- 1). Move the side table to an outdoor location or to a garage. Put on safety glasses and a dust mask. Sand the entire surface of the table with a medium-grit sandpaper to roughen it and to remove loose paint chips. Wipe the table down with a tack cloth after sanding to remove all dust from the surface.
- 2). Open a can of latex primer and apply it to all surfaces of the side table using a paint roller for the flat areas and a paint brush for the small crevices and the legs. Allow the coat of primer to dry fully before proceeding.
- 3). Open a can of any colored semi-gloss latex paint and apply three coats to the side table just as you did with the primer. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly before adding the next one.
- 4). Wait until the paint is fully dry and measure the top width and length of the table with a tape measure. Transfer the measurements onto a piece of 5- to 6-inch-thick upholstery foam using a felt tip pen. Cut the foam out using a sharp utility knife or a serrated kitchen knife.
- 5). Open your desired fabric on a flat surface and mark out the table measurements onto it, adding 12 inches to both the width and the length. Cut the fabric out using scissors.
- 6). Center the foam on top of the side table and then lay the fabric on top of it with the finished side facing upward.
- 7). Wrap the fabric under one end of the table and secure it with a staple gun. Space the staples at 3- to 4-inch intervals, or as needed to pull the fabric tight. Repeat the process on each of the remaining sides, pulling the fabric tightly as you do so.
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