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I recently became re-inspired to tackle a DIY project I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I purchased the IKEA Sundvik kids table and chairs for my daughter back in 2017. One of the things I truly love about IKEA furniture is that it is sturdy, inexpensive, and stands the test of time. My girls have had plenty of meals, pretend and real, on this table. We have used it in the kitchen, their bedroom, and playroom since buying it. Honesty, having a kid’s table is great and I highly recommend IKEA.
Over the years the table has taken a beating and needed a fresh look. I stumbled across this blog and it inspired me to go ahead and tackle this project. This is my first time repainting painted furniture! I did my best to research the best tools and methods so hopefully my results last!
Supplies needed for this DIY Project
SUNDVIK Table $39.99
SUNDVIK Chairs $19.99 each
Mermaid Peel & Stick Wallpaper
Paint
Rollers or brushes
Polycrylic Spray sealer
Sand paper & tack cloth
Painting Wood Furniture
Step 1: Prepare your furniture for new paint
Before anything, you’ll want to give your kid’s table a good scrub. Usually, I wash the tabletop surface when the kids eat and neglect the rest of the table and chairs. I quickly realized I need to stop doing that because it was absolutely filthy. Make sure you clean any area you plan to paint and make sure it is dry before moving on.
Next, lightly sand the surface. Our table had a few paint knicks so I made sure to pay attention to those areas. When you are done sanding, use tack cloth to remove any granules of paint, wood, or dust from the piece you plan to paint. I added some white paint where the wood was chipped, showing the dark wood underneath so that the new coat of paint would be even all over. If your table is dark, you might want to add a layer of primer during this step. Our table was white already so I skipped this.
Step 2: Painting your wood table and chairs
I have a protip for you! When doing small projects like this I like to purchase sample cans of paint. They are cheaper and usually not a lot left over after the project is done. You can pick them up at pretty much any hardware store, but the brand is based on availability. I wasn’t picky about this detail so I got Sherwin Williams satin paint samples in the colors Pink Mist and Floral Vista by Valspar. You can use a brush or roller to apply the paint. I chose a roller for convenience.
To make this project more interesting, I chose to do the table and chairs in two different, but complementary, colors. I did like the white furniture but I also love colorful items for kids. It breeds creativity, fun, and spontaneity. Don’t be shy when picking colors, channel your inner child, and have fun!
Step 3: Applying Wallpaper to furniture
This step is optional, but if you are looking to add more depth try this! You can use wallpaper and maybe even contact paper as a nice accent to your kid’s table and chairs. I found a pattern I liked on Amazon and decided to make this project mermaid-themed. Because I knew I was doing this, I chose the wallpaper first and pulled out some colors in the pattern once I received it. This wallpaper is peel n stick, which is fine if you want something temporary. I applied some spray adhesive before applying it to the chairs just to make it last a bit longer.
I traced a pattern using parchment paper and used it to cut out the seat and chair pack pieces from the wallpaper roll. Application of this was actually really easy, just take your time! Measure twice and cut once!
Step 4: Sealing your painted furniture
When painting items that will be heavily used, especially items that will be used for eating, you’ll want to seal that surface. This will help the paint remain vibrant after regular cleaning. I used a generous amount of Polycrylic spray sealer. This works well on painted surfaces and will not cause the paint colors to change. Be sure to do your research on this step, as there are many options! I almost used polyurethane to seal it, thank god I read the label before doing that! That product is best for bare or stained wood because it can cause the paint to turn yellow!
This actually completes the project! However, I didn’t stop here. I painted a small, wooden Dollar Tree tray the same color as the chairs, and added a scrap of the wallpaper to tie the whole project together. To complement the mermaid theme, I used E6000 glue to attach pearls and seashells to the tray, and sat it next to a cute mermaid sign and ceramic mermaid tail.
I really love how this turned out and so do my girls! This was my first real attempt at repainting furniture and I’m sure there were areas for improvement in my work, as I am a beginner! Make sure you take your time sanding and preparing the wood for paint. Choosing the right paint and sealer is also very important if you want your project to hold up. I’m not sure how long this will last us but, I had a lot of fun re-envisioning this piece for them. I figured this was better than just throwing it out all together!
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