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August 3, 2012

DIY Side Table Makeover With Naturally Distressed Wood

I’m finally caught up from being on vacation (kind of), emails are responded to, laundry is complete and I finally found some time to sit down and write a few posts. Which means I’m back with another before & after project! I’m so excited to share with you my DIY Side Table Makeover With Naturally Distressed Wood!

DIY Side Table Makeover

DIY Side Table Makeover with a reclaimed wood top!

I am pretty excited about my ‘new’ side table for our family room. And by ‘new’ I mean, the newer version of our current side table. Oh how I love a little upcycle project!

Before and After Table Makeover

Upcycled Side Table Before and After

Here is what my side table used to look like. There was nothing wrong with it per se, I just wanted something brighter and a little different for our new space. Using spray paint and some old distressed wood, I turned this old side table into a modern yet rustic side table.

Adding Wood To The Top Of A Table

Upcycled Side Table

I LOVE reclaimed wood and I was so excited to be able to use some on this project. The natural distressed tones are gorgeous and bring a whole new life to this little table.

Upcycled Side Table

Just look at those beautiful natural tones, the greens and browns and grays. Swoon.

Steps To Refinishing A Side Table

Upcycled Side Table

I started by applying one coat of spray primer, followed by 2 coats of White Spray Paint.

Upcycled Side Table

Now the story of where I got the wood is actually kind of funny. The previous owners of our home planted a raspberry bush on the side of our house. It was on the side of the house where our garbage cans live and it’s not a pretty space. Needless to say the raspberry bush was huge and not very prosperous so my husband decided to take it out.

Under the bush laid a worn and collapsed trellis. It was apparent that it had been under the bush for many years. To some it may have looked like a piece of junk, but the minute I saw the colors of the wood I saw potential and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it!

I took the trellis apart and cut it into 17″ pieces. The size of the top of the side table. I gave them a good scrub and then laid them out to dry.

Upcycled Side Table

Using my trusting Gorilla Glue, I glued each piece onto the top of the side table. I didn’t use a guide, I just placed each piece down and let the natural colors create their own pattern.

Upcycled Side Table

I aligned the wood on the left side of the table, and because my cuts aren’t perfect, the right side turned out to be a little uneven. After the glue was dry, I used my Dremel to make one clean cut to even out the edges.

Next, I gently sanded the wood with an electric hand sander and then gave it 3 coats of Semi-Gloss Sealer.

Upcycled Side Table

And now I have a crisp and clean new side table with tons of character.

About Taryn Whiteaker

Hi! I’m Taryn! The voice behind Taryn Whiteaker Designs. I launched this brand over 11 years ago when I became a stay-at-home mom. What started as a small craft and mom blog eventually grew into a full time design and DIY site. My goal has always been to inspire others (especially women!) with design ideas, DIY tutorials, entertaining ideas and give you the tools you need to complete them yourself!

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Filed Under: ALL POSTS, Before and Afters, DIY Home Decor, DIY Projects, Furniture Builds and Makeovers Tagged With: Before & After, DIY, Family Room, Furniture, repurpose, Spray Paint, tutorial

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Allison @ The Golden Sycamore says

    August 3, 2012 at 4:26 am

    This is gorgeous! It really looks like something out of a magazine! I can’t believe that wood came from an old trellis! Beautiful job!

    Reply
  2. Rachel says

    August 3, 2012 at 4:28 am

    Ooh, you have inspired me! I want to do something like this to our end tables! Love it!

    Reply
  3. Debra says

    August 3, 2012 at 4:54 am

    That is a pretty table.

    Reply
  4. Midsommarflicka says

    August 3, 2012 at 5:38 am

    This looks great – and it’s inspiring…
    Thanks for showing!

    Reply
  5. Bethany says

    August 3, 2012 at 6:11 am

    This is so beautiful! But your projects always are! :)

    Reply
  6. Alyssa says

    August 3, 2012 at 8:13 am

    Gorgeous!! I want to come and steal it!

    Reply
  7. Jen says

    August 3, 2012 at 8:26 am

    Oh wow Taryn! It turned out beautifully … love the colors you chose. It went from ho-hum, forgettable to look-at-me, gorgeous … LOVE it!

    Reply
  8. Emerson Grey Designs says

    August 3, 2012 at 10:49 am

    I absolutely love this…I painted my sidetable months ago white that looks very similar to yours…but, I’m loving the addition of the wood top! Great DIY. I’m repinning…=)

    Reply
  9. Laura Ingalls Gunn says

    August 3, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    Fabulous makeover!

    I am now following you on Pinterest.

    I also wanted to invite you to my blog. I just began a new linky party entitled “Friday’s Favorite Pin” where you link up your favorite pin of the week. And yes, it can be your own creation.

    Have a lovely weekend.

    Reply
  10. Andrea Victoria says

    August 3, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    That turned out amazing! Great job, Taryn!

    Reply
  11. Terri B says

    August 3, 2012 at 5:23 pm

    Very nice!

    Reply
  12. Megan says

    August 3, 2012 at 6:08 pm

    Wow! That table is amazing!! Truly stunning!

