• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Projects
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Snapchat
    • Twitter
Noting Grace
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Projects
  • Shop
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Projects
    • Shop
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Blog

    Painted Trunk Side Table

    by Jennifer Fancher 8 Comments Published: 6/9/20 Updated: 12/21/21 This post may contain affiliate links.

    40 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    When I was given this trunk from a family member, it wasn't quite my style. Here's how I made this painted trunk side table a perfect solution for my sunroom.

    painted trunk side table before

    Whenever someone asks me if I want something, the hardest thing for me to say is no.

    I can't help but think of the possibilities of what I can turn that piece into.

    So when I was gifted this small trunk, I knew it would be perfect side table for our sunroom, but it definitely needed changing.

    Those hints of red peeking through with those brass latches and handles weren't my jam.

    before painted latch
    trunk handle before

    Here's how I transformed this piece into a painted trunk side table that I love!

    Painted Trunk Side Table

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

    Supplies Needed:

    Small Trunk
    Sand Paper or Sanding Block
    Fusion Mineral Paint - I used the color Bedford
    Sponge Brushes
    Modern Masters Rust Finish Kit

    My initial plan was to sand the trunk down and have it be a beautiful natural finish.

    Then this happened.

    sanding down to reveal mdf

    Womp, womp.

    After I sanded a corner, I realized I was dealing with MDF - medium density fiberboard.

    So my only option was to paint.

    Then I remembered a small cabinet in my sunroom that I updated with mineral paint.

    The color is called Bedford and I love the soft green in this room. So that's what I went with.

    I knew this same paint would be perfect for this trunk.

    After removing the hardware, I started by scuffing the finish on the trunk.

    sand finish down to scuff the finish

    You don't have to completely sand it down, but you want to rough up that gloss so that the paint adheres.

    This took me about 5 minutes for this small trunk.

    fusion paint in Bedford

    I got out my mineral paint and went to town.

    This stuff is super easy to work with!

    first coat fusion mineral paint Bedford

    But affter the first coat, I could tell that it was going to need two coats to cover all that black.

    So while the first coat was drying, I started to work on the hardware.

    rust kit used for trunk hardware

    I've been wanting to try this stuff ever since I saw Natalie from My Vintage Porch use this on some handles.

    You start with the primer and paint it on.

    I used a sponge brush and dabbed it on to create a mottled affect.

    primer of rust coated hinges

    It takes at least 30 mins to dry before you either second coat or apply step two.

    So while the primer dried, I went back out and painted the second coat on the trunk.

    I didn't want the rust color to be so predominant, so I moved right on to step two and applied the iron coat using the same sponge technique.

    Here's what it looked like dried!

    Painting hinges with rust paint

    I'm in love!

    That flat iron look has me swooning.

    I stopped here and decided not to use step three, the activator that creates that rust look.

    After the chest dried overnight, I reassembled it putting the updated hardware back on.

    close up trunk handle

    So are you ready for the big reveal?

    It looks soooooo good!

    painted trunk side table reveal

    The soft gray/green hue is perfect for this room.

    And the hardware just pops!

    close up painted latch

    I allowed some of the rust color to peek thru, giving it depth and dimension.

    top of painted trunk side table
    painted trunk side table after

    So what do you think?

    Of course, you know I love it!

    But I want to hear from you!

    Do you have a piece sitting around that could use a quick update?

    I hope this encourages you to give this painted trunk side table a try!

    Pin this for later!

    Painted Trunk Side Table
    « Welcome Home Sunday Week 74
    Welcome Home Sunday Week 75 »

    Join the List

    for your weekly Noting Grace fix.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Jennifer Fancher

      June 25, 2020 at 11:40 am

      Thank you Kim!

    2. Robin Kramer

      June 16, 2020 at 11:50 am

      It's a beautiful update! Even though its a large piece, I love how it looks so fresh and airy, not heavy and clunky. And that hardware update? Perfect!

    3. Kim | Shiplap and Shells

      June 14, 2020 at 9:47 pm

      I love what you did with your trunk Jen! It looks wonderful in that spot!

    4. Anne

      June 14, 2020 at 6:08 pm

      Beautiful!

    Primary Sidebar

    Jen and Trent Fancher of Noting Grace

    Hi, We're Jen and Trent!

    We’re the DIYers behind the projects here at Noting Grace. We know that having the home of our dreams isn’t a reality for most of us, but you can create a home you love with a little bit of ingenuity.

    Our hope is to encourage, inspire and provide you with all the tools to help you create a home with intention that you love to live in.

    Want to know a little about us?

    More about us →

    Latest Posts

    • Do Painted Floor Tiles Last - Our 2 Year Review
    • Welcome Home Saturday with Cloches and Lavender
    • How to Easily Make DIY Soundproof Panels
    • Welcome Home Saturday with Cottage on Bunker Hill

    Trending Now

    • How we Changed our Bathroom Tile for $150 bucks
    • The Epic Gift Guide for Musicians and Music Lovers
    • 3 Secret Tricks to Removing Popcorn Ceilings
    • DIY Flooring: How We Changed our Kitchen in 3 days for Less than $400

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Meet Jen & Trent

    ABOUT
    PRIVACY POLICY
    DISCLOSURES

    Newsletter

    FREE PRINTABLES
    SUBSCRIBE to our Newsletter

    Contact

    CONTACT
    WORK WITH US /
    Brand Partnerships

    Noting Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed
    to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 NOTING GRACE

    40 shares