How to Make a Coffee Table to Show Off Family Photos

Create a background for your photos by affixing them to scrapbook paper.

A coffee table provides a unique canvas on which to display family photos and keepsakes. Whether you are looking to create a space you can change with the seasons or a permanent showcase that coordinates with your decor, you can do so with little time and easy-to-find supplies. This project helps add excitement to a ho-hum furniture piece or creatively conceal defects on a flea market find or curbside castaway.

Things You'll Need

• Lint-free cloth
• All-purpose cleaning solution
• Medium-grit sandpaper (optional)
• High-gloss oil-based paint (optional)
• Mohair paint roller with a short nap (optional)
• Scissors
• Double-sided tape
• Assorted scrapbook or colored card stock paper
• Keepsakes, magazine cutouts, photos
• Glass tabletop
• Decoupage medium
• Shellac
• Foam paintbrush
• Rubber roller
• Soft-bristle paintbrush

Instructions

1. Prepare your coffee table. Clean the surface of the table using a lint-free cloth and an all-purpose cleaning solution to remove dirt, dust and any oil residue. Allow to dry completely.

2. Create a smooth surface and even out the color of your table (optional). Remove loose paint chips and soften ridges using a medium-grit sandpaper. Use a lint-free cloth to remove any sandpaper dust. If you wish, paint the tabletop in a background color for your photos using a roller to avoid brush marks.

3. Imagine you're designing an oversized scrapbook display as you think about a theme for your arrangement; for example, holidays throughout the year, a recent family vacation or the favorite hobbies of each family member.

4. Mat your photos on top of colored card stock, printed scrapbook paper, handwritten notes, pages of a book or sheet music using double-sided tape or, if you prefer, affix them directly to the tabletop.

5. Arrange the layout of your pages to your liking. Once you are satisfied with the configuration, attach a heavy glass top that can be removed easily to rotate photos.

6. Use decoupage medium to create a permanent display. With a sponge paintbrush, apply a thin coat of decoupage medium to the back side of your photos. Lay the photos on the tabletop according to your configuration. Use a rubber craft roller to secure the photos and remove any air bubbles.

7. Allow the photos at least 30 minutes of dry time before applying a second coat of decoupage to the top of your display to seal the photos.

8. Apply a coat of shellac or a glass top to the table to provide shine, long-term durability and protection.

Tips & Warnings

• Find a well-ventilated, dust-free area to complete this project.

• Use nonpermanent double-sided tape if you are affixing photos directly to the table.

• Skip the repainting step by strategically placing photos to cover any defects or damage on your coffee table.

References

• "The Encyclopedia of Scrapbooking Tools & Techniques"; Susan Pickering Rothamel; 2009
• "Cheap Ways To"; Jason Boyett and Josh Hatcher; 2003
• "Decoupage the Easy Way"; Plaid; 2002

Resources

• Apartment Therapy: How to Paint Wooden Furniture