Small Drop Leaf Table Makeover

This small drop leaf table seems a little odd to me—when completely open, the shape of the table is oddly oval. In any case, I hope you glean some tips for your next painted furniture makeover!

Small Drop Leaf Table

The little solid wood, possibly oak table was passed on to me by my cousin Terry. The folding table is too short to be used as a dining table.

I didn’t know before the makeover that when she acquired it, the table was painted and in rough shape. After I painted it, she informed me that it was green when she got it and spent hours refinishing it! I had no idea. That was information I wish I had known beforehand. Would it have changed my mind about painting it? I’m not sure.

She always tells me that if she gives me something, it’s mine to do what I want. Have you seen the antique china cabinet she gave me?

Prep Furniture for Painting

Before you can start painting, there are several steps to take. Proper cleaning will help you inspect your furniture project for needed repairs. Take this time to make a game plan of how you want to proceed with painting.

I prefer to use a chip brush for applying the deglosser. Why? Because they are inexpensive, and the bristles work well to get into small nooks and crannies.

For this project, I needed to dull the finish. So, I just brushed the solution on and wiped it off with a soft cloth. Had it been grimy, I would have used a scrubby pad.

Make Repairs to the Drop Leaf Tabletop

Now that the table is ready for painting, it’s time to repair a small hole in the tabletop. Plastic Wood-X makes this a speedy and simple task. I do this in two stages because the hole goes completely through the top. First, I fill the hole and let it dry. After the patch is set up, I add just a little more to fill any void that is left.

I prefer to fill the hole and wipe away all the excess instead of leaving a lot of product on the surface that needs to be sanded.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Because of the tight fit of the small drop leaf table pieces, I removed each of the sides of the table. The table and the side pieces would be painted separately.

Another way to work smarter, not harder! Rest the two side pieces on sawhorses to make painting easier.

Talk about multitasking, painting many projects at once is the best way to work smarter, not harder!

You may recognize the Checkerboard Table and the Drum Table I shared in other Furniture Fixer Upper articles.

I used my Finish Max paint sprayer and General Finishes Lamp Black milk paint to paint these projects. Although the paint can be a little pricey, especially if you’re flipping furniture, one quart painted all these projects.

As always, I began painting the table upside down. Now it’s ready for more paint. This great picture allows you to see how the drop leaves are held up when the table is open.

Personally, I think it is charming as a side table without the table leaves. As I mentioned earlier, the table with both leaves up is oddly oval.

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Touch up Paint

The paint sprayer works excellently on the spindle legs of the small drop leaf table. However, I like to do a couple of very light topcoats with a small foam roller to get great coverage on flat surfaces. There are lots of choices on Amazon, where I prefer the yellow ones. This gray foam roller is my favorite and is available through Heirloom Traditions All-In-One-Paint. Follow that link to get a free paint sample.

Black Small Drop Leaf Table

I do love the look and feel of the General Finishes Lamp Black Milk Paint.

I suppose it could be used as a game table with both sides open, making it that odd oval shape. However, it’s really space-saving when both sides are down. That would make it a great end table in the living room.

As always, I let this furniture project “rest” in the storage garage to cure fully. I hope to keep it in some sort of “guest cottage” at the recreational property Terry and I have bought. That way, it’s kept “in the family.”

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More Great Furniture Makeover Ideas

Check out the awesome ideas below!

• Small Drop Leaf Table (you are here, thank you!)
• Sewing Notions Table Makeover
• Faux Stone Table Top 2 in 1 Curb Find
• Spray Paint Barstools, Recover Seats