Kitchen Table Makeover Using Chalk Paint and Wood Stain
Look at almost any DIY blog and you’ll find a post about transforming an old piece of furniture with chalk paint. Do you know why it’s so popular? Because it’s awesome! In a world full of waste, it feels so nice to find a way to modify an outdated piece of furniture, creating something new and beautiful.
Chalk paint has a way of breathing new life into something old. I definitely gave my kitchen table new life! Read on to learn all the steps for this kitchen table makeover using chalk paint!
My Kitchen Table Makeover / Labor of Love
My in-laws got this pretty, oak kitchen table for my husband and me as a wedding gift almost 15 years ago. After two kids and everyday daily living, it was beat up and needed some love.
I researched lots of potential options and quickly knew chalk paint would be part of the solution.
Get more ideas for furniture makeovers and paint projects here.
As much as I loved the table, the color no longer matched anything in my home. Plus, the old stain was not holding up well any longer.
Here is a close up image of the original finish.
My family was not thrilled with the process required to re-do this kitchen table and chairs. My house was in disarray for about a week during this chalk paint table makeover.
Fortunately, they are all used to my “diy projects” and go about their life while I do my thing.
In the end, everyone is typically happy with the outcome.
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SUPPLIES For Kitchen Table Update:
- Citristrip
- drop cloths
- Putty knife
- Plastic dish scrubbie
- Mineral Spirits
- Lint-free cloth
- Painter’s tape
- Glad Press and Seal
- Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
- Paint Brush (Purdy is my favorite paintbrush)
- Wood Stain in color of choice (If I were to do this over, I would select Minwax Dark Walnut)
- Paint for table and chair bottoms: Amy Howard Chalk Paint in Linen is what I used. This is rarely available on Amazon. Another chalk paint option is Annie Sloan Old White. OR, If you prefer to avoid chalk paint, consider Benjamin Moore Advance paint. This is a paint that was recommended to me by a local painter that insists it has amazing durability for kitchen cabinets (and kitchen tables). If you use this paint, you would NOT need a top coat over the painted portion of your table, ONLY the stained portion.
- Top Coat: A couple of options are Minwax Polycrylic or General Finishes High Performance Top Coat. Some have suggested the Polycrylic can yellow over time when applied over white paint. I have NOT had that issue, but it’s something to consider. The General Finishes topcoat is something I’ve heard good things about, but have not personally tried.
- Drop Cloths
Steps for Kitchen Table Makeover:
If you will be staining the tabletop, you will need to remove the current stain from the table top. At the time of this post, I did not own an electric sander, so opted to use Citristrip to remove the stain.
It worked great.
1. Strip Off the Old Stain
- I stripped the stain from the table top as well as the seat portion of the chairs. I used Citristrip to assist with taking off the old stain. This stuff is fantastic.
Citristrip doing it’s thing:
- A plastic (metal could damage your wood!) putty knife is a great tool to scrape off the goopy stain and residue, scraping with the grain. This was SO messy!
In retrospect, I should have done this entire project outside. But, know it can be done indoors, just be prepared to do a LOT of clean up. Also, make sure you open windows and create a well ventilated area and wear gloves.
- After you have scraped off everything you can with your plastic putty scraper, use a plastic dish scrubbie with water to wash the wood surface.
- Be forewarned, this entire process is tedious and time consuming! Then, let your wood surface dry completely. After it has dried, lightly sand with fine grit sandpaper to smooth out your surface. This will sand off any remaining Citristrip as well.
- Consider using mineral spirits on a lint-free cloth to assist with any further cleaning of the table.
Also note that an orbital sander would also work great to remove the stain, but at the time of writing this post, I did not have one.
Read here for more information about removing chalk paint and other types of paints and stains.
2. The Staining Process:
- Wipe the surface well with a clean, dry cloth to get rid of all remaining debris from the sanding process. Next, I applied Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner prior to staining.
