DIY Dining Room Table Makeover: Before and After

When we moved into our new home, we were lucky to also inherit some really great furniture from the previous owner. While the quality was great, some pieces felt a little dated for the look we were going for. So we decided to refresh them and make them our own. The first pieces we tackled were these vintage dining chairs (you can check out the full blog post on those chairs here) and this is the journey of our DIY dining room table makeover!

If you’ve been thinking of giving your dining table a refresh, keep reading for our step-by-step guide, before-and-after photos, and all the inspiration you need to start your own project!

Products Used for this Dining Table Makeover

We used some tried-and-true materials and tools to complete refinish this dining room table:

Materials:

Sherwin Williams “Outer Banks” Interior Latex Paint
Minwax Oil-Based Warm Satin Polyurethane
DAP Wood Putty
Black metallic rub (for metal caps on table legs)
Clean rags or sponges for paint wash
3 plastic containers (for paint stripping, mixing paint wash)

Tools:

Orbital sander
Assorted sandpaper (for both orbital and hand-sanding)
Paint sprayer
Paint stripper (we use either CitriStrip or Klean-Strip Green)
Putty knife
Paint scraper and steel wool
Paint brush and foam brush
Chip brush

Step 1: Strip Down the Surface

The key to any successful DIY dining table makeover is to start with a clean slate. You’ll do this by removing the existing stain/finish. You can’t skip or half do this step. If there is any old stain or finish remaining on the surface, your new paint or stain will not adhere properly. So be sure to take your time and strip your furniture!

Process:

Flat Surfaces (Table Top): Using an orbital sander, we started with coarse sandpaper (80-120 grit) to strip the existing finish and stain, then switched to finer sandpaper (220-320 grit) for a smooth finish.
Table Legs: We used Klean Strip paint stripper to remove the old finish on the detailed areas. To remove the finish, we scraped it with a paint scraper, steel wool and a tooth pick to get in the nooks and crannies.

This step usually takes the longest time out of the entire project, especially if you have intricate details that require multiple paint stripping applications like we did on the table legs.

Step 2: Fill Dents and Repair

There were a lot of scratches and imperfections in this dining room table. We tried to repair most of it with wood filler. Just a note here that too much putty or putty that is not tinted or filled in to match the wood grain will detract from the whole thing. In order to make sure the patches done around the table top makes sense, extra care may be need to blend areas to make sure the natural wood grain is matched.

Process:

Generously apply wood putty to dents and chipped areas using a putty knife.
Once dry, sand the patches to blend them with the wood surface and wipe off the wood dust with an old rag/tack cloth.

Step 3: Apply the Paint Wash

We like to used paint washes on our furniture flips lately instead of a full coat of paint or full strength stain. The paint wash both lets the natural wood grain shine through and also gives any orange toned wood a more modern look.

We have an entire post about this already, check it out if you haven’t read it: How to Paint Wash Wood Furniture

Process:

Mix: Combine 2 parts water with 1 part paint to create a milk-like consistency (For this one, we used Sherwin Williams “Outer Banks” interior latex paint)
Apply: Use a chip brush to apply the paint wash in small sections, brushing in the direction of the wood grain.
Wipe Excess: After a few seconds, wipe away excess paint with a dry cloth to achieve the look you like. Let it sit longer for a deeper color. Also be sure to watch for any excess paint drips because it will show up if you don’t clean it up quickly.

Step 4: Polish the Metal Caps on Table Legs

The dining room table legs had metal caps on the ends and instead of replacing them, we used a little AMACO black metallic rub to contrast the beige paint wash and compliment the new modern look.

Process:

Apply a thin layer of black metallic rub with a soft cloth. A little goes a long way!
Buff the caps with a dry cloth for added shine.

Step 5: Seal with Topcoat

Since we would use this table a lot, it needs a proper seal. We chose Minwax Oil-Based Warm Satin Polyurethane. Oil-based products are ideal for longer lasting protection that will resists scratches or time but keep in mind that it usually requires more time to cure. Paint sprayers are best for applying the top coat as it gives a professional look. However you could also use a high quality brush to achieve a clean look as well.

Process:

Using a paint sprayer or quality paint brush, apply the polyurethane in long, even strokes, following the wood grain.
Allow the first coat to dry completely, then sand lightly with fine-grit (220) sandpaper for the smoothest finish.
Repeat step 1 to apply a second coat.
Allow enough time to cure before using the furniture. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for curing.

Dining Table Makeover Reveal

And this is the final reveal! We loved how it came out:

Tips for Your Own DIY Table Makeover

Take your time sanding and repairing for the best results.
Working in small sections for the paint wash will ensure you have an even tone all over the piece.
Oil-based polyurethane is typically more durable but water-based is easier to manage and dries faster.
Two coats of polyurethane will protect your table from daily wear and tear, especially if you use it all the time.

We hope this inspires your next DIY! Let us know if you’ve tried your own dining room table makeover or have questions about our process. Show us yours by tagging us @hammerandhandsaw on Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok!