How to Do an Easy Side Table Makeover Using Colorful Paint

Katy | LaughCryDIY
by Katy | LaughCryDIY

I have this side table, plant stand, end tableā€¦ whatever you want to call it. Sheā€™s got some beautiful mid-century lines, but thereā€™s just one problem: sheā€™s so boring. So, weā€™re going to do a quick and simple side table makeover by giving her a pop of color and a lick of paint.


Keep reading for some creative painted side table ideas.

Basic side table before the makeover

Tools and materials

  • Cleaning supplies
  • Sandpaper
  • Pre-stain wood conditioner
  • Wood stain
  • Water-based polyurethane
  • Paint
  • Painting tools
  • Pencil
  • Household items to use as shape templates
  • Acrylic sealer spray

1. Clean the side table

Sheā€™s a bit of a mess, so weā€™re going to clean her up first.

Cleaning the side table

2. Sand

My plan is to stain the side table legs a little darker, so I need to sand them down. Iā€™m starting with a 120, then Iā€™ll go over them again with a 220. Wipe down with a damp rag once youā€™re done sanding.

Sanding the table legs

3. Stain

Next, weā€™re hitting her with a pre-stain wood conditioner. This just helps the stain set into the legs a little bit more. Of course, this is the exact moment Baguette decides to check out what Iā€™m doing. Remove cat as needed.

Applying the pre-stain wood conditioner

Now itā€™s time to hit the wood with my favorite bronzer, Minwax Special Walnut. Wipe down before leaving it to dry. It dries a little light, so I did two coats.

Applying wood stain to the table legs

After letting the stain dry overnight, I went in with a clear top coat of water-based polyurethane.

Applying a top coat of water-based polyurethane

4. Paint the side table

I've been feeling drawn to bold colors lately, so I wanted to create something colorful and vibrant. To kickstart the project, I chose a favorite power color of mine, a stunning teal shade called Acapulco Cliffs by PPG Paints.


The side table surface is technically cardboard and it has some water damage. To restore smoothness, Iā€™m applying two thick coats of latex paint, as sanding would cause it to disintegrate.

How to paint a side table

5. Draw & paint the design

After days of contemplation, I finally came up with a concept for the painted side table: an atomic pop art-inspired circular molecular design. Does that qualify as science? The busy pattern will cleverly hide any texturized inconsistencies.


To create this, I drew a cross-section on the tabletop, then drew around a glass to get the circle shapes.

Drawing around a glass to get a circle shape

To connect the circles, I freehanded some lines between the shapes.

Painting lines on the side table

Then, itā€™s time to fill in the circles. I mixed my teal and white together to get a lighter shade of blue. I painted the circles with two coats.

Painting circles on the side table

For the inner circles, Iā€™m drawing around items I have in my house: a face powder, a mini cocktail shaker, and a stick of blush.

Drawing concentric circles on the side table

This created a perfect Target-like pattern, and then I painted the inner concentric circles white and the original teal. I could have chosen a less complicated pattern and I could have kept it as it was with opaque circles, but I wanted to make my life harder and do a lot of things by hand.

Tip

Always paint from light to dark because itā€™s easier to tidy up light paint with dark paint than the other way around.

Painting concentric circles on the side table

6. Spray with acrylic sealer

Once all the paint has dried, apply a coat of acrylic sealer.

Spraying the table with acrylic sealer
Side table makeover
Side table makeover ideas
Painted side table ideas

Side table makeover

This side table makeover is complete! This is probably one of my favorite furniture flips I've ever done because it's fun, it's colorful, and I love the challenge of only using things that I already had on hand.


For more side table ideas, check out this DIY round end table made out of Dollar Tree trash cans or this side table made out of IKEA baskets. For more table painting ideas, take a look at this coffee table with a painted boho stencil design.


Let me know in the comments what you think of this painted side table and whether this project has inspired some side table makeover ideas of your own. Until next time, just promise me that you will ruin something in your life with color.

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