Stenciling and Staining Wood Tables
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A few years ago when we lived in Virginia, my husband and I loved going to garage sales and thrift stores because there was always something interesting to find.
One day we were just driving around and it so happened that there was an old wooden table sitting on the side of the road.
We didn’t hesitate to pick it up because we didn’t really see anything wrong with it.
We brought it home, cleaned it up, and sat it in the corner of our living room with little knick knacks on top.
Fast forward three years and the color is really starting to bug me.
The color scheme for my living room is chocolate with other neutral colors and even though the table is brown, it has red undertones which throws the whole scheme off!
I needed to do a decorative diy wood stain table in order for the table to work. I tried my hand at staining wood tables before.
This one wasn’t that much work either. Just a little stain and stencil work did the job!
Supplies for Staining Wood Tables and Decorating
- Sheet Sander
- 100 Grit Sand Paper
- 150 Grit Sand Paper
- Small Roller Paint Brush
- At least 2 Stains (Color Coordinating)
- Painter’s Tape
- Stencil
- X-Acto Knife
- Wood Sealant
How To Stain a Wood Table
The table was used for random craft projects, so there were tiny bits of paint and scratches in the tabletop.
I used a sheet sander with 100 grit paper to remove the blemishes and then finished sanding with 150 grit paper to add a smooth finish.
Using a roller brush for soft surfaces, I applied a stain that coordinated with my living room to the table.
I allowed the stain to completely dry.
Next, I used painters’ tape to cover the entire tabletop.
An applique that I had around the house for a few years was used as a decorative stencil
for the design.
I applied the design by tracing the applique with a pencil.
Related from The Kreative Life: Wood Sign Home Decor Tutorial
Related from The Kreative Life: How To Make Wood Floating Shelves
A box cutter and very light pressure was used to cut out the design.
I’d suggest using an X-Acto Knife
for this part, but I couldn’t find mine, so I used what was handy.
Then I pulled off the cut out design.
A darker stain was applied to the main design. I sanded the patterns where I applied the lighter stains.
I removed the painters’ tape before the stain dried.
Last, I applied a wood sealant to the table.
I used the Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations sealant
leftover from my bathroom cabinet makeover.
Now I have a beautiful newish looking table that matches the rest of my furniture!
Do you have piece of furniture that you’ve been aching to refinish?
This is such a great idea! I like how you transform an old table to such a lovely table design. Very unique piece!
Thank you so much!
That’s neat! I never would have thought to stain it different colors. I think you did a great job with it for something that was free and junked on the side of the road.
Thank you! I like finding unique pieces by the road!
This is so impressive. I love your creativity. I wish I pulled of such talent.
Thank you!
I love how your table turned out! It’s just stunning and so unique
This is such a wonderful and creative idea, I am absolutely rubbish with DIY but I love how you used the different stains to create something beautiful 🙂
I LOVE this idea! What a beautiful finish. I definitely need to refinish my table- I will have to try this out.
The table turned out lovely! I only hope I had a bit of that talent in me! I am handy with tools but not like you! Handy and creative rolled into one.
I love the way it turned out.
My dad is the craftsman of the family. He loves woodwork. This post is perfect to show him. Very pretty detail and I love how it came out.
This is such a fun and unique idea! How creative!
This is a super cute idea and I think it would look lovely on our little table here at home!
How fun is this!!! Such a great creative project to try 🙂
Wow, what a creative mind, and blessed with a great family.
Thank you so much, Liz!
Kendra!
I love DIY and repainted furniture!
Your table is a masterpiece. I love this table twice more because it was done by tender ladies hands!
Have a nice day!
Hi Kendra!,
You’ve got god gifted talent, no doubt !
along with you’ve a creative pair of eye which knows to transform anything ordinary into great one.
Keep doing such a wonderful thing and lets update us.
Cheers.
Thank you so much, Sarwar! I’m glad that you like it!
Hey Kreative Life, I want to say it is an impressive idea and thank you. I want to make a wood stain table. But I’m still confused about the roller brush for soft surfaces, Can you inform me what type or model roller brush is suitable for soft surfaces?
This is such a great idea and will definitely try this for my mom’s old table, it’s still in good condition but the top of the table needs some improvement. Anyways, great post and definitely helpful. Cheers!
Awesome job Kendra on the table makeover. Looking at the new look of the table, I’ll say it looks professional enough. If I set up to do this myself, without a guide like this, I’ll likely fail in achieving this kind of result. Do you think past experiences in doing similar tasks has helped you achieved this amazing result?
Hi, Charlice! I’ve never stenciled a table before this one. The only skill that I needed was knowing how to trace, use a sander, and a paint brush. It’s a fairly easy project and that’s just the way I like it. =-)
wow you really are very creative!
Thank you so much!
I’m a huge fan of DIY working. Really it’s a great DIY idea I really like this project. I got some brilliant idea about decorative DIY wood stain table from this content.
Thanks for the share.
The turns out incredible, thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi my name is Cal. That is pretty nice table decoration. You are super creative.
Refinishing a wood table will be a project for me for the next few days. Thanks for inspiration.
You did a very nice job, the design is perfect. Thanks for sharing.
That’s very arty 🙂 well done!
you guys completed a wonderful job here.
Thank you, Richard!
Very helpful post for designing and reorganizing a table. Thanks for sharing your nice idea