Scavenger Chic

Dated Side Table Makeover with Hairpin Legs

• By Joan
• February 15, 2023
• 3 Comments

Dated Side Table Makeover with Hairpin Legs

Hi friends, welcome back.  I think you’ll like this project because it’s fairly easy and it has a nice before and after photo.

Let’s start out with the before shot. This is a side table I received from my oldest son.   It’s heavy, it has drawers with dovetailed joints,  nice storage space….just about everything you’d want in a side table but he had deemed it unsalvageable and more than a little dated, so it was headed to the thrift store.

But mom says wait!  Hold everything, this guy just needs a little makeover.

I did have to throw my body in the way of this one 😆 .  Actually the side table  wasn’t my style either but he was worth a second chance.

The table also had this vinyl floor tile stuck right smack dab in the center of the top.  Was it someplace to put drinks?  Don’t know, but it had to go.

The adhesive floor tile on top of the side table was stuck really well.  A heat gun worked wonders softening all of the old glue.

Not having any varnish remover on hand I attacked the drawers first with a medium grit sand paper and finished with a fine grit.

Tip:  If you have a random orbit sander do not buy the sanding disks at your local big box store where they can cost as much as $1.28 per disk.  Instead, head to Amazon where 150 of the various grit sanding disks will cost somewhere around $20.

By the way, I have the Dewalt Random Orbit Sander and I love it.

If I wanted this side table to be taller, those short stubby legs had to go.  Where the arrow is pointing is where I attacked those legs with a handheld circular saw.

Sawing off the old legs allowed me to have a place for which to attach these 10″ hairpin legs.

I found these at Hobby Lobby when they were half price at $5 each.  You can also purchase hairpin legs on Amazon for about the same price.

While I was at Hobby Lobby I also picked up 2 knobs on clearance at 99¢ but I did have to patch the old holes.

If your finish is really slick, lightly scuff the finish with sandpaper before painting.

For the body of the side table I’m using Waverly Chalk paint in the color Ink  (also known as black) and finished with a clear wax.  Once the wax is dry buff with fine steel wool.

The drawers have 2 coats of Watco Danish Oil which are also buffed with fine steel wool between coats.

I think my son liked his side table makeover but I’m still waiting on a delivery date.

As always, stay inspired.

And now , as promised, a before and after photo.

Also with hairpin legs…

Window and Plaster Lath Coffee Table

Kitchen Cabinet Side Table

Related posts:

Upcycled Kitchen Cabinet Side Table Decorating, Scavenger Chic Style Wobbly Table Fix and Makeover DIY Nightstands from an old Desk