BedSide Table Rehab

Hello Friends.

It's the first thing you see in the morning, and the last thing you see at night. No, it's not your lover's (or your cat's) face. It's your bed side table! It lovingly holds all of your bedtime needs but sometimes it needs some love in return. So let's update that dull wood number you have resting next to your bed where you are resting your head. All you need is some paint, plexi-glass, fabric and time.

What I am working with:



Your run-of-the-mill, boring, Ikea MALM chest with two drawers

 

Now if you have ever attempted to paint a piece of Ikea furniture, you know what a pain it is to keep anything from scratching off the "particleboard, birch veneer, clear acrylic lacquer" surface. If you have not attempted to do so, DON'T, unless you have a lot of time, energy and patience. This ended up a multi-step process that really fried my nerves, once I figured out how to keep the paint on the damn thing, you can see the hard work paid off. Here is what you do:

1. Prep Surface- Clean the outer surfaces with mild cleaner and paper towels, dry completely. You may also opt to sand the entire surface of your bedside table but it depends on the type of finish your table has, the MALM was nearly un-sandable, so i didn't waste my energy. That is one tough clear acrylic lacquer.
2. Paint- I used Behr Premium Plus Ultra Paint & Primer In One in "Signature Blue". I applied this with a sponge roller, two coats, dry completely.

Don't touch!

 

3.  Seal that B****- Apply MinWax Fast-Drying Polyurethane Clear Semi-Gloss with a sponge roller, two-three coats, dry completely.

 

 Shiny!

 

 

4. Pick your Textile- Select a fabric in a complementary color and/or a fun pattern. This is where you make this table yours! Cut fabric to the dimensions of the top of your table.

 

Pretty.

 



5. Cut Plexi-Glass Top- I admit I had a little help from my Handy-Daddy, but if you have access to a table saw or jig saw or know someone who does, cut a sheet of plexi-glass to the dimensions of your table top. This step requires the most effort but it is also the most important as it will protect your table top and fabric and makes your bed side table more durable and water proof.

 

6. Assemble- Put your bedside table in its desired location, place fabric on top of table top and plexi-glass on top of that.

 

 Ta-da!

 



7. Accessorize- Fill that beauty with all the things you need for bed time and top it with essential bedside table lamp as well as frames, candles, your favorite book, whatever makes it yours!

 

 That's it!

 



Now wasn't that easy? This project can be done in any number of variations. Be creative! And of course the fabric topped table does not have to be unique to bedside tables. It can be used on desks, dressers, living room side tables, counter tops and vanities. The fabric and plexi-glass combination is an inexpensive way to vamp up any flat surface. Give it a try!

 

More to come...

Until next time...

 

Keep your eyes on the sky.

<3 ray

 

 Igot-it@: MALM chest with two drawers, Ikea. Behr paint, Home Depot. MinWax Polyurethane, Home Depot. Fabric, Joann Fabrics. Plexi-glass, Home Depot.

 

Clickit!:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/

http://www.homedepot.com/

www.joann.com/