by Gail Kavanagh

Created on: February 03, 2009

Got a old dreary coffee table that spoils your decor but is still too good to throw away? Why not turn it into a stunning designer table with some cheap and cheerful decorating ideas. If you don't have a coffee table to work with, it would even be worth picking up a plain cheap one from a discount store, or charity shop, to create something unique.

Match your decor: Use left over paint or wallpaper to turn a coffee table into an accent piece that matches your decor. Paint the table with the main color and accent colors of your room, or paste a piece of the wallpaper you used to the top of the table and use accent paint for the legs. Varnish with several coats of sealer to preserve your artistry.

Tile with Style: Tile can turn your plain old coffee table into an Italian designer piece. You can use any tiles that take your fancy, from ceramic to plastic fantastic. Measure your table surface and make sure you get tiles to fit. If the larger ceramic tiles you love don't fit you can fill in any gaps with small mosaic pieces. You can use tiles intended for bathrooms, decks or any other purpose to make your table top a talking point.

Magical Mosaic: You can make your own one of a kind mosaic tabletop by smashing up old decorated tiles or crockery, and arranging the pieces in a pattern. This can be a long and tricky project but the results are well worth it.

Share Your Art: If you are a dab hand with a paintbrush, you can give your coffee table a designer art look. Cover the coffee table with a plain white base coat, and use it as a canvas for something fantastic. If you can do landscapes, or portraits, use artist's acrylic colors and lots of sealer to make your coffee table your showcase.

Modern Art: Mondrian more your style? Pant your coffee table plain white or black, use strips of masking tape to mark blocks, stripes or rectangles on your table top. Paint in the shapes and stripes with bold primary colors and leave to dry. Strip off the tape and see what happens. You can always grab more tape and do it again if you use acrylic paints. Use plenty of sealer to protect your work.

Signature Piece: Paint the coffee table white and dry thoroughly. Now grab a permanent black marker and write your favorite quotes all over it. Or get guests to sign it. Or write a piece of stream of consciousness about your day. Anything at all really - how about a cartoon? Just seal it several times to preserve your work

Memory Table: Do you love to scrapbook? Why not turn your coffee table into

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