Exciting news for our beach house living room! After months of waiting and dreaming, we’ve finally completed a crucial piece that ties the entire space together. You could say I finally have a proper place to kick up my feet, or as Sherry would put it more directly, “We finally have a coffee table!” This isn’t just any coffee table; it’s a testament to patience, budget-savvy DIY, and a desire to create something truly unique for our coastal retreat. This project proves that high-end style doesn’t always demand a high-end price tag, and we’re thrilled to share how we achieved a sophisticated, stone-like look without breaking the bank.
light fixture / ceiling medallion / similar rug / similar sofa / similar curtains / curtain rods
The best part? This stylish new addition was a DIY endeavor that came in at a fraction of the cost of its high-end alternatives. Talk about a win for budget-conscious home design! For those who keep up with our InstaStories, you might already know we’ve made another exciting change to the living room: we swapped out the rug for this stunning new one since these photos were taken. We’ll be dedicating a whole post to that update, along with another dining room tweak, very soon. But for now, let’s dive into the story of this fabulous concrete-finish coffee table.
From Topless to Tabletop: The Journey of Our Octagonal Base
The story of this coffee table actually began quite a while ago. We’d had the octagonal table base for what felt like ages, but it remained stubbornly topless for months on end. This beautiful wooden base was a fantastic find, scored from a neighbor who had grand plans for it but never quite got around to adding a top. When she listed it on our local buy/sell board for an unbelievable $7, we knew we had to have it! What a steal for a piece with such potential. However, after bringing our treasure home, it spent several more months in our garage before finally making its way to the beach house last fall. Even then, it remained an intriguing but incomplete piece, patiently waiting for its crown, as shown below.
Our initial vision for this unique base was to top it with a custom-cut stone slab. We imagined the elegance of marble, or perhaps the practicality of more durable options like quartz, gracing our beach house living room. However, the dream quickly met reality when quotes from two different stone yards came back shockingly high—between $700 and $900, even for remnant pieces. We were genuinely surprised by the expense. The primary reasons for the steep pricing were its generous 38-inch width, making it deeper than a standard countertop, and its distinctive octagonal shape, which required specialized cutting. These factors made a custom stone top prohibitively expensive for our budget-friendly beach house renovation.
With the stone top option off the table, we swiftly pivoted from “buying a stone top” to “DIYing a stone-like top.” We explored numerous creative solutions, including faux stone laminate, a painted white wood top, or even an attempt at a “marbled” wood finish. Ultimately, we settled on creating a white concrete top. This choice promised to deliver a beautiful, chunky stone aesthetic at a significantly lower cost, perfectly aligning with our beach house design goals. Unfortunately, other major projects, such as installing the kitchen and building custom bunk beds, continuously took precedence. This meant our poor topless coffee table, and my equally poor feet, were relegated to awkwardly propping up on its bare edge during every visit to the beach house. You can almost feel the discomfort!
While we loved the idea of a solid concrete top for its robust, modern aesthetic, we had two main concerns. Firstly, a poured concrete slab would be incredibly heavy, potentially requiring extensive extra support under the table base and making it difficult to move. Secondly, a solid slab of concrete is notoriously prone to cracking or breaking, especially without proper reinforcement. Furthermore, the thought of little kid heads accidentally bumping into a solid, unforgiving hunk of concrete was a definite safety worry. Therefore, we devised a smarter, safer, and more manageable plan: build a sturdy wood top and then cover it with Ardex Feather Finish. This ingenious, thin concrete material is something we’ve successfully used before, years ago, to transform our laminate kitchen counters into solid concrete lookalikes. It was the perfect solution for achieving that desired concrete aesthetic with less weight and more flexibility.
Crafting the Perfect Wood Coffee Table Top
Our DIY concrete coffee table journey began with the base layer: a robust wood top. We selected a 4 x 4-foot sheet of 3/4-inch plywood. The choice of 3/4-inch thickness was crucial, as we needed a material sturdy enough to span the table’s diameter without any risk of sagging over time, ensuring a durable and long-lasting surface for our beach house living room. To accurately mark the cuts for our octagonal shape, I employed a simple yet effective method: I carefully flipped the existing table base upside down onto the plywood sheet and traced its edges precisely with a pen. This gave us the exact footprint of the base. Don’t worry, I’ll soon reveal how we managed to create that desirable overhang, adding visual weight and dimension to the final piece.
Armed with my circular saw, I ventured outside for the cutting phase. Following the lines I had traced, I carefully trimmed the plywood to create a perfect octagon that mirrored the dimensions of our table base exactly. At this stage, there was no overhang; the plywood top fit flush with the base, providing a solid foundation for the next steps of our DIY coffee table project. Precision here was key to ensuring a seamless fit and a professional finish.
