Cool DIY Map Tables
When my parents moved out of their house, my mom gave me an old world map. After I came across two new, neon yellow end tables from Target that were on clearance for $5 each, I finally figured out what I wanted to do with that old map…make 2 COOL DIY MAP TABLES. These tables can be used as side tables, but I’m using them together as a coffee table for our kitchen sitting area and as extra tables for our deck when we need them. One table has North America on it. The second table has Europe. My family loves these tables. Even while I was working on them my boys kept coming up to study the map. These tables are a modern-vintage mash-up and make a great conversational piece. Enjoy!
What you will need:
- Table new or old
- Large Wall Map 48×77
- Mod Podge
decoupage glue
- Foam craft paint brush
- Clear Acrylic Sealer
- Spray paint
Instructions:
1. I bought my tables on clearance new and unassembled. Because of this, I was able to decoupage the table tops before putting the tables together. To do this, lay your map out on a flat surface. Trace the surface of the table top on the map with a pencil. Be sure to trace large enough to wrap the sides of the table where you want. I only wrapped two sides because the other two sides were going to be covered with the table legs when I put the tables together. After you trace, then cut out your map. If your table is old and can’t be taken apart, lay your map on top of your table, trace then trim the map to fit.
2. Next, paint your decoupage glue on your table top. Gently lay your map on top, arranging it to fit. Smooth out all the air bubbles and begin painting your decoupage glue all over the top of the map. Let dry and add several more coats. I did three coats in all, drying between each coat.
3. While your table tops are drying, spray paint your table legs, especially if they are neon yellow like mine were :). If you cannot unassemble your table, then paint it first before you decoupage the top.
4. Once your decoupaged table top is dry, spray it with an acrylic sealer to protect it.
5. After everything has dried, reassemble your tables and Oooh and Awww while you brush-up on your geography!
[…] Cool DIY Map Tables […]
Doing this today to spruce up old table. Love this idea!! Thank you for sharing! It’s exactly what I needed to inspire me!
Perfect!!! Let me know how it goes. Good luck!!
Thanks for posting this. Turned a $15 thrift store table into a beautiful accent table for my living room.
Awesome! I love maps. I wish I could decorate my whole house with them :).
Could this me drawn on, like with a dry erase marker? Thanks!
Yes!!! I didn’t have any dry erase makers, but I tried it with a highlighter and a Crayola marker. Both wiped off with a wet paper towel no prob! I’m sure dry erase makers would be the same. Thanks for stopping by!!
Awesome idea! Thank you for sharing! I think I’m going to try this on a thin piece of wood to replace the broken glass from our coffee table. But I was wondering if the decoupage is water proof enough for moisture like from glass rings if someone didn’t use a coaster?
Yes! Just to be careful though, I’d do a couple extra coats of the decoupage glue. Good luck!!
Is it possible to only cover some of the table top w/decoupage maps, or will the glue look horrible on the painted part? Just wondering & thanks for any feedback>>> Sharon
You want the glue to cover the entire map area. I suppose you could just decoupage a portion of your table, but the glue does dry shiny, so you need to be very precise around the map edge with your glue. Maybe use painters tape to help get a straight edge, but know that your map will be more glossy than the rest of your table. Hope this helps!!
Love these tables! They turned out so good! I’m trying to do the same with an old map I have but its laminated, grrr lol.
Go buy a new map then!!! Good luck. With your laminated map you could make a cool dry-erase message board :).
What kind of paper was this map on? I’m doing a similar project, but the paper of the map I found seems so thick. Does it stay on really well?
My map paper was poster thick–so thicker than wrapping paper, but not too thick. I just used lots of coats of decoupage glue. Good luck!!