Learn how to refinish a coffee table with beginner-friendly steps that turn worn furniture into a fresh, updated centerpiece.
I have definitely caught the furniture redo bug lately, mostly because my house needs a refresh, but my budget has limits.
This project shows how to refinish a coffee table using simple steps that anyone can follow.
This was one of my first refinishing projects, and I have since updated this post with extra tips and details to make it even more helpful.
It is perfect for beginners, thrift-store finds, and anyone looking for a fresh look without spending a lot.
Jump to:
Skill Level: Beginner
Total Time: 3 hours (does not include dry time)
Supply List
Some links may lead to similar items when the exact item is unavailable.
- Thrifted Coffee Table
- Orbital Sander
- Sanding Discs
- Stain
- Lint-Free Cloths
- Polyurethane
- Paintbrush
- Chalk Paint
- Chalk Paint Seal
- Chalk Paint Brush
Prep the Table
This is my "new" coffee table, which I purchased for $15 on Facebook Marketplace. It is a sturdy, solid wood table, perfect for refinishing.
Before you begin, you should have a vision of how you want to refinish the furniture.
For stains, you'll want to sand. For painting, you'll want to clean the area thoroughly.
I am doing a combination of the two. I want a stained top and painted sides and legs.
Sand the wood with 120-grit sandpaper and finish with up to 220-grit. You want to remove the existing finish so that the new stain can soak into the wood.
You can do this by hand, but that's a lot of work. I completely recommend using an orbital sander.
After the top was completely sanded, I cleaned the table really well. Sanding can create a lot of dust, so I cleaned it after instead of before.
This is where I got really into the project and totally forgot to take pictures. I am so sorry, but the steps are pretty simple, and pictures aren't necessary.
Stain and Seal Top
The stain I used is Minwax Espresso. It is a darker stain that really brings out the wood's grain.
I applied the stain with a lint-free rag, let it soak in briefly, then wiped off the excess.
Apply a single coat and let it dry completely. The stain can look completely different from wet to dry.
I decided to apply a second coat because I wanted a really dark stain.
The stain needs to be completely dry before applying the polyurethane top coat.
Apply the sealer with a paintbrush to the stained tabletop, not the legs or sides, in thin, even coats.
For best results, let each coat dry 4-6 hours and lightly sand between coats. Apply at least 2-3 coats.
Paint and Seal Sides and Legs
For the sides and legs, I used Annie Sloan chalk paint.
This was the easiest part of the process. I painted the sides and legs while staining the top, then left the table to dry.
I applied 2 coats of the chalk paint and one coat of wax to seal.
The clear Annie Sloan wax is difficult to find anymore, so in the supply list, I linked to a Krylon version.
I have never used this brand, but I did some research, and it seems to work the same.
Distress (optional)
Distressing is a completely optional style choice.
I like to distress because I think it hides the mistakes I made along the way, making the finished project look more polished.
Lightly sand a few edges and corners after everything has dried, and wipe clean.
Final Look
I absolutely LOVE the fresh new look of my new coffee table, and I am so proud of myself for trying something new!
A few months after I finished this project, we moved, and I love it even more in this living room!
What do you think? Have you tried to refinish furniture? Or are you wanting to, but nervous to start? Just do it!!
More Furniture Tutorials
Now that you know what you're doing, here are a few more refinishing ideas!
Hi, I'm Katie!
I'm so glad you're here. Want to make something fabulous? I'm here to help!
Maury
Yeah I just realized that you commented on mine before. You're right they are the same!
Peggy Jean
This turned out fabulous! I love it!
eleven-o-one
You did a great job! Isn't it amazing how the fact that it was cheap makes it that much better? Love it!
Katie
It looks fantastic! I love how your staining made the top look like a barn door to me, which makes me love it even more! I love a good furniture redo!
Gwen@theboldabode
Crazy transformation! That was one UGLY table and you made it look awesome! It's so incredible what a little stain, a little paint and some elbow grease can do.
Lish
This looks fantastic!!! Great job...I'm adding this to my 'to do' list!
Lauren Anslee
This turned out amazing! Thank you for sharing and I think you are more talented than you give yourself credit for!
Ginger
Love! I haven't had the time or patience to redo in furniture lately. 🙁 I would love to try that brand of paint. Looks amazing. 🙂
Katie
I LOVE how the top turned out!! It looks so old! It looks awesome with the white! Great job!!
Lindsay
This is gorgeous! I am so impressed by how well you transformed it. I bet you LOVE having it in your home!
Maury
This looks awesome! This looks so much like the one I just did! We have matching coffee tables!
