Ugly end table redo

Question

Please help me with idea's on what to do with this end table.  It doesn't have to be an end table either.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

In order for suggestions I think you need to decide what your goal is first.Sorry

Julie · Answer

My goal was to either come up with a use for it or tear it apart & use it for something else. I don't need an end table but night stand maybe? Shelves?

Bernadette Staal · Answer

I do not actually know what an 'end table is'.  The condition of it looks fine.  Perhaps the raised (little fence) decoration could be removed and the holes filled in nicely. It is obviously used for storage of some kind so you could continue to use it for storage e.g. magazines, children's toys and / or if it can hold the weight it could be have a professional cushion made to fit and use it as a foot stool.  Or if you simply do not like it you could sell it.  Someone will love it - especially as it appears to be good quality wood.

Sharron · Answer

Take the top off, paint it and use it as a magazine rack or plant stand or anything like that.

Bernadette Staal · Answer

We'll I do hope you keep it but I would remove the little fence decorating.

Lucy Nunn · Answer

Do you have kids?  I've seen Lego tables like this...or Barbie stuff.  A place to store and a place to play...?

Debi53 · Answer

Please don't think I am being unhelpful, but if you don't have a use for this table, why don't you just let it go. If you love this style of decor  and you can put it to good use, then redo and use the piece. But, to keep something just because you have it can become a burden instead of a blessing. This was a lesson that took me a long time to learn. If something in your house does not bring you joy or does not serve a definite purpose, appreciate the purpose it served and then release it. Every item in your home costs you in terms of your time and effort and money to care for it. If an item is something you love or earns its keep by serving a purpose, then it is worth the exchange of your time, money, or effort. If not, give yourself permission to be  free of keeping something just because it is there.

Julie · Answer

Thank you for the suggestions so far.  @Lucy Nunn, kids have grown & I have seen the Lego table, thought about that for grandson but daughter wasn't too excited about it.    @Debi53, I don't disagree with you.  They are far from my style anymore.  They have been storage & night stand for the past 20 years.  I have problems getting rid of things as you can see but I like to reuse every thing when possible. If I don't get any ideas that interest me then it will probably be used for the wood for another project down the road.  Wood alone takes up less room than the table does.

Lucy Nunn · Answer

Guest room side table for extra blankets?  Potato bin?  Cat food bin?  Barbecue supplies on covered patio?  Pretty useful little table!

User · Answer

.       !Нужно для планшета или ноутбука !

Radha · Answer

You may use this table as a Bar table. Just fix another  strip of wood along the wood border. once fixed carve the wood strip in circle shape after some distance to place the liquor bottles. on one side of the table you can keep ice box and tongs. on the other side you can keep gingerale, lemondae or any other soda drink that you like to mix with gin, vodka . at the center of the table keep glasses. dont keep anything on top where there is space for storage as you cann keep bottles or glasses, tissue boxes etc there.

Marilyn OylerY · Answer

Make it into an ottoman/footstool. Cut legs shorter - I'd suggest right below the first set of decorative rings. Then cut some foam to fit the top and cover it with inexpensive sturdy cloth. This way you can still use it for storage as well.  Note: If you don't sew, use duct tape to seal the fabric on the back of the foam.  Just wrap the fabric around the foam like you would wrap a present, then seal on back with duct tape.  This also makes it easy to change out if you tire of the fabric chosen. You can even cover it with a second, temporary layer of fabric for the holidays!

Linda · Answer

I agree with taking the 'fence' off. That and the 'strap hinges' are what actually dates it. I'd take off the hinges and the fence, fill the holes with dowels and wood putty, find some more modern hinges and refinish the whole piece. A storage end table is too handy to make into something else,

Elaine · Answer

I would definitely take off the 'fence' (love the hinges) then remove the legs and wavy 'skirt' part.  Once that's done, if the bottom looks weird and unfinished, than perhaps adding four (wood) flattish-bun feet would give it a more finished/complete look.  I would then paint it with chalk paint and follow with the typical clear then antique wax and use as a trunk.  If it's coffee table height, great.  If not, just use it as a storage type trunk for extra magazines, junk, etc. or maybe, it would hold toys in a child's room.

Kim · Answer

its a dough table, they use to put dough inside, i have one also and just haven't figured out what to do with it.

Marilyn OylerY · Answer

Yes, for my suggestion of the ottoman you would have to remove the fence as well (ouch, if you didn't!) ;-)

Trish · Answer

A new colored stain called 'Unicorn SPiT'  It's wonderful for refinishing anything!

Julie · Answer

We have a country lake home with rustic decor.  A lot of wood, oak, pine, cedar & hickory. I like the farmhouse style if this helps with ideas.

Pauline Musson · Answer

It looks like it would lend itself to being a drinks caddie with an ice bucket inside the lid and bottles/glasses kept on by the little fence.  You could change out the legs to add height or put casters on.  Just throwing out ideas :)

Gardener B · Answer

My husband's family had two of these tables - they were end tables.  They sat on either side of their sofa.  They stored kids' stuff, magazines, etc.  Currently, a family member took them and painted them (no photos).  They took the 'lids' off and put a basket inside.

Marie · Answer

Lego storage.

Phillip&Mandy · Answer

There are a couple of ideas that come to mind for me.  Either way, I would start by updating the hinges and any other hardware like that.  I would also consider replacing the legs with a more modern style and maybe even remove the top railing and you could use all that you remove in a future project.  Now, one idea I might try would be to make the top into a padded sitting stool with storage..cute material and a fun paint job to match.  Another idea might be to remove the original legs and either add some repurposed long table legs or make your own tall legs and maybe even more storage or shelving under that...With a sexy but elegant paint job you could have a pretty awesome jewelry stand.  Hope it helps!

Dotti · Answer

In addition to the suggestions above you could size it to coffee table height and paint it black.  I suggest black because I once read a decorating tip that every room should have some black.  I like the design of the table ( a rectangle that is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom).

Sherry Sue · Answer

Painted for update and use for Sewingj or knitting storage end table but if you don't like the style, why keep it? A lot of work to make a lot of difference.

Marilyn Zaruba · Answer

I love things that have storage...I don't like simple coffee or end tables because all that real estate below them is wasted.

Are these tall enough for bedside tables?  If so, remove the rais...or not, paint them with some pretty chalk paint and you have some great storage beside the bed.  Just think of all the great books or magazines they would hold or even extra bed linens.

Part of the fun...at least for me...is recreating something.  And when you use a *found* object..if you are sick of it in a year, you don't have much invested in it.

Kathy Compton · Answer

If you remove the railing on top (really a must), you could add metal hardware in it's place.

RDC5007833 · Answer

I would change the way it opens and make a bench seat with storge  could hide shoes in it and I would paint it and I would put in my hallway

Ugly end table redo

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