I need help, I'd like to update my dining room set!

Schwarzy
by Schwarzy
Want to update this dining room set. But I don't know where to begin. I have been researching paints for a while. I'm worried though with the heavy usage, that what I refinish it with won't hold up. Plus I wanted to stain the top of the table and only paint the skirt and legs of it. What can I use to remove the heavy lacquer and deal with the multitude of dents in it? Plus the set is old. We bought it off Craigslist and the chairs have needed multiple repairs, etc. Should I even waste my time trying to refresh it??!!
I keep a tablecloth on it because the tabletop isn't very pretty.
When we first moved in.
  29 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 09, 2017

    In my opinion if you like your table go for it as the furniture today is not made like the old days and is very expensive. You will have to totally sand the existing finish,clean,stain and seal with a non-yellowing polycrylic to withstand daily use.

  • Cindy Hagemann Cindy Hagemann on Jan 09, 2017

    We refinished this table for my daughter, it is similar to yours. We sanded the top and stained it with grey stain - lightly allowing the wood grain to come through. Then put a poly finish on the the top. We painted the legs white and the chairs white. She loved it and it is a very sturdy dining room set.

    • Schwarzy Schwarzy on Jan 10, 2017

      I love the table. What paint did you use on the legs? and did you use oil based or water based poly for the top?

  • Paula Marie Hyde Paula Marie Hyde on Jan 10, 2017

    You know...if the legs on the table and chairs are loose and wobbly, I would think regluing them would fix the problem. Just a thought.

    • Schwarzy Schwarzy on Jan 10, 2017

      The chair legs are the worst. We have repaired them already a few times. I will need to research improving my repair process.

  • Hkn3014658 Hkn3014658 on Jan 10, 2017

    I used chalk paint to do mine. NO sanding , two coats and a poly finish on top. Did my china cabinet too!

  • Greg Lindberg Greg Lindberg on Jan 10, 2017

    Sand the top down to the natural wood and put a wax rub finish on it. (You could also poly it, but the wax would give it a warmer feel.) Then, I'd use a chalk black paint on everything else; legs, skirt, chairs. If it feels too dark lightly sand the edges and ding it up a bit, to give it that worn family heirloom feel.

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    • Greg Lindberg Greg Lindberg on Jan 10, 2017

      They are surprisingly durable. I've used them with success on wide pine floors before.

  • 861650 861650 on Jan 10, 2017

    Have you thought about replacing the legs? There are so many pieces of furniture out there that could be updated by changing out the legs or, even adding legs. It's a thought...

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    • Schwarzy Schwarzy on Jan 11, 2017

      I might look into that. I never considered that as an option.

  • Paula Marie Hyde Paula Marie Hyde on Jan 10, 2017

    Maybe this will help. I listened to a little bit of it...learned a couple of things I didn't know before. Maybe it'll help you too.

  • Melissa V Melissa V on Jan 10, 2017

    Hey Paula Marie, I watched some of that video too, and I learned a thing or 2 also. Thanks!


    Schwarzy- I think I have the same dining set in my basement! Is it really heavy? I'll be watching to see what you decide to do-this could be a summertime project for me (and get it out of the basement, too!). I don't have the hutch, tho'.

    I'll be waiting

    • Schwarzy Schwarzy on Jan 11, 2017

      No, it's not heavy at all. It's old, but I don't think it's the best. We only paid $300 for the table, chairs, and hutch when we bought it off of Craigslist.

  • Goldrushgal Goldrushgal on Jan 10, 2017

    The table would look good with a dark gel stain on the top and then sealed and chalk paint in white or pastel on the legs and chairs.


    Check out tables with dark tops on Pinterest.

  • Nancy Nancy on Jan 10, 2017

    Here are three options.

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    • Robina Lindsay Robina Lindsay on Jan 12, 2017

      This looks to be your style. Looks amazing.

  • Melissa V Melissa V on Jan 11, 2017

    OK, well, mine weighs a ton, they just left it here when we bought the house. It looks like you bought those 2 chairs and rug in the colors you were wanting in that area(?) If so, I would try some of the chalk paint everyone's using and start on the table legs with that teal color and see if you like it. Do you plan on keeping any wood showing on any pieces? Your teals and creams would be nice. The back of the upper cabinets in cream, maybe add lights. Or mix and match- the lowers of everything teal, moving up cream and keep some wood for contrast.

    It's got me thinking, have fun!

  • 861650 861650 on Jan 11, 2017

    Okay, so you can't find used chairs. Sooner or later you're going to find those chairs or ones that are similar to one another, so be patient and use what you have. Do you have a Rescue Mission in or near the town where you live? People donate all kinds of furniture and that is where I found my chairs and much more. You can bargain with them too! If you do, go there often. Get to know the people. Or, how about Habitat For Humanity as they have stores too and it's another place to visit often. Then again, there are roadside discarded stuff. Keep different types of screwdrivers in your car. You never know what you will find. Things like table legs and all kinds of legs on furniture. Drawer pulls or just the drawers themselves...just a thought. Last, just think about your table and push everything to the side because it only confuses you. Make that table stunning and something you love. Later, everything else will fall in place.

  • Charl Charl on Jan 12, 2017

    You should definitely use a good paint specific for cabinets...the cabinet paints have the toughest finish which you will want for furniture that will be used a lot. For the table top you can get a gel stain...just a very light sanding and wipe on and wipe off. The grain of the wood will still show through. Look on YouTube for videos on it. I've read only very positive reviews for gel stain...easy to do and looks great. I have a dining set we will be doing too. We're doing it in white and the wood table top and seats we're doing in Java gel stain (dark). Paint can update anything!! Hope this helps.

