Like many young apartment dwellers, I wanted to live in a nicely decorated apartment on a modest budget. So when a friend offered to give me a spare coffee table for free, I jumped on it. Although I didn’t mind the original design — a black frame with a dark brown shelf resting on the bottom — it was a little bland and industrial for my tastes. So I decided to remake it. Many people who re-do this kind of table pick a metallic color, but I chose a blue-green color. I wanted a beach theme because the only thing my city, Phoenix, is missing is a beach. Follow along to see how I took my coffee table from blah to bright.
1. You’ll want to assemble the frame of the coffee table first. After you’ve done that, wipe it down with a cloth towel (not a paper one) and some gentle cleaner. Then, before painting, wait about 10 minutes or until the whole table is dry to the touch.
2. Next, take the table outside and place it on either a drop cloth or piece of cardboard before painting. Make sure the space is ventilated well. You’ll want to paint when it’s fairly warm outside so the paint will stick. Spray paint manufacturer Krylon recommends spray-painting when it’s between 50 and 90 degrees outside. I ended up spray-painting the table on my outdoor patio and used the large piece of cardboard the table came in to protect my patio floor. I also lined the area with newspapers to prevent any spray paint “dust.” If dust does get on the ground outside, you can use water to get rid of it. For really tough jobs, try oven cleaner or paint thinner.
3. You’ll want to use primer to ensure the spray paint adheres to the surface of the metal before you start. Make sure the entire frame is covered in primer and then completely dry before you start spray-painting. I ended up using a spray paint that had primer in it, but if you’re using one without it, you must prime the frame before beginning.
[tweetthis]When spray painting metal (like furniture), use a paint + primer for best results! #diy[/tweetthis]
4. Before you officially start, shake the spray paint can and give it a few test sprays on the drop cloth to ensure the can is working properly. Next, use long, continuous sweeping motions to apply it. Before applying another coat, wait for the first one to dry. You’ll want to read the back of the bottle to see what the manufacturer recommends as far as drying time goes. I ended up using two cans of spray paint since I picked a lighter color. But you might be able to get away with just one if you pick a darker color.
5. Next, I wanted to decorate the shelf on the bottom of the coffee table with contact paper. Because I was going for a beach theme, I went with a white distressed wood variety. First, you’ll want to use a cloth towel (not a paper one, as it may leave fibers behind) and some gentle cleaner to wipe down one side. That will make it easier for the contact paper to adhere to the shelf.
6. Next, cut the contact paper to the dimensions you need. You can cut it to the exact dimensions of the shelf or leave a little extra so you can wrap it around the edges like you might wrap a present. I opted for the second method.
7. After you’ve cut, lay that contact paper up on the shelf and then slowly begin to peel back the adhesive backing. As you’re laying it down, try to keep it smooth. If you get off track, you can pull it up and restart. If you have tiny air bubbles under the contact paper, you can use something like a credit card or another hard edge to help smooth them out.
8. Wrap the contact paper around the edges, then place the shelf on the bottom.
9. Enjoy your new stylish coffee table!
In the crafty spirit? Check out the DIY section of the blog for inspiration and more fun projects.