- Once you complete this step, you don’t have a huge window of opportunity to complete the staining as this needs to be applied within two hours of application of the pre-stain wood conditioner.
Now, it’s time for a confession.
I panicked a bit during the staining process. I stained the chairs using my favorite staining method of tea and oxidized vinegar/steel wool.
RELATED: Learn how to make the tea stain!
But, soon after I completed the application on the chairs, I thought it looked uneven. So, I impulsively dove into the kitchen table top with a different method.
I used a combination of different stains.
My Wood Stains:
I wish I could tell you exactly what I did. But, I couldn’t duplicate it if I tried.
Although I do like how the stained portion of the kitchen table turned out, I definitely am not thrilled that it isn’t exactly the same as the chairs. Plus, after the chairs had an opportunity to dry, they looked fantastic.
- If I were to completely do it over, I would have just used Minwax Dark Walnut stain on the chair seats and table top and called it a day!
The difference between the kitchen table top color and chair seat:
The table is a bit too blue-toned for my liking.
I really wanted to like the Rustoleum wood stain in Driftwood, but it’s just not for me. I get a lot of natural light in my kitchen so you can barely notice the difference in color unless you are looking for it.
BUT, I know it’s there! It just hasn’t made it to the top of my lists of priorities to re-do the table top again. It’s a lot of work!
After allowing the stain to thoroughly dry, I was ready to complete the painting portion. Compared to the staining, this was a breeze! I chose Amy Howard One Step Paint in Linen.
- Before painting, I cleaned the base of the table and legs/back of the chair with soap and water. There were a few places with unidentifiable dried food that required sandpaper to remove…yuck!
- After it dried, I taped off around the chair spindles so my new stain wouldn’t get ruined. I definitely didn’t want to repeat that process! I also used Glad Press and Seal on the seat to avoid paint splatters.
3. Painting the table and chairs with chalk paint:
There is no need to remove old paint for the chalk painting portion of this diy project. The key to painting over old paint, including painting over chalk paint, is to ensure you have a clean, smooth finish before you begin.
The finished product will only be as good as the surface you are painting over.
So the first thing to do prior to painting is to clean the areas you will be painting.
Prep before painting chair:
As per above, when painting the chairs, I used the Glad Press N Seal and painter’s tape to cover the stained portion of the chairs. Although this is tedious, it’s worth the effort to ensure your hard word isn’t in vain.
I did not use primer, BUT I have completed many paint projects since this particular project.
If you are painting over wood stain with white paint, I would suggest using 1-2 coats of primer. The use of primer will help you avoid bleed through from tannins into your new paint finish.
To make it easier, you could try primer spray which would help avoid brush strokes. There was no bleed through with my white paint, but I have since had experienced that with other furniture.
- I painted two light coats of the Amy Howard One Step paint in Linen (chalk paint) on the chairs (minus the seats) as well as the base of the pedestal table and table legs, allowing time to dry between coats.
- A final (third) touch up coat in only the places that needed it and to ensure good coverage in all the nooks and crannies.
Enough emphasis cannot be put on the effort for this project. I had supplies absolutely everywhere in my kitchen during this project. It was worth it, but my family wasn’t very happy with me for a week or so!
Related: Best Paint Brushes for Chalk Paint
Painting with a brush can be tedious, so using a paint sprayer is certainly something to consider.
What a mess!
4. Seal the Table
For the final step, I applied three coats of Minwax Polycrylic protective finish in matte, allowing drying time between coats.
The smell is very strong, so as I stated earlier, only complete in a well ventilated space.
My recommendations would be to use a good quality synthetic brush (best for applying the polycrylic) and follow directions on the can for best results.
Be sure NOT to shake the can as it can cause bubbles in the finish. Instead, stir prior to use.
The polycrylic was used over the entire table and chairs, both the painted and stained portions.
I didn’t allow my family to use the table for a couple days after it was finished sealers need to fully cure. It has been fairly durable considering all of the high traffic use it gets.
