Table Parts: Repair, Repurpose, and Restore Old Tables

I’m always on the lookout for unused furniture and small items that are taking up space and not serving any real purpose.

Not long ago I found a small folding stool that was simply impractical — too small to sit on comfortably and too narrow to serve as a useful side table. I decided to turn it into what I call “Pieces of a Table.”

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What I Used:

an old drawer
an old folding stool
oil and vinegar cleaning solution
chalky finish paint
chip brushes
homemade wax
beige and black acrylic paints
masking tape
twine
screws to attach the drawer to the stool

I also had an unused drawer sitting around, so I figured why not join the two pieces and make something useful and attractive.

The How To:

Step 1 — Clean the stool. I used my tried-and-true oil and vinegar solution and wiped it thoroughly. It removed dirt and brought out the natural grain of the wood.

Cleaning the wood stool, Pieces of a table, www.theboondocksblog.com

Clean and shiny — a great base to build from.

Step 2 — Prepare the drawer. I removed the original handle, spray painted the surface white, sanded it lightly, and then applied a coat of chalky finish paint to give the drawer a softer, vintage look.

The two holes left from the old handle made me pause — instead of filling them, I leaned into a rustic aesthetic. I added two new holes at the opposite side and threaded twine through them to create simple, charming handles.

Step 3 — Decide on an interior finish. I considered leaving the drawer interior plain, and my husband suggested a backgammon design — but I wanted something simpler. I masked off a checkerboard pattern and mixed my own color from beige and black acrylics for a soft, aged look.

The painted result is subtle and allows the wood grain to show through the chalk paint for a slightly worn, handcrafted finish.

Step 4 — Seal the paint with wax. Since commercial furniture wax was hard to find, I made my own by mixing one part beeswax with two parts olive oil. I warmed and blended the mixture, then applied it across the painted surfaces.

Rubbing the wax into the painted wood transformed the surface from chalky to smooth and slightly glossy. The wax seals the paint and adds protection while enhancing the color and texture.

Step 5 — Attach the drawer to the stool. I drilled matching holes and secured the drawer base to the stool seat with screws so the drawer now forms a functional tabletop and small storage compartment.

Now I have a lovely little table that holds my cup of coffee and hides small items inside the drawer. It’s a simple repurpose project that turns odds and ends into a useful, attractive piece for the balcony, patio, or living room.

I’ll leave the table on the balcony so I can enjoy my coffee outdoors. It feels great to give new life to pieces that were once forgotten.

That’s it for today. This little project shows how small, unused pieces around the house can be recycled into something useful and beautiful. Do you have any leftover items waiting for a second life?

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