Easy Card Table Makeover

I can only imagine that Matt and I are not the only family in America with a less than stellar card table. In fact both of ours were hand me downs from grandparents and though they may have been fabulous in the 80’s, now they are really lacking in the attractive decor department. A few years go I picked up some vinyl table clothes with hopes of breathing new life into our sad card tables and once again life got in the way and I never recovered them. I recently came across the table clothes and decided it was time to move on with my project but there was a small problem, I no longer liked the table clothes I had previously picked out. Have no fear, after a quick trip to Target I was back in business and ready for my amazing, fabulous, incredible card table makeover!

Materials:

Card Table (old or new)
Damp rag for cleaning
Ratchet with socket
Vinyl Tablecloth
Drop Cloth
Spray Paint
Sand Paper – 180 grit
Drop Cloth
Hot Glue Gun
Hot Glue Sticks
Scissors

Instructions:

Give the table a good wipe down with a damp rag to remove any dust or possible cobwebs that may be lingering on the underside of the table.

Remove the top of the table from the frame and legs. (Be sure to store your screws in a safe place because you will need them later.) Most tables will be attached with a few hex screws that can easily be removed using a ratchet and socket or a socket wrench.

Set the top of the table to the side and begin prepping the table frame and legs by lightly sanding them with 180 grit sand paper. When sanding is complete, wipe the frame down with a damp rag to remove any sanding debris.

Lay the drop cloth out to protect the ground or whatever surface you don’t want covered in spray paint. Unfold the legs of the table and begin spraying the card table legs. Give the legs adequate time to dry and turn the table over. Continue spraying the frame until a smooth consistent coverage is achieved. (More coats and lighter coverage is better than drippy spray paint.) Set the frame aside to dry.

Lay the tablecloth face down onto a flat surface. Place the card table top face down onto the tablecloth.

Trim the table cloth leaving at least a 2″ border of excess to be able to wrap around and secure later.

Depending on the thickness of the table top, the tablecloth can be attached using a staple gun or a hot glue gun. The top of my table is not very thick, so instead of risking staples poking through the other side, I used a hot glue gun. Apply a bead of hot glue in 2 – 3″ sections. Wrap the tablecloth around the edge of table top and press. Continue this process around the entire table top until all edges of the tablecloth have been adhered.

Trim any excess tablecloth as close to the hot glue as possible.

Attach the table top back to the frame.

In an hour or so you can transform a sad 80’s card table into a fun new functional piece fit for any celebration. Once you complete a card table makeover, you realize how easy it is and you won’t be afraid to do another one in the future!

~ learn more about Jacque ~

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Carol says:

January 25, 2021 at 9:47 pm

Your table turned out so cute! I am wondering if it has held up over time. Has it stretched out or gotten torn?

Debbi says:

October 6, 2019 at 10:12 pm

I LOVE this idea….inspirational! Think I will get oil cloth at the fabric store as it is even more durable than vinyl.

Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says:

June 14, 2014 at 11:49 am

This looks awesome! Definitely perfect for extra party seating or in a kids room!

Amanda says:

June 12, 2014 at 5:26 pm

I cannot wait to do this! I bought a ton for my son’s birthday and now they just sit there. yay! Thank you!

Athena R says:

June 12, 2014 at 9:38 am

Love how your table turned out. I can’t wait to do this with ours and also spray paint the chairs too.

Joan Wilkey Cook says:

June 11, 2014 at 8:45 pm

Beautiful. You did a great job. I have 2 old card tables, one a wedding gift in 1965! The legs are hard to open and close, old hardware? Is there a solution or will I need to buy new hardware?