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    Home » Blog

    Dining Room Table Makeover

    by Jennifer Fancher 44 Comments Published: 1/24/10 Updated: 3/7/22 This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Have you ever had a piece of furniture in your house that you really didn't like? This is how I flipped a craigslist find into a Dining Room Table makeover that I love!

    I love what this blogger did to her Craigslist find Dining Room Table Makeover. The reveal is amazing!

    I finally had reached my limit with my old Dining Room Table.  It had grooves all across the top - you know the kind that leave you with permanent marks on your forearms for hours? Yeah, kind of like that!

    And y'all - let me tell you, it obviously didn't work well with two messy boys eating. As a result, I had to carve out their crumbs with a toothpick to get the table clean. In other words, I was over it.

    So I went on a search and found another table on craigslist.  I was able to talk the guy down from his original price and stole it for $150. Here's the before pic

    I love what this blogger did to her Craigslist find Dining Room Table Makeover. The reveal is amazing!

    Sorry for the blurred image - it's a copy from the seller's post.

    First, I brought it into the garage and asked my father in law, who was visiting to help me out.  Don't y'all put your guests to work when they visit? No???  Just me...???

    So anyway, we sanded it all down.

    I love what this blogger did to her Craigslist find Dining Room Table Makeover. The reveal is amazing!

    And sanded and sanded and sanded!

    I love what this blogger did to her Craigslist find Dining Room Table Makeover. The reveal is amazing!

    This table was a soft pine and I had no doubt that my boys were going to ding and scratch it all up. Next, I distressed the table with holes, marks, gashes - so it already had that weathered look.

    Plus it made it easier when the first marks were made.  I call it preventative insurance for the crazy outburst of fury from Momma.

    I love what this blogger did to her Craigslist find Dining Room Table Makeover. The reveal is amazing!
    I love what this blogger did to her Craigslist find Dining Room Table Makeover. The reveal is amazing!

    I chose a deep mahogany minwax stain for the tops and the seats of the chairs. For the bottom of the table and chairs, I went with a creamy white. After they dried, I used Valspar glaze to antique them.

    And this is how my Dining Room Table makeover turned out.

    I love what this blogger did to her Craigslist find Dining Room Table Makeover. The reveal is amazing!

    We had some issues when it came to applying the polyurethane coat. Since the table was old and used, I had major cursing, crying problems with fish eyes (when the poly doesn't completely take and pulls away from the wood).

    But my thought was, for $150 and 2 rowdy, raucous boys, it's gonna get beat up something good, so I gave up and labeled it as "character".

    Here are some earlier pics with close ups of the finish:

    I love what this blogger did to her Craigslist find Dining Room Table Makeover. The reveal is amazing!
    I love what this blogger did to her Craigslist find Dining Room Table Makeover. The reveal is amazing!

    This was my first ever furniture redo and I'm kinda proud of my first efforts - of course!

    Table of Contents

    • Dining Room Table MakeoverSource List
      • Grand Total: $183.75
    • Pin This!
    • UPDATE!!
      • Click here to see how the table looks now!

    Dining Room Table
    MakeoverSource List

    (Some affiliate links are provided below. Full disclosure here.)

    • Dining Room Table  - Used from Craigslist $150
    • Stain for table top and Seats - Deep Mahogany by Minwax $4.75
    • Polyurethane - Quick Drying Gloss by Minwax $11
    • Cream Paint - oops can from Lowe's $5
    • Glaze for Chairs - Valspar Antiquing Glaze from Lowe's $13

    Grand Total: $183.75

    I love what this blogger did to her Craigslist find Dining Room Table Makeover. The reveal is amazing!
    I love what this blogger did to her Craigslist find Dining Room Table Makeover. The reveal is amazing!

    Let me know what you think!!!  I loooove to hear your comments!

    Wanna save this for later?

    Pin This!

    I love what this blogger did to her Craigslist find Dining Room Table Makeover. The reveal is amazing!

    UPDATE!!

    Of course I've recreated this table again!

    Click here to see how
    the table looks now!

