This $30 Hack Transforms a “Plain” Coffee Table into a Statement Piece (It’s Brilliant!)

Hand-me-down or thrifted furniture is a great way to fill up your space on a dime, but let’s face it, sometimes these pieces can be a little plain to look at. Still, if you’re trying to spice up your place without spending loads of money, then this hack is the perfect way for you to turn almost any secondhand item into a serious statement piece. 

In a TikTok video, creator Tina Le Mac (@tinalemac) uses contact paper to give her Facebook Marketplace coffee table a complete transformation in just three steps. “My main goal is to achieve this $300 look for under $30,” Tina says in the video. 

In order to achieve this look, the only products you need are:

Supplies:

• 4 sheets of marble contact paper
• Plastic scraper
• Paper Trimmer/X-acto Knife
• Water based Polycrylic/Polyurethane (optional)

Tina tells viewers to begin by cutting the contact paper into squares using either a paper trimmer or a ruler and an X-Acto knife. Once all of the squares are ready, stick them onto the table to create a mixed checkered pattern. While doing this, make sure to use either your hands or the scraper to smooth out any air bubbles that pop up. When the top of the table is covered, use the scraper to press the leftover contact paper down on the edges of the table, pulling off any excess for a clean edge. 

While Tina doesn’t seal the table with anything at the end of the video, some comments on the video suggest doing so. This can help it resist general wear over time and hold up to any cleaning supplies used. For a perfect finish, brush a layer of water-based polycrylic or polyurethane to give your table that smooth, glossy marble look.

For just $30, the result is pretty darn impressive.