The DIY Painted Coffee Table that Everyone Loves!
A painted coffee table is an inexpensive way to give your living room a new look. Adding clever detail can even give it a high-end look. Let me show you what I did.
The moment I saw this coffee table on Facebook Marketplace, I knew exactly how I could give it a more glamorous look and how it would be perfect for the living room makeover I had in mind.
It has the same fluted legs as one of the end tables I recently painted (also for the living room makeover I have in mind). Even the brass detail on the legs is similar.
The top of the coffee table was in rough shape, but since it is not solid wood, painting it was the obvious thing to do anyway.
Prepping Before Painting
I love these little brass plates! At first, I thought they were identical to the ones on the end table, but not quite. I used a flat-head screwdriver to remove them before sanding the wood.
The top has a layer of oak veneer, forming an interesting pattern.
Oak is extremely hard, and other than the end table, I did not sand through the veneer layer while taking off the thick varnish coating.
I considered leaving the top with a natural wood look, but the pattern was too busy for my liking.
The sides and legs only got a light scuffing for the paint to grip well.
Painting the Coffee Table
If you read my post about the end table makeover, you might remember that I used the color “In the Navy” in Dixie Belle’s chalk paint range. I was not 100% sure about my color choice. It was slightly darker than what I had in mind.
I chose the color “Nautical” for the coffee table in Dixie Belle’s Silk paint range.
As I started painting, I immediately knew this was the right color! The one I had in mind from the beginning. I re-painted the two end tables, and in “Nautical,” they look so much more alive!
The Silk Mineral Paint has a built-in primer and topcoat. I decided to add a bit of wax anyway.
It gives the paint a lovely, lustrous shine, and I am crazy about the smell of the Orange Grove Big Mama’s Butta.
Added Detail for a Custom Look
The first time I saw this coffee table, I imagined it with caster wheels. I’m not sure why, but what I do know is that I have a thing for caster wheels!
I have never owned furniture with wheels on, but I love the look.
I think that it gives a high-end look to any piece of furniture if it is the right kind of caster wheel, of course.
Adding Caster Wheels to the Legs of the Table
Since I have never put caster wheels on anything before, I was curious to see how it is done. It is so easy!
Each wheel is attached to a metal pin called a stem. These stems fit into metal shafts called t-nuts.
Step one is to drill a hole right in the center of each leg.
Start with a smaller drill bit than needed and follow that with the correct size bit. It makes the process a lot easier.
The most challenging part was not to set the table alight! The friction between the drill bit and the plywood causes it to get really hot! If it starts to smoke, stop and wait for everything to cool down.
Luckily, there are four legs, so you can move on to the next one while waiting, and so on!
Once all four holes are deep and wide enough, insert the t-nuts. The long, narrow parts should fit easily by just pushing them into the legs by hand. The flat heads have teeth that need to be hammered into the wood.
Lastly, the stems can be pushed into the t-nuts by hand. Easy-peasy.
Applying Guilding Wax
I added a bit of shine to all the brass with gold gilding wax.
The gold looks so good against the blue!
The Painted Coffee Table Looking Brand New
It looks even better than I imagined! I am crazy about the new look.
It was my first time using paint from Dixie Belle’s Silk paint range.
It really is silky!
This top is pure perfection; it is so smooth!
The painted coffee table makes a huge impact on the look of this living room! I can see my vision for the makeover taking form, and I love it so far.
Do you agree that the casters give the coffee table a more high-end look? I would love to hear what you think!
Be sure to subscribe for more updates on how my living room makeover is coming along.
Shop the Products for this Project
Vintage Antique Swivel Casters for Furniture (Pack of 4)
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I love before and after transformations! Your table looks amazing! The color is fabulous and the casters give it so much interest! You’re so creative!
What an amazing transformation! I love the rich blue and the how you used gilded wax on the hardware! So beautiful!
Thanks for sharing,beautiful and well done,I have painted a china cabinet in that color blue it is beautiful not to mention when you add the gold hardware to it ,stunning.
Another fantastic makeover.
Great colour choice; so beautiful now!
Thank you, Sara! I have so many other things I want to paint this color. I might be slightly obsessed with it.
This is just so beautiful. There are no words. I absolutely love it.
beautiful x3!!!
The results are stunning…but more work than I could handle at 75 years old. But if I were younger I’d do it. Very pretty though…♥
The table is beautiful. My daughter has an armoire and a small table she wants to paint as well. I will show her this and she will gets some points from you. Thanks for sharing. Micky
Gorgeous!!! This might be my favorite refinished piece ever!!!!
Oh my, that is such a special thing to say! Thank you, Kathi!
This is the best diy project I have ever seen!! Love the navy it is simply gorgeous! Great job!
Oh, thank you so much, Joan! Your sweet comment made my day!
Just pinned this gorgeous coffee table Marieza! You painted it with perfection! 🥰
Thank you so much, Cindy! I appreciate your kind words!
Love the wheels! Great idea.
Love the look! What size are your caster wheels? 2″ or 1 1/2 “? Are the T-nuts bought separately or do they come with castor wheels? Thanks. Amazon had some where did you buy yours? Catherine
Hi Cathrine! These are the caster wheels I used: https://amzn.to/3tX3SWA
You give great tutorials! Love the color
Aw, thanks Cindy! That is a wonderful compliment to get!
This is beautiful. I love the blue. I tried so many colors a few years ago and couldn’t get it right for me. Great tutorial. Thanks for including my table.
The pleasure is all mine. Thank you, Rosemary!
You did wonders with this table! I especially like those casters!!
Thank you, Marie! I’m glad I added them.
Looks absolutely fabulous Marieza! Love the caster wheels. The paint finish is amazing. So smooth!!! I ordered some caster wheels for my big drawer set in my office but haven’t gotten around to putting them on. Seems like we are thinking alike.
I’m not really surprised, we often have the same idea!
That is one beautiful coffee table! A very high end look. You have a good eye!
Thank you so much, Sharon! I appreciate the kind words!
WOW! I love it! Yes – I never would have thought of casters, but in your hands, they DO give the table a more high end look. Brilliant all the way around!
Aw, thanks Barbara! I’m so glad you like it!