DIY Coffee Table Makeover

We’ve all seen curbside furniture and have wondered if we should stop and pick it up. This DIY coffee table makeover just may convince you to hit the brakes and check out furniture alongside the road. Who knows, your next favorite piece may be sitting out there waiting for you!

There I was, minding my own business and taking a walk through my neighborhood. A quick glance down the road before crossing it and I think my brain made brake noises as I spotted some furniture sitting along the curb. A quick peek ruled out the faded and smelly couch, but there was a coffee table tucked behind it that made my heart pitter-patter.

You see, I’ve been on the lookout for a coffee table for quite a few months. Regularly, I check Facebook Marketplace, but haven’t had any luck finding a style and price range that I like. But once I saw this table, I knew it was definitely in my price range.

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THE RISK OF A CURBSIDE FIND

This DIY coffee table makeover began with me taking a risk. It wasn’t a huge one. But recognizing that it didn’t hurt to bring it home and try it out was the first step. The worst thing that could happen is that I put it back out along my curb. No harm done, just a few minutes spent ruling out one more option.

Remember: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Pulling over and checking out a curbside find doesn’t always equal finding a treasure because sometimes their trash is your trash too. 😉 But my motto is that you don’t know until you check it out.

COFFEE TABLE BEFORE

The first thing I noticed about this coffee table is that it had water stains and damage. Sometimes, those two things can damage the wood extensively. My fingers were crossed that James could help me stabilize the warping on top and that the sander would take care of the stains.

Again, I figured that it didn’t hurt to try and I wouldn’t know if I didn’t give it a chance. And in my excitement, I forgot to get a photo of the warping before James braced the underside with a board. It isn’t in perfect condition, but I think it’s perfect because really, you can’t beat the price!

DIY COFFEE TABLE MAKEOVER PROCESS

It took a few hours, but using a palm sander and 60-grit sandpaper, the entire piece was stripped down to bare wood. This was the moment that I knew this was going to turn out good. {Step-by-step on YouTube coming soon!}

I’m pretty sure the wood is cherry…mostly because an engraving underneath said so. It also turns out to be 4 boards on the top. In it’s brand new state, I am sure that all of those were seamed quite well together. For me, it isn’t a deterrent that the seams are exposed. Again, this seemed like an answer to prayer and the price was right.

I have a confession: sanding furniture is not my favorite thing to do. Painting is my preferred solution. But I didn’t want to add another piece of painted furniture to my living room. However, it was the back-up plan if the sanding went awry.

The legs took a lot of time to sand because most of it needed to be done by hand. Always leave this as the last step. After sanding the top and sides, I knew that it would be worth the time spent on the legs. But if the legs are done first and the top doesn’t sand well, time was wasted if you end up painting it instead. Most chalk paints don’t require sanding prior to painting.

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COFFEE TABLE MAKEOVER AFTER

After applying one coat of General Finishes Gel Stain in Nutmeg and two coats of the  top coat, it was finished. And guess what? I love it!

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By using gel stain, the entire piece has a more cohesive stained look. Because of the four different boards with varying wood tones, a gel stain gives more of a matching look. Plus, it typically only takes one coat and is extremely easy to apply.

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After working on a few projects in our living room, I feel like it is really starting to come together. Changing out the antique bench we had been using for this DIY coffee table is one step closer to pulling this room together. It was one of the first rooms that I worked on, but then it got ignored as I moved on to other parts of the house. But now that I have come back around to it, I’m excited to love this room all over again. {Stay tuned for a few more projects coming soon!}

DON’T IGNORE THE DRAWERS

When sanding furniture that has drawers, always remove those and work on them separately. The fronts will need to be sanded, but the sides and inside do not.

For this DIY coffee table makeover, after taking a look at how great the piece looked sanded and stained, I wanted to add an unexpected pop of color. Using a fun color that I had on hand, two quick coats of paint and the inside of the drawer looks so much better!

NEW LIVING ROOM RUG

I recently also changed out the rug in our living room. With the other projects I have planned here, this was a good time to make a switch. Since I do enjoy changing colors and decor for the seasons, I prefer a neutral base. Thus, the off-white couch…and this neutral rug. It is slightly smaller {7’6″ x 9’6″ vs. 8′ x 10′} than the one I had here previously, but this smaller size actually fits better in the space. {Click HERE for this rug…it comes in different colors too.}

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This rug feels cozy and along with the lighting I am slowly adding, the room is feeling like…well, a room. Not just a bunch of random pieces of furniture.

My hope is that this DIY coffee table makeover helps you to see curbside furniture with fresh eyes. Look beyond the current state. See if the size will work in your home. Decide if you like the lines. And then throw it in the back of your car and drive home excited about the DIY adventure that awaits!

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