How to Spruce Up a Plain Ikea Table

Creative touches can transform a plain furnishing into a unique personal piece of home decor. Home furnishing retailer Ikea is a Swedish company with stores in 25 countries and over 9,500 pieces available for purchase. Such lofty numbers mean that Ikea carries a table appropriate for nearly any need. Although they may be affordable and durable, tables from Ikea are often plain in appearance. Fortunately, sprucing up an Ikea table requires only basic crafting supplies and a dash of decorating know-how. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Wallpaper Covering

1

Disassemble the table so that it is in its original disassembled configuration. Separate pieces will be easier to work with than an assembled table would be.

2

Rough up the exterior surfaces of the table by rubbing each piece with sandpaper. Remove any dust created from sanding by wiping a piece of tack cloth over the sanded area.

3

Roll out a wallpaper in the design of your choice. Lay each piece of the disassembled table on top of the wallpaper and trace an outline of the piece, leaving an additional 1-inch border to allow for overhang. An overhang is not necessary if you want to wallpaper only the top of the table.

4

Apply wallpaper glue to the back side of the wallpaper. Spread the glue out in a thin, even layer by brushing the glue with a clean foam brush.

5

Lay the wallpaper, with glue, over the corresponding piece of the table. Smooth the wallpaper over the table pieces using the palm of your hand. Fold the 1-inch overhang over the corners of the table pieces and smooth them flat.

6

Reassemble the table once the wallpaper glue has dried.

Paint

7

Select a spray paint color that complements the decor of the room where the table will be displayed.

8

Place the table in a well-ventilated area. Spray paint the table either assembled or disassembled. Once the first coat of paint dries, spray additional coats until the desired shade of color is achieved.

9

Lay stencils over the dried table and paint over the stencil with a contrasting color using a foam brush. Gently peel the stencil off and repeat as desired.