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. 

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

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.

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

Detail photo of the threaded furniture insert.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.