We got a table from our friends a while ago. It was in our garage for a long time, so I didn’t mind that it was covered with rust. We got new couches, which I posted on Snapchat (if you follow me there). The table we got fit perfectly in the nook between the couches. The only trouble was … it was covered in rust. It just didn’t look pretty next to our brand new couches. So I brainstormed for a little while and came up with an incredible DIY to upcycle an old table. I absolutely love our table now. And I actually had all the necessary items in our house already, except the photo. But I printed it free with a recent free 8×10 deal, so this who project cost me nothing out of pocket.
How To Upcycle An Old Table On A Budget
What You’ll Need:
- An old table
- Black Rust-oleum metallic spray paint
- Mod Podge glue
- Minwax polycrylic protective finish
- Foam brush
- White paper
- Pen
- Scissors
- 8×10 photo
What You’ll Do:
Spray the table with a coat of the Rust-oleum. The table was in pretty bad shape, so I didn’t bother to sand it down. You could if you want, but the Rust-oleum is pretty good at covering everything up.
Let that coat dry and spray a second coat. You should be good with two, especially if you are starting with a light colored table. Leave the table to dry overnight.
Lay the top of the table on a piece of paper and trace it with the pen.
Place your photo (I used one Pete took from our trip in Japan) under the piece of paper and use it to cut out the photo.
Use the foam brush to paint a layer of Mod Podge over the top of your table.
Place the photo on the top of the table, then use the foam brush to paint a layer of protective finish on top. Let it dry overnight and paint a second coat.
Let the table dry for 24 hours after your final coat of protective finish before using it.
The table is stunning now, far better than I even imagined it would be. The project did take a little time since it has to dry overnight a few times, but the actual time you’re working on it is so short. Plus, this is a really fun way to display a photo in your living room without hanging another frame on the wall.
Have you decided to upcycle an old table before? What did you do?