It’s the second Tuesday of the month and that means it’s Trash to Treasure time! What is that you say? A super fun day where my blogger friends and I put together a group of makeovers and DIY fun to inspire you. My project for today is this vintage Mid Century Modern dinette set I found at the thrift store. Will you just look at those lines? mmm… Bummer is that the top is laminate, but the rest is gorgeous oak. Time to show you how to paint laminate furniture easily so that it is durable to stand up to daily use. Let’s get our DIY on!
When I walked into the thrift store looking for a piece of artwork to stage with, I gasped when I saw this dining set sitting there. Yes, farmhouse and rustic is my thing, but I do love most any era, particularly the lines of the Mid Century style. I did a bee-line to it and pulled each chair out to sit on it and test them. I also crawled underneath to see if there were any markings. It even came with two extra leaves.
It totally looked like a Lane or Broyhill set, but I haven’t found the markings yet. What I did find, however, was original upholstery and the worn laminate top. Many ask, “Why would they use laminate??” Well, it’s durable and many thought to be superior to a wood veneer, and it’s also easy to maintenance.

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Problem is, you can’t find modern furniture built this well to last the test of time. I bought it and then, thankfully, had the store deliver it for free since I live close by. Mama had a happy dance!
Many turn their noses up at laminate furniture, but I take it on full bore. I have done many Mid Century pieces you can see HERE that have had the laminate and they are awesome to work with. To paint laminate furniture, it’s all about two things: (1) prep work and (2) priming. I’m going to layout the steps for you, but you will be amazed there’s not much to it. I be you’ll be grabbing up those laminate pieces the next time you see them. tee hee!
First, I use my sander with 120 grit paper on it to get rid of any scuffs, etc and to give the surface tooth. Many will say that you don’t need to sand, but I tend to disagree even though I’ve done it both ways. I say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to surfaces like this table top that will see much daily action. Since it doesn’t take much time, I say, why not?
Once sanded, I cleaned it all up to get rid of any gunk or film that may be present, even on wood, and creates an awesome surface to adhere to.
Let the surface air dry and then it’s time to prime. Now, in the past I’ve only used a product called Gripper. It does amazing things! You can see it recently used on this Broyhill Hutch Desk.
In most instances, I would be using my favorite sprayer to apply the primer. However, just to show you that even a great end result can be achieved without a sprayer, I chose to use my other go-to method, a micro foam roller. I roll out the primer in nice even coats, and then let cure for about 2 hours. Easy-peasy.
TIP: to make clean up easier, I line my paint tray with a plastic grocery store bag making sure it is turned inside out to prevent any ink from getting into my paint or primer. I just tape it in place for a snug fit, and when done I recycle the bag. Less mess and less waste to the landfill.
While the primer is curing, I tackle the upholstery. One of my favorite handy tools is this stapler puller that only costs a couple of bucks. It saves my knuckles and hands, and make the job go SO much faster. You gotta get one for upholstery or any project that involves staples.
I have to say this is one of the bluckiest upholstery removals I’ve had because of the foam underneath had disintegrated into nothing and the fabric was kinda gross. It felt so good to pull it off! Now with a blank slate I cut my new fabric, foam, and batting. You can read how to easily update basic upholstery in this post I created for you over here.
Another must have is my stapler. For years I used a basic handheld kind and it killed my hand and wrist. Not so with this cordless gem. I had these seats knocked out in 30 minutes from starting with fabric cutting and attaching it all to the seats. Woot!
Before I reattach the seats, I clean up the chair frames and table skirt and legs, then touch up with some stain to cover the knicks. No need to paint that gorgeous wood.
Now back to the table top and moving on with our paint laminate furniture tutorial. {{fist pump!}} To make a neutral surface that will fit into most any decor, I chose to useΒ a dark gray paintΒ with a hint of brown.
All I do is switch my micro foam roller to a new one, and line my tray with a new bag to keep it all clean. I apply two coats with a 2 hour cure time in between, making sure to roll it out smoothly.
For the last step, I use a gloss finish in two coats as well, letting cure 2 hours in between. During that cure time is when I can get other things done, like reattaching the seats, and doing and final check to make sure the set is ready to go, or even housework, errands, etc. So easy to paint laminate furniture!
Are you ready to see this set renewed? I am!
We said goodbye to dated and dingy, and HELLO to modern chic. I love it! The top came out just as I had planned looking so refreshed and ready to go.
My favorite part is the fabric I purchased to update the chairs. It is a gray with cream. Light enough to brighten it up, but will stand the test of time. I even gave it a Scotchgard
treatment as an added protectant.
Time to show you how this beauty really opens up. Woot!
With both leaves in this gem can seat six easily. I love a versatile piece of furniture, don’t you?
Gotta love the lines of this set. Mmm… Since I have a family of 8 and my home is mainly rustic, this Mid Century dinette set is now available in my shopΒ along with the other things seen in this staging, like my plant stand. (Table set is SOLD)
My goal is to inspire you to not turn down, but try to paint laminate furniture. It really is easy and so affordable to do. Do pin and share to inspire others to give it a DIY try.
