Asked on Dec 02, 2015

Bedroom side table make over

Bron
by Bron
I bought this side table a year ago and it has been sitting in my bedroom waiting for me to do something with it. Problem is I just can't decide what to do with it. I love the shape and the size is perfect. I don't know if I should remove the flip up draw completely or replace the handles to give it a more modern look. I will certainly paint it and am sanding it back today. I want something that can be used even when I change the color of my bedroom linen. I have gone on line and seen quite a few ideas (pictures 3 and 4)I think black is too harsh I thought I would put it out to all you lovely creative people and see what comes up. Thanks in advance :)
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  21 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 02, 2015
    Just a thought of mine,instead of painting the piece why not stain with a nice rich color.As for it making it more of a modern piece I would say thats really is the style only you can decide. If your bedroom is modern then update with new handles etc.
    • See 4 previous
    • Bron Bron on Mar 19, 2018

      Hello Janet,

      well it is still waiting to be completed. I ended up sanding it down and painting it white, removing the false draw and putting in a woven basket. It looks ok and has served it's purpose but I am not completely satisfied with the look.

  • Melanie Melanie on Dec 02, 2015
    I think it would look pretty if you left the top just how it 1 s and painted the rest of it q lighter color... depending on your color scheme . The kind of paint you use can make it's Style. I would leave the drawer. thanks my persona: preference because I always need a place for my "stuff" next to my bed. Whatever you decide I hope we get to see it.
    • Bron Bron on Dec 02, 2015
      @Melanie yes I agree about the draw. sometimes you need a place to hide all the junk eh. I am thinking of just changing the handles because even though I like them, they are tarnished and a bit dated. Thank you for your suggestion.
  • Karen Karen on Dec 02, 2015
    I wouldn't paint it...I found one in the trash years ago and painted it and I am so sorry that I did...now I have it covered with an antique table cloth my grandmother embroidered to hide the paint...
    • Bron Bron on Dec 02, 2015
      @Karen Too late I have started sanding but have left the top as is at this stage.
  • Dianne Miller Dianne Miller on Dec 03, 2015
    If you have a dog turn it up side Down paint it in cute stripes and dots put a pillow on the bottom for the cutest dog bed ever. You can even keep small toys and treats in the drawer below if you turn it upside down in the drawer slot. I saw a really cute video on Facebook that she's step by step.
    • Bron Bron on Dec 03, 2015
      @Dianne Miller sounds cute but I don't have a dog or cat
  • Jonnie Hammon Jonnie Hammon on Dec 03, 2015
    If black doesn't work for you, try a grandfather
  • Jonnie Hammon Jonnie Hammon on Dec 03, 2015
    If black doesn't work for you, try a gray, taupe, ecru, for your neutral.
    • Bron Bron on Dec 03, 2015
      @Jonnie Hammon lol I wondered what a grandfather was. I actually picked up some grey color cards at Bunnings (a major hardware warehouse over here) yesterday. Thanks for the suggestion. :)
  • Helen Helen on Dec 03, 2015
    I like the idea of leaving the top the way it is and painting the rest to give it an updated look. But I think the piece is beautiful the way it is too.
  • Theresa Smith Theresa Smith on Dec 03, 2015
    I just painted som French style chairs gray - and am very happy. Grey is one of those neutrals people don't think of often, yet is a very adaptable color. I used Valspar furniture paint *first time I've tried it). It turned out well. I used different brushes, but got the best results with a 1.5" Purdy "professional" .Only had to sand lightly, too.
    • Bron Bron on Dec 03, 2015
      @Theresa Smith yes I am thinking of grey myself. My bedroom carpet is charcoal and my bed skirt is charcoal as well. I have a white doona cover and touches of orange in the room so it may work.
  • LindaK LindaK on Dec 03, 2015
    Funny how everyone was thinking gray. With so much gray in your room, I'm thinking the gray and white for a lighter accent.
  • Charlotte Wood Eckel Charlotte Wood Eckel on Dec 03, 2015
    If you want it to go with any bedding you may choose in the future, then stick with a real neutral like cream or ivory. Unless your BR is very bright, black is too dark and grey doesn't go with everything. It's a lovely piece with classic lines. Personally I would sand down the top to bare wood, then stain it and paint the body. I'd leave the flip-down door (to hide clutter) but update with 4 new glass knobs.
    • Bron Bron on Dec 04, 2015
      @Charlotte WoodI Eckel yes I can see your point and I never thought of 4 knobs. Worth thinking about.
  • Found two examples for you. As for the drawer hardware, you can spray it any color. Chalk paint is easy since there is hardly any prepping. Since you have already sanded, you could actually use a good quality spray paint if you want a modern enamel look. If more shabby chic, then go w/the chalk paint. Leave the top as is if you want. You could always paint it down the road. 2nd pic is courtesy of Reeves at The Weathered Door. General Finishes has two gray colors in their milk paint line that would be pretty. You can order from Amazon.
    • See 2 previous
    • Bron Bron on Dec 05, 2015
      @Beth H. Makemeprettyagain.blogspot thank you good advice
  • JC Sipes JC Sipes on Dec 04, 2015
    A very light gray - almost white - would look good. I would leave the drawer front but change the pulls to white ceramic, and I would sand off edges, etc. to give it an antique look. It's a great piece!
    • Bron Bron on Dec 04, 2015
      @JC Sipes thanks for that. I have started sanding already and regret that I have already sanded the draw front :( I have left the top at this stage though.
  • Marie Marie on Dec 06, 2015
    You have plenty of suggestions but don't remove the drawer! It's great, like a mini desk, gives it character.
    • Bron Bron on Dec 06, 2015
      @Marie yes I am going to keep the draw. I have a few ideas so it is a matter of deciding the final look. Usually I start with an idea in my mind an the end result is totally different. Makes it fun eh
  • Lisa House Lisa House on Dec 07, 2015
    Sand, stain with Unicorn Spit so that you can still enjoy the wood grain but have a bit of color.
    • See 1 previous
    • Alicia Dowdey Forbus Alicia Dowdey Forbus on Mar 18, 2018