There are many other ways to seal chalk paint furniture including polyurethane. and wax. Read this article to determine what type of top coat will work best to seal your chalk paint project.
Chalk Paint Table
With a little bit of effort and a little paint, a dining set can be transformed into what looks like a new table.
The best thing is you can achieve a beautiful finish and create an entirely new look with paint (and stain).
Take a look at my chalk paint dining room table before and after.
Kitchen Table Before:
Chalk Paint Farmhouse Table After:
A whole new look!
Options to Seal Chalk Paint:
- Polycrylic (what I used and I believe to be durable). Some have reported yellowing over time. Be aware of this if using white chalk paint.
- Chalk Paint wax. I find wax to NOT be terribly durable. I would personally not recommend it for the intense wear and tear a kitchen table will get daily.
- Polyurethane. General Finishes High Performance Water Based Top Coat is a good option.
Even the best chalk paint will need a good top coat to ensure the paint job will last a long time. Each type of sealant has its pros and cons.
For a farmhouse style or shabby chic look, you may also want to consider distressing your table. The distressed look is a good way to help make occasional paint chipping less noticeable.
For a table getting heavy use, distressing is a good option to consider!
Another Fresh New Look: Dining Room Table Makeover
Is Chalk Paint Durable for Kitchen Tables?
Yes. The key to chalk paint durability on a kitchen table is to ensure you have a good and durable seal over the chalk paint. I used polycrylic to seal my table and have been pleased with the durability.
Should you Paint OR Stain Your Table?
This is a complete preference. Even though it was a lot more work, I loved the look of a stained table top and stained chair seats. If you are trying to do this more quickly, painting the entire table and chairs might be a good alternative to what I did but would still give you a nice makeover.
Are There Other Options to Using Chalk Paint?
Yes. Another great option is using Benjamin Moore Advanced paint. I used this when painting some of my basement cabinets and it is wonderful.
- The negative to this paint is it takes at least 24 hours drying time between coats. I would also wait several days after you are finished prior to regular use.
- The positive is that you do NOT need to seal this type of paint.
- IF you decide to go this route, you will need to use a great primer before applying Benjamin Moore Advance. I recommend INSL-X STIX Waterborne bonding primer.
I have also found that Heirloom Traditions Paint is an excellent all-in-one paint option. I have used it on several recent projects and have been very happy with the results.
There are many different colors to choose from, even if white paint color isn’t for you.
What do you think? This is certainly not a project for the faint of heart.
It takes a LOT of time and hard work. But, if you love the bones of your kitchen table or another piece of furniture and are motivated to make a change, this might be for you.
If you don’t have the time to complete the staining process, perhaps you could use chalk paint on the entire piece.
I truly am so glad I did this. I love the change it has made in my kitchen and it’s so special to keep the gift that my husband’s parents gave to us so many years ago.
Some time soon, I’ll post a full before and after of my kitchen. It is so different from when we first moved in 11 years ago.
An Unfortunate mishap that happened after my DIY Table Makeover:
After the ENTIRE project was complete and I was finished with nearly all of the cleanup, I stacked all of my wood stains (a bit precariously) in my arms to carry to my basement.
The stack toppled onto the carpet and left this:
My husband suggested I just stain the rest of the carpet to match. Instead, we just replaced it. It was time anyway (11 year old carpet +2 kids +60 pound dog).
Please leave a comment below and tell me about your kitchen table transformation.
Have you painted and/or stained your kitchen table? If so, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Hopefully you didn’t spill the stain on your carpet;-)
Want to see how the table is holding up two years later?
My kitchen table has held up very well since I first painted it. Read the full description below.
Kitchen Table Makeover // How It’s Holding Up 2 Years Later!
Chalk paint can provide a durable finish for a kitchen table with proper sealing. Polyurethane is the most durable finish for the top of the table due to water exposure.
