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DIY Chalk Paint Table Makeover – DIY Home Decor

by heather 4 Comments

223 shares

From drab to fab – update your decor easily! DIY chalk paint table with a gray stripe border – see how I gave a dreary, damaged fake-wood table a makeover!

From drab to fab - update your decor easily! DIY chalk paint table with a gray stripe border - see how I gave a dreary, damaged fake-wood table a makeover!

Today I have another fun painted furniture project for you! Don’t you love the quick results and huge stylish impact that can breath life into a dated or damaged piece of furniture?

Furniture is expensive! Save your money where you can and paint those pieces that still function but may have a bit of a style identity crisis! Like my end table!

12 years ago I bought an end table from a big box store that has been desperate for a makeover! I love the shape and size but it’s survived many military moves, many homes and two boys!

Needless to say it’s acquired several noticeable scratches and dings. Because it’s a mass produced piece made from wood laminate, sanding and staining isn’t an option but painting is!

DIY Chalk Paint Table Makeover – DIY Home Decor

I decided to add a coat of white paint to lighten up the color from dark brown to creamy white and cover up those deep, nasty scratches. I am in love with the transformation!

  This is a great project for both the beginner or experienced painter… and the results are quick, easy and amazing!
Have fun – you’ll love how easy it is to makeover those pieces you have at home that need a little refreshing!
DIY chalk painted table - Update and refresh a damaged table the easy way!

This is the before, see the scratches? Not pretty!

Scratched table before painting with chalky paint

Tada! The after!:

DIY chalk paint table makeover

Easy chalk painted table makeover Refresh a dated and scratched table the easy way!

Supplies:

This post contains affliliate links

Chalky Finish Paint  – Color is ‘Everlasting’

 Cream Wax

 Waxing Brush

Acrylic Craft Paint – Snow White

 Acrylic Craft Paint – Slate Grey

Painter’s tape

Foam Brush

2 inch Paint Brush

Unlike other paints, this chalky finish paint does not require any sanding or priming to prep your furniture for painting!

I love that this saves so much time and work! I was concerned however that it might not stick to the wood laminate’s slick surface – let’s see if it does!

First I wiped down the table with a damp cloth to remove any dust and crumbs.

Then with my paint brush I applied a coat of this gorgeous white ‘Everlasting’.  (It’s a beautiful clean, pure white color…not a yellow toned white.)

This paint went on so easily! I was amazed at how well it stuck on to the slick surface too!

In no time I had the entire table painted. I painted the top first, then the apron then the legs and bottom shelf.

By the time I had painted the bottom, the top had dried so I continued on and painted a second coat.

Those scratches are completely covered up now too!

Refresh and paint a table with chalky paint. Update your decor quick and easy!

 Next, to dress the table top a bit, I added a light grey border stripe.

I’m going to share a super easy painting trick to do this….no measuring required!

Hint…I used painters tape! (You may want to pin this tip for later!).

 What a clever trick! How to Paint a perfect stripe border on a table top - without measuring! www.settingforfour.com

This is a simple easy stripe to paint – I just added a row of tape along the outside edge of the table top.

Then I added two more rows of tape next to each other, placing each row right next to the other one.

Remove the middle row of tape to expose the table surface that will be painted.

Make sure all the edges of the tape are pressed down firmly to prevent paint seeping underneath.

What a clever trick! How to Paint a perfect stripe border on a table top - without measuring! www.settingforfour.com

    What a clever trick! How to Paint a perfect stripe border on a table top - without measuring! www.settingforfour.com

What a clever trick! How to Paint a perfect stripe border on a table top - without measuring! www.settingforfour.com

Next, I mixed the  white and grey together to create a light grey color…I just eyeballed the color until it was the shade I liked.

With a foam brush I painted on 2 coats of grey paint…

What a clever trick! How to Paint a perfect stripe border on a table top - without measuring! www.settingforfour.com

….and immediately removed the tape. I love the crisp row of grey!

What a clever trick! How to Paint a perfect stripe border on a table top - without measuring! www.settingforfour.com

 Update your decor easily! DIY chalk painted table with a gray strip border - see how I gave this dreary, damaged fake-wood table a makeover!

When the grey paint was dry, I applied clear Wax with a Waxing brush. This wax also went on smooth as silk! This brush is fantastic too!  It easily allowed me to get the wax on quickly and in all the corners of the table.

 What a simple and quick makeover! I love the look of the pale grey border on the white table top!

I absolutely love the transformation!

Update your decor easily! DIY chalk painted table with a gray strip border - see how I gave this dreary, damaged fake-wood table a makeover!

I had fun decorating my refreshed table… I added a tray to hold magazines and vase of hydrangeas for the lower shelf. I topped it off with a white table lamp, geode book ends, a stack of books and an owl votive holder. All my accessories and decor look so much better on my Chalky Finish table!

I hope you enjoyed this DIY CHALK PAINT TABLE Tutorial!

For more painted and refinished furniture inspiration see: 

12 weathered Wood Stain Finishes

12 DIY Weathered Wood Finishes and Stains - white wash, driftwood, barn board and gray wash.

 Chalky Painted Greek Key stenciled table

DIY Decorating - Thrift Store Table Makeover with chalk paint. How you can give new life to a damaged, dated piece of furniture! www.settingforfour.com

Thrift store candlestick makeover with mineral paint

diy-decor-painted-candlestick

Chalky Painted Thrift Store Bench makeover

DIY Bench Makeover with chalk paint - see how I transform a dated thrifted piece with chalk paint! www.settingforfour.com

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223 shares

Filed Under: DIY, DIY Furniture, Paint Colors, Tutorials Tagged With: chalk, chalky, DIY, furniture, Makeover, Paint, restoration, table, upcycle

heatherHeather is a Designer, True Color Expert® and proud military wife at Setting For Four Interiors. Heather offers online Interior Design and Paint Color Services. See all of our design tips & tricks on the blog and follow us on Instagram for more design and decor inspiration!

Comments

  1. lisa says

    March 3, 2015 at 11:18 pm

    This is such an improvement. Looks fantastic. Thank you for the detailed steps.

    Reply
    • heather says

      March 4, 2015 at 12:37 am

      Thanks Lisa!! I’m glad you like my tutorial! We really love our refreshed table!

      Reply
  2. Jan says

    February 25, 2023 at 7:28 pm

    Love Love your ideas., just ran into you recently. Can’t wait to read more for the 2023 year. Trying to update my lake home. Bits and pieces of your post have helped me out tremendously.

    Reply
  3. Mary says

    March 24, 2025 at 11:42 pm

    How long did you let the white paint dry before taping for the grey stripe? I’m afraid of the tape peeling the paint

    Reply

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Hello! I'm Heather - Designer and True Color Expert at Setting For Four Interiors!
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GET THE FREE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATING!

Design secrets to create spaces you'll love!
By signing up, you agree to receive Setting for Four e-mails. Please see our privacy policy for more information. Although I'd hate to see you go, you may unsubscribe at any time. Your information will never be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
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