Ideas for Painting the Kitchen Dining Table

If it has come time to replace that old dining table, but it is not in the budget, a paint can renovation may be the way to go. A new kitchen table could sell for hundreds of dollars, not to mention the cost of getting it delivered. The table you already have is likely in good condition, with the exception of a few nicks and scratches. You can salvage a kitchen table without spending much money. Does this Spark an idea?

Two-Tone Paint Job

To create a shabby chic look, use two different colored paints. For a wood table, sand the tabletop and legs. Be sure to even out scratches. With some elbow grease, you can eliminate most stains. Use a wood conditioner before applying paint. Conditioner will help distribute the paint more evenly preventing certain spots from getting over saturated. Paint the tabletop in a natural color like brown, suede, beige or tan. If you have young children, you may want a darker color so that stains stay hidden. Paint the legs blue. It is best to stick with earthy tones rather than vibrant colors.

Fresh Coat

Some tables just need a fresh coat of paint to look like new again. It is important to avoid using a glossy finish because those paints will be more prone to peeling or sticking to the bottom of glass or hard plastic. Choose a color that is already in your kitchen but not prominent. If you have wallpaper with flowers that are primarily yellow, for instance, buy a paint matching the color of the green stem. To prevent peeling and scratches, coat the tabletop in a clear polyurethane finish. You must allow no fewer than 24 hours for your table to dry fully. Remember that the top layers of paint may dry sooner than the bottom layers.

Stencils

Get the entire family in on the job. Come up with a theme you want your table to have. Remember that you will not be painting your table often, so be sure you do not mind living with the designs you choose. Avoid topical themes like seasons and holidays. Fruit is a nice kitchen idea. Buy stencils of apples, bananas and melons at a craft or hobby store. Tape the stencil directly to the table so you dont have to worry about coloring within the lines.

Before you do anything to the table, however, make a rough copy of your work. Create your design on a blank piece of paper. Practice your design until you get it exactly how you want it before making it permanent.