint on furniture last year and was really happy with the results! Pinning!

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 14, 2019 at 8:44 am

      I think paint is our strongest weapon against dull furniture.

      Reply
  3. Jeanie Croope

    January 14, 2019 at 8:28 am

    You did a terrific job, Mary. It looks really nice with the new paint!

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 14, 2019 at 8:44 am

      I am really loving all those soft colors that compliment each other.

      Reply
  4. Runningonempty

    January 14, 2019 at 8:37 am

    Looking great! That’s a nice rug too. Cath

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 14, 2019 at 8:46 am

      Thanks Cath. That rug took me months to find and I am so relieved it matches with the wall color. In hindsight I should have picked that out first and then painted but you live and you learn.

      Reply
  5. [email protected]

    January 14, 2019 at 9:59 am

    You did a wonderful job putting together the paint for the top. Color can be so tricky when trying to achieve a specific shade but you nailed it.
    You’re so right about painting last, but that can be so difficult to do! It’s human nature to want to paint first because it’s SUCH a pain to remove furniture from a room to paint, it’s always easier to paint if the room is empty or nearly empty.
    I might distress the high points a bit but not sure about dark wax. It’s hard to tell from the pics.
    xxx

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 15, 2019 at 1:38 pm

      I know just how difficult it can be to paint last and you are absolutely right that it is a huge hassle to have to paint when the room is furnished.

      Reply
  6. Julie Briones

    January 14, 2019 at 11:40 am

    What a terrific improvement, Mary! I would definitely distress the beige areas… I think it would be just enough! 😉

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 15, 2019 at 1:39 pm

      I think I am going to try it out Julie.

      Reply
  7. Sandi Magle

    January 14, 2019 at 11:47 am

    Hi, this is a great transformation. On the wax thing—-I don’t think I would go with a really dark wax, perhaps you could tint some with the gray you used on the top—or experiment with some gel medium added to the gray paint—and use that on the cream. One more color might make this piece ‘busier’ than you want—since you wanted to keep it simple.
    Living with a piece is always a great way to ‘wait’ a bit. Changing light will certainly affect the paint also. Nice post!

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 15, 2019 at 1:40 pm

      You are absolutely right Sandi, I really want to keep it simple and let the rug shine. But the idea of adding grey to the cream might work. It always takes me months before I decide to do anything with a piece I really know how to live with them warts and all. Haha!

      Reply
  8. Kathy

    January 14, 2019 at 12:27 pm

    You nailed it! I love the way the table looks against the blue pattern rug. Perfection!

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 15, 2019 at 1:41 pm

      Thank you Kathy. It is so much nicer than that dark wood.

      Reply
  9. Debra

    January 14, 2019 at 2:50 pm

    Wow you did an amazing job with the table. The new light look is perfect. Why don’t you live with the table for a while and then decide if you should apply dark wax to make the details pop and/or distress it. What ever you do it will look good.

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 15, 2019 at 1:42 pm

      I agree Debra living with something is the best way to decide. In fact I lived with the dark wood for a long time after I had decided to change it because I simply couldn’t decide what to do with it.

      Reply
  10. Cindy

    January 14, 2019 at 2:51 pm

    Love how it turned out! I have been thinking and I said thinking….LOL, about painting vanity in guest bathroom! It needs life! But mercy, afraid to tackle it. Everything you do always look good Mary. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 15, 2019 at 1:43 pm

      Aww thanks so much Cindy. I try to give new life everywhere I can. There was nothing wrong with this table but it sure looked like a sore thumb in the room.

      Reply
  11. Barbara Chapman

    January 15, 2019 at 8:52 am

    Ooooh, Mary! I am inlove with how your coffee table turned out! So warm and pretty now! I did like the coffee table before but painted wood looks so wonderful… That blue is a perfect shade. I’m going to have to check out your paint links. 🙂 Btw, the second home we put an offer on, the sellers accepted our offer!!!
    Happy hugs to you,
    Barb 🙂

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 15, 2019 at 1:45 pm

      Exactly Barbara there was nothing wrong with it but it just didn’t look right in this room.
      Congratulations on your new home. I am really looking forward to following along on your decorating adventures now!

      Reply
  12. Laura Ingalls Gunn

    January 15, 2019 at 11:22 am

    What an amazing transformation! I love the colors that you have selected.

