How to Cover a Damaged Table Top

This project was one of those pull-over-in-your-car-and-put-some-junk-in-the-trunk projects.  Except I was on my bike. Really!  I saw this table on a curb while I was out for a ride. I drove back later in my car so I could actually get it home, hoping all the way that it was still there. And it was! It’s fun getting free stuff.  Even if it it’s someone else’s trash. Thankfully I didn’t try to carry it home on my bike, that would have been a sight.

I noticed this table because of its bookshelf bottom.  There’s a V shelf, I’m sure it has a proper name but I don’t know what it is. Whatever it might be called it’s perfect for holding those books I hope to read someday. But it had seen better days so I had to figure out how to cover a damaged table top.

The veneer on top was half broken off, don’t know why, it seemed like someone tried to peel it off for some reason. I did consider trying to get the rest off but I wanted to try out something else.

Since the top was uneven and I’m not a woodworker, I wasn’t exactly sure how to fix that, so I came up with another solution. Cover it up! I grabbed my trusty drop cloth leftovers, some lightweight batting and my electric staple gun.  I measured a piece to fit over the top and stapled it on.

To finish off the edges I used some bronze nail head trim. Be careful with that stuff because it is sharp!

I wrapped it all the way around trying to stay straight.This table is is our bedroom between the entry door and the closet. Now forgive the darker photos. Since I’m not at home when the sun is out except the weekends, getting good photos for the next few months might be tricky.

I’ve debated painting it or doing a fun treatment with paint, but I haven’t decided what yet, so I’ve left the dark color. I do like the urn shape of the side pieces.

The fabric completely covers up the damaged top and now I have a useable table which was practically free. See that white lamp? It was $2. Seriously. The shade was a dollar another thrift store.

And I finally got these pictures hung up just the other day, it’s the first thing on the walls in our bedroom. Call it a reminder to save up for the one city I reallllly want to visit. Since I did this project I also figured out how to remove wood veneer from furniture.

This is Kelli’s first ReStored It Wednesday at Restore Interiors, come take a look. Need holiday ideas? Come see Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage. Sharing with Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed.

See all of my furniture makeover projects here.

See how to remove wood veneer from furniture here.