How can I make over old pine end tables with a shelf and spindles?

The easiest way to redo them is probably to paint them. Chalk paint is a great option, since it requires the least amount of prep.

Chalk paint can work wonders! Very little prep-usually just a good cleaning and then paint. Usually takes at least 2 coats of paint-possibly three. A quart will easily cover both tables with paint leftover for other projects. You have to add a finishing coat of wax or a clear poly. You might examine if you can easily remove the spindles and maybe replace them with something else. I would bet your coffee table is similar to this one! This person made a Lego play station!

Sounds like it may be a mid century end table. Here's one I like:

https://pin.it/6ZJHKK4HLWXSWV

Hi Evelyn. I'm Cindy. Depending on your decor, you could paint them with chalk paint. Or perhaps you could paint them with two or three colors to go with your decor.

Hi Evelyn,

Well you could do so many things - Paint - Strip and Stain - Decoupage - Parquetry Paint Pour - Marble using Nail Varnish - Pokerwork - Gold Leaf - Mosaic tile - Mirror tile etc etc..........It rather depends on the look you like! Best wishes

I would lightly scuff with fine steel wool then clean, prime, and paint.

I can be really easy to fix them with chalk paint. Not a lot of prep work involved. Here is a link to furniture I did with chalk paint that might help you - https://chascrazycreations.com/diys/re-purpose-up-cycle/furniture/ (instructions on each post)

Pine is soft and being stained, the wood grain hides a lot of scratches & dents that will be more obvious when painted.

If you want to fill & sand any significant damage then now is the time to do that before painting.

It's going to depend on what your desired outcome is, whether you want to change the stain or paint over them. Changing the stain involves sanding off the old finish and redoing it, while painting involves a primer and paint.

You could chalk paint it or you could distress paint them it just depends on the decor in your house and what look you are going for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvNuVVZaZuY

You could paint them and then add a skirt to the bottom for a little flair. It's super easy. https://www.exquisitelyunremarkable.com/2014/07/easy-skirted-table-tutorial.html