When we thought our son might enjoy his own small table for snacks and activities, we passed on the glossy matching sets and went with a simple Lack side table from IKEA. We snagged it for $3.99 on super-sale and paired it with an unfinished kids chair for a grand total under $15. After a year of wear and tear, the tabletop was beginning to look a bit beat-up, covered with dings and sticker remnants. Time for a makeover.I wanted to use what I had on hand and finish this project during naptime, so I kept things simple. To prepare the table, I taped off the top (I wanted to keep the original bright yellow color on the sides and legs), lightly sanded the tabletop wtih a fine-grit sandpaper to even out the imperfections and prepare it for the paint, and cleaned and dried the sanded surface. Then I applied 2 thin coats of chalkboard paint, waiting for it to dry between coats. That's it! I'd recommend using a small roller if you have one, to avoid the striated texture that a paintbrush leaves behind, and a coat of primer couldn't hurt. To top it off, I remembered I had a Bekvam spice rack sitting unused in my office space. It's the perfect fit for stashing easy-access chalk, crayons, and activity books above the table. Now, our little nook in the kitchen is a dedicated crafts space, perfect for our newly independent kiddo. 

All in all, a super-easy, rewarding DIY project for your little sweetie. Happy Valentine's Day!
xo