Patio Lounge Table

Patio lounge table is an outdoor accent made from thrift store furniture, vintage wallpaper and spray paint. The vibrant design stimulates conversation and always stays in bloom. The low height makes it a great kids table. You will need; (4) swiveling casters, (4) 1/4-20 x 1 1/2" screws, (4) 1/4-20 threaded furniture inserts, umbrella and umbrella base are optional, wallpaper paste + primer, water-based polyurethane clear. 

Step 1: Find + Modify Furniture

Find a used coffee table, remove the top and add swiveling casters.

Step 2: Add Table Top

Find a 48" diameter dining room table. Remove the legs and position the top over the base. Measure and drill four pilot holes where the top will be screwed into the base legs. Drill a hole in the center of the table top for an umbrella (optional). After drilling the pilot holes, remove the top and drill 5/16" diameter "thru holes" and countersink for 1/4-20 screws.

Step 3: Add Threaded Inserts

Drill-out pilot holes in base legs to accommodate a 1/4-20, threaded furniture insert. Four (4) required.

Step 4: Threaded Insert Detail

Detail photo of the threaded furniture insert.

Step 5: Spray Paint + Prep Top

Spray paint the top, sides and bottom of the top with black spray paint. This should be considered a decorative step intended to seal the wood from moisture. Apply a coat of latex primer or wallpaper primer to the top surface only.

Step 6: Cut Wallpaper

Find some vintage wallpaper, consider a pattern of multiple papers and draw cut-lines on the table top as a positioning guide. Cut all wallpaper appliques to finish size, but allow the ends to hang over the outside edge.

Step 7: Apply Wallpaper

Using a foam roller, pour paste to back of wallpaper and roll-out smooth. Lay on top, position and with a plastic squeegee, smooth-out and squeeze out excess glue. Clean excess glue with wet sponge or rag as you go.

Step 8: Apply More Wallpaper

Step 9: Trim Wallpaper

After all the wallpaper is applied, trim the outside edge with a razor blade.

Step 10: Top Clear Coat

With masking tape, create a "fence" or "dam" along all the outside edges. Liberally pour-in clear, water-based polyurethane to provide a durable, thick, weatherproof top coat. For a more aggressive method, surfboard resin could be used as a substitute.

Step 11: Add Flair to Top

Mask top and spray paint a gold edge or complimentary, accent color of the wallpaper, to the edge of the table top.

Step 12: Spray Paint Base

Spray paint the table base black. Don't get overly technical here because much of the base is covered by the top. Shown here is a custom umbrella support post to make the umbrella taller than normal. This support post is an option and is not necessary for umbrella function.

Step 13: Spray Paint Base Bottom

Be sure to paint the base bottom to ensure good water-proofing. Photo shows umbrella post bolted to base. If you are using an umbrella without this custom element simply use a hole in the table top and ""plug" screwed to bottom to secure the umbrella in position.

Step 14: Add Flair to Post

Add a little spray paint "fade" to make the post blend with the table and become part of the top design.

Step 15: Assemble

Screw top to base with 1/-20 x 1 1/2 Flat Head machine screws. Drop in the umbrella. Unfortunately the old umbrella looks bad so, spray paint the umbrella post to match the table.

Step 16: Spray Paint Umbrella Pole

Spray paint the umbrella pole to better match the table design. This looks much better.

Step 17: Enjoy

Start up the BBQ and enjoy. The table base here makes for a nice foot rest. The swiveling casters make it easy to reposition depending on the sun/time of day as well as the type of event.