Ideas for Painting a Wooden End Table

The right paint job on an end table turns it from just another piece of furniture or an eyesore to a functional accessory that complements the rest of the room. Whether starting with raw wood or refinishing an old wooden end table, there are multiple painting techniques to choose from. Does this Spark an idea?

Permanent Doily

Add a permanent doily to your end table.

A traditional decoration for end tables is the crocheted doily. This cloth addition to the top of the table gives the room a very classic or old American look. The doily had to be removed and washed each week in days gone by to keep its pristine look. Take the constant maintenance out of this look by painting a permanent doily on an end table. Strip away any old finish on the end table if needed. Stain the item to match the decor in the room. Large plastic doilies are available at craft stores. Choose one large enough to cover the majority of the top of the table. Center the plastic doily and spray-paint white or beige depending on the decor. Carefully peel up the plastic piece and allow the table to dry. Add a coat of clear coat over the top to seal and protect the design.

Shabby Chic

Crackle finish adds a shabby chic look to an end table.

For the home decorated in a shabby-chic fashion, refinishing an end table with a crackle technique may be just the thing. Crackle painting creates a look of being old and cracked without the flaking chips. The process involves stripping the end table of all previous finish. Apply a base coat of latex paint and allow to dry to a tacky consistency. At this point, you may choose to apply a premixed crackle glaze or create a glaze by applying a darker, faster-drying paint or stain to the table. This process causes the base coat to crack and appear old. After the two coats are completely dry, apply a clear coat finish to protect the project.

Signs and Graffiti

Use street signs for inspiration

Ultramodern decorating calls for ultramodern paint jobs on end tables. Artist Boris Bally painted tables and chairs using street signs and graffiti as inspiration. Copy this concept at home with your own end tables. Choose a street sign in a color that matches the decor. For example, a room with red accents will benefit from a Stop sign's design. Painting the shape of the sign onto the table is not needed. Paint the table red and stencil the word "stop" across the top. Similarly, take inspiration from graffiti by stenciling or spray-painting words associated with the room or the family. A sports family might use team names or favorite player's numbers.