Adding Tufted Upholstery to an old Coffee Table

Mar 22 2020
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Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I’ve been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now. It started when I decided I hated my sofa and was ready for a new one! That worked out perfect because I really needed my old sofa to complete my seating area out in my garage. Following my old sofa to the garage was my coffee table and one of my end tables too! That left my living room pretty barren: the perfect time to do a makeover!

Several years ago I scored a couch, coffee table and chair set at a garage sale for $50. I painted them out and they sat on my deck for a couple of years but painted wood outside in Minnesota is a losing battle. (I also hate how outdoor cushions are permanently damp and gross.)

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

In other words: I didn’t want them out on my deck anymore because I never used them!

So the chair and sofa followed my living room sofa to the garage to complete my big sitting area out there. And the coffee table that was with them came into my living room from the deck.

As you can see three years outside in Minnesota left this coffee table needing work. First thing I needed to do though was take its height down by three inches to accommodate the thick tufted top I planned to add.

I unscrewed the base, cut it down with my skill saw and then reattached it to the bottom of the table top. This actually really worked out because the base had been pretty wobbly. Doing this tightened the entire table up by A LOT.

Then I scraped what I could of the old paint off of the bottom, hitting it with my sander too to be sure I got it all. Then I reapplied the same color I had painted it before. (Interestingly this coffee table baking outside in the summer sun for two years in a row made the paint that was on it almost like primer.)

The paint I used is called Sooty Lashes by Valspar and I totally LOVE it. Its the color I painted out my entire master bedroom suite.

The reason I bothered to cut the table down was that I was hoping it could double as an extension of my couch if it was pushed up to it!

I had a serious conundrum deciding on the fabric. I knew I would be putting my feet on it (that’s just a given) and I also knew that I would have my shoes on from time to time not to mention spilled drinks happen etc… I needed a fabric that would be tough enough to live with yours truly.

So, using drop cloth (like I wanted to) felt like it was out of the question so I headed to Amazon and looked at table cloths and shower curtains.

I had several issues I was running into with my decision.

I wanted gray but I already have the giant elephant of gray in the room of my sofa. I love the new Moroccan designs that they’re doing such as the one on my sofa pillows and my lamp shade but I couldn’t just keep doing that, matchy matchy is not my thing.

I went soft and neutral with my sofa table’s new skirt which is an ivory and off white stripe. On the wall is my Grandmother’s lovely quilt which is also pretty toned down.

SO *drum roll* I WENT BOLD

I purchased this lovely paisley tablecloth knowing full well that if it was too much I could always use it as an actual tablecloth. But it felt right and I really thought it would look great tufted!

I got to pull out my Grandma’s button stash again which, for some reason, just makes me happy like a little kid. I decided eight tufts would be the ticket so I chose eight of the biggest white buttons.

I drilled holes in the top measuring carefully so they were evenly spaced.

When my old sleep number bed died years ago there was miles of batting leftover that I stashed because batting and foam is really expensive! (Unfortunately this is winter and I stashed it in a little shed which is literally in the middle of my horse pasture so it would have been easier to get it using snow shoes… but I managed it!)

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

I used two layers here because I wanted it REALLY cushy with deep tufts. The top layer of batting I cut a large hole out where each tuft would be so my buttons would have something to nestle into.

Finally it was time to add the fabric!

Using a long upholstery needle, I threaded the button and then pushed the needle down through the fabric and batting and into the hole I had drilled. Then I pulled it tight from underneath the table, sinking the button as deep as I could and then, to secure it, I stapled the thread to the underside of the table.

With all of the tufts done I flipped the table over and got to stretching and stapling the fabric down. The weight of the table really helped me get everything nice and tight! I put my first staples in the center on either side and carefully worked my way out to each corner.

I cut the excess fabric away and secured all of it with LOTS of staples. Flipping the table over I was really happy with how it turned out and it is such a comfy seat too.

If I push the coffee table into the L of the couch it literally creates a bed! All in, I’m quite happy with how it turned out!

NOTE: Yes I’m aware I’m in need of a big new rug for my living room – the one I’m using here is almost tragic. I am still working on it I promise! Also, YES I have plans for a large tray to keep on the coffee table for setting drinks too.

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I've been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now.

Comments

  1. Amanda
    March 22, 2020 at 11:00 am

    Very pretty. I love the colors in the tablecloth. You are very creative and talented. Your living room turned out very nice. By the way, what happened to the braided rug you made? That was nice too. A lot of work.

    • March 23, 2020 at 9:00 am

      Thank you Amanda, the rug ended up driving me crazy lol, I have stashed in a closet though with the plan to remake it someday…

  2. Patty
    March 22, 2020 at 12:33 pm

    This is genius! In so many ways! I love how versatile it is and that you used what you already had. The tablecloth is perfect! Cannot wait to see the tray. Enjoy!

  3. Frances Batson
    March 22, 2020 at 1:12 pm

    Really brightened it up. Looks great!

  4. Emie
    March 23, 2020 at 1:03 pm

    What a GREAT idea!!! I need a foot stool and this is right up my alley. Thanks for the tutorial. Oh, BTW, maybe Ruggable’s will send you a rug in return for a review? I’ve been looking at them for awhile now but just haven’t taken a chance on one. I’d love to hear your honest opinion on one.

    • March 23, 2020 at 2:04 pm

      Emie, thank you for the tip I will definitely check them out!!

  5. Tammy
    March 25, 2020 at 11:26 am

    I love this! What did you mean when you said, ”I used blue thread and secured each button with staples to the underside of the table”. can you clarify? I want to do this someday to a table I have. Thank you.

    • March 26, 2020 at 9:06 am

      Thank sorry for the confusion! Using a long upholstery needle, I threaded the button and then pushed the needle down through the fabric and batting and into the hole I had drilled. Then I pulled it tight from underneath the table, sinking the button as deep as I could and then, to secure it, I stapled the thread to the underside of the table.

  6. April 1, 2020 at 4:57 am

    You give a new life to a gorgeous coffee table! Awesome! I love it. Thank you so much for sharing this.

  7. February 19, 2021 at 12:54 am

    Breath-taking one!! Keep up the Good work

  8. March 5, 2021 at 12:55 am

    This is so cool! Thanks for sharing the best ideas for homes!

  9. March 9, 2021 at 1:35 am

    The bold color choice really brightened up the room! Well done and so cool!

  10. November 5, 2021 at 12:18 am

    What a great idea. I had a coffee table that I got rid of that I wish I had thought of this idea for – it would have been perfect!

  11. Nancy F Lambert
    April 22, 2022 at 2:16 pm

    I love that material you used on the cushion.
    It looks awesome.

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