Kelli @ The Turquoise Piano
Katie I love this table! LOVE it. You did a fantastic job. Was it chalk paint that you used? I know Annie Sloan makes a chalk paint. I am going to make some and do a chair. Did I mention I love the table?
Nicole@Thrifty Decorating
Putting this on FB tonight! 🙂
Pamela
Beautiful!
Kelli
I love the look! Good thing you have a cheap sander. 🙂 The color combo kinda reminds me of my kitchen table but I like the bones of your table better! You know, if tables had bones.
Jessica
WOW! That turned out so lovely. Such a rustic but finished look. Great job!
Jessica
WOW! That turned out so lovely. Such a rustic but finished look. Great job!
ladywiththeredrocker
This turned out so nice. Love the color you picked for it. You did such a good job!
Stephanie @ Ladywiththeredrocker.wordpress.com
Rachael @ Fresh Squeezed Home
It looks so pretty! It has the same shape as our kitchen table I am in the process of refinishing!
Johanson Family
you always impress me!! Way to go girl!! I would have never been able to do something like that!
Deborah March
Absolutely positively GORGEOUS!! SWOON!!!! White...always my favourite "go-to" colour...Deborah ♥♥
Emmy
Love!! Great job! I have painted one table and want to redo everything now too
Andrea Brand . Charcoal and Crayons
I love that old barn door look too... fabulous job!
Debbie
I'm all about the refinishing too. I just did a dresser for my daughter a few weeks ago and painted a few things after that.
I really LOVE the bones of that piece and would have snapped it up if I had seen it too. You did a great job. I like the white legs with the finished top.
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage
Lovely Katie!! 🙂
craftedniche
Too funny! I'm working on a VERY similar table right now. I grabbed it right out of someone's trash and made a new plank top for it!
Dana @ CraftedNiche.wordpress.com
Casa De Luna
Your coffee table looks great! Thanks for the inspiration. My modern coffee table from Ikea is no longer cutting it. I need to find one like yours.
Wray Sist3rs
Gorgeous! I need s table like this in my home. Thanks for the inspiration!
Angela
wraysist3rs.blogspot.com
colorchic
Love the table Katie! I have plenty of stuff I want to get to "someday"! Perhaps I should just send it to you!
Cindy @ Creating at Home
This is gorgeous! And, to think that I gave away (on the side of the road!!) my coffee table that looked just like this. I should've re-done it like you did. 🙂
[email protected]
love this! It looks so great!
Tracy
You did a great job, Katie. I haven't tried refinishing any furniture but I'll be moving soon and will be doing lots of diy projects. Refinishing is definitely in my future - lol!Cheers,Tracy
Toaster4JC
Looks lovely!
Liz @ thequickjourney.blogspot.com
I LOVE it! I have to do this to my coffee table. It has the same structure as your table. Love it!! 🙂
Francine
Great transformation !
Sweet Peas and Bumblebees
I LOVE LOVE how your coffee table turned out!! =) My coffee table needs redone and I can't wait to get started on it since looking at yours...thanks for the inspiration! =)
Briana
Lorie
Love it! Wish it were in my living room right now! Lorie @ Reading Confetti
Maggie
aww this is gorgeous.Have a great week,Maggie
Carissa
This turned out awesome. It totally looks like a high end piece from pottery barn. In fact...i bet you could make a bit of a side business out of flipping furniture. I bought a coffee table on CL for $15, used it in my home for 4 years, cleaned it up, staged a picture that was well lit and made it look high end and re-sold it on CL for $80. Blog fodder and extra income? Heck yeah!
Ashley
o this is AWESOME!!! i love it:)
Ladybird Ln
This is fabulous... my mom has gone crazy buying used furniture and refinishing, I will have to show her this. I love the colors you chose and featured it on my blog!Carlee
Allie
This is absolutely gorgeous!! I love it!!
Chris
Hi Katie, I just love what you have done with this table. Great job and thanks for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com
WOW! This turned out FABULOUS! I love it lots!!! XO, Aimee
Aimee
I'm excited to be your newest follower!!! XO, Aimee
Jaye @ Just Tryin' to Make Cents of it All
I know this post of your's is a little old but I just discovered it! Do you know how many times I see coffee tables like that at my fav thrift store? That looks so amazing! You did a great job. And BTW, I'm with you on brushing on poly! They make a one now that you can rub on with a cloth. LOVE IT!
Katie
Thanks for stopping by! : ) I still love my coffee table, totally worth the $15 dollars I paid for it! Yes, rubbing the poly on is just so much better to me!
Christina Woodcock
Love it! It is absolutely beautiful <3
Katie
Thanks so much Christina!
Thomas
Wow, your table turned out wonderful! What an awesome transformation!