One of the easiest ways to elevate a living space is to add a coffee table as a centerpiece in a room.
However, given the fact that coffee tables are such statement-making pieces of furniture, it means that they can easily appear outdated and boring after a few years - so, what can you do to spruce them up?
Luckily enough, there are a variety of ways that you can go about updating your current coffee table so that you won’t have to worry about investing in a brand new one, and we’re here to share them with you!
Idea #1: Decoupage
If you’re a big arts and crafts buff, then we’re sure that you’ll have already heard about what decoupage is. But, if you haven’t, decoupage is a term that essentially refers to using old postcards, photos, and cutouts to create mood board-style pieces of art.
So, with all of that being said, one simple and effective way that you can spruce up your current coffee table with a personal and unique touch is to simply take cutouts from your favorite magazine, postcards from places you’ve traveled, and even images that are of value to you (make a copy of them to preserve the originals) and then stick them onto your coffee tables surface.
Idea #2: A Lick Of New Paint
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to completely transform a piece of furniture, a new coat of paint is one of the simplest (yet most effective) ways to update your coffee table with an entirely new appearance.
To do this correctly, you’ll need to sand down the existing color, apply a primer and then paint your desired new color over the top, making sure that you’re giving your coffee table enough time to dry before using it once again as normal.
Idea #3: Place A Mirror On Top Of It
If you’ve been on social media lately, we’re almost certain that you’ll have come across this DIY trend! Mirrored coffee tables can be pretty expensive to buy, which is why many people have begun to simply create their own.
If you’d like to update your coffee table with this totally Instagrammable design, then you will need to purchase a piece of mirror that has been specifically designed to fit the dimensions of your coffee table, and then have it stuck on with a very strong glue.
How Can I Darken My Coffee Table?
If you're currently looking for a way to darken your coffee table, then in order to do this, you’re going to first need to take into consideration what type of material your coffee table is.
For the most part, only hardwood coffee tables can be stained/darkened due to the porous texture of wood, while other materials (such as metal) may be unable to effectively adhere to the pigments of the stain or paint.
As an example, if you’re the owner of a metal coffee table, then you might need to consider wrapping your coffee table with a darker-colored furniture vinyl (such as this furniture vinyl) or just purchase a brand new coffee table entirely that comes in the color that you are desiring.
However, if you do happen to own a wooden coffee table, then the great news is that it is possible to darken your coffee table from the comfort of your very own home.
For the best results, many people opt to use a stain (rather than a paint) simply due to the fact that stains tend to simply enhance the natural beauty of their wooden table, while the thicker formula of paint can often mask it.
Wooden stains are very easy to use and do not require much technical knowledge, and typically tend to be far more affordable to purchase than interior paint, too.
If you’re interested in trying out this method for yourself, then you will first need to select what type of wood stain you would like to use.
We really like the Varathane Premium Fast Dry Wood Stain in Dark Walnut, as this stain will be able to simply enhance the natural grain of your wooden table with a darker tone, instead of covering it up with one solid color.
In addition to this, unlike other wood stains on the market, this one from Varathane only requires one coat, which is extremely impressive given the fact that most wood stains tend to require at least two.
How Do You Paint A Coffee Table?
Got an old coffee table that you’d like to spruce up? No problem. Instead of parting ways with hundreds of dollars on a brand new coffee table, a more cost-effective way to enhance your living space is to simply give your existing coffee table a lick of new paint.
Check out the steps below to make sure that you do it correctly:
Prime The Surface
First things first, you’re going to need to begin by correctly preparing and priming the surface of your chosen coffee table. To begin, make sure that you are thoroughly cleaning your coffee table to rid it of any debris, and then go in with a wood primer to ensure that you get the best results.
Paint With Your Chosen Color
After you have primed your coffee table and you’ve given it enough time to dry, now will be time to go in with your chosen paint color.
Using either a roller or brush, apply one to two coats of your paint until you get the desired intensity of color, and then leave it to dry for the set amount of time recommended by the manufacturer.
Add A Finisher
It’s very important that you remember to do this last step!
Once you have given the paint enough time to dry, complete the paint job with one coat of a protective finisher that will help to ensure that your coffee table remains in optimum condition and that the paint will not peel, bubble, or become damaged from everyday use.
