An old table in your home is more than just a piece of furniture. In a sense, this is history, the memory of ancestors, a symbol of the long-term stability of the home.
An old table can be restored, giving it a second life, and saving yourself a lot of money on buying a new table.
The ideal balance between careful attention to the history of one's own family and the needs of everyday household comfort is provided by the restoration of the table with your own hands. Indeed, you should not rush to throw away the old table found in the attic - a good renovation can breathe a second life into a dilapidated object, saving its owner's money for buying new furniture.
Perhaps such a renovation will also give new aesthetic sensations at the sight of unusual shapes and silhouettes, will delight you with the pleasant warm texture of solid wood, cleansed of dirt and layers of outdated finishes.
But before proceeding to the description of the course of restoration work, let's see how you can perform them in the best quality.
Materials and tools required for the restoration
For work on restoring and updating an old table with your own hands, it is recommended to stock up on tools and materials from the following list:
Hand tools for restoration.
- electric drill, wood drills;
- a set of chisels;
- face planer;
- hammer;
- nail puller;
- screwdrivers (flat and cross);
- clamps;
- jigsaw (manual or electric);
- pliers and round nose pliers;
- hacksaws (for wood and metal);
- assembly knife;
- a set of files;
- measuring devices (ruler, square, tape measure);
- felt polish;
- set of brushes;
- joiner's glue;
- acrylic varnish, stain.
Restoration of a wooden table: the order of operations
The restoration begins with the removal of old varnish and paint.
Before proceeding with the implementation of this plan, it is necessary to carefully examine the entire table and its most hidden corners and crevices. This is done in order to correctly assess the general technical condition of the subject and plan the total amount of work.
Almost any cardinal table restoration begins with its disassembly. As a rule, the older the object, the more of its details require serious instrumental intervention. In some cases (if, for example, the countertop has warped heavily due to very long use), it is simply pointless to restore certain parts - it will turn out to be too expensive and ineffective.
Then it is better either to independently make a product that is completely out of order, or to order a part from specialists on the side. If the damage from time and from improper storage turned out to be not so destructive, then the old structure should be carefully strengthened. This means, in particular, that the existing not very strong joints must be tightened, and strongly loosened joints must be disassembled, then cleaned and re-twisted or glued.
It has been noticed that in furniture one of the most affected components over time is the paintwork.
The varnish is ripped off the table to the very base.
Therefore, often, when the renovation of an old wooden table begins, you have to deal with peeling off the old paint (which may turn out to be laid in several layers) from the table surfaces.
If there are too thick coatings or large areas of damaged surface, it is recommended to use a drill with a metal brush attachment or a sander to remove paint. After the old paint has been completely removed, the next stage of preparation is carried out.
It consists in degreasing the cleaned surface. This can be done by carefully wiping the wooden parts with a soft cloth soaked in special solvents suitable for this coating, alcohol or acetone. At the same time, obvious defects are sanded with emery paper or a grinder.
However, old damage (potholes, scratches, chips, etc.) cannot always be removed by grinding. High-quality restoration presupposes the obligatory putty of the surfaces of the old table. At the same time, we must not forget that after the putty has completely dried, all surfaces to be treated must be sanded well again.
If possible, it is advisable to process old wooden parts separately, after carefully separating the tabletop and underframe. The table top is sanded again, after which it is painted with a paint suitable for furniture and covered with 2-3 layers of colorless varnish. This operation is carried out without haste, with keeping each layer of paint and varnish until they are completely dry.
in the presence of faults, these places are glued and pressed tightly against each other with a clamp.
The other part of the table - the underframe - often requires even more attention than the tabletop. After many years of operation, it can have cracks in parts and serious fractures. If the owner of such a rarity nevertheless decides to restore it, then he should first disconnect the legs from the underframe using the appropriate tools.
