Outdoor Coffee Table Makeover

Is your patio set ready for a refresh? Here’s an easy tutorial to show you what’s possible! We’re turning an outdated set into something fresh, but with all of it’s original charm and character.

Our patio furniture makeover continues to be one of my very favorite things I’ve ever painted. And that’s saying something since I basically live with a paint brush in my hand.

When I found our set on Craigslist, I knew the coffee table would need a bit of reworking. I didn’t love the current set up, and I thought it really dated the furniture set. But, I also knew the coffee table had great bones, so a makeover would be easy. I was right.

Outdoor Patio Furniture Makeover. By The Wood Grain Cottage

Really, this was a simple little update.

Here’s what we started with…

Outdoor Patio Furniture Makeover. By The Wood Grain Cottage

After I removed everything but the bottom frame, here’s what was left…

Outdoor Coffee Table Makeover by The Wood Grain Cottage

Because there was a great indent on the frame, we decided to fill it with a piece of project board cut to size…

Outdoor Coffee Table Makeover by The Wood Grain Cottage
Outdoor Coffee Table Makeover by The Wood Grain Cottage

To attach it, we used our countersink to drill holes…

Outdoor Coffee Table Makeover by The Wood Grain Cottage

Then screwed it in place. With the bottom on, we started on the top. We used 2″ x 6″ boards, cut them to length, and started by placing them in the center…

Outdoor Coffee Table Makeover by The Wood Grain Cottage

With the holes countersunk, we clamped the boards together, then screwed them in place…

Outdoor Coffee Table Makeover by The Wood Grain Cottage

Then, we added the last two boards…

Outdoor Coffee Table Makeover by The Wood Grain Cottage

With the top in place, I started painting it with the same paint as the other furniture, Outdoor Paint from Maison Blanche in Wrought Iron…

Outdoor Coffee Table Makeover by The Wood Grain Cottage

For the board under the top, I decided to stain it with Provincial by Minwax…

Outdoor Coffee Table Makeover by The Wood Grain Cottage

Once I had the table painted, I went over the entire coffee table (stained board included), with several coats of Matte Varnish for extra protection…

Outdoor Coffee Table Makeover by The Wood Grain Cottage

With that, it was done!

Outdoor Patio Furniture Makeover. By The Wood Grain Cottage
Outdoor Patio Furniture Makeover. By The Wood Grain Cottage

I’m planning on, and looking for, some metal baskets to go underneath the top. It’s the perfect place to store extra outdoor items. Be it sprinklers, nozzles, or bug spray!

This makeover really, really updated the furniture set…

Outdoor Patio Furniture Makeover. By The Wood Grain Cottage
Outdoor Patio Furniture Makeover. By The Wood Grain Cottage

The planked top not only matches the rest of the set, but adds a little bit of character…

Overall, I couldn’t be happier! And not only is it pretty, but it’s functional!

Outdoor Patio Furniture Makeover. By The Wood Grain Cottage

I can’t even tell you how happy we are to have an outdoor patio set! It’s been really hot lately, but the evenings are perfect to curl up and enjoy it. Now, we just need to have a little party to fully break it in! 😀

And just in case you missed the full makeover, click here.

You can also read more about the cushions, and how I prepped them for outdoor use, here.

Main Signature

11 Comments

  1. This is the best furniture make over I’ve seen in a while! Did you get new cushions or just recover the old ones? It looks fresh and modern and I’m sure you’ll put it to good use. Now I need to get looking for an old patio set!
    Thanks for sharing — Lisa

  2. So cool that you could see the potential in that set. Love the plank table top, light-colored cushions, and the paint color! This is definitely a job well-done!

  3. You are something else…just such an incredible talent. I never, ever, ever would have seen what you saw in that set of furniture! I love it too! Thanks for all the inspiration you send my way.

  4. WWWOOOOOOOOWWWW! An amazing transformation. Your eye saw something I would have never seen. You turned ugly furniture into absolutely beautiful patio furniture. I hope you enjoy the summer evenings while sitting on your patio and looking at and admiring what you accomplished.

  5. I probably commented on your first post regarding this furniture re-do but I have to do it again. It’s amazing! You have an eye for taking something and making it your own. Looking forward to seeing what goodies you have in store for us in your on-line store!

  6. I totally agree with the other comments … you have an amazing eye for design and this set turned out just beautiful!! Thanks for another great inspirational post. BTW, do you remember where you got the rectangular woven tray that is displayed on your “new” table?

    1. Thank you so much, Michelle! I will be selling the woven tray in our online shop. Stay tuned! 🙂

  7. Great makeover! That set looks just like the set my husband’s grandmother had in her living room. I have so many memories of the kids going through the toys she kept in the little storage compartment on the table! I would have never thought to redo it like this, great job!

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