Cute Ways to Paint a Side Table

Chalkboard

• A chalkboard table is both cute and functional. Paint the legs and sides of the table any color that matches your room’s decor. Once the paint dries, paint the top of the table with chalkboard paint. It comes in both spray and brush-on forms, so choose the one that works best for you. After the paint dries, use chalk to write notes or draw pictures on the top of the table.

Animals

• In a safari-themed room, paint a table using animal print. Choose from zebra, leopard or tiger. Follow traditional color combinations, such as orange and black for a tiger or yellow and black for the leopard or create a fun twist on the color scheme to add pops of color. For example, in a girl’s bedroom, use pink and black for the zebra stripes.

  For a more whimsical animal-themed room, paint the tables to look like animals. For example, paint a small side table yellow. Once the paint dries, paint the face of a lion on the top of the table using acrylic paints. Use a staple gun to attach some fake fur around the top edge to create a mane and add a fabric tail to the back of the table, if desired.

Floral

• To create a floral-inspired table, start with a solid base color. For example, paint the table a light yellow or cream color. Then, use a thin paintbrush to paint vines and flower stems up the legs of the table. On the sides of the table, paint the heads of the flowers, using colors that match the room's color scheme. Add more flowers on top of the table. Include butterflies, bees and ladybugs for a complete garden look. If you want to add a three-dimensional element to the table, attach silk flower heads to the table at the ends of the stems using hot glue or a staple gun.

Decoupage

• After painting the body of the table a solid color to complement the room, use decoupage to decorate the top. Place pieces of paper on top of the table. Then paint on a layer of decoupage glue and let it dry overnight. Choose something that reflects who you are or follows the design aesthetic of the room. For example, if you are musician, choose sheet music. If you are an artist, choose prints of your favorite classical artist. Or, choose photographs of flowers in colors that coordinate with the room’s design. If desired, cover the completed table with a piece of glass to protect the decoupage from scratches.