Fault points for further connection of the dispersed parts must be glued. Then, using clamps, these parts are pressed tightly against each other. Sometimes, for better tightening of the cracked parts to each other, you can use self-tapping screws, which come in handy in inconvenient places where it is difficult or impossible to install a clamp.
After the glue has dried (after about 12-15 hours), the self-tapping screws are removed from the wooden elements of the table. The tabletop and underframe are connected to each other either with glue or by providing a removable connection, which will be very useful in small apartments.
The restoration of the table ends with varnishing of the wood details. But before that, they must be opened with a stain. To avoid the occurrence of drips, it is better to do this with a piece of soft foam rubber. After the stain has dried, the wooden surfaces of the table are primed with a transparent varnish (primer) and lightly treated with a thin sandpaper.
How can “specialized” tables be restored?
When updating tables, you should always take into account their purpose and where they will be located in the future:
The table for the nursery can be decorated with photographs and drawings.
- Children's table. It is recommended to glue clippings from bright glossy magazines or children's pictures to its surface after cleaning the countertop from old paint and sanding. Then all this is covered with 4 layers of acrylic varnish.
- Restoration of the dressing table. An original solution could be the alteration of an old toiletry table for a sink stand. A hole is cut in the middle of the table so that a sink fits into it, but without significant protrusions above the surface of the table. Ceramic tiles can be glued to the remaining space on the countertop.
- Kitchen table. You can paint an old piece of furniture with some bright paint. A film is glued to the painted countertop, which, for example, imitates beautiful lace. At the same time, the film can not be glued to the table top, but attached from below with special brackets.
- Updating the writing desk. You can cover the old countertop with some eye-catching wallpaper. To give the furniture freshness and solidity, wallpapers that imitate the texture of wood of any valuable species are well suited. To give the composition a sense of integrity and completeness, the table legs can be varnished in wood tones.
- Coffee table. With this option, a bright pattern with geometric elements will be in good harmony. It is better to choose some dull paint for the background, which is recommended to be applied to the countertop with a spray gun. The geometric pattern is applied to the dry painted surface with a brush or special masking tape. Fragments between stripes can be filled with paints of bright colors.
The kitchen table can be decorated using decoupage technique.
If the table legs are detached from the underframe, it is worthwhile to mark in advance exactly where the particular leg was. Install each leg in the place where it was before the repair.
Covering the table with a white primer, one must be prepared for the fact that then almost all defects will become visible on its surfaces.
To provide furniture surfaces with maximum strength, the lacquer coating must have at least 3 layers made with a paint roller, 5 layers with a spray gun and 10 layers with a cotton swab.
Sand a wooden countertop along the grain of the wood. If you do this across the grain, there will be noticeable small risks on the countertop.
Taking on the restoration of old furniture with your own hands, it is worth thinking about the fact that this process is not only an opportunity to save your money, but also an excellent chance to reveal your talent as a master of home design.
The company "Restorator +" produces high-quality and inexpensive table restoration in Moscow.Restoration of a wooden table is possible both in the workshop and at the customer's home. The location depends on the degree of wear or damage.
For a quick and correct determination of the cost of the necessary work, you can send several photos of the table to our mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by WhatsApp 8906 074 10 83.
The gradual wear and tear of furniture is especially noticeable on the surface of kitchen and wooden desks. Therefore, the restoration of the table is a task that sooner or later almost all owners of solid wood furniture face.
Let's consider the most common restoration cases:
In the photo below, you will see a completely damaged countertop surface.
For a high-quality restoration, we completely replaced the veneer at the countertop, updated the color and covered it with an ultra-durable varnish. Now the table looks like new, and thanks to modern wear-resistant materials, it will serve its owners for many years to come.
In the next photo, we completely repainted the table.
The client asked or to fit the old desk into the new interior, because it is dear to him as a memory.
Easily! We call the designer, send a few photos of the interior. We select and agree on the color with the client.