There are several options to seal furniture projects. The most common are polyurethane, polycrylic, and furniture wax finish. Polyurethane is considered the most durable top coat for a furniture piece. Nearly all top coats come in matte finish, smooth or satin finish, as well as gloss and high gloss finish.
Yes, you can paint an old table with chalk paint with minimal prep work. A popular choice is Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, but there are many brands that provide a chalky finish for updating wood furniture.
The majority of chalk paint brands are considered non-toxic and low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) making them safe for use on a kitchen or dining room table set. However, it is a good idea to read the can of the specific paint brands you are considering before beginning big projects.
If you love DIY Furniture Makeovers, take a look at some of my other projects!
- Piano Makeover with Chalk Paint
- Painting Cabinets without Priming: The Ultimate Amateur’s Guide
- Painted Furniture: A Before and After
Want to remember this? Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board as a reminder!
Chalk Paint Kitchen Table DIY Project
This easy tutorial for a DIY kitchen table makeover will help you update an old dining table or kitchen table with a little bit of effort. The end result will be a stunning, farmhouse table you will love for years to come.
Materials
- Kitchen table
- Citristrip
- Drop cloth
- Mineral spirits
- Lint free cloths
- Painters tape
- Glad Press-n-seal
- Minwax pre-stain wood conditioner
- Minwax dark walnut stain
- Chalk paint in color of choice
- Topcoat / sealant
Tools
- Plastic putty knife
- Plastic dish scrubbie
- Paint brush
Instructions
- Strip table top. If you will be staining the top of the table and seats of the chairs as I did, you will need to get down to bare wood. This means stripping the old stain or paint with Citristrip or an electric sander. I used Citristrip which worked well. Follow instructions on container for best results. A plastic putty knife and dish scrubbie are helpful in removing paint. Have mineral spirits and a cloth on hand to assist with paint removal as needed.
- Stain the Top of the Table. Use a pre-stain wood conditioner, then stain the table top using stain color of choice.
- Clean portions of table and chairs to be painted. Use mild warm water on cloth to clean the areas of the table you will paint. For tougher stains or grease spots, consider using a degreaser such as TSP.
- Cover stained portions of table. Use Glad Press-n-Seal to cover the stained portions of the table and chairs to ensure paint does not get on these areas.
- Chalk Paint Table. Using chalk paint in your color of choice (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is a good choice as is Amy Howard), paint a thin coat of chalk paint and allow to dry. Apply second coat of paint. After adequate dry time, apply touch up paint or third coat as needed.
- Seal Painted Kitchen Table. Use polycrylic or polyurethane to seal the table top. Chalk paint wax is an option for a top coat, but I find it is not as durable. A kitchen table top gets heavy use, so keep that in mind.
Notes
- Project is best completed in well ventilated area, perhaps in a garage if able as the process will take several days when including dry times
- Protect the work area with drop clothes.
- Test stain on underside of table to ensure you are pleased with stain color choice.
- If painting with white or light colored chalk paint, consider using a primer, especially if painting over wood stain.
- White or light color paint may need 3+ coats of paint for excellent coverage.
Great tutorial! I am in the midst of this process as well. Have just finished removing stain from the table top. I was thinking of stripping the table top, stripping the chair seats, thn painting the pedestal and chair spindles, then staining the top and chair seats. Do you think that order would work or is it better to stein first then paint. I sm a newbie to refinishing so any hints are gratefully accepted. Thsnks.
Thanks, Patti! Personally, I would do all of the stripping and staining first, then paint. After the stain is dry you can tape off any areas you might accidentally get paint. After all of the staining and painting is complete, then you could apply whatever top coat you are intending. Best of luck on this! I know from experience it is a TON of work. I imagine you will love it when you are finished, though. I’d love to see a picture of your before and after. Feel free to post it on my Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/LoveOurRealLife/
Thanks for the advice! Was thinking of priming then using ordinary black paint for chairs/pedestal but the local hardware person told me that would be a mistake and I should use Porch/step paint or rustoleum. Totally not wanting a glossy look. My thinking was using paint then applying a protective clear coat of some sort. He said that would also be a big mistake. So…..now not sure. Any thoughts?
