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January 3, 2021 · 19 Comments

Quick and Easy DIY Side Table Makeover For Your Home

Furniture

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What can I use as a side table? I'm sharing a DIY side table makeover from a game table I found at a thrift store.

What can I use as a DIY side table? Today I am sharing a DIY project for a wooden side table. I often find an old side table at the thrift shop or at a garage sale that would make a unique accent table with just a little elbow grease. I found this game table at the thrift store and thought it would be the perfect DIY side table project to share with all of you. This is a simple project that doesn’t take much time and the best part is it can be done without using power tools. This simple side table can be customized for any living space at a fraction of the cost of a new side table. Below is the step-by-step tutorial for an easy DIY side table.

Here is the game table I found at a thrift store. The top had some water damage and scratches, but the rest of the table looked great!

Here is the old table I found at a thrift store. In a previous life, it was used as a game table. The table top had some water damage and scratches, but the rest of the table looked great! I knew it would make the perfect unique side table.

Quick and Easy DIY Side Table Makeover For Your Home

I lightly sanded the top and then used Krud Kutter to clean off the entire table.

DIY Side Table Makeover Instructions

For the first step, I lightly sanded the top and then used Krud Kutter to clean the wooden top and wooden legs.

I painted the surface with Mod Podge which goes on white but dries clear.

I painted the surface with Mod Podge. This is a great choice because it goes on white but dries clear.

I had a book that was falling apart and not repairable. I used the pages that were falling out, and placed them onto the Mod Podge. I layered them so they'd over lap and fit the table nicely.

I had a book that was falling apart and not repairable. I thought this would be a great place to use the pages that were falling out. I placed them onto the Mod Podge and layered them so they’d overlap and be the perfect fit.

Once the first layer of Mod Podge had dried completely, I placed a layer of Mod Podge over the pages to seal them.

Once the first coat of Mod Podge had dried completely, I placed a second coat of Mod Podge over the pages to seal them.

I let this dry completely. If this was going to be the top coat, I would do several coats of the Mod Podge, letting it dry between each coat.

I used Folk Art Home Decor Varnish to protect the table. I followed the instructions on the bottle and gave it a few coats.

Since this table would be well used with glasses sitting on it, I wanted to make sure it would be protected from water or other beverages that might sweat or spill on the table. Mod Podge is a water-based sealer that is water-resistant but not waterproof.

I used Folk Art Home Decor Varnish. It is the best choice to protect the table from water spots or water damage. I followed the instructions on the bottle and gave it a few coats.

What can I use as a side table? I'm sharing a DIY side table makeover from a game table I found at a thrift store.

Once the table was dry, it was ready to be used. I love how it turned out! You can use these ideas to make a DIY end table that will be a unique piece of furniture.

You can always look into furniture flipping, it can be a profitable business.

Other perfect table tips:

  • When you make your perfect side table you can place it in your living room.
  • Make sure to check your furniture and apply wood glue if necessary for any repairs in advance.
  • If you have any holes you can patch them with some wood filler from Home Depot
  • You can take one of these tables and have a little fun outside the box and turn it into a bar cart.
  • I have even made a tree stump side table, and all it took was a little thinking outside of the box. In addition to that it didn’t cost an arm and leg as the West Elm wooden stump version does.
  • You can make your own DIY table by adding a wood disc wood and some hairpin legs. These make great outdoor furniture, and a small side table especially when you don’t have much space.
  • You can take some scrap wood and turn it into a DIY outdoor side table, outdoor coffee table, rustic end table, etc.
  • You can make a stylish side table out of a terracotta pot, and a piece of glass.

DIY Side Table Makeover Video

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Comments

  1. blankMary from Life at Bella Terra says

    January 3, 2021 at 8:03 am

    Chas, I LOVE this idea! I actually have a book that recently fell apart and never thought to use the pages to cover the top of a table! You are so good at upcycling! And I like the idea of the varnish to protect it from spills. Thanks for sharing such wonderful ideas!Happy to be blog hopping with you!

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      January 3, 2021 at 4:24 pm

      Thank you so much Mary, I’m thrilled you like it and will maybe take a stab at it too. Wonderful hopping with you.

      Reply
  2. blankNiky says

    January 3, 2021 at 8:08 am

    Cute little makeover, Chas! I love Mod Podge– it works great for so many projects. And, as a former English teacher, anything that uses books catches my eye! Great upcycle, and fun hopping with you again!

    -Niky @ The House on Silverado

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      January 3, 2021 at 4:25 pm

      Thank you so much Niky, and I am so pleased you like the project. Wonderful hopping with you

      Reply
  3. blankKippi Ohern says

    January 3, 2021 at 8:29 am

    You have an eye for choosing the perfect makeover piece at a thrift shop. I adore your idea of using decoupage with book pages to renew the top. It turned out perfect.
    Happy New Year,
    Kippi

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      January 3, 2021 at 4:26 pm

      Thank you so much Kippi, I’m thrilled you like it. Your project is amazing too! Happy New Year and wonderful hopping with you.

      Reply
  4. blankAndrea says

    January 3, 2021 at 8:32 am

    Wow that turned out so cute! I want to try it with sheet music for my husband. Great idea. You have done so many tables it’s pretty unbelievable. Thanks for hosting the hops today.

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      January 3, 2021 at 4:27 pm

      Thank you Andrea and as musicians I love your idea to use sheet music! I loved your project, I was needing that. Wonderful hopping with you.

      Reply
  5. blankKim | Shiplap and Shells says

    January 3, 2021 at 10:15 am

    I love your vision Chas! This really is a wonderful update to a tired game table. Mod Podge is my favorite! So fun hopping with you and the other talented ladies!

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      January 3, 2021 at 4:27 pm

      Thank you so much Kim, I’m so glad you like the project. Your table is darling and a great thrift flip. Wonderful hopping with you.

      Reply
  6. blankcreativejewishmomcom says

    January 4, 2021 at 4:51 am

    Love this idea! Craft Schooling sunday has resumed and hope to see you there! all the best in 2021!

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      January 4, 2021 at 5:29 am

      Thank you so much Sarah, I’m so glad you like it.

      Reply
  7. blankTarah L Wolff says

    January 4, 2021 at 9:24 am

    Your table turned out incredible Chas! Love seeing your projects every month I hope you had a great new year!

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      January 5, 2021 at 6:30 am

      Thank you so very much Tarah, and Happy New Year to you too! Wonderful hopping with you friend.

      Reply
  8. blankAmy says

    January 4, 2021 at 8:31 pm

    Love it, Chas! The book pages are so fun, and such an improvement from the checkerboard. 🙂 I love what you can do with just a little bit of Mod Podge and a dose of creativity. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      January 5, 2021 at 6:31 am

      Thank you Amy, and I’m so thrilled you like it. Wonderful hopping with you.

      Reply
  9. blankBarbara at Mantel and Table says

    January 5, 2021 at 8:00 am

    Well THIS is cool! You come up with the most amazing ideas! This would be so perfect in a library, although I might just read the table instead of getting any books! 🙂 Thanks for another fabulous idea Chas!

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      January 5, 2021 at 8:47 am

      Thank you so much Barbara, I’m so pleased you like the table. Thanks for the giggle by saying you’d read the table 🙂 Hugs friend.

      Reply
  10. blankChas says

    January 14, 2021 at 8:39 am

    Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn

    Reply

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