Tables made from natural materials have many advantages, but wood cannot be compared to plastic or artificial stone in terms of durability.
The price to pay for the luxury of beautiful solid wood furniture is the need to be careful and periodically carry out restoration of an old table, especially countertops that are subject to increased stress.
Here are some more examples of restoration:
How the table is restored in the workshop.
If you decide to completely renew the table, then the equipped workshop is irreplaceable.
By prior arrangement with the client, we deliver a truck to transport furniture to the workshop.
An agreement is concluded with the client for the provision of table restoration services, in which all the details and wishes of the customer are discussed:
Color matching (according to the catalog with samples)
Terms of work (on average 7-14 days)
Another common case is table restoration at home.
Defects that can be eliminated at home:
Chips
Dents
Scratches
Scuffs
Home restoration implies the local elimination of minor damages on the table. Thanks to modern equipment and the experience of a restorer, we have a unique opportunity to offer our clients a table restoration at home.
Wood is appreciated for the fact that it is not only a beautiful, but also a natural material. For the same reason, wooden furniture is vulnerable to wear and tear, mechanical damage, high humidity or corrosive liquids.
As a rule, the owners of natural wood tables are frustrated by the following problems:
Heat, grease, dirt stains.
Chips from impacts, scratches from hard objects;
Surface deformation due to exposure to steam or moisture.
All these problems are easily eliminated in the restoration workshop.
Probably, many people have an old rare table somewhere in the closet or in the attic, which the hand does not rise to throw away. In this article, we will try to convince you not to throw it away, but to give a new life. Moreover, it is relevant in our time, when there is a continuous high cost. It is much cheaper to repair the table with your own hands and get an exclusive designer item, which will surprise all your friends when you look at it.
Restoration of furniture is a rather exciting process and, if desired, anyone can try it.
We will describe the restoration of the table using the example of a small table, which you see in the photo above.
Before starting repair work, you need to stock up on the following tools and materials:
- Hammer
- Screwdriver
- Pliers
- Sandpaper of different grains;
- Brushes;
- Varnish or paint;
- Impregnation for wood;
- Wood putty;
- Rubber spatula;
- Joiner's glue or PVA glue;
- Veneer.
Stages of restoration
Inspection
We examine the table and determine which defects are present on the product. It can be:
- scratches and dents
- erased varnish,
- damaged legs that wobble.
If the legs are very loose, it is better to disassemble the table and carry out further restoration disassembled.
Grinding
The purpose of this process is to remove the old paintwork and prepare the table for subsequent refinishing.
For grinding, we need a sandpaper. We begin to grind the product with a coarse-grained sandpaper, we go in a circular motion throughout the table: along the table top, legs and tsarovy belt.
When sanding, it is important not to overdo it and not sand down holes.
After grinding, be sure to clean the product from dust
Impregnation, restoration of countertops
If the table is made of natural wood, it is better to treat it with a special impregnation, which will protect it from pests and diseases.
Leave the parts to dry for a while. Then we cover all the cracks with putty. After complete drying, the putty is again sanded with a fine sandpaper
If the table is made of chipboard, you need to inspect the table top and determine if there are bubbles on the surface. If there is, then the veneer is peeling.
Such a defect can be corrected by making an incision on the surface of the bubble with a thin knife. After that, you need to apply glue with a syringe into the hole. Then we take a regular iron and iron the table surface until the veneer sticks.
If the veneer has broken off at the edges of the countertop, we can cut the patch out of a new piece of veneer, apply glue to it, attach it to the damaged part and iron it again.
Painting
Let's start painting. We take paint or varnish, depending on your taste, brush and paint. You may need to paint in two or three coats.
This is determined in the course of restoration work, depending on what kind of appearance we want to get. Let the paint dry well.
Assembling the table
When all the parts have dried well, we proceed to the assembly of the product.
To prevent the legs from wobbling, when installing into the grooves together with the legs, we insert thin pieces of veneer or matches. Legs with a side belt are assembled with glue.