    Reply
  13. Melanie Stanfield says

    August 3, 2012 at 7:49 pm

    Love the table!!!!

    Reply
  14. Shirley L says

    August 3, 2012 at 8:14 pm

    I can’t believe how beautiful the table looks. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  15. Martha Lawson says

    August 3, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous!!!

    Reply
  16. Louise says

    August 3, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    This looks great!! I love the contrast between the white and the old dark wood!

    Reply
  17. Tani@Tagana Rose says

    August 4, 2012 at 12:01 am

    This looks AMAZING Taryn! I love all those shades of wood. It is truly a stunning table.
    Have a wonderful weekend:)

    Reply
  18. Heidi says

    August 4, 2012 at 6:08 pm

    Wow! I love the new look. The wood on top is beautiful. I’d love for you to link up this (and any other ideas you’d like to share) at “One Creative Weekend” on OneCreativeMommy.com.

    Reply
  19. Megan says

    August 5, 2012 at 12:32 pm

    What a great idea! Super cute! I would love for you to come link up your blog to my Get social Sunday link party!

    http://alivedinhome.blogspot.com/2012/08/get-social-sunday.html

    Reply
  20. jamie@[kreyv] says

    August 5, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    Love it! It is super cute, and it’s so rewarding to use supplies you already have. Great job!

    Reply
  21. Nif @ Call Me Nif says

    August 5, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    I LOVE this table! It looks so beachy. Great idea you had to use the wood from the trellis. Thanks for sharing!!

    xoxo
    Nif

    Reply
  22. Crystal says

    August 5, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    I love this table! I like how each piece is colored differently and the contrast against the white legs. Great job!

    Reply
  23. Frank Steiner says

    August 5, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    Woowww. I am very much impressed. I had a side table in the storage. I might do exactly the same thing and create a new side table with your instructions.

    Reply
  24. Jennifer says

    August 5, 2012 at 8:16 pm

    Beautiful! I never would have recoganized that as the old table!!

    Reply
  25. Kayla says

    August 6, 2012 at 7:20 am

    Oh. My. Goodness. I love this! I have collected a bunch of the $7 Ikea Lack tables and now I have nothing good to do with them. This sort of thing would be fantastic! If you have a minute, I’d love for you to link up to Sweet Sharing Monday – http://saynotsweetanne.com/2012/sweet-sharing-monday-17/

    Reply
  26. SJ@SweeterStill says

    August 6, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    Wow! What a great transformation. I love the contrast of the reclaimed wood with the white legs.

    Reply
  27. Vel says

    August 6, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    You are very talented with wood! keep it up! :-) Linking back from “My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia”

    Reply
  28. Jessica says

    August 6, 2012 at 8:18 pm

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! This is an amazing transformation! I love that you painted the legs and lower shelf white. It makes the reclaimed wood stand out and appear so much more beautiful! An absolutely amazing piece of furniture!

    Reply
  29. Catherine says

    August 6, 2012 at 11:30 pm

    Just saw your link of Not Just a Housewife – what a beautiful table! Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  30. Sarah @ 20 State says

    August 6, 2012 at 11:38 pm

    Oh this is gorgeous. I love the combination of white and timber, fresh and classic…oh and I really, really want a Dremel ;)

    Reply
  31. Jesseca says

    August 7, 2012 at 5:53 am

    this table is SO SO SO cute! I have a side table from a yard sale that I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with… this is going to be my afternoon project!

    Reply
  32. Callie says

    August 7, 2012 at 9:22 am

    Gorgeous!! I recently did a similar project, so when I saw yours on Not Just a Housewife I had to check it out. My wood is more distressed, from an old fence, and I stained it for the results. I really like yours too – I like how our projects are similar ideas but different looks! I think your photography skills are better though ;) My project is here: http://house-capades.blogspot.com/2012/06/office-cabinet-makeover-aka-tornado.html

    Reply
  33. Stacy says

    August 7, 2012 at 6:02 pm

    I love this!!! I am off to pin it :) Thanks for linking up!

    Reply
  34. Lindsey Ralls says

    August 8, 2012 at 7:26 am

    This is GORGEOUS! What a wonderful idea

    Reply
  35. Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says

    August 8, 2012 at 10:53 am

    It’s gorgeous! I love the stain you chose and the contrast of the white and the wood. Nice job :)

    Reply
  36. Christina @ Little Victorian says

    August 9, 2012 at 7:36 am

    It’s gorgeous! I’m crazy about furniture makeovers, but I never thought to add old wood to the top. Very cool.

    Reply
  37. Liz says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:05 pm

    It really is fantastic. Amazing what something seemingly useless and trashbound could become. You had a great eye for the finished product and your follow through proved your genius!
    Love it!
    Liz

    Reply
  38. Gail says

    August 9, 2012 at 5:26 pm

    Perfect! I love what you did with “trash wood”–I’m going to be looking for some old wood to do this. Thanks for the great idea. Gail (BibleLoveNotes.com)

    Reply
  39. Aimee - It's Overflowing says

    August 10, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    This is the best table I’ve seen in a long time. I love the reclaimed wood so much! Featuring you tomorrow. XO, Aimee

    Reply
  40. Betsy @ Anna Nimmity says

    August 11, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    Wow! This is a great project. I love how you saw the potential in the wood and turned it into something beautiful.

