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

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.

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

• 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 – I used the Reviver 2 S.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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

Mid-Century Modern Dressing Table Makeover in a Day

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