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Rain on a Tin Roof

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You are here: Home >> Furniture Makeovers >> Two-Tiered Table Makeover | How to Remove the Top Tier

November 7, 2017 By Jenna 23 Comments

Two-Tiered Table Makeover | How to Remove the Top Tier

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Two Tiered Table Makeover - How to remove the top tier! Such a great diy furniture makeover idea!

This post is sponsored by Velvet Finishes, however all opinions are 100% mine.

I see these little two-tiered end tables all the time at thrift stores and yard sales. For the most part, I tend to pass them by. Some are pretty nice, but I’ve just never been a big fan of the whole two-tiered aspect of these tables. I know it was hot back in the day, but just not up my alley.

I don’t know why taking the top tier off though never occurred to me before now.

I guess I needed to see one of these little guys that had really great lines.

Two Tiered Table Makeover - How to remove the top tier! Such a great diy furniture makeover idea!

Like this Mid-Century Modern style one that I happened upon at a local thrift store.

At first glance, I was like, “Oh man, I wish it wasn’t two-tiered.”

Then, I thought, “Wait! I bet I can cut that off!”

So I snatched it up, brought it home and got to work.

And it was so much easier than I ever thought it would be.

Two-Tiered Table Makeover | How to Remove the Top Tier

Tools & Supplies

  • Depending on how the top tier is attached, you will need either a screwdriver, adjustable wrench, or maybe just your fingers to unscrew it.
  • Small pieces of wood to cover the holes – I used a paint stick cut into small pieces.
  • Wood Glue
  • Wood Filler
  • Sandpaper
  • Velvet Finishes Ready
  • Velvet Finishes Luxurious
  • Velvet Finishes Protect
  • A Good Paintbrush

Steps

Step 1

Flip the table over and look for where the top tier is attached. Using a screwdriver, wrench or your hands, remove the screws or bolts holding the tier on.

Two Tiered Table Makeover - covering the old holes.

Mine had four nuts and bolts holding it in place. I was able to just unscrew them with my hands. I also unscrewed the legs of the table just to get those out of the way while I was working on it.

Step 2

Find four small pieces of wood that will cover the holes where the screws had been.

Two Tiered Table Makeover - covering the old holes.

I had a paint stick on hand so I just cut four small pieces from it.

Step 3

Place wood glue around the holes on the underside of the table, then place a small piece of wood over each hole pressing it firmly into place.

Two Tiered Table Makeover - covering the old holes.

Let these sit for at least a few hours.

Step 4

Flip the table over and fill the holes on top where the tier had once been with wood filler.

Two Tiered Table Makeover - covering the old holes.

Since these holes are pretty deep, you’re probably going to have to fill the holes a few times. I found it best to fill the hole, let dry, sand smooth, repeat. I did this about three times before the holes were even with the table.

Step 5

Once the wood filler is dry, smooth and even, you’re ready to start prepping and painting.

Two Tiered Table Makeover - painting supplies.

This table had a really shiny finish on it. In order for the paint to get the best adhesion, that finish needed to go before applying the paint. To do that, I used Ready.

Two Tiered Table Makeover - prep it with Ready to remove old shiny finish.

Ready is a spray primer / deglosser. You just spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it clean with a towel. Ready also cleans away dust at the same time. For this table, I had to do three rounds of Ready to get the shine gone.

Step 6

Let the table fully dry and then you’re ready to paint.

Two Tiered Table Makeover - paint it

I opted to go with Luxurious for the table top. It’s black, but not a super deep black. I was leaving the legs as they were so I knew black would go well with those stained legs. I did two coats of Luxurious on the table. This Velvet Finishes paint has great coverage – I know this is a small table, but I bet I didn’t use more than 1/2 –  3/4 of a cup of paint.

Step 7

After the Luxurious paint was dry, I gave the table a coat of Protect.

Two Tiered Table Makeover - topcoat.

Velvet Finishes paint already has a topcoat built-in, but since this little table might see a lot of action as a coffee table, end table, etc., I wanted to go on and give it some added protection. All you need is one coat of Protect and you just brush it right on.

After the table was dry, I put the legs back on just as they were. They weren’t in too bad of condition and y’all know I love a good paint and stain combination anyway.

Two Tiered Table Makeover - How to remove the top tier! Such a great diy furniture makeover idea!

I think removing that top tier makes the table much more functional. It can be a great coffee table for a smaller room, it could still be an end table / side table, or it could even be a bench!

Two Tiered Table Makeover - How to remove the top tier! Such a great diy furniture makeover idea!