    Reply
  41. Holly @ My Sister's Suitcase says

    August 11, 2012 at 10:15 pm

    Just gorgeous!!! I always love your projects, but life is so crazy, I just realized I hardly ever tell you :) Your blog is one of my favs and I am always inpsired by you! Thanks for sharing this amazing upcycle. You are a girl after my own heart :)

    Reply
  42. Tauni says

    August 13, 2012 at 10:49 pm

    What a great project. Can’t wait to share it with everyone. Thanks for linking up to Show & Tell on SNAP!

    xoxo, Tauni

    Reply
  43. gail says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:53 am

    Taryn–your ugly duckling table sure turned into a swan! Beautiful job!

    gail

    Reply
  44. Christina at I Gotta Create! says

    August 15, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    Saw you at the Snap linky and just had to stop by and say how much I love your table! Absolutely beautiful <3 Crisp with Character is a great description.
    <3 Christina at I Gotta Create!
    Wildly Original linky party is open.

    Reply
  45. Jeannie-JB says

    August 16, 2012 at 5:37 am

    Love the Naturally Distressed Wood used on the top of the little side table. It adds SO much character and pazaaaz! Gonna be breaking out my drimel tool soon. Thanks for the tips – You are such an inspiration!.

    Reply
  46. Emily says

    August 17, 2012 at 9:15 am

    Wow, that looks beautiful.. and expensive! I love that part about DIY, making things that look expensive, and would be if sold in a store, but aren’t because you did it all on your own! Awesome

    Reply
    • Emily says

      August 17, 2012 at 9:21 am

      Question on my post: Do you know if similar wood IS found in stores? Like a Home Depot maybe?

      Reply
  47. Elzabeth@ Blue Clear Sky says

    August 17, 2012 at 10:04 am

    That is a gorgeous makeover. Love the colours in the wood.

    Reply
  48. michele@hellolovelyinc says

    August 17, 2012 at 10:34 am

    this is absolutely incredible! i love!

    found you via MMS’s party where i’m partying too. would love to have you as a follower.

    smiles and happy weekend.

    michele

    Reply
  49. Janis@All Things Beautiful says

    August 17, 2012 at 11:29 am

    This is so gorgeous! I love the colors in reclaimed wood too, and you highlighted them well in this project! VERY Impressive!!!!

    Reply
  50. AC says

    August 17, 2012 at 11:42 am

    This is so stunning and so simple. You have inspired me to do this on my own little sad side table. Thank you~!!!

    Reply
  51. Ian says

    August 19, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    Well spotted Taryn! Just shows that you can make something nice out of almost anything with a little work!

    I guess you need to watch out for nasty chemicals if the timber is treated, but then you’ll be wearing a mask when sanding anyway……
    Regards

    Reply
  52. Casey says

    August 20, 2012 at 6:03 pm

    So beautiful! Where did you get the original table?

    Reply
  53. Jess Rieken says

    August 21, 2012 at 10:19 am

    Hey Taryn…I’m Jessica, Maria’s friend. I met you this weekend at the garage sale. She told me about your blog so I checked it out and LOVE IT! You’re so cute and your projects are amazing. I will definitely be trying this table makeover. It was great meeting you…I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of you during the wedding planning!

    Reply
  54. Kati says

    August 31, 2012 at 3:42 am

    I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You did a fantastic job!!

    Reply
  55. Kim @ Sand & Sisal says

    September 1, 2012 at 12:01 am

    Hi Taryn, I know I’m late to seeing this, but wow! It’s beautiful! What a great way to utilize the wood!

    Reply
  56. Tonya @ Love of Family & Home says

    September 1, 2012 at 5:27 am

    This table turned out awesome!! Really, really, gorgeous!!

    Reply
  57. Rebekah says

    September 5, 2012 at 11:42 am

    love it!

    Reply
  58. Brittany says

    October 2, 2012 at 9:40 am

    This is gorgeous! I love reclaimed wood, and I love the stories about how people get ahold of it! (bums me out that I haven’t had such good luck ;) ). Great before-and-after :)

    Reply
  59. Jordan Biasetti says

    February 19, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    I am so impressed with this project. The final product is incredible, and I feel like I can actually do this myself! I think I might give it a try….

    Reply
  60. Christine says

    May 30, 2013 at 3:51 pm

    I love it! I could tell that it was a trelis before you even said it. Thanks for the idea. Looks beautiful.

    Reply
  61. Bruce Johnson says

    July 24, 2013 at 11:04 am

    Great project, Taryn. It’s always fun to see the transformation with upcycled wood and this one looks fantastic. Did you happen to use Minwax Wipe-on Poly?

    Reply

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Hi and welcome! I'm Taryn and the voice of style behind Taryn Whiteaker Designs. Sharing our journey of modernizing our European style home in Dallas. Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to subscribe to my mailing list to get all the latest updates! Read more...

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