Looking for a good upcycling idea? This project started out with a coffee table and turned into a bold, farmhouse style sign. It was so easy to make – and the results make it hard to believe that it started out with a piece that was destined for the dump. Luckily upcycling doesn’t scare me, so I decided to dig it out of the barn and bring it back to life. And since I had everything on hand, this was a “free for me” project.
Upcycling a Coffee Table to a Sign
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small bit of money from your purchase with no additional cost to you whatsoever.
supplies needed:
- coffee table
- stencils
- paint
- stencil brush
- two 24 to 36 inch pieces of 1×2 pine
This was the original table before the leg broke. It was a $5 yard sale find, but I see this style in thrift stores all the time.
I removed the legs and skirt by removing a few screws and a little help from a hammer. Oh and I knocked off the cobwebs for good measure.
Then I cut a French cleat by cutting a 1×2 on a 45 degree angle length wise and put part of it on the back (along with a regular piece the same width for stability)
The second part of the French cleat hangs on the wall (use a level to hang it straight.) Now the piece on the table hangs inside the piece on the wall.
Next I sanded the table top and painted it white, then used a small brush to paint around the rim black. I masked off block letters to create a stencil or use pre-made stencils, then used a stencil brush to fill them in with black paint. After it was dry, I wiped a wet cloth over it to smear the heavy pigmentation in the paint and age it a bit. Once dry, I sealed it with spray poly just to keep everything easy to clean.
A couple of years after I made this project, I passed this sign along to my friend Leslie who used it in her dining room – doesn’t it look beautiful?
If you like this upcycling idea, you might also enjoy these junk style tool boxes!
Lindy says
January 27, 2011 at 12:35 amI love old signs and I never thought about using a table top to paint one on. Great idea. Great idea to use a top for ANY project you need a slab of wood for. You’ve got me thinking!
Beverly @ FlamingoToes.com says
January 27, 2011 at 12:36 amI love how creative your table/sign is!! I’m so sorry to see you go from the competition – I was so excited to see all your projects!!!
Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says
January 27, 2011 at 1:05 amHi Gina, I love your sign and I voted for it! I hate that you are no longer in the competition but I know we can still look forward to many great projects from you.
Hugs,
Sherry
June@I will craft says
January 27, 2011 at 1:19 amI’m bummed that your sign was cut this week. It was one of my top three picks.
Michelle @Shellsshabbyshack says
January 27, 2011 at 1:28 amWow, I never would have thought to use a coffee table top for a sign. Great idea! It has a big impact! Looks great!
Thanks for hosting, Gina! I haven’t been by in awhile so it will be fun to see what everyone is up to.
Take care,
Michelle 🙂
Wendy says
January 27, 2011 at 1:53 amThat looks like my coffee table! lol. Great idea though! Thanks for hosting!
Finding Home says
January 27, 2011 at 2:19 amReally great sign, I am curious, it is hard to tell, how big is it? Laura
Shelia says
January 27, 2011 at 2:36 amHi Gina! Oh, you are the smartest one! I love your sign. You did a great job.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
CityGirlChic says
January 27, 2011 at 2:41 amOh I really love this idea and its very classic and simple! Who would have thought to us ea table top as a wall mount! very creative! Thanks for following!
The Polka Dot Closet says
January 27, 2011 at 2:52 amGina I have linked up again thank you for hosting this party. I have to laugh I was a little worried about your sign when I saw the first “E”, then I realized it was taped off LOL! Ingenious to use a table top!!
Carol
Lisa says
January 27, 2011 at 3:03 amGreat sign…so creative, but you always are! Thanks for sharing.
Tricia Hicks says
January 27, 2011 at 3:04 amBoo hiss….I hoped a good ole TN girl would win! I voted for you even though I didn’t know it was you. I’m smart that way! 🙂
Brambleberry Cottage says
January 27, 2011 at 3:05 amTerrific idea to use a tabletop, Gina! I love it.
Blessings,
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Handy Man, Crafty Woman says
January 27, 2011 at 3:17 amthat is SUCH a great idea! Thanks for hosting.
very merry vintage style says
January 27, 2011 at 3:26 amWow–what a great transformation. Great job on the letters–it looks so authentic! Thanks for hosting the partay!
tales from an oc cottage says
January 27, 2011 at 3:26 amOh my gosh! That is awesome!
m ^..^
Confessions of a Plate Addict says
January 27, 2011 at 3:58 amHi Gina! Love the sign…so clever! Thanks for hosting!…hugs…Debbie
Sharon says
January 27, 2011 at 4:22 amThank you for hosting this party of awesome ideas!!
