Thrift Store Side Table Makeover with Chalk Paint

A thrift store table makeover with chalk paint is a fun and easy way to create a pretty custom piece that works with your decor and style.

Our youngest daughter recently moved into a new apartment.  Much like when my son got a new place last year, she didn’t have a lot of living room furniture.  

After we helped her get moved in, I made a list of some of the things that would help her get organized and be more comfortable in her new place.

Here was my list:

• an area rug (thanks to Boutique Rugs, I already had one to give her) ✔️
• a lamp ✔️
• a mirror for over her entryway table ✔️
• some baskets for bathroom organization ✔️
• a narrow rolling storage cart for her laundry area ✔️
• a coffee table or end table for a chalk paint project ✔️

Thanks to Amazon’s overnight delivery and a couple of quick thrift store visits, I had everything on my list checked off in no time!

Thrift Store Finds

You guys know how much I love furniture makeovers, and thrift stores are the best places to hunt for good-quality, old pieces of furniture for DIY projects. 

I set off to find an old coffee table or side tables that could be given a new life.

Luckily, I only had to visit one thrift store to find both the wall mirror that was on my list, and an end table that I knew would make a great project.  

It was in good condition aside from a little bit of water damage on the top, but I knew that could easily be sanded right out.

A quick stop at one more thrift store, and I had the perfect lamp in hand too!

I am partnering with Dixie Belle Paint Company for this post. Paint and stain were generously provided to me by Dixie Belle, but all ideas and creations are my own. This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

Thrift Store Table Makeover with Chalk Paint

Clean

The first thing I did when I got the table home was remove the hardware and give the entire table a good cleaning.  I used Dixie Belle’s Pristine Clean and some shop towels to make sure that any old furniture wax, dust, or dirt was removed and my chalk paint could adhere properly.

Sand

The next step was to sand the entire table top down to bare wood.  

The top of the table had a pretty pattern inlay and I wanted to remove the old stain to allow it to show through better.

My Corner Cat electric sander with medium grit sandpaper was an easy way to achieve a smooth finish that was ready for a new look.

Paint

Dixie Belle recently came out with a beautiful new palette of colors called “The Cottage Collection” and I was excited to try them out!  

Our daughter already had some pretty coral tones in her existing sofa pillows and a piece of wall art, so the color Cottage Door was the perfect choice to coordinate with them.

I used a DB large round brush (Dixie Belle has the best paint brushes!) to add my first coat of paint to the table legs and base.  

Using a couple of light coats of paint is better than thick coats.  

After the first coat had dried for about 30 minutes or so, I came back and added a second coat to the entire piece, except for the top since that was getting a wood stain instead.

A smaller Dixie Belle Artist brush was perfect for trimming along the edges.

Stain

Dixie Belle makes a lot of great wood stains. For this project, I chose their Voodoo Gel Stain in the color Tobacco Road.  

I wanted a more neutral color for the top since the base was so colorful, so the warm brown tones of Tobacco Road were the perfect complement.

Gel stain is a good option if you don’t have much time.  Because it’s water-based, it dries more quickly than oil-based stains and still provides good coverage and rich color.

I squeezed some out right onto the tabletop and then used an applicator pad to smooth it evenly over the entire surface.  For best results, allow it to dry for about 30 minutes before applying a second coat if needed.

Clear Coat

Next, I was ready to add a protective finish to the stained top of this beautiful table.  

I chose Dixie Belle’s Satin Clear Coat and applied a light coat using a blue applicator sponge.  I allowed the first coat to dry for a little while before applying a second light coat.  

You definitely want some sort of protective top coat for an end table or coffee table. Dixie Belle has several different finish options: flat, satin, glossy, and Gator Hide for the strongest level of protection.

Hardware

The original hardware was a little too bright for this piece, so I toned it down and made it warmer with some black chalk paint in the color Caviar, and some bronze Gilding Wax.

I simply applied one coat of black paint, and when it was dry, I dabbed on some bronze wax to create an interesting texture.

Wax

On the base and legs of the table, I brushed on some clear soft wax for a little extra protection, then buffed it with a clean applicator pad.  

I chose clear wax for this project, but Dixie Belle’s Best Dang Wax comes in several different colors.  

• White chalk paint is a popular choice for farmhouse-style makeovers. Dark wax looks great with light grey paint or white paint!
• Any of the new Cottage Collection paint colors are perfect for a shabby chic look.  Experiment with distressed areas and different wax colors to create the look you want.

The Finished Chalk Paint Table Makeover

I love the subtle pattern inlay of the wood.

Before delivering it to our daughter’s new apartment, I stamped the bottom with my brand new custom “House on Silverado” stamper. Isn’t it great?! It will be perfect for marking all of my custom pieces!

This cute little side table looks great with the colors already in her apartment! Cottage Door was indeed the perfect color.

And what about that adorable Eiffel Tower lamp? Our daughter is a lover of all things French, so as soon as I saw it, I knew it was perfect!

I replaced the old shade with a new, more modern-looking square one and that was all it took to make this thrift-store find look brand new and ✔️ it off my list.

Another fun project, signed, sealed, and delivered.

More Paint Projects You May Like:

• DIY Painted Teacher’s Chair
• How to Paint and Distress Furniture

• College Themed Side Table
• Pottery Barn Dresser Makeover

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This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

• Cottage Door Chalk Mineral Paint
• Tobacco Road Voodoo Gel Stain
• Satin Clear Coat
• Best Dang Wax Clear Wax
• Gilding Wax in Bronze
• Caviar Chalk Mineral Paint
• Round Large Brush
• Artist Brushes
• Blue Sponge
• Applicator Pad
• Pristine Clean