Eleven Ways To Update and Makeover An Outdated Or Damaged Dining Table

When I shared my cerused dining table makeover yesterday, I had several people comment and say that their own dining table needed a bit of an update as well. Since I know that probably not everyone wants a cerused dining table, I thought I’d bring you some other ideas (as well as helpful links) to get your creative juices flowing. No need to live with an outdated dining table when there are so many options for updating and making over your table!

Here are some of my favorite ideas…


Idea #1: Paint the apron and base a solid color, and re-stain the top in a rich stain color, like this dining table before and after from Blue 11 Interiors.

Before:
dining table makeover - before - blue 11 interiors

After:dining table makeover - after - blue 11 interiorsClick here to see more of this makeover from Blue 11 Interiors


Idea #2: Paint the table top and the base in different but coordinating colors, like this before and after table makeover from Celebrating Everyday Life.

Before:dining table makeover - before - celebrating everyday life

After:
dining table makeover - after - celebrating everyday lifeClick here to see more of this table makeover from Celebrating Everyday Life


Idea #3:  Add a stenciled design to the table top, like this before and after from Pretty Handy Girl.

Before:
dining table makeover - before - pretty handy girl

After:
dining table makeover - after - pretty handy girlClick here to see more of this makeover at Pretty Handy Girl


Idea #4: Paint the base, stain the top, and then lightly whitewash the top for a beautifully aged look, like this table from Paint Me White.

Before:
dining table makeover - before - paint me white

After:
dining table makeover - after - paint me whiteClick here to see more of this makeover from Paint Me White


Idea #5:  Paint the table top to look like a zinc-covered table, like this one from That Mommy Blog.

Before:
dining table makeover - before - that mommy blog

After:
dining table makeover - after - that mommy blogClick here to see more of this table makeover from That Mommy Blog


Idea #6:  Actually cover the table top with zinc, stainless steel, copper, or any other sheet metal, like this zinc-covered table from Unexpected Elegance.

Before:
dining table makeover - before - unexpected elegance

After:
dining table makeover - after - unexpected eleganceClick here to see more of this makeover from Unexpected Elegance


Idea #7:  Add some color to your room by painting the table one solid exciting color, like this table from Everyday Lovely.

Before:
dining table makeover - before - everyday lovely

After:dining table makeover - after - everyday lovelyClick here to see more of this table makeover on Everyday Lovely


Idea #8:  Strip and re-stain the table.  You can completely change the stain color, and even give it a distressed/weathered look, like this table makeover from Simple Details Blog.

Before:
dining table makeover - before - simple details blog

After:
dining table makeover - after - simple details bloClick here to see more of this table makeover from Simple Details Blog


Idea #9:  Add some sparkle to the top with glass, nailhead trim, etc., like this table makeover from Dwellings By DeVore.

Before:
dining table makeover - before - dwellings by devore

After:
dining table makeover - after - dwellings by devoreClick here to see more of this table makeover from Dwellings by DeVore


Idea #10:  Replace an outdated or damaged top with a concrete table top, like this table makeover from Kara Paslay Designs.

Before & After
dining table makeover - before and after - kara paslay designsClick here to see more of this table makeover from Kara Paslay Designs


And finally, the most classic, never-go-out-of-style option…

Idea #11:  Paint it white, like this table makeover from 11 Magnolia Lane.

Before:
dining table makeover - before - 11 magnolia lane

After:
dining table makeover - after - 11 magnolia laneClick here to see more of this makeover from 11 Magnolia Lane


Those are some of the best ways I’ve found to makeover an outdated dining table. What ideas do you have? If you’ve done a dining table makeover and have pics posted online, feel free to share a link in a comment below so we can be inspired by your creativity!

 

 

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34 Comments

  1. My mother painted hers black on the bottom and covered the top with linoleum. Of, course, this was the late 50s.
    Me? I’m a wood person, so I would strip and refinish, like #8. I fail to understand the whole distressing stuff technique–what’s wrong with a new-looking piece of furniture? (There’s a corollary in antiques: I can appreciate nice lines and great design, but I like it well-preserved. Just because it’s old doesn’t automatically make it pretty–especially if it looks like it got left in a barn or a cattle stampede.)

    Having said that, isn’t nice there is so much variety out there in life? 🙂

  2. we just need a new table. it needs to be bigger and need more chairs. i keep looking on craigslist but have not found one i like they are either the are ulgy or cost to much. you gave me some hope at what i could do to the ulgy tables.

