Easy Coffee Table Refresh

A couple of weeks ago, I had the itch to paint something.  To my paint-loving friends here, I know you can relate! If you are suddenly overcome with the urge to paint a piece of furniture,  I’ve got an easy coffee table refresh that might be just what you need. It’s about as close to instant gratification as you can get with painting furniture.

Now, there was nothing at all wrong with my coffee table before I painted it.  You can see how it looked before I painted it here. I just like to change things up in my home, and enjoy the process of painting.  

My coffee table is from Pier One – I’m so, so sad that they are going out of business – and it came in a natural finish. I was walking through Pier One a couple of weeks ago during their going out of business sale, and I spotted the dining table version of my coffee table in a white finish.  (By the way, it was on sale for a screaming good price, and I would have purchased it if I didn’t already have a dining table.)  It was so pretty, and it got me thinking I could re-create that finish on my coffee table.  

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Paint Used

For my easy coffee table refresh, I used Fusion Mineral Paint and the color is Raw Silk. It’s a great warm white that has a hint of gray and isn’t too yellow.  I love Fusion for quick furniture makeovers.  It requires very little prep on most pieces, has great coverage, and has a topcoat built right in. Easy as can be!

I also used Raw Silk on this DIY farmhouse plank.

Steps

I gave the table a quick wipe down.  Since the original finish was a matte, almost raw wood finish, I didn’t even sand it. I didn’t prime, either. I just brushed on a coat of Fusion. Because there was no bleed through and the paint adhesion was excellent, I was good to go. 

Please note: It’s often not possible to paint wood furniture white without priming, and bleed through is common.  Had I noticed bleed through after the first coat of Fusion, I would have applied a coat of my favorite stain blocking primer. If the paint doesn’t adhere well, some amount of sanding (or an adhesion primer) is necessary, too. 

I applied 3 coats of Fusion to obtain good coverage. It dries quickly which makes it a great paint for an afternoon project. 

I had my daughter Sadie help me carry the table outside (teenagers come in handy, don’t they?), and used some 220 grit sandpaper to lightly distress the edges. I didn’t go too heavy with the distressing, just rubbed the edges a bit where wear would naturally occur.  The distressing allows the pretty wood tones to peek through and gives the table some dimension.

Since Fusion has a built in topcoat, I didn’t add anything further.  The paint has a matte finish, which I liked for this table.  If you want more sheen, or an added layer of protection, I would recommend sealing with General Finishes topcoat in flat. 

Note: We’ve already had some spills on the table that didn’t get wiped up right away (I won’t name names, but you know who you are), and it cleaned up beautifully.  

I’m loving the pretty muted shades my hydrangeas are turning right now.  I couldn’t resist sharing with you. 

This easy coffee table refresh took just about 3 hours start to finish (including drying times in between coats).  In an afternoon, I had a whole new look for my den, and my paint-loving self was satisfied.

Happy painting everyone!

Susan

Sources

Coffee table paint – Fusion Mineral Paint in Raw Silk | wall paint – Benjamin Moore “Dove Wing” | Coffee table – Pier One | rug | chandelier | sectional in Demin warm white | candle | window shade – SelectBlinds roman shade in white linen