I try to be as resourceful as possible by using what we currently have and try to make it work for my style. That’s why I came up with the idea for this kitchen table makeover.
The yellow-orange look of the table was never my favorite and I have never been able to make it work and match with the rest of our stuff. I often cover it with tablecloths, but the yellowy stain still haunts me.
Finally, I decided it was time to take a risk on it.
I’ve been working on my kitchen makeover and trying to incorporate natural wood and black into the decor and style of the space. Thankfully, I’ve found a way to make the kitchen table work with that style.
Here’s what you can do to have your own kitchen table makeover!
What You Need
- Sander
- 100-Grit Sandpaper
- 220-Grit Sandpaper
- Paint
- Paint Brush
- Spray Paint
- Clear Shellac Sealer
Kitchen Table Makeover
Step One
Start by cleaning off the chairs and removing all the dust and dirt. You’ll need a clean surface to help the paint stick better.
Step Two
Spray paint the chairs. Paint the chairs as directed on the spray paint bottle. Wait about an hour before applying another coat. I only did one coat, but I would suggest doing more than one.
When choosing the type of spray paint you want for the chairs, consider color and finish. I chose black with a glossy finish out of personal preference.
Can you just paint the chairs by hand? That’s definitely an option, but you’ll have to sand them down first.
I opted out from sanding the chairs before painting them purely out of laziness and went with this spray paint because it had a primer in it. The chairs are holding up fairly well. However, they are staring to wear just a bit in a few spots. I’m just going to add another coat of paint and finish them off with a sealant.
I would suggest either doing a separate primer before the paint or finishing it with a clear coat finish to give it a little extra coverage. Or, if you’re up for the extra work, you could sand the chairs before painting them. Sand them the same way you sand the table. (Details for that below.)
Step Three
Sanding the table is the most time-consuming part of this process, but COMPLETELY WORTH IT! I had to sand the table to get it down the color I wanted. If you’re planning on painting or staining your table, I still highly suggest still taking the time to sand. It helps the stain or paint bond into the table better.
Can you sand the table by hand? Yes, but if you’re as impatient as me then you’re definitely going to want to invest in a hand sander. It is worth every penny in my opinion. Having an electric sander made this process so much easier and faster. This is mine.
Start by using a medium-grit sandpaper to strip the old varnish. Medium-grit sandpaper ranges from 60-100-grit. You don’t want anything too coarse or it could damage or strip the wood more than you want. I used 100-grit sandpaper and it worked well to get the old stain off this table.
You can try to use your electric sander as much as you can on the legs of the table, but in some of the tighter spots, you’ll have to sand by hand.
After you’ve sanded the whole table with 100-grit, switch the sandpaper to a fine-grit. Fine sandpaper ranges from 120-220-grit. Fine sandpaper is going to give you that soft finish on your table. I used 220-grit sandpaper and did a light sand on the table. This gave it a nice, soft feel and got rid of any small flecks of wood that were standing up.
Sanding tip: Make sure you sand in the same direction as the grains on the wood. Going against the grain will scratch your table.
Step Four
Make sure you wipe the table down really well so there’s not any dust left from sanding. Then, go ahead and paint the legs!
I had debated on whether or not to let the legs be the same natural color as the tabletop or paint them black to match the chairs. Then, a friend suggested I paint the legs the same color as my bottom cabinets. BRILLIANT! I immediately fell in love with that idea.
If you want to see the budget-friendly way I transformed my cabinets and countertops recently, you can check that out here.
This is the paint color I used! It’s called historical gray from Behr and it’s a gorgeous gray with green undertones.
Step Five
Finishing the table! I chose to leave my table unstained because I wanted a raw, natural look. Check out how it looks with this cabinet door I DIYed!
Finishing the table correctly can make or break this project. It’s an important step that you don’t want to skip. After you’ve sanded down the table, you’re leaving the wood raw and susceptible to stains. Anything that gets on the wood will soak right into it. So, you’ll want to put some sort of final coating or sealant to protect the wood.
Adding a clear sealer will make the table more durable, last longer and give it a glossy feel. I used this clear shellac sealer on the chairs and the table. It works great on top of paint, stain or natural wood.
Paint a light coat of the sealer on with a paint brush and let it dry for about an hour.
The instructions suggest taking 220-grit sandpaper and doing a light sand before adding another coat. I suggest skipping this step in places that you painted. When I tried this in one small patch on the table legs, it stripped the paint. I did do a light sand on the tabletop in between coats and that helped the surface stay smooth and removed any brush marks I had.
After you’ve let it dry for an hour, go ahead and paint another coat on. If you do another coat after that, make sure you wait an hour for it to dry again before adding the last coat. I only did two coats, but if you feel like it’s not thick enough, add another coat.
I did this outside purely out of convenience. Typically some sealers have a strong odor and have to be done outside, but the clear shellac sealer that I used doesn’t have a strong odor and can be done inside if you have to. My table also never carried a strong scent in with it. Highly recommend this sealer. I also used it on some end tables I just updated.
After the last coat of the sealer is dry, you can bring your table inside and decorate it!
Conclusion
I’m so in love with my “new” table and it finally feels like it belongs in this space. If you want to see more budget-friendly DIYs and tricks on how to make items you currently have work for your space, subscribe to my weekly newsletter! Plus, I’ll send you a free gift for hanging out.
If you enjoy restoring items in your home and making them work for your style, also check out these other DIYs I’ve done!
DIY Ottoman Slipcover- Easy Tutorial!
Don’t Paint the Fridge! Do THIS Instead
Contact Paper on Countertops? Everything You Need to Know!
Easy Bench DIY- Transform Outdated TV Stand
Thanks for reading along, friend! Until next time.