We leave the assembled furniture until the glue is completely dry and the parts set.
It may be that the old table is solid, does not stagger and the legs do not need repair. Then it is better to carry out all the stages of restoration assembled. It makes no sense to disassemble it.
So we examined the main stages of the restoration of a wooden table. We wish you to try to make repairs with your own hands and be satisfied with the result.
Loose legs or damage to the countertop in the kitchen or living room are not uncommon. Over time, the fastenings weaken, and due to accidental mechanical damage, the surface may receive cracks, chips or abrasions. You can return the furniture attractiveness and integrity, you can do a high-quality restoration of the table with your own hands. Below, in detailed master classes, we told how to restore a plastic, wood (lacquered or painted) and glass table. Having studied the exact instructions, you can easily carry out the work and besides it is interesting to decorate the old table, give it a new look. To carry out the restoration, no special tools are needed: almost all of them can be found in the arsenal of a modern owner. But for restoration and decoration, you will need to separately select special materials and compositions.
Restoration methods
An acquaintance with modern methods of its repair, as well as the look obtained after processing, will help to determine the best option for restoring the table. You can cover products like this:
- Using ordinary brushes (to create a perfectly flat surface or create a smooth transition from one color to another by mixing paints directly on the tabletop with a small brush).
- Through nets, tulle, stencils (for patterns and stylized spots on the surface).
- Craquelure compositions (allows for antique styling, giving the surface the appearance of cracked paint).
You can also glue the tables with different types of films, and carry out pasting with paper materials. All of the options discussed are more applicable to wood furniture, but some of them are also suitable for the restoration of plastic products.
The main stages of the restoration of a wooden table
Restoring a table made of natural wood requires a careful approach to each stage of restoration. This is the only way to do the work with your own hands correctly and return the furniture to its original appearance (or even make it better). Direct restoration is carried out according to the following scheme:
- Selection of the necessary materials and tools (it will be much easier to work with everything that is ready than to buy the necessary materials during the restoration process).
- Carrying out the initial repair of the entire structure (this stage concerns the restoration of the integrity of the product: for example, for a dining table, the work will consist in repairing the frame, for a written one - in repairing the frame, shelves, boxes).
- Removal of old coating, restoration of wood.
- Primary processing and decoration of furniture.
- The final stage for the auxiliary protection of the created decor.
All of these steps will be appropriate for minor damage to old tables. If large cracks appear on the surface of the countertop or the edges of the array begin to break off and crumble, then the work will take much longer and may not bring the desired result.
Required materials and tools
To safely and correctly restore an old table, you will need to prepare the following tools and materials:
- Protective equipment (glasses, mask, gloves).
- Sandpaper (fine + coarse) or sander (with fine and coarse abrasive wheels).
- Painting tools (brushes, rollers).
- Protective compounds for wood (high-quality impregnation to protect wood from moisture, decay, pests, blue discoloration).
- Coloring and auxiliary compositions (selected paint for repainting wooden furniture or stain, primer, varnish).
- Fasteners and tools for repairing an old table (screwdriver, screwdriver, self-tapping screws and screws, liquid nails, furniture glue).
Finishing can be carried out not only with varnish, but also with wax. The advantage of this composition is that it is easy to restore: the scratched area just needs to be re-waxed.
Preliminary repair
Carrying out initial repairs involves restoring the strength of the entire table structure. Therefore, you need to start recovery by identifying problem areas. For example, at a table with loose legs, you should remove them, inspect the attachment points (chipped threads are a common cause of this phenomenon). If necessary, the damaged areas must be glued with furniture glue. If the problem lies in the drying out of the glue with which the individual parts were glued (for example, in the area of the dowels connecting the legs and the shelf of the coffee table), then you should remove the old glue and put the parts on liquid nails. In the case of transforming dining tables, it may be necessary to restore the table height adjustment mechanism. Usually, the problem with poor movement of the mechanism is solved by simply cleaning the parts and lubricating them.