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 15, 2019 at 1:46 pm

      Thank you Laura they really complement the colors of the room.

      Reply
  13. Christina Makri

    January 15, 2019 at 11:55 am

    Mary this is such a gorgeous table itself! By painting this you gave it such character and of course many many years life. I like the colors you choose … the only thing I have to notice is that I would add some dark wax in the carvings. Just a little… You did excellent work my dear 🙂

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 15, 2019 at 1:47 pm

      Thank you Christina. That is a big complement coming from such a master as you are with the paint brush. I fell in love with your recent TV cabinet.

      Reply
  14. Linda at Mixed Kreations

    January 15, 2019 at 12:23 pm

    Nice job Mary! Love the colors, they are very calming! It really is amazing the difference a new paint job can make.

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 15, 2019 at 1:47 pm

      That old saying about the power of paint is so so true Linda.

      Reply
  15. Claire

    January 15, 2019 at 3:03 pm

    I love it when you can just update an old piece of your furniture so it feels like new. Good job and I love the rug too which matches!

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 18, 2019 at 10:04 am

      And the best part? It’s all blue!!

      Reply
  16. debbie-dabble

    January 15, 2019 at 5:48 pm

    Mary,
    Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to comment!!!
    I LOVE this wonderful transformation!!!This is what I am looking to do with my bedroom furniture which was my Mother’s. It was bought for her when she was 16 years old so it is 84 years old as my mother would have been 100 years old!! I LOVE the blue top to the table!! Your living room looks lovely and I love all the colors!! Just beautiful!! Thanks so much for sharing and I just might have to get back to you about the paints that you used..Thanks so much for sharing!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 18, 2019 at 10:06 am

      You can reach out to me any time Debbie. I know we are friends on Facebook so that is one place we can discuss. Good luck with whatever you do with your furniture.

      Reply
  17. Carol Cook

    January 15, 2019 at 8:28 pm

    The details on the coffee table make it one you definitely need to keep. I love how you painted it.

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 18, 2019 at 10:07 am

      Thank you so much Carol. It was worth trying to save it as long as it fit into the room and did not clash.

      Reply
  18. Amy

    January 15, 2019 at 10:05 pm

    I LOVE the way this table turned out! The colors are perfect! And I totally understand becoming obsessed with a project and not stopping until it is finished. Your room is looking lovely, though, and it must have been so nice to have it finished in time for family to enjoy it. And I must try out this paint you used. I will be painting a desk at some point in the near future, and I’m going to look into trying it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 18, 2019 at 10:08 am

      Thanks Amy, we really enjoyed the holidays in this room. I’m glad I really pushed myself to get it all done. The right look of a room can make a huge difference.

      Reply
  19. Dorothy

    January 15, 2019 at 11:36 pm

    I love reading about your transformations. This one is my favorite. But, actually, they all are, as they come along. Looking forward to more!

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 18, 2019 at 10:09 am

      Thank you so much Dorothy. It is all coming together in this room.

      Reply
  20. Kim

    January 16, 2019 at 9:34 am

    Mary, you are the true makeover queen! I remember the first time you tackled this table and it was perfect for the boys. The paint takes it in a whole new direction, now perfect for you! Enjoy it!

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 18, 2019 at 10:10 am

      It is so great when you can take something and re-invent it depending on your changing needs.

      Reply
  21. K. Rupp

    January 16, 2019 at 9:47 am

    Wow gorgeous! I love the transformation. You are giving me some great ideas with the colors that you used. Saw your post at grandmas house we go party:)

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 18, 2019 at 10:11 am

      Thanks Kathleen. I had to think about this one long and hard before grabbing the brush but I am really happy with the outcome.

      Reply
  22. Janet

    January 17, 2019 at 7:48 pm

    Love the grey color in your home and your new rug is so pretty!

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 18, 2019 at 10:12 am

      Thank you Janet. I find that softer colors suit me better then the dark look we had before.

      Reply
  23. Marie Blackburn

    January 17, 2019 at 8:57 pm

    The table looks perfect with your new rug, Mary! I love the combination of warm white and soft blue. A perfect example of why we don’t need to replace our furniture with new when we can give what we have a brand new life. To answer your question, I think those lovely details would pop even more with a little distressing.