  3. Love your table! I have a inexpensive not too old kitchen table like number three ,cherry colored top,dark green bottom. No budget for new. Can you do that treatment on another wood other than oak,with decent results?

      1. Just returned from an estate sale,and found a rug to repurpose in my sewing room,just am crazy about estate sales!
        Now hoping to find an oak kitchen table to ceruse,my present table will have to be just painted when it gets warmer in Ohio.
        Thanks for your answer,and know that this Grammy from Ohio wil be waiting to hear the next installment of Kristi’s Kapers!!!!!!!!

  4. This is inspiring! I wasn’t especially *looking* for a way to update our dining room table, but you’ve sparked a lot of ideas in my mind! Painting the legs black or white and doing something different with the top really appeals to me. I love the idea of the metal top, and also the whitewash. But if one does update a table, I suppose the chairs would also have to be done similarly? Which would be a huge job for us, since there are 12 chairs around our table. So that gives me pause.

  5. So many choices so few dining room tables! Isn’t it amazing the difference that some of these simple changes make? I must admit that the other day when I saw your post, I thought it said “cursed” table instead of “cerused” and figured that table must have really giving you fits! Glad that wasn’t the case since it turned out so beautifully! Gave me a good laugh though! LOL! Hugs, Leena

  6. LOVE these ideas! I loved the way your table turned out, however mine doesn’t have the beautiful wood grain pattern that yours does. Mine is like a butcher’s block with drop leaf sides on both ends. I do think I will try #3 for the top and transfer the pattern to the side like #5!!

  7. Hi Kristy, today as I was driving all over creation in the pouring rain, I kept thinking about cerusing. I just cannot get over the difference it made in your table. I was wondering if it would still be done by hand if it were on a floor. I have to redo my laundry room floor anyway, so I was toying with the idea. The room is aprox 10×12, I just don’t know if it is too big to try. It is such a cool look, can’t imagine how you would open the grain on the floor with out using a machine? Any thoughts?

  8. Hi Kristy I am a loyal Behr paint user as well though I have had other brands matched in Behr. Can you recommend a good black colour for furniture? I would love for you to share your go to colour for black?

    1. When I want a true black, I don’t use their paint chips. I just go right to the paint desk and ask for them to mix a true black for me. 🙂 It’s the deepest, darkest, truest black you can get.

      1. Good to know! Thanks so much for taking the time to respond to me. I love your blog and all the projects you do. It is so nice to gain knowledge and get inspiration from a fellow hobbyist. Thanks again!

  9. Did anyone report there were difficulties opening your e-mail post? I use an iPad and it would not open…went to your site and it worked fine.

  10. I have a challenge for you… I have a farmers type rectangular table that has white 10″ tiles (4 tiles x 7 tiles) with a 2 1/2″ light wood border. The table size still fits great, but tired of the white tile and white legs I would like to paint legs a pop color and perhaps redo wood trim… Ahhhh… but what to do with the white tiles? Have you had any success in refinishing tile top tables? Or have any suggestions? Thanks!

  11. I have the same question that Cathy posted previously. What to do with a table with tiles inlaid on the top? Mine are 4″ squares – 6×10 for a total of 60 tiles. I don’t necessarily need to do away the tiles, I’m just not sure which style will work best if I keep them.

  12. Thank you for featuring my table! It remains one of my favorite DIY projects, even two years later! It has held up beautifully and we love it.

  13. Awesome! The butcher block type one reminds me of end tables I picked up at a garage sale. I used contact appear to draw a design, sort of layered it to use three colors stain, but let the butcher block come thru the design. Anyways, they turned out sweet!

  14. I hate to see it, but almost without exception I like the before photos much more! The two-toned look is so 1990s!

    1. That’s definitely an interesting perspective seeing that there are two-toned tables in the latest issues of House Beautiful and Elle Decor, as well as the latest Southern Living Style Guide.

      Your comment kind of reminded me of the woman who insisted that I use different colors in my house because “blue is soooo 90s.”

  15. I am in love with the table with the nail heads! Thanks for 11 ideas, Thanks for sharing these. I would love you to share your go to color for black. Love the added glass panels on the last one. Intellect!

  16. Hi,
    I like your ideas, but I’m still trying to come up with more- I have a victorian table that my husband loves because of its ability to enlarge- it can pull out to accommodate up to 20 people! but it has a way overcarved ornate pedestal. We live in a mid-century modern house which is yelling for something simple- any ideas? I saw your round victorian painted white, which is a good idea- but might be a little too farmhouse? but not ready to paint it black… but maybe something close- have you done any others? you’re a great help- thanks