Removing the old coating
When the initial repair has been carried out, and the furniture has been restored to its previous strength and reliability, you can begin to remove the old coating. The work can be done in several ways:
- Mechanical.
In this case, the cleaning of the old varnish and paint is carried out using an abrasive sandpaper or a grinder. Initially, a rough cleaning is carried out: peeling pieces of varnish and paint are cleaned with coarse or medium-grained sandpaper. Then fine-abrasive sandpaper is used to remove residues more accurately. The main thing is not to overdo it and not to remove the top layer of wood.
- Chemical.
There are special compounds designed to remove old varnish and paint from wood. They are applied with a brush to furniture. Then, after 20-30 minutes, they are removed with a brush (already together with the corroded old coating).
Dust should be removed from the cleaned tree and treated with antiseptic impregnation. Drying of the impregnation is usually about 24 hours. Such work should be carried out both for natural wood furniture and for products from chipboard, MDF.
Sealing cracks and chips
In order to properly repair the table, and not just refresh it, you should take care of the competent disposal of chips and cracks. To work, you will need a brush, wood putty (preferably as close as possible in color to the color of the wood), fine abrasive sandpaper. The following master class will help to carry out the work correctly:
- Remove dust from damaged areas (chips and cracks). If treatment with an antiseptic was previously carried out, then this work may not be carried out.
- Using a soft rubber trowel, "close" the chips and cracks with wood putty. It is necessary to insert the composition as deeply as possible in order to completely close the formed grooves.
- Carefully remove excess filler: smooth the surface of the areas to be repaired.
- After the putty has dried, go over the treated areas with fine abrasive sandpaper.
Preparation for finishing: priming
Before making out the restored table and decorating it, the surface should be primed. This requirement applies to both the tabletop and the frame itself. For work, you need a shellac, acrylic or alkyd primer: they are suitable for covering wood. Direct priming is carried out as follows:
- A small amount of primer is applied to the surface of the table (processing is initially carried out in sections), distributed with a rubber spatula. It is advisable to distribute the composition as carefully as possible in order to get an even layer. After covering individual areas, you need to align all the transitions so that there are no drops.
- After the first coat has dried (usually takes 1 to 6 hours), apply the second coat and wait until it dries.
- On top of the dried primer, sand it to level the surface and eliminate any drops.
Methods for giving the final decor
Unusually, you can paint or decorate the table without the involvement of specialists - with your own hands. This work can be done in different ways:
- usual staining;
It is carried out using paint on wood and a brush. The composition is evenly distributed over all surfaces.
- painting with curly rollers;
For staining, you will need wood paint and a roller, on the surface of which there are volumetric patterns. The application of paint is carried out in one motion, then the roller is rearranged to its width.
- decoupage;
Decoupage glue is applied to the table surface, prepared paper elements (solid sheets or cut elements) are glued.
- dyeing through tulle;
Ironed tulle is laid on top of the prepared surface (simply primed or painted white). Spray paint from a spray can on top. The tulle is carefully removed so that the pattern does not smudge.
- staining through a stencil;
A stencil is made from cardboard (or a ready-made one is bought). The stencil is applied to the table, and the table top is painted through the cut out template. A popular option for highlighting the perimeter, corners, or center of a table.
- multicolor staining.
Several paints with similar colors are used (for example, from light to dark). Paints of different colors are applied in wide stripes. Then, with a brush, smooth transitions are carefully made between them.
