How to Paint a Whimsical Table

By Heather McDonald

When you learn how to paint a whimsical table, you will be able to create one of a kind furniture treasures from your home. Whimsical tables can come in a variety of different themes and can work with many different interior design styles.

About Whimsical Tables

What exactly makes a table whimsical? To a certain extent, whimsical is in the eye of the beholder. However, think bright and bold colors and playful designs. You could opt simply to use an eye-catching color combination on your table, or you could decide to add anything from country scenes to abstract designs.

Although such a table might be a little out of place in a contemporary or a minimalist setting, it can easily be incorporated into styles of design. For instance, if you have a French country themed room, you could paint the table using colors associated with that style - red, yellow, blue - and add a motif also associated with French country, such as roosters or fields of lavender flowers.

Whimsical tables are also a great match for kids' rooms. Choose paint colors to bring out the accent colors already in the room and add your child's favorite storybook character or action figure. Not only will you have a great piece of furniture for right now, but your table could turn into a special family heirloom that is passed down through all of the kids in the family.

How to Paint a Whimsical Table

Ready to learn how to paint a whimsical table? Here is everything you need to know about how to paint a fun piece of furniture:

Prepping the Table

No matter what design you plan to use, you will need to prep your table to be painted. Start by cleaning the table thoroughly with soapy water. Dry completely and then sand down any bumps or rough edges using coarse sandpaper. If there is old paint or stain on the table, you may have to make several passes with the sandpaper - although you can leave some of the old paint you will be painting over, you don't want any flakes to be present. Using a dry cloth, wipe away all of the dust from sanding. The table doesn't have to be completely uniform or smooth - minor imperfections can add character - but use putty to fill in any large holes, so that the paint goes on smoothly and adheres to the table.

If you plan to paint chairs to match your whimsical table, repeat this process with the chairs as well.

Choosing Your Colors and Design

Now comes the fun part - deciding what your table will look like. There are no strict rules here - remember, this is supposed to be whimsical - so have fun. If you are looking for inspiration, look at the things that are already in the room. What accent colors are you already using in the room? These colors can be your guide when it comes to deciding what colors to paint your table.

The style of your room can also dictate the design of your table. Think of motifs that match your décor. Flags for a patriotic theme, cactuses and desert scenes for southwestern style design - the possibilities are endless. Just remember that the final design has to be something you can execute, whether you are able to sketch things out freehand or can find stencils to help you put your look together.

Painting Your Table

Now the final step - putting your plan into action. Here is what you need to do:

Apply a coat of primer to the table. Let dry completely before moving on the next steps.

Apply your base colors of paint. Latex paint is the best choice. If your color design is intricate, you can mark off the proper areas with a pencil to help you stay on track. If two coats are required to get the depth of color you are after, allow the first coat to dry for at least six hours before applying the second coat, and allow the final coat to dry for at least 24 hours before moving on.

Now it is time to apply your design. If you are using stencils, you can place the stencils in the pattern you want, tape them down, and paint around them. If you are drawing your design freehand, draw it out in the table and fill in the lines.