Sidenote: That Seventies Glamour book is one of my all-time faves. 😉 It has a totally corny cover, but the photos inside are awesome. 

Two Tiered Table Makeover - How to remove the top tier! Such a great diy furniture makeover idea!

Two Tiered Table Makeover - How to remove the top tier! Such a great diy furniture makeover idea!

I won’t be so quick to pass up those little two-tiered tables anymore! What about you?

You might also want to see…


How to Turn a Side Table Into a Bench– one of my all time fave hacks!

Mid-Century Modern Dressing Table Makeover in a Day – such a beauty that still gives a nod to it’s 60’s roots!


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Two Tiered Table Makeover - How to remove the top tier! Such a great diy furniture makeover idea!

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Filed Under: Furniture Makeovers Tagged With: end table, mid-century, side table, velvet finishes

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Comments

  1. rosie says

    November 7, 2017 at 9:50 am

    You did such a good job

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      November 7, 2017 at 12:37 pm

      Thanks so much, Rosie!

      Reply
  2. Alison says

    November 7, 2017 at 10:27 am

    I NEVER would have thought of this. It looks so good. Genius!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      November 7, 2017 at 12:37 pm

      I can’t believe I thought of it, Alison! After passing by hundreds of these tables over the years, it finally occurs to me!! haha!

      Reply
  3. Deirdre says

    November 7, 2017 at 11:06 am

    Looks great. I love the finish.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      November 7, 2017 at 12:37 pm

      Thanks, Deirdre! I really love how the finish turned out as well!

      Reply
  4. Lois says

    November 7, 2017 at 11:39 am

    I was at a yard sale over the weekend and saw a very cute pair of this style table. However, they had Formica tops. I have some of the paint that will adhere to laminate, but no place to use the tables. But I love yours! It’s perfect for toys and games!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      November 7, 2017 at 12:36 pm

      Thanks, Lois! It is a great little size – not too big, not too small!

      Reply
  5. Jane Stein says

    November 7, 2017 at 11:54 am

    Love it! Well done!
    – one of your biggest fans – Jane Stein in Austin

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      November 7, 2017 at 12:36 pm

      Thanks so much, Jane!

      Reply
  6. Regina says

    November 7, 2017 at 1:49 pm

    Well done and so pretty! I’ll look at these tables differently now.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      November 7, 2017 at 2:37 pm

      Thanks, Regina! Me too, girl! Can’t believe I didn’t think of this before!

      Reply
  7. Stephanie S. says

    November 7, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    I am a freak for those tables. I have always had a thing for them and love the two tone you do. If I see one down the road will have to try it out.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      November 8, 2017 at 6:12 am

      Thanks, Stephanie! Give it a whirl – it was easy!

      Reply
  8. Pam Kaufman says

    November 7, 2017 at 6:34 pm

    I like it! I would never have thought about taking the top off. Makes it look much more modern. Love the color too!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      November 8, 2017 at 6:11 am

      Thanks, Pam! I can’t believe it’s taken me so many years to think of taking the top off! Now I’m just kicking myself over all the ones I’ve passed up!

      Reply
  9. Brigitte says

    November 10, 2017 at 12:38 pm

    I see these all the time and I always pass them up, too, even tho I’ve seen some awesome makeovers on Pinterest and such. I love this project, super nice! I’m gonna have to consider grabbing one of these next time I see one! 🙂

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      November 14, 2017 at 11:23 am

      I am kicking myself over so many that I passed up! Can’t believe I didn’t think about it sooner!

      Reply
  10. Shanice Bannis says

    November 19, 2017 at 3:30 pm

    Stunning. Well done! I love it!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      December 6, 2017 at 3:43 pm

      Thanks, Shanice!

      Reply
  11. Lauri Marsh says

    November 19, 2017 at 10:34 pm

    Now……what are you going to do with the upper table? I think it would be a cute way to display food at a buffet or to add height to a table scape…something to that effect…love to see what you do with it. Like ALL of US whom do DIY’s we don’t, won’t throw anything away! Thanks for all your ideas and inspirations! Lauri

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      December 6, 2017 at 3:44 pm

      You’re reading my mind, Lauri! That is exactly what I was thinking about using it for! 😉

      Reply
  12. Myrna says

    August 25, 2018 at 12:22 am

    Jenna, that table is called a step table. Great job. Everyday you learn something on a blog. Did not know about Ready.
    Over the weekend the only giant initial I could find for a wreath was MDF Tried spray paint and got nowhere/ Then tried Gesso. What a difference. Praise the lawd for little tricks of the trade.

    Reply

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