    Our craigslist find wasn't working in our updating dining room. Here's how I took our table and transformed it into a Farmhouse Style Dining Table Makeover
    « Painted Bench Makeover for only $10
    Ballard's Topiary Knock-Off »

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    1. Jennifer Fancher

      September 30, 2020 at 12:39 pm

      That's a great question! I did a little bit of both. I removed the finish using an orbital sander, but that has a tendency to leave swirl marks, so I always follow up with a hand sanding going in the same direction as the grain. Hope that helps!

    2. Tracy Thompson

      September 30, 2020 at 10:01 am

      Did you sand by hand or electric sanders?

    3. Unknown

      July 28, 2016 at 3:57 pm

      I have the same exact table and have been wanting to redo our table. You have inspired me can't wait to get started.

    4. Brenda Wheaton

      June 30, 2015 at 9:45 am

      You did a amazing job. I love it!

    5. Jennifer Fancher

      February 01, 2015 at 9:03 am

      Thanks so much for the feature!

    6. ReDo It Yourself Inspirations

      January 31, 2015 at 7:52 am

      Amazing transformation! I really love how you turned this set around.

      I featured your table this week as a Friday Favorite. Hope you hop over to see how I bragged about you.

      Have a great creative week!
      ~ Robin
      http://redoityourselfinspirations.blogspot.com/2015/01/friday-five-fabulous-furniture-features_31.html

    7. thethinkingcloset

      February 20, 2013 at 11:21 pm

      Thanks for your sweet comment on my black distressed table makeover! I had to pop over here to hunt for your creamy white dining table...and it looks grrrrrreat! The darker wood for the surface is a great contrast...and also better for masking dirt and splashes of food. 🙂 Brava!

      Warmly,
      Lauren

    8. Anonymous

      March 02, 2010 at 2:01 pm

      That project turned out B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L-L-Y!
      Thanks for sharing!

    9. fawnda

      February 19, 2010 at 8:20 pm

      WOW! That turned out beautiful! I love the dark wood with the cream! great job! : )

    10. Donna

      February 12, 2010 at 9:53 am

      WOW You did an amazing job. We are about to get a new table and chairs. I wish I was this crafty. I would love to be able to say I did it myself like this. Great job.

    11. junkermidge

      February 03, 2010 at 5:26 pm

      What a beautiful job you did on your dining table redo! Way to go!
      Midge

    12. bec4

      February 02, 2010 at 3:55 pm

      Thanks so much for linking up!

    13. BabiesandBargains

      February 01, 2010 at 6:53 pm

      wow that looks AMAZING!! We have a very similar table and those colors would match our dining room perfect!! You have inspired me!!

    14. Shannon U.

      February 01, 2010 at 10:11 am

      Love the "after" of this table!! Glad you're ok with the fisheyes. When you have kids it's better not to have anything that starts out perfect, huh? Fisheye's are almost impossible to avoid with an old table. (Not sure if you knew but they're caused by Pledge or another silicon duster.) The only way to avoid is use "sanding sealer" in the beginning before staining. Even that sometimes doesn't work! Lovely blog!

    15. pk @ Room Remix

      January 31, 2010 at 4:37 pm

      That looks like it took a LOT of time and effort, but well worth it I'm guessing? It turned out great!

    16. Angie

      January 31, 2010 at 9:10 pm

      Amazing transformation! I love the paint with the stained top!

    17. [email protected]

      January 31, 2010 at 7:38 pm

      gorgeous! for your 1st time, this is awesome! i wish I had half that talent & patience!

    18. Emily @ Frilly Details

      January 31, 2010 at 7:37 pm

      I can't believe that's the same table!! It looks like something from Pottery Barn! You did an amazing job. Wow!

    19. Barbie

      January 31, 2010 at 6:47 pm

      That is fabulous! Great job!!

    20. Farmgirl Paints

      January 30, 2010 at 9:44 pm

      You did a great job...just gorg-eous!!

    21. Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking

      January 30, 2010 at 9:36 am

      Drooling here... love the two-tone... I was just thinking of redoing my kitchen table like that... just did it last summer though. Thanks for linkin up to POPP!

