How To Refinish A Wooden Kitchen Table Using Burlap

Refinishing your worn kitchen table is a great alternative to buying new.

Especially when you already love what you have.

It also protects the wood and the process is easier than you think.


 Several months ago, we remodeled our bathroom and it opened a huge can of decorating worms.

One thing certainly does lead to another and I've been moving around from one "another" to "another" since April. Here's my latest unintentional DIY.

And it all started in the kitchen.

I was working on my new curtains, trying to decide what to do with that beautiful fabric, taking pictures to see the room a little better, when I noticed the condition of my island.

Oh no. Not good.


But fitting, since this sucker is old. I got it when I worked at Pottery Barn over 20 years ago and it was almost free.

It was the main table in our old cottage and when we moved here we turned it into an island with a little creativity and a quick cheat. It was the best DIY decision we ever made.

As an island, it's served as the hub and furniture workhorse of our home. Cooking, baking, three meals a day, holiday gatherings, Play-Doh and homework. You name it, it's happened here.

And it showed.


When we updated it the first time, we didn't refinish the top, we just stained the "legs" to mostly match the top.

However, the top is pine and the legs are oak, so it was never really a seamless blend.

Plus, time had taken its toll on the whole piece and it was looking shabby. The wood was also becoming damaged where the stain has worn away.

I'd been telling my husband for over a year that it needed help. I'd already repaired the chair's rush seat to look like new.

That table needed to catch up.

Of course, he was so busy with all the other renovations that this was last on the list. However, now, its condition was really taking away from all the new things in the room.

So one chilly Saturday morning, he took it outside and began the makeover.

How To Refinish A Wooden Kitchen Table

1. The first step was to sand the table down.

I have to be honest, I wasn't thrilled with this step.

My babies have been writing on this table for over 20 years. Imprints of their names and their 3rd grade math homework were worn into the finish. I loved that.

But Mr. DoItTheRightWay told me he had to sand it all the way to get the old finish off before he could add new or it'd be a mess.

 wasn't any way around it. Sad face.


He used a lightweight electric orbital sander to make easy work of the job. When he was done he dusted the table off and got it ready for stain.

2. Add Stain.

In order to get the color as close to what it was before, because I loved that, he had to give it several coats in different colors.

He just used whatever we had in the garage and he applied one coat at a time with a rag. He used long even strokes in the direction of the wood grain.

I've since found a new stain that I love and used to refinish my mantel.

3. Wipe Off Excess.

Then he grabbed a dry rag and went over table with the same long, even motions, to remove excess.

He repeated this procedure until the desired color was reached. So far, very simple, sand and stain complete in one afternoon.

4. Let It Dry.

Then he came inside and let that table set for a few days to dry completely before he added a sealer. This was important since it's a kitchen table/ island.

5. Add Sealer.

Just like our DIY wooden bathroom countertop, it needs to stand up to all sorts of abuse....including water, food spills and various other messes.

Also, I didn't want a glossy table. My style is more rugged, rustic and worn. Sparkle was not in the plan. So he chose this Watco Wipe-On Poly in a satin finish.

It boasted a hand rubbed appearance.


And since all these chemicals are nasty, he protected his hands with these very strong gloves.

He also wore a mask, even though he was outside.

He rubbed on 3 or 4 coats with a rag - in the same direction as the wood - and let each dry thoroughly in between. One coat per day.

This part cannot be rushed.


And. After all these good intentions the table was still a tad too shiny for my taste.

That's ok, my DIY hero seems to have an answer for everything.

6. Take Down The Shine.

He'd read somewhere that if you rub a piece of burlap over the totally dry and cured finish it would take it down a bit.

Fabulous. I had burlap.

It was an old Easter banner, one I'd used for fall, too , but I was willing to sacrifice it in the name of a good DIY. And it was totally worth it because it worked like a charm, besides it was cheap. I could buy another.

A few swipes over the table top in the direction of the wood grain did the trick.


The entire table was refreshed.

The worn spots on top, the peeling sides and the legs all blend perfectly and have been restored to showroom quality.


It's actually almost a little too perfect for my taste, but that's ok.

I have a big family and the holidays are coming up. It'll have that loved and lived in look in no time.

As a matter of fact my daughter dropped a can on it the other day and when she told me, my response was Great!! Do it again.

I've even resorted to bribing them with cookies to do their homework at the island instead of on campus.

I'm not sure college level statistics will have the same charm as 3rd grade division.

But the view is certainly so much better.


And besides, maybe I'll learn something.

Although, I hate math.

Maybe I should ask them to do their English homework here instead.

😉

What do you think of my new view?