If you love unique and statement-making pieces, this DIY emerald green bedside table is for you. Not only will it bring life to your space, but it’s also a great way to upcycle old furniture. Get ready for some green painted furniture inspiration!

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to turn a plain table into a vibrant piece with just a few simple steps.

Photo of bedside table before the makeover

You might be wondering, why green? Green is a bold and beautiful color choice when it comes to painting furniture and adding a pop of color to your home decor.

It’s also a versatile color that can be used in different shades and tones to create various looks.

Emerald green, in particular, is a rich and elegant shade that adds a touch of luxury to any space. It’s also a trendy color choice that has been popping up in interior design and fashion.

So why not bring a touch of this trend into your home? Now let’s start with a simple piece of furniture – the bedside table.

Table of Contents

Supplies Used for DIY Emerald Green Bedside Table

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Cleaner
Tack Cloth
220 grit Sandpaper
Clear Shellac
Paint Sprayer
Latex Paint tinted to the color Argyle by Sherwin Williams Paint
Calcium Carbonate
Waterbased Polyurethane
White Knob

Prepping Bedside Table for Painting

First, remove any hardware or accessories from the table before cleaning. If you need to fill old hardware holes, proceed to fill the hardware holes and sand it smooth once dry. Thankfully I did not have to fill any holes in on this one.

Here are the ways to fill holes when replacing cabinet or furniture hardware you can try out.

Next, clean your bedside table thoroughly with a degreaser to remove any dirt, dust, or grime that could affect the paint’s adhesion.

Check out our guide on how to clean furniture before painting to make sure your piece is ready for a fresh coat of paint.

Let the table dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Photo of side table after cleaning and removal of hardware

After cleaning, lightly sand your table to create a rough surface for the paint to adhere to. Use a 220 grit Sandpaper to gently sand the surface, then wipe off any dust with a tack cloth.

You can learn the importance of sanding before painting furniture here so you can appreciate its effect on the final result.

Check out this guide to get more details about sanding for paint prep here.

Priming Bedside Table

It’s important to prime the surface of your bedside table to guarantee that the paint adheres and lasts longer.

Primer also helps create a smooth and even base for the paint color to go on. We have a list of the best primers for painting furniture and how you can choose the right one for your project.

Give it two solid coats of clear shellac, making sure to let each coat dry for at least an hour. Then let it sit overnight before starting the painting. This will give the primer enough time to dry and set.

Making Homemade Chalk Paint

We are using Home Depot’s latex paint tinted to Sherwin Williams “Argyle” paint color for this project. To give this paint a chalky and matte finish, we’ll be making our own homemade chalk paint using calcium carbonate.

This DIY chalk paint is a great alternative to expensive store-bought options and it’s super easy to make.

Photo of mixing calcium carbonate with water

Dissolve 5 tablespoons of calcium carbonate in a small amount of warm water to create a smooth and glaze-like mixture. Make sure to mix it well so that there are no lumps or chunks left.

Then simply pour the mixture into 1 cup of latex paint. We don’t measure exact amounts for this, so just eyeball it and adjust as needed.

Here’s our homemade chalk paint recipe post for a more detailed guide and tips on how to get the perfect consistency.

Painting Bedside Table Emerald Green

With your chalk paint ready, it’s time to start painting your bedside table in emerald green!

When using a paint sprayer for furniture, make sure to thin the paint. Here’s how to thin paint for a sprayer if you’re not familiar with the process.

If you prefer to use a brush, make sure you use a high quality brush to avoid brush marks in your dry paint. We have the best chalk paint brushes list here so you know your options.

Spray or brush on thin layers of paint, making sure to cover all areas evenly. Be patient and let each coat dry completely before adding another one.

Depending on the coverage you want, you can do 2-3 coats of paint for a solid and vibrant color.

Photo of bedside table after painting with few coats of paint

Once your final coat is dry, use fine-grit sandpaper to lightly distress the edges and corners of your bedside table for a shabby chic look.

This step is optional and you can choose to skip it or do as much distressing as you want. You can follow these distressing furniture techniques for more ideas.

Topcoating Emerald Green Painted Bedside Table

Now that your bedside table is painted in a stunning emerald green and distressed to perfection, it’s time to seal the paint for a lasting finish.

Using a topcoat for painting furniture not only adds durability but also gives the furniture a smooth and professional look.

This step is especially important since you’ll use the bedside table daily and you’ll want it to withstand wear and tear.

Photo of pouring water-based polyurethane onto paint sprayer container

We have a comparison post on spray polyurethane vs brush on polyurethane to help you decide how to apply the topcoat.

But if you’ve sprayed your paint, you can naturally spray the topcoat as well. Here’s our guide on how to spray polyurethane for tips and tricks you can follow.

Spray 2-3 thin coats of water-based polyurethane on your bedside table, allowing each coat to dry completely before adding another one.

Once you’re satisfied with the topcoat, let it cure for at least 24 hours before using the furniture.

And don’t forget to add the finishing touch! We are replacing the old one with a new white knob to complement the emerald green color.

Our post on how to change hardware on furniture tackles about this step.

If you have an old and boring bedside table, this project is a great way to give it a new lease on life. Now you got a stylish furniture piece that fits your personality and home decor.

We hope this guide on how to paint a bedside table in emerald green has been helpful and easy to follow.

close-up photo of emerald green bedside table after the makeover

full view photo of emerald green bedside table after the makeover

More Before And After Makeovers

Click any of these “before” photos below to view the “after” of that makeover.