“Sometimes while you are so passionately busy building, there will be others as busy destroying. Do not stop. One day you will notice how high above you get, and how down below they end up.”
― Sameh Elsayed
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Inspiration for Refurbishing a Wooden Table
Back in 2023, one of my saintly associates pushed an old wooden table on me to use in my classroom. Honestly, I didn’t like it. It was a wooden table with prefab parts, weak legs, a splintery surface, and particle board supports. The legs were painted white, but had seen better days. Who knows what had been spilt onto the chipping paint!
Eventually, the table’s legs got super weak from students sitting on it. Around the same time that I was planning on having it removed from my classroom, I was in the middle of painting the walls at my new house. Since one of the bedrooms was going to be made into a crafting studio (and I did not want to buy any new furniture), it felt reasonable to attempt restoring that funky table into something new and functional. The idea hit me like a plank of wood: it was going to become my new sewing table!
Just when you think something is trash, it can transform into a great treasure. If you have acquired an old table that has seen better days, see if you can reassess its damage. Tables, particularly wooden ones, can be mended and sanded, then stained or painted. You can get very creative with just a few tools. Here is how to refurbish a simple table.
Design Choice
What kind of table to use…
This tutorial is for those who do not want to spend a lot of time or resources mending a table. The ideal starting point is a square or rectangular table with a relatively smooth surface, an apron, and already existing legs, bolts, hex nuts, and washers. Some basic experience using a square sander, pliers and/or screwdrivers is necessary.
My table is a simple square shaped table with prefab legs that measure roughly 28″ inches in length (71.10 centimeters). The table top is solid wood that measures 30″ x 48″ inches (76.25 x 122 centimeters), and is made with either solid pine or oak.
Like the Make Magazine illustration on the left, my table has an apron and legs. However, it does not have breadboard joints.
The legs on my table are called spindle legs, meaning that they have multiple turns in their structure. They are popular for classic farmhouse and traditional styles. Fortunately for me, this fits the somewhat farmhouse vibe of my house.
The spindles are not easy to sand, however, so I am going to tackle those by simply cleaning them and repainting them. If your table has square legs, feel free to easily sand those.
Choose a paint or stain color inspired by your style
I continue to stand by my love for natural colors, antique aesthetics, and farmhouse décor with a touch of witchy apothecary. I was inspired by the Summer 2023 edition of “In Her Studio” Magazine. The magazine features the crafty spaces and stories of women artists. That year’s summer edition focused on cottagey themes with elements of nature.
My table already was farmhouse in style, but I wanted some color and depth. I went with dark green for the legs, and walnut stain for the table top. The dark green is a semi-gloss paint from BEHR called Vine Leaf. Semi-gloss is my preferred paint texture because it can be easily cleaned. The tabletop is the only component of the table that is solid wood, so that will be the only part that is sanded and stained. The apron and legs will be painted and sealed. I prefer to keep natural wood when I see it.
Project Description
These instructions are suitable for SOLID wood components only. Particle board is NOT recommended because the electric sander may destroy the material, since it is not solid wood. Only work with particle board if you have experience and you know your wood. I did not sand the particle board apron of my table; I just painted it.
Pattern/Project Specifications
Estimated Time: 48 Hours
Finished Dimensions: Variable depending on your table. My table is 30″ x 48″ with a height of 28″.
Materials
Table
- Solid wood reclaimed table
- Original bolts, hex nuts, and washers (replace if necessary)
Tools
- Screwdriver and/or pliers (if removing legs or hardware)
- Orbital sander (optional, but helpful)
- Sandpaper (80-, 120-, and 220-grit)
- Clean rags or tack cloth
Finishing
- Paintbrush or foam brush
- Wood stain and/or semi-gloss paint
- Polyurethane or other topcoat/sealant
Miscellaneous
- Clean rags or tack cloth
Instructions
Step One: Prepare the Table
- Remove the legs and hardware of the table using the screwdriver or pliers depending on the hardware.
- Move the table and all parts to a well-ventilated space and place it onto a drop cloth. Outside is best to protect yourself from excess fumes and sawdust.
Step Two: Clean the Table
- Wipe the table down with a damp cloth to remove any soil and grease. Allow the table to dry completely before sanding.
Step Three: Sand the Tabletop
- Strip the old finish using 80-grit sandpaper.
- Change to 120-grit to smooth the surface.
- Change to 220-grit and smooth down the surface one more time. For difficult to reach corners, sand the table by hand.
Step Four: Clean off the Dust
- With a clean tack cloth or damp rag, remove the sanding dust.
Step Five: Paint and Legs and Apron
- Using a paint brush, paint the legs and apron in thin coats, being careful not to create “drips” between coatings. Ensure each coat is dry before adding another coat. Apply as many as four coats of paint to ensure full coverage.
- Apply the wood stain using a rag or cloth. Follow the grain of the wood, and reapply as many coats as the strain instructions suggest.
- Allow the stain and paint to dry completely before the next step.
Step Six: Seal the Table Surface
- Apply polyurethane or another sealant of choice to the tabletop. If using a paint brush, use long, even strokes, following the grain of the wood.
- Allow the sealant to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You may want to sand lightly with 220-grit paper before applying a second and third coat, but this is optional.
- Allow the table to cure. This typically takes 24 to 72 hours.
Step Seven: Reassemble the Table
- Reattach the legs and hardware to the table top.
- Enjoy your new table!
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Final Results!
Since refurbishing this wooden table, I have a whole new respect for revamping old items. I adore the results. The table is sturdier, looks new, and fits the aesthetic of my evolving crafting room. What do you all think?
