How to Modernize an Old Chest or Table

You know that piece of furniture you picked up at a yard sale or thrift store? Remember how neat it seemed at the time because of it's great storage space or perfect size. Now fast forward. Do you find yourself regretting the purchase? Does it seem to just be in the way and you find yourself just dealing with it? Are you just about ready to sell for $1.50 in a yard sale or stick it by the road?

Before you pass on your once-treasured find, take a moment to consider its potential. I find that too many times I discover a great piece of furniture that someone else has decided to discard. By it self in the store or by the curb it looks charming. But once it is in my house I then see that it greatly clashes with my style. Take the homemade piece featured in the photos here. It was a handyman special that I picked up from a local thrift store. It was a simple two-drawer, four-legged chest. The unusual metal handles on the drawers were very low-profile. The natural wood finish gave off a cozy, homey feel. The drawers were large and would provide some great storage space for movies, CD's or most anything. However a year later I found myself wishing I had never spent my hard-earned money on such a useless piece. Sure it was great at holding DVD's, but it was in the way. It was just too bulky. Furthermore the natural wood finish, that I had found so charming, and the four stubby legs were quite out of character for the look I was going for in my mid-century modern style den. But thankfully before I banished this awkward piece to the trash heap, I received a revelation.

I was in dire need of a coffee table for my den and I thought that this old chest might be just the thing. But I would have to lend some aid if this bland old caterpillar was going to become a hip, modern butterfly. I would redesign this plan homemade chest into a swanky coffee table.

The end design centered around replacing the legs. But instead of simply replacing them I decided to completely change the design of the chest's support. I removed the legs and used 2x4's to build a rectangular platform in their place. This would not only lower the piece to an appropriate height, but it would also give the illusion that it was floating since the platform would be basically hidden beneath the main body of the chest. I made it large enough to give the proper support but small enough to still remain out of sight.

I used a miter saw and each end of my 2x4's at a 45 degree angle so that each piece would fit nicely together and create a very clean, professional-looking platform. I then reused the old legs (waste not, want not!) as supports for the 2x4's just to give some added strength to the platform. I finished it off by attaching a piece of plywood cut to the exact dimensions of the platform. Using a sander I rounded the edges and corners of the piece of plywood. This smoothing of the edges makes it easier to slide around even on carpet in case I ever need to change its location.

Next came the paint. Since the platform could still be seen a little I found a paint color that closely matched the color of my den's carpet. Doing so helps the platform to blend in with the floor. I contrasted this with a bold, modern blue and a unique diamond pattern that helped the base to disappear even more and to reinforce the floating effect. Be sure that before you paint a wooden piece of furniture that you use a high-quality furniture primer and then let the paint cure for about a week before putting the piece into heavy use. This will allow it to withstand the daily stress that comes with being a piece of furniture in a busy household!

Our old table was much too large and this one serves us just as well and gives us more room thanks to its smaller size. And to think I almost kicked this fantastic piece of furniture to the curb! So before you throw out that old chest, table, or trunk, take some time to get the creative juices flowing and consider how you might be able to breathe new life into a drab piece.