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Upcycling a farmhouse style sign

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.

She turned this coffee table into a sign - it looks awesome!

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.

She turned this coffee table into a sign - it looks awesome!

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.

She turned this coffee table into a sign - it looks awesome!

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)

She turned this coffee table into a sign - it looks awesome!

 

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.

She turned this coffee table into a sign - it looks awesome!

Next I sanded the table top and painted it white, then used a small brush to paint around the rim black.Β 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.Β 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.

This is such a great upcycling idea - make a sign from a coffee table

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?

I love this idea - repurposing junk into pretty tool boxes

If you like this upcycling idea, you might also enjoy these junk style tool boxes!

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Filed Under: DIY

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. Lindy says

    January 27, 2011 at 12:35 am

    I 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!

    Reply
  2. Beverly @ FlamingoToes.com says

    January 27, 2011 at 12:36 am

    I 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!!!

    Reply
  3. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    January 27, 2011 at 1:05 am

    Hi 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

    Reply
  4. June@I will craft says

    January 27, 2011 at 1:19 am

    I’m bummed that your sign was cut this week. It was one of my top three picks.

    Reply
  5. Michelle @Shellsshabbyshack says

    January 27, 2011 at 1:28 am

    Wow, 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 πŸ™‚

    Reply
  6. Wendy says

    January 27, 2011 at 1:53 am

    That looks like my coffee table! lol. Great idea though! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  7. Finding Home says

    January 27, 2011 at 2:19 am

    Really great sign, I am curious, it is hard to tell, how big is it? Laura

    Reply
  8. Shelia says

    January 27, 2011 at 2:36 am

    Hi Gina! Oh, you are the smartest one! I love your sign. You did a great job.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  9. CityGirlChic says

    January 27, 2011 at 2:41 am

    Oh 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!

    Reply
  10. The Polka Dot Closet says

    January 27, 2011 at 2:52 am

    Gina 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

    Reply
  11. Lisa says

    January 27, 2011 at 3:03 am

    Great sign…so creative, but you always are! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  12. Tricia Hicks says

    January 27, 2011 at 3:04 am

    Boo 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! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  13. Brambleberry Cottage says

    January 27, 2011 at 3:05 am

    Terrific idea to use a tabletop, Gina! I love it.

    Blessings,
    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  14. Handy Man, Crafty Woman says

    January 27, 2011 at 3:17 am

    that is SUCH a great idea! Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  15. very merry vintage style says

    January 27, 2011 at 3:26 am

    Wow–what a great transformation. Great job on the letters–it looks so authentic! Thanks for hosting the partay!

    Reply
  16. tales from an oc cottage says

    January 27, 2011 at 3:26 am

    Oh my gosh! That is awesome!

    m ^..^

    Reply
  17. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    January 27, 2011 at 3:58 am

    Hi Gina! Love the sign…so clever! Thanks for hosting!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  18. Sharon says

    January 27, 2011 at 4:22 am

    Thank you for hosting this party of awesome ideas!!

    Reply
  19. Jennifer says

    January 27, 2011 at 4:53 am

    Hello! 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

    Reply
  20. Orange Peanut says

    January 27, 2011 at 4:59 am

    I 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

    Reply
  21. Kellie says

    January 27, 2011 at 5:04 am

    Hi Gina! I’m new this week! (actually this month/year/ever) I’m new at blogging and just started in January of this year πŸ™‚ I hope to grow and learn from all of you bloggers how it’s done πŸ™‚

    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

    Reply
  22. Megan says

    January 27, 2011 at 5:07 am

    love your sign!

    Reply
  23. The Autocrat: Haley says

    January 27, 2011 at 5:08 am

    I didn’t advance either. πŸ™ 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!

    Reply
  24. Molly @ A Bit O' Shine says

    January 27, 2011 at 5:21 am

    Nice! That is a genius way to get a large interestingly shaped piece of wood!

    Reply
  25. Jenn says

    January 27, 2011 at 6:01 am

    Totally LOVE that sign!! Thanks for the linky party!

    Reply
  26. Kim @ Second Time Furniture says

    January 27, 2011 at 7:27 am

    Awesome sign, and sooo creative!

    Reply
  27. Cass @ That Old House says

    January 27, 2011 at 8:12 am

    What 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

    Reply
  28. Biljana says

    January 27, 2011 at 11:38 am

    Great job, I love your sign:-)
    Thanks for hosting, hugs Biljana

    Reply
  29. Terry says

    January 27, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    Even 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…

    Reply
  30. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    January 27, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    What a clever idea. Love your sign. It is gorgeous. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  31. AliLilly says

    January 27, 2011 at 3:44 pm

    WOW!! That is such a great idea and it turned out awesome! I love it! πŸ™‚

    Thanks for hosting, Gina! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  32. Lynn says

    January 27, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    Super 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

    Reply
  33. Andy Porter says

    January 27, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    Thank you for hosting!

    Reply
  34. CAS says

    January 27, 2011 at 4:44 pm

    Love the sign.
    CAS

    Reply
  35. Heather says

    January 27, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    Hello! 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! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  36. Me N My Thrifty Ideas says

    January 27, 2011 at 6:23 pm

    Love 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!

    Reply
  37. Debra@Dejarenew.blogspot.com says

    January 28, 2011 at 12:16 am

    Thanks 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

    Reply
  38. HCG Diet says

    January 28, 2011 at 5:47 am

    I 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

    Reply
  39. Sue says

    January 28, 2011 at 1:24 pm

    That is one honking big sign and I love it! You’re just too clever. β™₯

    Reply
  40. Cherie says

    January 28, 2011 at 9:19 pm

    Hello! I am new! I love your blog and your link party! Thanks for hosting!

    Cherie
    craftytoday

    Reply
  41. Tam @ Sew Dang Cute says

    February 2, 2011 at 10:37 pm

    Sorry 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!!!

    Reply
  42. Nancy says

    November 20, 2017 at 8:22 am

    How cute is that! Very clever.

    Reply
  43. Nancy says

    March 20, 2020 at 3:16 pm

    Too cute!

    Reply

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