    22. Debbie

      January 29, 2010 at 9:38 am

      That is beautiful, seriously for your first time, wow you are on to something!!~ Enjoy...I have two boys myself, I would like to say oh they are gentle and soft on things NOT!!~ But you get over it!

    23. bec4

      January 28, 2010 at 2:55 pm

      That is an amazing redo. I'd be thrilled if you linked up to my linky party!

    24. La Tempête

      January 28, 2010 at 12:11 am

      My honest opinion is that you did a truly amazing job. Good for you too, it looks fabulous!

    25. MiMi

      January 27, 2010 at 11:05 am

      Beautiful!!!

    26. Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage

      January 27, 2010 at 2:26 pm

      Loving the redo -- awesome job!

    27. Tara

      January 27, 2010 at 12:42 pm

      Hi Jen, my friend April gave me the link to your blog. I met you once when you lived across the street from her and I came to visit from MI. Your blog is great and you look absolutely amazing! I'm glad to hear things are going well for you guys!

    28. April

      January 27, 2010 at 9:17 am

      Toot toot! I'm tooting your horn too so you don't have to, it can be awkward sometimes! ha ha but GIRL you earned it. When are you moving back? I'm seriously HATING you for leaving right now! (In a loving way) We could be doing this stuff together!!!

    29. Mimi

      January 26, 2010 at 1:43 pm

      Oh, that came out beautifully! I ♥ the dark top and creamy legs!

    30. Kimm at Reinvented

      January 26, 2010 at 5:48 pm

      Looks fabulous! I love the finish on top AND on the legs! Thanks for linking up and for using my new button!

    31. Jenny @ Words on Wendhurst

      January 26, 2010 at 6:47 am

      Wow that is beautiful! You did a fabulous job! Love the contrast between the stained wood and the painted white! So pretty. 🙂

    32. Cat

      January 25, 2010 at 8:00 pm

      It's so beautiful now- I love what you did. Thanks for sharing!

    33. Trent

      January 25, 2010 at 4:48 pm

      I also helped on this piece. She's taking ALL the credit!! But seriously, she stayed out in the garage for many weeks alone on this project. Much deserved break from the kids.

    34. ::cottage instincts::

      January 25, 2010 at 3:46 pm

      That totall RAWKS! I am looking for a dining set just like that on craigslist. Unfortunately there are only modern style on there most of the time.

      Looks like gorgeousness to me. Good on ya!

    35. Leanne

      January 25, 2010 at 3:04 pm

      I LOVE that! I bought a china cabinet and table set a few months ago, and I am afraid to to that to mine! You did a BEAUTIFUL job!!!

    36. The Tiny Homestead

      January 25, 2010 at 12:20 pm

      ooh la la. your table looks gorgeous and expensive. it's so stunning I didn't even see your blinds until you mentioned them. well done.

    37. Kalleen

      January 25, 2010 at 11:36 am

      What a lot of work. It looks amazing, good job.

    38. trish

      January 25, 2010 at 5:13 am

      What a gorgeous dining set!
      You did a beautiful job.
      -Trish

    39. Linda

      January 24, 2010 at 10:29 pm

      What an awesome makeover...love how you stained the top of the table and seats in the chairs...beau-ti-ful!!! Hope you have a great week:)

      Blessings,
      Linda

    40. Treasia Stepp

      January 24, 2010 at 9:49 pm

      I love how it turned out. It's beautiful. Fabulous job for your first time. I feel many more projects for you coming now.

    41. Lisa

      January 24, 2010 at 9:37 pm

      It is a gorgeous table (now)! Great job! For your first time refinishing furniture could you have picked a bigger piece, lol!

    42. Anonymous

      January 24, 2010 at 9:11 pm

      Gorgeous! You did a great job.

      vail in tn

    43. Sonia

      January 24, 2010 at 8:51 pm

      That is an awesome redo!! I love the table and chairs..so pretty. What a deal you got!

      Miss Bloomers

    44. Sheri

      January 24, 2010 at 8:51 pm

      Wow, that is just gorgeous!!!

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