Up next, I’m get organized and showing you what I do with this thrifted cart I found recently. Looks kinda sad, doesn’t it? See the transformation HERE.
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Check out these makeovers for more inspiration. Each one is a must see!
34 Comments
Good luck in the contest, I voted. Love how you redid the table and chairs. The fabric is perfect for the style.
March 13, 2018 at 6:53 amThanks! I just loved working on this set.
March 13, 2018 at 10:36 amThat really turned out great and like the new cushions on the chairs as well.
March 13, 2018 at 7:05 amYou got my vote. Just finished voting
Thanks! I was tickled to death to find it. I love MCM!
March 13, 2018 at 10:37 amThis is terrific!
March 13, 2018 at 8:10 amLarissa, the link to vote for the Zibra one of a kind contest in the e-mail did not work. I went directly to the Zibra blog to vote though – what gorgeous pieces! The link to the blog is here :http://thezibrablog.com/one-of-a-kind-the-peoples-choice-voting/ for anyone who had the same problem. π Good luck to you and to me too, since voting makes me eligible to win something as well! π
Thanks! I have the right link here in my post. Thanks for the heads-up. I’m so excited to have everyone’s support.
March 13, 2018 at 10:39 amGreat makeover. Just finished voting for you. Good luck – hope you win!
March 13, 2018 at 9:10 amThanks!
March 13, 2018 at 10:40 amBeautiful update! I cringed when I saw the before because everyone has opinions about what is good wood or when to paint. I’m more of an MCM purist in general but sometimes there is just no salvaging a finish. That being said, You Rocked it!! I Love the changes. Love that you left the pretty wood and complimented it with paint and fabric. Gorgeous, hope it sells quick π
March 13, 2018 at 9:54 amWood, yes, laminate, fair game. Haha! Thanks so much for the smile!! π
March 13, 2018 at 10:40 amWhat a difference! The lines are gorgeous on this set. I headed over to Zibra and voted, good luck! I’m looking forward to your thrifted cart makeover, I’ve had one exactly like that stashed away for years and need some inspiration!
March 13, 2018 at 11:28 amI was oohing when I saw it in the store. Totally blown away at how great condition the wood was in. Thanks for the love!
March 13, 2018 at 11:55 amYou got my vote! The dining set is so sweet! It will get snatched up right away, I’m sure.
March 13, 2018 at 11:46 amBless your day!
Thank ya! I wish we had room for it to seat 8 and enough chairs. Would be fun to switch out on a whim!
March 13, 2018 at 11:56 amWOW! Larissa!!! This set turned out beautifully! Good job. Good luck in the contest!
March 13, 2018 at 12:30 pmYou’re so fun, Cate! π Thank you.
March 13, 2018 at 7:31 pmIt looks so much better, Larissa! Funny how just covering up the laminate and recovering the seats made this shine! XO
March 13, 2018 at 12:40 pmIt was a blast to do because it was fairly simple and made much impact. Thanks, girl!
March 13, 2018 at 7:32 pmBeautiful finish, Larissa! Good luck with the contest.
March 13, 2018 at 4:23 pmThanks! I appreciate it.
March 13, 2018 at 7:32 pmVoted for you…Good luck!
March 13, 2018 at 7:08 pmBeautiful makeover, as always!
Wonderful to hear. Thank you!
March 13, 2018 at 7:32 pmIt looks amazing Larissa!! Like a brand new set!! Love it! xo
March 13, 2018 at 7:36 pmI’m delighted you think so. Thank you!
March 14, 2018 at 9:12 pmSo many MCM pieces Larissa so little time! Love the colors you used. I just finished a big one using chalky type paint …let’s hope it holds up. BTW I went over and voted, wishing you good luck to get that grand prize!!
March 13, 2018 at 11:20 pmhaha…yes!! It should be just fine with your awesome skills, Mary. Thank you for the vote!
March 14, 2018 at 9:12 pmYou got my vote!!! Amazing make over!!! Where do you purchase you micro foam rollers? Thanks!!!!
March 14, 2018 at 8:21 amSweet!! Thank you! I get them at the local hardware store or on Amazon.
March 14, 2018 at 9:13 pmWhat a beauty, Larissa! Love the new look and the fabric you chose. (Although I think my seat padding was worse than yours…haha!) π
March 14, 2018 at 1:34 pmThanks! My padding was the worst, as in the foam, it made the biggest mess I have ever had. I’m still finding it here and there. Blucky!
March 14, 2018 at 9:14 pmWhat a beauty, you really made that shine. That is something I probably would have walked on by. Thank the Lord he has people like you to see the potential in everything. By the way sent my vote in for you, good luck!
March 15, 2018 at 1:37 amYou’re the best, Bonnie! For your kind words and words of encouragement. Thank you!
March 15, 2018 at 6:42 amGood luck, Larissa, keeping my finger’s crossed for you! Beautiful job on this MCM dining set. Pinned
March 15, 2018 at 11:33 amThanks! I will if it was meant to be. Hugs!
March 15, 2018 at 3:12 pm