To achieve the desired overhang and the illusion of a thicker top, our next step involved creating a border around the precisely cut plywood octagon. We opted for eight pieces of 1 x 2-inch whitewood. Summoning my long-forgotten 8th-grade geometry lessons, I calculated that each piece needed to be cut at a 22.5-degree angle to form a neat, continuous octagon when joined. To my pleasant surprise, my miter saw was one step ahead, already having this specific angle as a convenient preset. This small detail made the cutting process incredibly efficient and accurate, saving valuable time and ensuring perfect mitered corners for our coffee table’s perimeter.
With the plywood top resting flush on the table base, I began attaching the 1 x 2-inch whitewood pieces around its perimeter. Each piece was securely nailed into the plywood, rather than the table base itself. Before nailing, I applied a generous amount of wood glue to each joint, ensuring a durable and lasting bond. This border served multiple crucial functions for our DIY coffee table:
- It elegantly extended the wood top slightly beyond the base, creating an attractive and functional overhang that adds visual interest and provides extra surface area.
- Ingeniously, it made the wood top appear twice as thick as it actually was, imparting a substantial, high-end look without adding significant extra weight, which was important for portability and stability.
- Finally, it created a snug, shoebox-like fit that helped keep the top securely in place on the base. While the border offered stability, we still went a step further for absolute safety, screwing the top to the base from underneath to prevent any accidental shifting.
Once all the border pieces were firmly nailed in place, the next crucial step was to address any imperfections. I meticulously used wood putty to fill in all the gaps and nail holes along the seams. While this might seem like an overly meticulous step, given that the top would eventually be coated with a skim layer of concrete, it proved invaluable. I discovered that our $7 table base wasn’t a perfect octagon, meaning some of my mitered corners weren’t as tight as I had meticulously measured for. The wood putty helped to smooth out these minor inconsistencies, creating a much more uniform surface. The image below captures this stage, just before I sanded off the excess wood filler, revealing a much cleaner and more prepared surface for the concrete application.
Applying the Ardex Feather Finish for a Concrete Look
Our decision to use Ardex Feather Finish for this coffee table top was based on a successful past experience. We first tried this versatile material years ago to give our old kitchen’s laminate counters the appearance of solid concrete. We even followed up with a post about sealing them to be food-safe. While the application was fantastic for a quick, impactful makeover, we did notice some minor oil staining around the stove area over time. This was likely due to using a food-safe sealer, which is generally less heavy-duty than industrial sealers. However, a simple cutting board easily covered any small splatters, and we genuinely loved the organic imperfections and subtle movement created during the application process. It was a dramatic improvement over the plastic-y counters the house originally came with. Overall, we would still highly recommend this method for a kitchen counter update, especially if you opt for a stronger, more robust sealer. The experience gave us confidence in Ardex’s ability to deliver a beautiful, stone-like finish for our coffee table.
For our beach house coffee table, we specifically wanted a bright, fresh look, so we chose the white Ardex Feather Finish instead of the standard gray. We easily found a 10-pound bag online for about $40, an incredibly cost-effective solution compared to real stone. The beauty of Ardex lies in its simplicity: the dry mix just needs to be combined with water. To apply it, you primarily need some mixing buckets, measuring tools, and various-sized trowels for spreading and smoothing. And, of course, sandpaper and a power sander (this is the reliable palm sander we own) for refining the finish. It’s a relatively straightforward process that yields impressive results.
The Ardex bag instructions suggested a 2-to-1 ratio of powder to water. However, recalling our previous experience with the kitchen counters, I remembered preferring a slightly thinner mix. A bit more water made the consistency looser and significantly easier to spread smoothly across the surface. So, I started by mixing small batches at a time. For each coat, I estimated needing about twice the amount shown in the picture to ensure full and even coverage on our octagonal coffee table top.
I combined the Ardex powder and water using a small trowel, diligently scraping the sides and bottom of the bucket to ensure all the dry powder was thoroughly incorporated into the mix. My goal was a consistency similar to thick pancake batter – something that would briefly hold its shape on the trowel before slowly dripping off. This ideal viscosity makes the Ardex manageable for spreading yet fluid enough to achieve a smooth finish on the coffee table.