I suggested this earlier in the comments section, but you might look into using Benjamin Moore Advance paint. I am attaching a link you might find helpful from Maisondepax: https://www.maisondepax.com/2017/08/paint-cabinets-last-painting-bathroom-vanity.html. She painted bathroom cabinets with this paint and they turned out great. Another business I follow http://www.renuehomestudio.com has suggested that same paint to me for cabinets. I’m thinking this might be something for you to consider with your chairs and table pedestal. Keep in mind, I have never used this. BUT, I think it’s worth looking into. Are you opposed to black chalk paint? If you use chalk paint you would need to either wax or use polycrylic (in matte finish if you don’t like glossy) to make it more durable. I know there are so many options out there! I hope I haven’t confused you further! Best of luck to you and keep me posted on what you use and how it works!
Great advice. I purchased the Advance paint in black with a matte finish. Just about ready to stain chairs snd table top. I am using Minwax Espresso. My question is what do I do if I don’t like the stain color once it’s on? I bought a grey stain as well in case I needed to layer to get the right color. I am staining over oak. I think you should pop over and help me with this project…lol. As always, appreciate your feedback.
How exciting, Patti! Perhaps you could try the stain on the underneath side of one of your chairs to experiment a bit. In theory, I like to try stain before I use it, but most of the time I just dive in and hope for the best, lol. BUT, it is really in your best interest to try the stain (on the same type of wood) before going for it. Keep me posted 😉
Great tutorial! I am in the midst of this process as well. Have just finished removing stain from the table top. I was thinking of stripping the table top, stripping the chair seats, thn painting the pedestal and chair spindles, then staining the top and chair seats. Do you think that order would work or is it better to stein first then paint. I sm a newbie to refinishing so any hints are gratefully accepted. Thsnks.
I love this project. Your table looks awesome and makes a real statement . I will be doing the same to my coffee table and a side table. Hopefully will look as good as your :).
Thank you, Ewelina! I so appreciate you kind words! Best of luck with your furniture transformation.
Great tutorial! I have this table with a leaf, 6 chairs and a bench. I want to redo it but wondered if you would do the bench the same way as chairs? Stain on seat and white on legs? And with the leaf, how hard was that part?
Thank you, Courtney! If it were me, I would complete the bench the same way you finish the chairs. So, if you stain the seats of the chairs, I would go ahead and stain the seat portion of the bench, painting the bench legs the same as you do the chair legs. As for the leaf, leave it in the table when you finish the table top. Treat it exactly as you do the rest of the table top. The Citristrip is pretty messy. However, you will want to pull the leaf apart from the rest of the table to clean it during that stage of the process or you’ll have goop stuck in all the crevices (yuck!). I hope that helps!
I’m trying this project, but was wondering if you sanded and stained the bottom part of the chairs (the under side of the seat)? Thanks! I hope mine turns out as good as yours did!
I’m so glad you’re trying this! No, I didn’t do anything to the underside of the chairs. I took a picture for you:
No one sees them, thank goodness! Lol 😊
Thanks! So glad I didn’t do the underside! I love how the chairs turned out but need to do the polyethylene coats. Do you put the polyethylene on everything or just the wood?
*polyurethane! Whoops!
I used Polycrylic on my table; I did put it on everything. It’s holding up pretty well!
Thanks for this tutorial!!! I can’t wait to do this to my table! Only question I have though is, what color would you recommend for the kitchen cabinets so they match? I’m concerned the cabinets will look really bad if they don’t match.
Thanks, Mallory! I think all different colors of cabinets would work well. Mine are a mid-tone walnut stain. What color are your current cabinets? Are you considering painting them too?
Hi, thanks for responding. The cabinets are a medium oak color but are original from 1966. Want them to match the table and update them a bit. What would you recommend I use for that?
