How to Add Color & Dimension to a Table

Clean the surface of the table with a water-based wood cleaner or mild detergent. Remove any dust or grime that can hinder your sander. Wait for the table to dry.

Put on safety equipment such as goggles, dust mask and gloves. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and jeans to avoid skin irritation.

Sand the surface of the table. Progress from a 100-grit to 220-grit sandpaper. Sand with the grain not against it. Do not press the sander into the table or repeatedly pass over the same area; doing so will result in an uneven surface.

Wipe down the table with a tack cloth.

Apply one to two coats of primer. Allow the tabletop to dry overnight.

Paint the table top. Use a bold color to make the table the centerpiece of the room, such as robin's egg blue, fire engine red or burnt orange. Stencil designs onto the surface. Use tape to outline squares and rectangles. Copy a pattern that appears on your floor, upholstery or window treatments in an adjoining room.

Add dimension. Tape off the edges of the table and paint a border in a slightly darker tone to visually raise the tabletop and make the edge appear beveled. Use a lighter border to even out the tabletop and soften an existing bevel, making the tabletop appear flatter. Color the border in a much lighter tone to make the center of the tabletop look sunken or recessed. Remove the tape an hour after applying the paint. Allow the paint to cure overnight.

Spread photos on the tabletop and place a glass pane over the surface to create actual depth. Be sure to allow paint adequate time for curing per the manufacturer's recommendations.

Finish the table with one to two coats of sealant such as wax, varnish, shellac or oil, if you did not use a glass pane. Cure for a full 72 hours before use.