Have you wondered how to create a DIY painted side table?  I will walk you through how to update a thrifted side table using MMS milk paint. 

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Backstory

A few weeks ago, I was out and about at a thrift store when I came across this cute small side table. It was a good price and I thought it would be a good candidate for a transformation. Initially, this table’s original finish was brown paint with a red tint. However, it was in good condition and I thought it had potential.  

Further, I always find little side tables to be particularly useful. They are great for setting down a cup of coffee in your living room or for holding towels in a bathroom. They can be used to hold plants and can be stashed by the side of a bed to hold a stack of books. Small side tables are a piece of furniture that can always be repurposed and used.

Old end tables and bedside table(s) are also good furniture pieces to find for a quick update. You can find this pieces at thrift stores, flea markets and yard sales.

So, let me walk you through the steps I took to give this little side table a makeover.

DIY Painted Side Table

Supplies

The first thing we need to do is gather our supplies. I wanted an authentic chippy look for this side table so I decided to use MMS Milk Paint in the color Farmhouse White which is a warm white paint color. If you visit the MMS Milk Paint website, you will see there is a whole array of color choices.

• MMS milk paint
• MMS milk coat
• MMS Milk Mix EZ
• 220 grit sandpaper
• A butter knife
• Cleaner that is a degreaser – I used Mr. Clean
• Paint brush
• Kraft paper to protect your work surface

Step 1 – Clean the Table

Use your cleaner, a scrub brush and rag to ensure all the dirt and grime has been removed. I used Mr. Clean for this project however you can also use 409, TSP, or Simple Green. Anything that will cut through grease and dirt will work. 

I wanted this table to have a naturally chippy appearance so I did NOT sand the wood. I simply cleaned it well and then let it dry completely.

If your table has any original hardware, like knobs on a drawer, now is the time to remove it. If you have new hardware you want to install, set it to the side.

Step 2 – Apply Milk Paint

Mix up your milk paint using 1 part powdered paint and equal parts water. I added about 4 drops of Milk Mix EZ to help the powder and water get incorporated a little easier. Once fully mixed, I let the paint sit for about 20 minutes.  

People ask me about the difference between milk paint and chalk paint. Milk paint is all natural, has zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and is made from 4 plant based ingredients. It has also been around since the 1700s. Chalk paint is a fairly new invention, it contains VOCs and is very similar to regular latex paints.

While the mixed paint was setting, I rolled out some kraft paper to protect my dining room table and secured it to the table surface using some tape. 

You may have noticed that this little table has some ornate legs and spindles. These can be difficult to paint. So, to ensure there was good coverage and to minimize any paint drips from occurring, I turned the table upside down and painted the bottom first. 

Rotating the table as I was painting helped to ensure that I didn’t miss any spots.  

As you can see in the photo above, the first coat of paint was splotchy. Whenever you are painting a lighter color over dark wood, it always requires multiple coats of paint.  So don’t be deterred if the first coat of paint doesn’t look great.

This particular table required 3 coats of paint. 

Most of you may know that I collaborate with the MMS milk paint company and as a result I can save you 10% on your order. If you order any products from the link provided, enter the code 10OFFSH to save 10%.

Step 3 – Create Natural Chipping

Remember when I told you that I did not sand this table? Normally, sanding is a required step for preparing the piece of furniture to be painted. However, I thought this little table would look better and have more character if some natural chipping took place.  

Here is a quick summary as to how I achieved this look.

First, I took some 220 grit sandpaper and lightly sanded the entire table.  You can also use this opportunity to remove any drips of paint that you come across since the 220 grit sandpaper will remove them easily.

Then, I took a butter knife and gently scraped the legs and spindles on the bottom of the table.  As hoped, small pieces of milk paint “chipped” off.  This is the part of the process where the magic happens.  What was once an old outdated table suddenly looks charming and has character.

When you are done with all the sanding and chipping, wipe down the table with a tack cloth or lint-free cloth.

Step 4 – Seal the Paint

I fully expect coffee cups, plants, and other items with moisture to be put on this table. After all, the whole purpose of having a side table is to use it! To protect the surface from moisture, I applied 3 coats of MMS’s Milk Coat in the no sheen/matte finish.

This is a great product to work with that has the consistency of hand lotion. It can be cleaned up with water and like the other MMS products, it doesn’t have any VOCs.  Applying the sealant is the final step in the process.

I used this same product to seal the antique sofa frame that I painted.  It has worked great and I have no complaints about using it. 

If you have new hardware you want to install, now is the time to do so.

Step 5- Enjoy your DIY Painted Side Table

Congratulations! You now have a side table that you gave a new life! As I mentioned previously, there are so many uses for this piece of furniture.  Here are some photos I took showing how it can be used in the home. 

First, here is a photo showing how it can be used in a bathroom to hold towels, soaps and a candle.

Second, here is a photo showing how it can be used next to a comfy side chair. 

Summary

Thank you for stopping by the blog today!  Below are some images I created for you so you can pin them to your Pinterest boards for future reference.  If in the future you want to return to this post, simply click on one of the images you have pinned. 

This was such a fun and rewarding project to complete.  I think furniture transformations are one of my favorite activities.  

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