I think you’re right…I’m not sure if that color of oak would match well. But, painting a table AND cabinets can be a lot of work. It would be a big undertaking, but doable. If you decide to paint your cabinets, I would suggest Benjamin Moore Advance. I am attaching a link you might find helpful from Maisondepax: https://www.maisondepax.com/2017/08/paint-cabinets-last-painting-bathroom-vanity.html. Painting would allow you a lot of color options. Then you could update the hardware and you’d have a completely different look in your kitchen. I’ve also used General Finishes gel stain in the past (In Java). I don’t have a tutorial for this, but it’s something to consider. I can tell you, I did not feel the gel stain was terribly durable over time. Best of luck to you! Please let me know what you decide!
Looks terrific! I’m mid project now and have 5 different colored chairs as I couldn’t make up my mind on a stain 😬 This looks so fantastic I think I’ll go this route! Thanks!
Thanks, Katee for the kind comment! Best of luck!
How has the chalk paint held up on the legs and base of the table? The only thing holding me back from doing this to our beautiful set, is scratches and chipped paint on the arms and legs over time.
Overall, I would say pretty well. Our table/chairs take a lot of abuse and I have noticed a couple of chips in the paint. BUT, not enough to make me regret doing it. When I get time, I will likely sand those places down a bit and reapply touch up paint. It’s certainly not perfect, but I am still very happy with the end result. I’d love to hear back from you if you give this project a try!
You did a beautiful job on the table! The bottom of the table looks white in the picture but when I went to purchase the linen color it looks beige. Does it look more white in person?
Thanks so much, Mary Kay! I would consider the Amy Howard One Step paint in Linen an off-white color. It’s not stark white, but a softer white color. I definitely don’t think it looks beige at all in person, but I know the swatches do appear that way. I have used the color on several furniture pieces and it looks similar in various lighting. The Bauhaus Buff is VERY white which makes coverage challenging. I have mixed Linen and Bauhaus Buff a few times and liked the outcome. BUT, if you are just going for a soft white, I really do think you’ll be pleased with Linen. I hope that helps;-)
Thank you so much for your quick reply. Your directions were so very helpful to first time re finishers like myself!
You definitely have inspired me to give our old table new life.
I love this! I would absolutely love to hear back after you complete your table. Best of luck!
This is GREAT!!!! Thank you for sharing as I have always been slightly afraid of chalk paint;-)
JIllynn
Thanks, Jillynn! Don’t be afraid…it’s so easy to use! Thanks for visiting my blog:-)
It looks fabulous! You did such a great job. You do your research and practice the patience needed for these big projects. Thanks for all the tips.
Thank you, Stephanie! I appreciate the sweet comment.
April, love your blog. I just recently found it though Jason on Facebook. I did a similar project with our kitchen table many years ago and it’s looking a little tired now. Yours looks so great it just might inspire me to do it again!!
Thanks, Chris! I hope you feel inspired! Painting the kitchen table was a project I had considered for a while. It looks so much better! Take care and thank you for visiting my blog!
I have this same table, 5 chairs and the bench. Have been wanting to do the stain and white but am so glad that I have a picture now to go with the idea, Thanks and I love a good project also.
Thank you, Diane! I hope it’s helpful! I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog and leave a comment:) Good luck with your table!
Beautiful!
Thank you!
After reading your table makeover journey, I decided to take a leap and refinish my table and chairs as well. Like you, it took me nearly a week and a whole lot of hard work, but I love how my table and chairs turned out!
Thanks for the inspiration and instructions.
My pleasure! This made my day, Trudy! I’m so glad you shared this with me. Enjoy your new table and chairs!
Great tutorial! I love the table and chairs. You did a great job. The new look really updates your kitchen. 😀
Thank you, Tina! It really changed the look of my breakfast area. I’m looking around my home for the next project! As you’ve said, “there is always something else to do!”. But, it’s because we love doing it:)