Jennifer says
January 27, 2011 at 4:53 amHello! Stopping by from “What Allie Makes” and found your party. It’s my first time! Excited to explore your site and check out some of the others that have posted. Thanks!
my link project http://www.scissorsandspatulas.com/2011/01/organizing-kiddos-coloring-table.html
Jennifer
Scissors & Spatulas
Orange Peanut says
January 27, 2011 at 4:59 amI LOVE the table!!! So clever!!! This is my first time linking to your party, thanks for having me!!
So many cute things are linked up this week!!!
Thanks again,
Megan at orangepeanut.com
Kellie says
January 27, 2011 at 5:04 amHi Gina! I’m new this week! (actually this month/year/ever) I’m new at blogging and just started in January of this year 🙂 I hope to grow and learn from all of you bloggers how it’s done 🙂
I linked up my Ceiling Fan Update to your Linky Party.Thank you for having me!
http://sixtieshome.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-just-did-something-amazing.html
Megan says
January 27, 2011 at 5:07 amlove your sign!
The Autocrat: Haley says
January 27, 2011 at 5:08 amI didn’t advance either. 🙁 But we are still GOOD crafters! There was truly some really good competition out there. I was just glad that I was chosen to participate. Your idea was fab! Thanks for hosting the party!
Molly @ A Bit O' Shine says
January 27, 2011 at 5:21 amNice! That is a genius way to get a large interestingly shaped piece of wood!
Jenn says
January 27, 2011 at 6:01 amTotally LOVE that sign!! Thanks for the linky party!
Kim @ Second Time Furniture says
January 27, 2011 at 7:27 amAwesome sign, and sooo creative!
Cass @ That Old House says
January 27, 2011 at 8:12 amWhat a great idea to use an old table top — all the shaping and sanding done! In fact I have a similar coffee table in the garden shed, and that black and white sign would look fab in my newly black and white kitchen. Hmmm…
Cass
Biljana says
January 27, 2011 at 11:38 amGreat job, I love your sign:-)
Thanks for hosting, hugs Biljana
Terry says
January 27, 2011 at 2:33 pmEven though this would take up a ton of wall space it is the coolest idea. I just put a wobbly three legged table in my garage sale section in my basement. I think I will get it out and make a clock or something like that out of the top just because you inspired me. Thanks for hosting the party too. Love your stuff…
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
January 27, 2011 at 3:15 pmWhat a clever idea. Love your sign. It is gorgeous. Hugs, Marty
AliLilly says
January 27, 2011 at 3:44 pmWOW!! That is such a great idea and it turned out awesome! I love it! 🙂
Thanks for hosting, Gina! 🙂
Lynn says
January 27, 2011 at 4:18 pmSuper job, Gina. And clever to boot! I don’t think I’d have thought of such a thing. Great post and thanks for hosting this fun party.
Best to you,
Lynn at Cottage and Creek
Andy Porter says
January 27, 2011 at 4:40 pmThank you for hosting!
CAS says
January 27, 2011 at 4:44 pmLove the sign.
CAS
Heather says
January 27, 2011 at 5:38 pmHello! Thank you for hosting the link party. I love your sign! I thought that it was quite inventive to use a tabletop. The competition must have been quite fierce, because I think that your project is fantastic. I would like one myself! 🙂
Me N My Thrifty Ideas says
January 27, 2011 at 6:23 pmLove the sign! I have to comment this time to tell you that you seriously have THE BEST linky parties…ever. I keep coming back for more! There is so much talent flowing through this blog! Not to mention you are probably the cutest blogger ever! Thanks again for being so gosh darn awesome!
Debra@Dejarenew.blogspot.com says
January 28, 2011 at 12:16 amThanks for hosting sweety! I posted my vintage table round table re-do.
Gonna check out all these awesome projects above and post your button!
Thank again.
Deb
http://dejarenew.blogspot.com
HCG Diet says
January 28, 2011 at 5:47 amI really like the concept of your blog – You have a lot of followers too. Keep plugging away, you doing great things here.
Take care,
Brian M Connole
HCG Diet 411
Sue says
January 28, 2011 at 1:24 pmThat is one honking big sign and I love it! You’re just too clever. ♥
Cherie says
January 28, 2011 at 9:19 pmHello! I am new! I love your blog and your link party! Thanks for hosting!
Cherie
craftytoday
Tam @ Sew Dang Cute says
February 2, 2011 at 10:37 pmSorry I’m just getting around to commenting! I was SOOOO sad to see you go! I was thrilled when I saw you were participating! Thanks so much for being part of Season 2, you did a great job!!!
Nancy says
November 20, 2017 at 8:22 amHow cute is that! Very clever.