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 18, 2019 at 10:13 am

      Marie I think I am going to try distressing it a little just to see what it looks like. I am really happy with these new colors.

      Reply
  24. The Freshman Cook

    January 19, 2019 at 7:14 pm

    This turned out beautifully! Love the colors, and how it goes with the rug! Perfect! Thank you for sharing at Celebrate It!

    Reply
  25. Cecilia

    January 20, 2019 at 9:43 am

    Mary, your table looks wonderful–love the colors! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. Pinning!

    Reply
  26. Katerina

    January 20, 2019 at 12:30 pm

    Wow Mary. I love the colors. They make the perfect combination with your rug. You are truly talented!

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 22, 2019 at 11:02 am

      Thanks Katerina, I spend months pondering this one. I’m so relieved it all works together.

      Reply
  27. Karen

    January 20, 2019 at 6:12 pm

    Oh, Mary – this is so inspiring! I have a console table that is is sore need of an update. I’m really inspired now to get to it. I love how your table turned out and that soft blue is just perfect!

    Reply
    • Mary

      January 22, 2019 at 11:01 am

      Thank you Karen. I am so glad I did this it really changes the look of the whole room.

      Reply
  28. ritajoy

    January 22, 2019 at 12:37 am

    I love how paint totally transforms the look of something. Your coffee table turned out amazing! Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

    Reply
  29. Sheri

    January 22, 2019 at 1:57 pm

    It looks great! I love their satin enamels! Thanks for sharing at the To Grandma’s House We Go DIY, Crafts, Recipes and More Link Party. I pinned this to Pinterest! Hope you can join us again next week.

    Reply
  30. Gail

    January 22, 2019 at 4:48 pm

    Love the new look of your table, Mary! You did an awesome job of creating a perfect piece to match your other new surroundings! You’re becoming quite the designer!

    Reply
    • Mary

      February 4, 2019 at 10:34 am

      For me at this point in my life, I have to be frugal and so I always work with what I have Gail. So far it seems to be going well.

      Reply
  31. Kippi

    January 26, 2019 at 10:10 pm

    Wow, the transformation is stunning. I love the blue color you made for the top! Happy Crafting, Kippi #kippiathome

    Reply
    • Mary

      February 4, 2019 at 10:34 am

      Thank you Kippi. I was really happy with the color match.

      Reply
  32. Erlene

    January 27, 2019 at 7:38 pm

    Oh, I like it! The light paint really makes the entire room look brighter. Great job!

    Reply
    • Mary

      February 4, 2019 at 10:35 am

      The room was like a cave before. I have been painting everything in sight.

      Reply
  33. Florence

    March 12, 2019 at 1:57 pm

    Wow, that really looks so much better than the before! Lovely table now & your rug looks good too. Such a homey space…even your boys should enjoy it. You could distress & highlight the table or not. Either way, it’ll look good. Enjoy it for a while this way & later maybe you’ll be ready for that change.

    Reply
    • Mary

      March 13, 2019 at 6:07 am

      Florence it really brightens up the room. Unfortunately for me I have been using it as a paint surface and so may need to repaint the top soon. I really love it so much more this way then the plain wood.

      Reply
  34. Sarah @ The DIY Mommy

    August 7, 2019 at 4:45 pm

    This looks so fresh, it was really brought back to life! I love the combination of colours. Great post!

    Reply
    • Mary

      August 14, 2019 at 11:32 pm

      Thanks so much Sarah!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Recent Posts

  • DIY Pallet Table with Reclaimed Wood Legs
  • 20 Creative DIY Pallet Projects to Make!
  • Shabby Chic Wicker Basket Upcycle
  • 20 Household Items Re-Purposed For Halloween Decor

Explore Our Top Posts

IKEA Malm Dresser Makeover
How to Stain a Laminate Table

DIY Pallet Couch

Footer

Disclosure

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy & effectiveness of the information displayed on this website, The Boondocks Blog makes no guarantee as to the procedures & information contained here. The publisher will not be liable for direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages in connection with or arising from the use of the information displayed on TheBoondocksBlog.com. This website is not intended to substitute the advice of a professional. Find our Privacy Policy here.

Copyright

©The Boondocks Blog, 2015-2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s owners is strictly prohibited. One photo, excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to TheBoondocksBlog.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Copyright © 2022 The Boondocks Blog on the Foodie Pro Theme

2 shares