This old sewing machine table was a thrift store find destined to transform into a modern drink station, complete with built-in ice buckets, paper towel rack, storage hooks, and bottle opener. Upcycling at its best!
WHAT TO DO WITH AN OLD SEWING MACHINE TABLE
Guys, I see old sewing machine tables everywhere! Thrift stores, yard sales, you name it.
I picked up a couple of these in the $10-15 and wanted to experiment with upcycling them into drink stations.
We all love a good makeshift bar, right?
A few other ideas for upcycling these beauties…
- Make-up station
- Writing desk
- Art station
- Kids’ craft station
- Lego table with storage
- Gardening station
- Outdoor flower planter
- Accent table with storage
- Coffee bar, wine bar, or “bar” bar
HOW TO TURN AN OLD SEWING MACHINE TABLE INTO A DRINK STATION
Drink stations are great for entertaining! The top of an old sewing machine table will fold open to double its surface area for drinks, glasses, or bar accessories. The actual machine can be replaced with stainless steel steam pans that will serve as ice buckets. Finally, there’s room on the outside of the table to install functional hardware like bottle openers, storage hooks, and towel racks.
Check out my source list below to see exactly what I used for this project…
MATERIALS & TOOLS
- Old sewing machine table (thrifted)
- Plywood for storage shelf
- Steam pans
- Gold pulls
- Mounted bottle opener
- Gold towel rack
- Gold hooks
- Rust-Oleum “Milk Paint Finish” in Navy
- Minwax polycrylic sealant (sprayable)
- Jigsaw
- Table saw or hand saw
- L-brackets
- Drill or screwdrivers
- Rubber mallet
- Sanding machine or sanding block with sandpaper
- Tack cloths
- Purdy mini roller kit
- Purdy paintbrush
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Disassemble
I started this project by removing the original hardware and the sewing machine. Wow, are those things heavy!
2. Widen the Opening for Steam Pans
The now-empty opening of the table was shaped irregularly and just a bit too short to accommodate the steam pans. To remedy this, I measured the pans (the outer edge, not the rim which needed to hang over the edge of the opening for support). Then, I used a jigsaw to widen the opening based on my measurements.
3. Add Support Shelf
A ¼” sheet of plywood from Lowe’s costs around $8 and was just what I needed to add a support shelf inside the table. I measured the inside and used a table saw (although a hand saw would also do the trick) to make my cuts.
I made sure the height between the shelf and the lid (closed) was able to allow the steam pans to be placed inside with the lid closed before securing at that height. This way, the pans, and other items could be stored inside the table when it wasn’t fully set up. I leveled it with a rubber mallet and then used L-brackets to secure.
4. Sand and Prep Wood
The paint I picked for this piece required a light sanding for maximum adherence. For the flat surfaces, I used an electric sander with 80-grit and then 120-grit sandpaper. I hand-sanded the legs since they were cylindrical. Then, I wiped everything down with microfiber cloths. I like to start with a dry one and then go over it again with a damp one to pick up any and all sanding residue.
5. Paint and Seal
This navy blue paint is killer! It goes on a brighter hue but dries to a rich, dark navy. Purdy rollers and brushes are a good investment for any furniture painting project, and that’s what I used for this old sewing machine table.
Since this is a smaller piece with cylindrical legs, I used the spray version of Minwax’s Polycrylic. It goes on smooth and is pricier per ounce than the gallon version but saved me some time and headache of trying to avoid drip marks on the legs and crevices.
6. Install Fun & Functional Hardware
It took searching several stores and online shopping to find exactly what I wanted for the hardware. Who knew “gold” came in 1,000 different varieties?
I settled on a modern, brushed-gold finish and coordinated a new front pulls, hooks, and a towel rack to add to the exterior of the table. This mountable bottle opener was a must – you’ve got to have one for a beverage station, right?
OLD SEWING MACHINE TABLE MAKEOVER
And there ya have it!
The old sewing machine table transformed into a drink station.
Since I already have a bar cabinet and absolutely zero free space in my home at the moment, I think I’ll sell this fun little furniture flip.
I do have a second old sewing machine table, and will likely turn it into a drink station as well but with a different color scheme and design!
Furniture makeovers are a whole lot of fun – check out more of my before-and-after furniture projects here.