      Can you tell me what kind of product Unicorn Spit is? I do not have a clue . . . Thanks ahead of time for your help.


  • Barbara Barbara on Dec 10, 2015
    Personally, I'd leave it as is. It looks in good shape and has classic lines. Wood tones generally go with everything no matter what color you chose. I guess I'm just a wood purist and though I like some painted furniture, it's not my preference.
  • Mickey Baron Mickey Baron on Dec 10, 2015
    I'd change that hardware, whatever color you choose. It dates it. But the flip drawer is AWESOME!
  • Therese C Therese C on Dec 12, 2015
    I would white wash the sanded wood with charcoal legs and top, then paint the handles matt black. Very pretty piece whatever you do! Be sure to put a coat or two of poly, in satin finish, to protect your hard work.
  • Jan Doezie Jan Doezie on Aug 20, 2016
    it's hard to say what the night stand should be transformed into, without seeing your bed and bedroom. your bed and/or bedroom will determine the final look for your night stands. the furniture needs to blend together, then it won't matter what you do with the bed linens. want to post more pictures?
    • See 2 previous
    • Alicia Dowdey Forbus Alicia Dowdey Forbus on Mar 18, 2018

      Just now reading this "conversation". Quite interesting! And like on a tv show I'm wishing I could see the ''reveal"! @Bron , Now I'm wondering what else you did to make this piece your own.  (Wish I had more space - had to put mine on a different wall and away from the bed.)

  • Lisa House Lisa House on Mar 19, 2018

    Unicorn Spit is a water based product that can be used as a paint, stain, or wash. The colors all mix well together, can be used on most surfaces with the correct prep. It is only available thru independent dealers. Since your product isn't all wood then you should stick with paint. You can now get chalk type paint in spray form. Over the weekend I saw a canister that you buy that comes with a jar so you can take any paint and convert it to a spray form. When you run out of compressed gas you just purchase another canister. I saw these at Walmart. Besides chalk or milk paint there are also many brands of mineral paint available from Amazon and independent dealers.

  • Lisa House Lisa House on Mar 20, 2018

    Unicorn Spit is a water based product that can be used as a painf, stain, or a glaze. It is available only thru authorized dealers. Projects using Unicorn Spit can be found on Hometalk (use the Search feature) and you can look the product up online, try UnicornSpit.com

  • Sharon Sharon on Mar 20, 2018

    How about a silver finish, it goes with everything and would look great on your table.... https://www.google.com/search?q=pictures+of+a+bedside+table+in+silver+finish&client=opera&hs=fks&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjxyd2UofrZAhUDw2MKHbbABXoQsAQI_QE&biw=1205&bih=574 look at 3rd row down 2nd from the end