Ways to Recycle an Old Coffee Table

Coffee tables usually hold up for many years, but even then, the table itself is often still good. Scratches, dents and dings on the surface of the table, and on the legs, encourage many people to go out and buy a new table. Even though the old coffee table is still sturdy most people would not want to go through the hassle of refinishing it. But they don’t have to; they can simply recycle the table into something new and useful around the house.

Make an end-of-the-bed bench by using a coffee table with sturdy legs and a flat top – wooden. If the table you have has a glass top the glass must be removed and replaced with wood. If needed, cut the legs down to size. Purchase a piece of foam to use for the top of the table as a cushion.

One way to finish the bench seat is to sew a cover for the cushion and merely set it on the table. If you don’t sew consider purchasing a body pillow and laying it on the bench. If the legs of the coffee table aren’t too impressive you can do a slightly different arrangement. Cut a piece of fabric to fit the top of the table. Cut a long rectangle of the same material, and sew it to the tabletop piece, to make something similar to a bed skirt. Put the skirt on the table and then set the cushion or pillow on it. Now you can store things under the bench while concealing those unsightly legs.

Don’t need a bedroom bench? Use the coffee table outside instead. Make a cushion for the bench but use vinyl or other waterproof fabric and set the bench on the porch or deck. To completely cover the coffee table, set the foam piece on top, then make a skirt like the one for the bed bench. Cover the entire table, including the foam, with this skirt. It isn’t hard to sew thin plastic to make a skirt that will protect the wood of the table and still look great.

There are other things you can make for your home by using an old coffee table. Set the table against a wall in a child’s room and you instantly create an art center. Set small chairs up against the table and place all the child’s paper, markers, finger paints and other supplies there.

Make a rudimentary toy box or storage box by turning the coffee table upside-down. Wrap thick cardboard around all four sides of the table, on the outside of the legs, and tape the two ends together at one corner. Although the box doesn’t look that fabulous it can hold anything from toys to folded linens to old shoes. Slide it out of sight, in a closet, and you’ll have lots of extra storage space.

That new coffee table is going to look great but there’s no reason why the old table should suffer a horrible fate like the landfill. Recycle it and you’ll have a new, useful object that will last for many more years!

Reference:

• DIY projects here: www.diynetwork.com