  • Hkn3014658 Hkn3014658 on Jan 12, 2017

    I painted the legs on table, all the chairs, and spots on my china cabinet to get the look I wanted.

  • Schwarzy Schwarzy on Jan 12, 2017

    It's adorable and looks alot like my set! What paint did you use? And did you put any poly on the chairs? I wish my table top was as flawless as yours. Mine is all dinged up and a mess.

  • Lynn Johnson Lynn Johnson on Jan 12, 2017

    I updated an old table by using chalk paint a lovely sky blue on the bottom first coat and the chairs then once this was dry apply wax to certain areas that you don't want your contrast second coat to stick to like the edges in certain bit or on the top in areas and on the sides. Second coat I did in a soft linen but you could even use vanilla or very soft yellow and brush sparingly over that (the areas that are waxed will still show blue through) You could practise on a piece of wood or even underneath the table until you get the effect you like. Did this will the chairs as well but my old ones had material on them so I took off the backing of the seat and reupholstered them in UPVC butterfly material so they were wipeable(grandchildren) and put backings back on......1 shappy chic table and chairs TA DAH

  • Kat964884 Kat964884 on Jan 13, 2017

    Updating the carpet painting the chairs a solid color and removing the checkered tablecloth will go a long way on updating still a nice-looking table

  • Mary Mary on Jan 13, 2017

    Cabinet shops can make a table top cover of any color you want. This would be Formica but it will just set on there and come off to be place on another table if you change it. Since it is formica it would protect your new table

  • Ltt834476 Ltt834476 on Jan 14, 2017

    On the chairs, I wood paint it dark brown, then use a caulk white/cream color top coat. Sand a few edges to give it the shabby chic effect. Then stencil some French designs on the bottom of the seats. They have many French designs to choose from at Amazon. The table top should be sand down, then use a pretty darker brown stain and clear coat to protect. But paint the legs using the same technique as the chairs, except the stencil. It will really look nice. I was looking at your wall decor. It would blend right in. Good luck, show us your end results on your choice.

  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Jan 16, 2017

    Get rid of it a table that is very pretty that you want to finish top just to keep it covered up is silly. Sorry but that's the truth why bother if you won't enjoy it and if the chairs have needed repairs chances are that it will continue to need repairs. Maybe previous owners house was very dry and wood dried out but not worth the work. Replace chairs if you keep table.

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    • Schwarzy Schwarzy on Jan 18, 2017

      Sorry. I completely missed these comments. Yeah, the top of the table isn't currently in the best condition and that is why I keep it covered. I would like to sand and stain it. But I wasn't sure how to with the thick clear coating it has on it. No, it's not the best set. But we have a large family and I'm in nursing school, so our budget is limited. I feel like all we can afford right now is repairs and a refresh. I will eventually start to shop for a replacement set, but that won't be for a few years.

  • Nicolecollazo56 Nicolecollazo56 on Jan 17, 2017

    If pieces are not broken, just sand and two two coats of paint (your favorite color) will just do, you can also add some cushions to the chairs (optional). Good luck

  • Schwarzy Schwarzy on Jan 17, 2017

    I started to paint the chairs yesterday. But I see I have to get the repairs done before I can go further. Here is one before the poly and I'm thinking about adding a stencil to the seat. I will add that tonight and post another pic. I like how the black is showing off the curves of the chair. I think I'm sold on the black. I just hope the poly protects the chairs so I don't have to constantly touch them up. I'm not sure how many coats of poly to put on them.

  • BabyBoomerSC BabyBoomerSC on Jan 17, 2017

    Put 2 coats of poly on your chairs and lightly sand in between coats. They should be fine.

  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Jan 17, 2017

    The wood if it is not a veneer should be able to fill ding with wood filler once finish has been removed then just lightly sand before you paint. Hey sorry if I offended you the person who commented on my previous comment is correct you came looking for help and you love table and if chairs become more costly to repair then to replace,then you should replace for now if you love set then I am happy that you got positive feedback and decided to go for it and the black looks great on that chair makes it look modern.

    • Schwarzy Schwarzy on Jan 18, 2017

      Sorry, no offense taken. Not sure why you thought I would be. I appreciate any and all feedback even if I can't use it. Thanks for your input so far. :)

  • Paula Marie Hyde Paula Marie Hyde on Jan 18, 2017

    I agree, the black looks great. Really sharp! I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.

    • Schwarzy Schwarzy on Jan 18, 2017

      Hopefully, I can work on it a bit tonight. I'm in nursing school and classes start next week. But I'm already bogged down with early assignments due BEFORE class starts.

  • Paula Marie Hyde Paula Marie Hyde on Jan 18, 2017

    Aw! Best wishes on your nursing career!

  • Schwarzy Schwarzy on Jan 18, 2017

    Thank you!

  • Theresa Theresa on Jan 19, 2017

    Annie Sloan cocoa with a dry brush of white over ... distress the edges ... wax and seal... get pretty seat cushions .... if u want more modern ... Annie Sloan granite .. paint smooth and male ur own seat covers .. Annie Sloan is the way to go trust me!!

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    • Theresa Theresa on Jan 19, 2017

      I worked with a lesser brand and was u happy try to hold out save and do it RIGHT!! I'm waiting on a piece I got I know it's pricy but u only want to do it ONCE!! Worth the wait🎉