Modernizing a Coffee Table with Pre-Made Legs: Coffee Table Makeover
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Hello again! I'm thrilled to share my latest DIY project with you in today's blog post. I recently transformed a dated old coffee table into a modern piece of furniture. The best part? I did it without the need for complicated power tools or a saw, thanks to some pre-made legs and a bit of creativity. Here's how I turned this worn-out table into a stunning piece for my home.
Supplies
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Dixie Belle Water Based Voodoo Gel Stain Au Naturel
Dixie Belle Water Based Voodoo Gel Stain Denim
Soy Gel Paint Stripper **Use code CHRISTINA10 for 10% off
Similar Amazon Paint Stripper (Same Brand)
Stripping and Sanding
The journey began when one of my followers reached out to me, offering this coffee table that needed a little love. I instantly fell in love with its solid top but knew the dated metal base needed a makeover. Mt goal is to give this coffee table a lighter, more natural wood look with the help of some water based gel stain. To start the transformation, I first needed to remove the thick varnish from the tabletop.
This table top had a very thick coat of varnish on it so I opted for a chemical stripper, specifically Blue Bear Soy Gel, which made the job surprisingly easy.
After applying a thick coat of the stripper with a chip brush and letting it sit for 30 minutes, I started scraping off the layers of varnish, revealing the natural wood underneath. I used a piece of steel wool to remove the varnish off of the grooves and details on the sides of the table top. This was a very satisfying process! After I removed all the varnish I could, I used my Simple Green to clean the surface and wipe it back to prepare it for sanding.
Removing the Base and Attaching New Legs
Once the tabletop was stripped and cleaned thoroughly, I moved on to the base. The removal was easy, and only required me to use my drill to take out the screws. Removing the old base turned out to be much easier than expected, and I'm already brainstorming creative ways to repurpose it. With the old base gone, I sanded the tabletop using various grits of sandpaper to achieve a smooth surface for staining.
Next, I attached the pre-made legs that I purchased at Home Depot to the coffee table top, making sure they were even and secure. This required me to change the size of the screw in each of the legs. To ensure a seamless fit, I replaced the existing screws in each of the legs using multi purpose putty and my drill to create a new hole.
Staining and Sealing
After the legs were securely in place,I started applying my water based stain. I used a staining sponge to apply the first coat and a brush for the second coat to make sure the legs, sides, and top of the coffee table matched. I sprayed my sponge with water before applying the stain to make sure that the sponge didn’t absorb too much of the stain.
I used my knowledge of color theory to help cancel out the orange tones in the original wood of this coffee table. By adding a few drops of this blue gel stain to my natural gel stain and mixing it thoroughly, it helped neutralize the orange tones in this piece.
For the stain, I wanted to balance out the orange tones in the wood and create a natural wood look similar to white oak. I used the Voodoo Gel Stain in Au Natural by Dixie Bell Paint Company and added a touch of the Denim Blue Gel Stain to cancel out the orange hue. My goal was to get all of the different types of wood on this table to match for a cohesive look. Applying the stain with a sponge and brush allowed me to achieve a uniform finish across the different types of wood used in the table.
For this coffee table, I decided to use Dixie Belle top coat in flat for a beautiful matte finish. I applied this water-based top coat for extra protection, using a sponge for the tabletop and a brush for the legs. I let this topcoat dry overnight.
The Final Reveal
After the top coat was finished drying I brought it inside for staging. I absolutely love how this coffee table turned out. The final result exceeded my expectations! The once-dated coffee table now boasts a modern, natural look that fits perfectly into my home. I couldn't be happier with the transformation, and I'm inspired to tackle even more DIY projects in the future.
I hope this project serves as a reminder that with a bit of creativity, some basic tools, and the right products, you can transform old furniture into something beautiful and modern. If you have any questions about this project or need tips for your own DIY endeavors, feel free to leave a comment below. If you would like to view the video tutorial for this project, you can do that here.
I’ll be back soon with another DIY project!