Kid’s Room Furniture Makeover Hand Print Signature Table

Furniture Makeover Idea for a Kid’s Room or Basement Hangout Area That They Can Create and Paint Themselves.

This project is for all the moms out there who still have children at home.  There are many decorating ideas for children’s rooms that you can do, but this is one for your kids to do  The table in the photo below has a very cute story.

Childrens Room Decorating Ideas for yorur kids to do

The Story Behind a Very Special Table Makeover

When my girls were about 10 and 12 they went out to play one Saturday morning.  About an hour later I happened to be near a window and saw them with the help of a few neighborhood kids carrying this table down the street, although at the time it was finished in a dark walnut stain.

Imagine my horror when I realized they were bringing it to our house.  I quickly went out to meet them and they put the table down on the driveway and came running up to me all excited, “Look what we bought at a yard sale.  It was only $10.00!”

I was thinking, $10.00 too much, but I had to contain my thoughts.  Instead I said  “Wow, that’s great, what are you going to do with it and where are you going to put it?”

They had formulated a plan, they were going to paint it and decorate it with pictures, then put it in the basement which had recently been re-finished as a place for them to hang out with their friends.

Ok I reasoned, they have thought this through and are so excited I can’t discourage them.  Then it dawned on me that they were being just like me, (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree) bringing home other people’s cast-offs and junk to transform. I had one of those mom moment’s where you just want to kiss and hug your kids all up, knowing it was a natural thing for them to want to decorate their new space.  It is what they saw me doing all the time.

So I let them implement their plan.

They gathered all the supplies and I gave them a few painting and Mod Podge tips all the while thinking they would lose interest before the paint dried and then I would be able to put the table out on the curb in time for the next trash pick-up.

Well, as you can see from the photo, that never happened.

Over the years the table has become the centerpiece of our basement, their household hangout while growing up.  Both girls are out of college now and living on their own.

Girlfriends, boyfriends, neighbors, mothers of friends, roommates, team mates, coaches, have all signed this $10.00 treasure.

Kids DIY. Let them help decorate their space Help build their self esteem, creativity, and confidence

Their original plan was to have everyone that came to the house, make a hand print with paint on the table.  That became too messy so it ended up they just had everyone sign the table.  Some of the signatures have faded or have been unintentionally wiped away as they initially used water based marker.  There are names written in pencil and ball point pen, too.  It really doesn’t matter as the best part of the table is all the unique signatures and seeing it take on it’s own personality.

The table has a ten+ year history, some names are my daughter’s best friends that they see all the time, many are kids they went to elementary school with and will never see again.

It is colorful and has become a beloved piece of furniture in our house.  It is going to be interesting to see if either daughter is going to take it with them when they move into their own homes one day, as it has an equal number of each of their friends names on it.

Kids DIY Handprint and Signature Table

What Products Did They Use to Paint The Table?

They painted the table with white latex paint.  When the paint was dry they used Mod Podge to attach images they clipped from magazines to the top section of the table and the legs, leaving the main table surface for the signatures.

The first few friends that signed it also made a hand print with craft paint.  I would suggest having a collection of  permanent markers nearby for everyone to use so you won’t lose any signatures as the table ages.

Furniture makeover idea for kids to do.

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23 Comments

  1. Love, love, love this! I just found your blog yesterday. Love, love, love you! I’ve gone back to your first post, and I’m reading everything I missed! Blogless Peggy

  2. melissa*320 sycamore says:

    Diane~I love this! What memories with it~thank you for your suggestions today!
    Melissa

  3. Diane at InMyOwnStyle says:

    Felissa –
    I think you may be right, that I should keep the table for the when I have grand kids. I could tell them a lot of interesting stories that go with all the names.

  4. Stopping by to follow and say hello from Friday Follow. I think you should keep it with you for your grandchildren to use. That way both of your girls can “keep” it and you can continue to have fond memories of such a special table.

  5. What a fun idea!! Stopping by from Follow Friday – I’m a new follower and can’t wait to read more =)

  6. Xmasdolly says:

    From Friday Follow – following you. Hope to see you too.

  7. solstice letters says:

    What a neat keepsake. I love it.

  8. Thanks so much for sharing–it is so fun and colorful!

  9. Meg/Brassy Apple says:

    Love a DIY project! have re-done a few tables of my own too!

    stopping by via SITS! :)

  10. found you on Follow Me Friday! and I love your blog:) You are so dang creative it makes me jealous! Glad I can steal your ideas now!!

  11. Sassy Pants says:

    I <3 this post!!!!!!!!! What an amazing Idea!!! What a great Teacher gift Idea too!!! I need to do this as I have 4 children 7 and under!!!

    HAPPY SITS SHAREFEST!!!!

  12. miss rowley says:

    that is such a cute idea. I am going to have to do that with my nephews before they grow up any more. :) visiting from sits. have a great day.

  13. Stopping by from SITS today! Very fun table! What a great idea!

  14. Thanks for sharing…very cute!

  15. What a neat things for your kids! I love it!

  16. What a neat idea your girls had. This is so sweet that they take after you. It’s also a cute reminder of the days when they were young. I love this.

  17. This is really neat. I love that the kids came up with this all on their own. How cool!