Final coating with varnish or wax
To fix the result of decoration and additionally protect the table from damage, moisture will help its finishing - with varnish or wax. Modern varnishes have fairly good wear resistance, and can be used for coffee tables (which are rarely used) and kitchen tables (used daily). Wax provides the most reliable protection, therefore it is mostly used for treating tables in the kitchen. The varnish is applied with a brush in 1 layer. The drying time of the composition depends on its characteristics and features (it may take 18-36 hours for complete drying). Apply wax paste with a swab or thick brush. Liquid wax is spread with a brush over the entire surface of the table (table top, legs). Hard wax is melted before application, then spread with a brush ("rubbed" into the surface). But it should be borne in mind that hard wax may include chemical additives.
What material to glue
If painting the table after restoration is not suitable, you should pay attention to modern methods of gluing furniture. These include:
- Pasting with foil.
The film is peeled off from the paper base and applied (glued to the table). It is necessary to gradually separate the film and additionally iron its adhered parts (for example, with a rubber spatula) to remove bubbles. Along the edge of the tabletop, you can additionally blow the film with a hairdryer for better fixation and iron it as well.
- Tabletop decor with tape.
Decorative scotch tapes of different colors can be glued to the countertop in strips to form squares. On top, you can additionally glue a transparent film (according to the example above) to reliably protect the adhesive tape from damage and peeling.
- Pasting the table-top with stickers.
Plain stickers in the form of patterns, animals, flowers, or food are great for table decor. They should be glued to the previously degreased surface of the countertop. The stickers do not need additional protection: they adhere quite well, and if necessary, they can be easily removed.
Glass table restoration methods
The glass table, even with very careful use, can be covered with scratches, "scuffs". Especially if it is included in the dining group and is used daily. On your own, with minor damage to the tabletop, you can restore the glass surface using the following compositions:
- colorless (transparent) varnish: due to penetration into cracks, it evens out the surface somewhat, but it is a temporary solution and requires very careful application;
- GOI paste: allows you to get rid of small scratches, before use it is heated according to the instructions on the package and then rubbed into the damaged areas with gentle circular movements;
- soda: it is diluted to a mushy state and, in a similar way, like GOI paste, is rubbed into the damaged parts;
- toothpaste (not gel): it polishes the table top, due to which the glass returns its shine, and micro-scratches and abrasions disappear.
In the presence of large chips and cracks, it is recommended to completely replace the tabletop yourself or hand it over to specialists for repair. The unsticked frame can be easily restored by carefully removing the dried glue and applying a new adhesive composition. Loose screws are recommended to be replaced with new ones when screwing the tabletop to the frame.
How to upgrade a plastic table
Most plastic furniture loses its original attractiveness over time, even if used in home (not balcony or country) conditions. For example, due to minor mechanical damage, it can become covered with scratches, abrasions. But the constant ingress of sunlight can cause the plastic to burn out and turn yellow. There are two ways to update such tables:
- Repainting.
Ideal for products with flat worktops. Initially, the surface of the plastic is treated with fine abrasive sandpaper, then degreased, covered with a primer. The final stage will be the coating of the product with aerosol paint.
- Decoupage.
The best solution for tables with curly projections or recesses. Initially, with the help of fine abrasive sandpaper, the entire tabletop, frame is cleaned. Then it is degreased. The napkins chosen for decoration (or paper, thin newspaper) are glued to the decoupage glue. After the glue dries, the product is covered with a transparent varnish.
Ideas for refreshing your coffee table
To refresh the look of a coffee table, it is not at all necessary to completely repaint it. You can simply highlight its individual parts or emphasize its shape. The most interesting options include:
- Pasting with a custom sticker.
For the size of a rectangular table, you can order a sticker with the image of a cassette (for a round one you can have a vinyl record, for an oval one - a cut pear or melon). Stick the image on the cleaned surface.
- Staining.
The variety of wood stains allows you to completely change the color of the wood, make it brighter or darker, or even lighten it altogether. To complement this decor will help staining the patina of protruding elements, carved decorations. For work, it is recommended to take gold or bronze paint.
- Craquelure decor.
Alteration of the semi-antique table will completely change its appearance. Initially, it should be painted in a color that will help highlight the veins. There is no need to decorate it with "cracks". You just need to apply craquelure varnish, which will ensure the appearance of these cracks.
