DIY Round Side Table Makeover

3 Materials
$20
3 Hours
Easy

I am excited to share this round side table makeover with you today! It was an easy project and I am IN LOVE with its shape and how it turned out.

I haven’t been to many yard sales this summer, but I have found a couple that have been so much fun! I think I have maybe stopped at five yard sales total this summer. That is a crazy low number for me. I am usually out and about every week seeing what I can find. The pandemic has changed that, but it hasn’t stopped it completely. I have been to two sales this summer that were really amazing and I came home with some great finds. Although, through this pandemic, I am a little pickier about what I am bringing home.

The piece really has to speak to me for me to bring it home this year and this table was screeeamminggggg, “TAKE ME HOME!”

I listened.

I didn’t see this table right away because the lady hosting the sale had a bunch of things on it. When I finally did get a glimpse at it, I asked her if it was for sale. She said, “yes” and I told her I would take it.

The situation on the top didn’t chase me away, it was just surprising when she took all the stuff off of it.


Peeling veneer is never a deterrent for me because I have discovered three different methods to fix it. 

The part that was really speaking to me about this table was the shape of the base and from the side, the table didn’t look so bad. 

The first thing I had to do was get out (aff)  my favorite heat gun and see if I could make the top and the edge around the top look better. 

It worked SO WELL!

Once all the veneer was off, I used my (aff)  orbital sander to prep the edge and top for stain.

I really liked the chippy black paint on the base, but when I rubbed a piece of sandpaper over it, it all fell off. I have never had paint come off that easily. I usually have to use the orbital sander and a lot of elbow grease. Since this was coming off without any trouble at all, I decided to remove it all and stain the entire table. 

This was my first time using a gel stain and I loved this one!!! I am hooked! It was so easy to apply and the color is beautiful! 

Once I had the table done and it was dry, I brought it into our living room. Since we got a new sofa, I have not been inspired in this room, but the table was a perfect fit for the left side of the sofa. 


To see more about this makeover and the gel stain brand and color I used, head to my blog: https://mycreativedays.porch.com/diy-round-side-table-makeover/

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Lindsay Eidahl
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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3 of 4 questions
  • Barbara Villeneuve Barbara Villeneuve on Oct 08, 2020

    Why did you use gel stain

  • 34354174 34354174 on Oct 05, 2021

    Love the table. You did a great job. I love Poplar wood. I am a fan of keeping it natural, but the stain looks awesome.

    Was the base later added to the table? It actually does not fit the rest of the table, in my opinion, and I wonder if the base was made larger due to the table being unstable or the original was broken???


  • Bry Bry on Oct 06, 2021

    What a sweet little table! Great job in refinishing it. I'm thinking of trying gel stains, too. Are they oil or water based? Did you put a sealer/finishing coat on it after the stain?

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  • Kathy Kathy on Dec 05, 2020

    WOW! Soooo beautiful!! I’m sure a number of people took a look at that table and kept walking, but I’m glad you did yard you saw the potential. The base is gorgeous and I love that you simply stained it. Super job...well done!

  • Lri22330982 Lri22330982 on Oct 05, 2023

    Awesome job! I must get an orbital sander. I'm sure the gel stain is less messy than the regular stain since it does not run as much.

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