DIY Coffee Table Upgrade

~Coffee Table (after sanding and painting completed)~

Last year I stopped by our local Recycle Reuse Center and picked up a coffee table. The table cost a grand total of $15 and though in bad shape cosmetically, was sturdy and solid in its construction. I had been meaning to sand and paint the table for some time but could not come up with a treatment that would both yield my desired aesthetic and appropriately cover the scratched veneer.

~Coffee Table (before, scratched and dingy)~

I didn't want to spend a lot of money on supplies and I didn't want to use spray paint inside (too cold for outdoor painting) which limited my options. I ended up using Valspar low VOC exterior paint (in a dark gray color) for the base after lightly sanding and priming the table with a coat of white non-toxic primer. The metallic finish was achieved by applying Valspar faux finish metallic paint (the line is called Brilliant Metals and I used the palest silver available).

~Coffee Table (before, detail)~

~Coffee Table (after, complete with metallic finish)~

After layering 2 coats of the metallic finish and letting each coat dry completely, the sheen of the metallic paint really came through. The finished product is luminous without being super shiny and has so far stood up well to being wiped with a damp sponge and regular household use.

~Coffee Table (one more after shot)~

So there you go, for maybe a total of $40 (with leftover materials to spare) I have a coffee table that serves our family's needs and matches the living room's decor. A great option until I can afford/find the kind of quality permanent piece I am willing to invest in.

~Happy Thursday Everyone~