How To: Change the Look of A Table for Under $5

We use this mid-century bar cart to hold office supplies, and it's one of our favorite craigslist finds from the last few years. In an effort to bring a little more color to this area, we came up with a quick & cheap solution we can change or reverse on a whim.

We simply cut a piece of colorful wrapping paper and put it behind some glass we had cut to fit at our local hardware store (the glass cost us less than $20.) When we get tired of the current pattern or color we can just switch it out. We're happy to get some more color and pattern in the room, but also happy that the piece remains in original condition, just in case we ever want to go back to classic black.

This is a treatment that can easily be done to any surface - although be warned that if you want glass with rounded edges things can start to get much more expensive.

Comments (12)

Very cool! I like that a lot!

posted by burpchick on July 22nd 2008 at 12:55pm
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I like it with the black top too. Good find!

posted by jenny! on July 22nd 2008 at 1:02pm
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Awesome idea. Looks great.

posted by graefix on July 22nd 2008 at 1:10pm
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soooo "how to change the look of a table for under $25, or $5 if you already have the glass" im just being an a$$ haha sorry

posted by E.M.H on July 22nd 2008 at 1:14pm
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LOVE the poppy paper! Where is it from?

posted by sfDREW on July 22nd 2008 at 1:15pm
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both the poppy paper and the blue stripes are from Paper Source, I just buy their single sheets and cut them down to size.

posted by Elizabeth on July 22nd 2008 at 2:07pm
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If you fall in love with certain paper at Paper Source (I can and have), it can cost more than $5. I don't have a bar cart, so .... I'm trying to think how this tip helps me.

posted by K T G on July 22nd 2008 at 4:01pm
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love the cart

posted by LaDonnaNichole on July 22nd 2008 at 7:20pm
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such a clever idea and nice execution.

posted by HeatherAB on July 23rd 2008 at 5:30am
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hmmm ... i've done this w/a round glass-topped end table i had except i used a black backing & 'papered' it with photographs & concert ticket stubs & other memorabilia.

posted by loislane on July 23rd 2008 at 12:02pm
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Who makes the green boxes?

posted by Andy on July 23rd 2008 at 1:31pm
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the green boxes are the Office Basics file boxes from See Jane Work, we wrote about them here.

posted by Elizabeth on July 23rd 2008 at 3:14pm
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