How to upgrade your countertop
A separate update of the tabletop and its decoration with decor allows you to give even a very old table an original design look. The most entertaining options for this design include:
- Laying out the mosaic.
A mosaic is laid out on the cleaned surface, on a special solution, thereby forming patterns or an abstract drawing. Then the seams between the mosaics are rubbed.
- Decor with ceramic tiles.
For large tables, you can use not only small mosaics, but also large tiles. The work is carried out in a similar way, but the finished decor will have a certain pattern (or will be monochromatic).
- "Painting" under glass (for rectangular and square tabletops).
A frame made of timber is stuffed or glued around the perimeter of the tabletop. Sand is poured inside the frame and shells are laid out (another option is photos, letters). Glass is installed on top of the frame.
Conclusion
Do-it-yourself furniture renovation is not an easy, but still doable task. Therefore, before throwing away the old table, think about the possibility of restoring it. Even a shabby lacquered book-table can be repaired and decorated in an unusual way. If desired, the prepared furniture can be painted with different paints, varnished (glossy) or painted with matting compounds. Also, the updated table can be pasted over with films and stickers. There are a lot of ways to decorate products, you just need to choose the right one, based on the features of its implementation, the degree of complexity. You can update not only wooden, but also plastic, glass tables. Above, we described how to restore such products using simple materials and tools. By following step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, you can easily "bring back to life" even a very old, and at first glance, irreparable table.
An old table, if it is still functional, can easily be converted into a new one. The result may even exceed your expectations, because the new table will be brighter, more original and, most importantly, positively charged with your creativity. Stock up on inspiration, simple materials and go ahead, embody ideas!
Note before starting: in almost all cases, the table needs to be prepared for the transformation. Wipe it with a sandpaper, clean it from dust and degrease it with alcohol or special means.
Paint in stripes
Painting is one of the fastest and most effective techniques in furniture decor. To make it more interesting, we suggest making the table striped. Masking tape will help you to do the job: paint the table in the main color, and then glue strips of adhesive tape and apply a couple of layers of a different color. Peel off the tape - the effect is ready. Can be repeated many times to make stripes of different colors and widths. Do not forget to cover everything with varnish for reliability. TIn the same way, you can create zigzags, for example.
Paint with slate paint
The table painted with a special slate paint will be laconic black or dark green. But now you can leave notes and draw with crayons right on the table. And how much more convenient it is to play board games where you have to write down points! The table itself can serve as a field for tic-tac-toe or a gallows.
Cover with foil
The film also may not be simple, but slate or even with the effect of a white marker board. Above a table with a pattern of triangular pieces of film, as in the photo below, you will have to tinker a little longer, but the result will be very stylish!
Stripes with multi-colored tape
A striped table can be made not only by painting. Lines of decorative tapes or electrical tape of different colors and patterns will make the table bright, shiny and elegant. This is perfect for a nursery or add a touch of mischief to an adult interior.
Tile
Ceramic tiles or mosaics will make the countertop not only beautiful, but also very practical, because the tile is not afraid of moisture and is easy to clean. The principle is the same as with walls: tile adhesive plus grout. You can take the whole tile, or you can beat it for the effect of the Spanish mosaic. You will find more creative ideas from the remnants of tiles.
Paste over with pages of books
Pick your favorite book and give it a second life: glue each page to the table with PVA glue. Several layers of varnish (preferably from a spray can) will make the surface smooth and ennoble the color. It is a good idea to take dictionary pages or sheet music.
Romantic lace
A simple technique will help to make the countertop more elegant - coloring through lace. To do this, you need to take a lace napkin or tulle, which you do not mind ruining, put it on the table on top of the base layer of paint and apply a different color on top. It is better to use a sponge or spray paint so that the image is not smeared by the movement of the roller.
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