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.
Dixie Belle Paint is sponsoring this post. The post also contains affiliate links.

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 it 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; 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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Donna Allen
June 6, 2022I 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!
Lynne Zemaitis
June 1, 2022What an amazing transformation! I love the rich blue and the how you used gilded wax on the hardware! So beautiful!
Cindy
June 1, 2022Another fantastic makeover.
Sara
June 1, 2022Great colour choice; so beautiful now!
Marieza
June 1, 2022Thank you, Sara! I have so many other things I want to paint this color. I might be slightly obsessed with it.
Carol Karl | Living a Real Life
May 31, 2022This is just so beautiful. There are no words. I absolutely love it.
Nancyb
May 2, 2022beautiful x3!!!
Joyce
May 2, 2022The 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…♥
Micky
May 2, 2022The 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
Kathi Baleno
May 2, 2022Gorgeous!!! This might be my favorite refinished piece ever!!!!
Marieza
May 2, 2022Oh my, that is such a special thing to say! Thank you, Kathi!
Joan Crawford Freeman
May 2, 2022This is the best diy project I have ever seen!! Love the navy it is simply gorgeous! Great job!
Marieza
May 2, 2022Oh, thank you so much, Joan! Your sweet comment made my day!
Cindy
April 8, 2022Just pinned this gorgeous coffee table Marieza! You painted it with perfection! 🥰
Marieza
April 20, 2022Thank you so much, Cindy! I appreciate your kind words!
Rachel - teaandforgetmenots
March 24, 2022Love the wheels! Great idea.
Catherine Adkinson
April 4, 2022Love 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
Marieza
April 7, 2022Hi Cathrine! These are the caster wheels I used: https://amzn.to/3tX3SWA
Cindy
March 19, 2022You give great tutorials! Love the color
Marieza
March 21, 2022Aw, thanks Cindy! That is a wonderful compliment to get!
Rosemary Palmer
March 19, 2022This 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.
Marieza
March 21, 2022The pleasure is all mine. Thank you, Rosemary!
Marie
March 18, 2022You did wonders with this table! I especially like those casters!!
Marieza
March 21, 2022Thank you, Marie! I’m glad I added them.
Crystal Ratzlaff
March 18, 2022Looks 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.
Marieza
March 21, 2022I’m not really surprised, we often have the same idea!
Sharon J Brown
March 18, 2022That is one beautiful coffee table! A very high end look. You have a good eye!
Marieza
March 18, 2022Thank you so much, Sharon! I appreciate the kind words!
Barbara at Mantel and Table
March 18, 2022WOW! 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!
Marieza
March 18, 2022Aw, thanks Barbara! I’m so glad you like it!