With the Ardex mixed to the perfect consistency, I began the application process. I scooped liberal amounts of the mixture directly onto the table and started spreading it smoothly across the surface. I used larger trowels for the expansive flat top, ensuring broad, even strokes, and switched to smaller trowels for the more intricate edges and corners of the octagon. A crucial preparatory step, which I was able to skip as our plywood was already slightly textured, is to lightly sand your surface if it’s too smooth. If you’re applying Ardex to a furniture top, a pass with low-grit sandpaper (like 60-80 grit) will create the necessary adhesion for the concrete to bond effectively.
Ardex Feather Finish typically requires more than one coat to achieve a truly smooth and durable surface; for this project, we applied two. My first pass was primarily focused on achieving full coverage, rather than absolute smoothness. Knowing that I would be sanding extensively in the next step, especially around the delicate edges and corners, I consciously applied the Ardex quite thickly around the perimeter. This extra material provided a buffer, allowing me to sand down to a clean, crisp edge without fear of exposing the wood underneath prematurely.
After allowing the first coat of Ardex several hours to dry thoroughly, I returned to begin the smoothing process. My favorite, and most satisfying, initial step was to use a putty knife to carefully scrape off all the little “stalactites” – the drips that had formed and hardened along the bottom edge of the tabletop. This simple action instantly created a remarkably clean and crisp edge, significantly enhancing the professional look of our DIY concrete coffee table. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in the final aesthetic.
Next, I moved on to sanding the rest of the top. Using low-grit (80-grit) sandpaper and my trusty palm sander, I worked diligently to knock down any high spots and rough patches. Since I knew a second coat was still to come, my primary goal at this stage wasn’t to achieve a flawlessly smooth surface. Instead, I focused on eliminating any hard ridges or significant trowel marks that could potentially catch clumps of Ardex during the subsequent application, ensuring a smoother canvas for the final layer.
After the initial sanding, the tabletop, as you can see in the photo, revealed numerous trowel marks and small pockets where the Ardex hadn’t spread perfectly smoothly. While it was a bit rougher than our desired final product, it was perfectly acceptable for a first coat. This stage is all about building up the material and creating a foundation for the smoother, more refined subsequent layers of our DIY concrete finish.
The second coat of Ardex was applied using much the same method as the first, with a few key refinements. This time, I mixed the Ardex slightly thinner, which made it even easier to achieve a smoother, more even application. Knowing this would be the visible top layer, I took extra care to minimize trowel marks and ensure a flawless finish. When it came to sanding this final coat, I progressed through finer grits, starting with 80-grit, then moving to 120-grit, and finally finishing with 220-grit. This gradual refinement resulted in a tabletop that was incredibly smooth to the touch. I regrettably didn’t capture photos immediately after sanding the second coat, but you’ll see the stunning final result, sealed and ready for use, if we skip ahead a moment:
Sealing the Concrete for Durability and Shine
With the Ardex Feather Finish expertly applied, the final, crucial step for our DIY concrete coffee table was sealing. There’s a wide array of concrete sealers available, each offering different properties. As I mentioned, we used a food-safe eco-sealer on our kitchen counters, which, while safe, likely contributed to the minor grease splatters around the stove. However, since this is a coffee table and not a food prep surface, we opted for something far more heavy-duty to ensure a super-durable finish for our beach house living room. Our ultimate choice was the “Wet-Look” Sealer by Behr. Sherry had suggested a high-gloss finish to truly mimic the appearance of polished stone, and we were both absolutely thrilled with the outcome. The sealer imparted an almost mirror-like shine, which you can subtly perceive in the photograph above, adding a touch of sophisticated glamour to the concrete surface.
Applying the “Wet-Look” Sealer was surprisingly straightforward. I used a small foam roller to ensure a thin, even coat across the entire top surface and all the sides of the coffee table. After allowing it to dry for a few hours, we applied a second coat, and later, for extra durability and peace of mind, a third. Despite multiple applications, I barely made a dent in the one-gallon container (it was the smallest size available). This means we have plenty of sealer on hand for future touch-ups, ensuring our concrete-finish coffee table remains beautiful and protected for years to come. A periodic sealing every year or two will keep it looking its best.
Once the sealer was completely dry and cured, we carefully brought our magnificent new coffee table into its rightful place in the beach house living room. We let it cure for a full week before placing any objects on it, though it likely didn’t need that long – we just happened to be away from the beach house for a week. And seriously, the feeling of finally having a functional and beautiful coffee table in this space is utterly fantastic! It instantly elevates the room, making it feel more complete and inviting. This DIY project has truly transformed our living area.
light / ceiling medallion / similar rug / similar curtains / curtain rods / TV stand / similar chair
The bright white concrete top is a revelation in the room. It beautifully breaks up the visual weight of the darker rug and the cozy couch, adding a much-needed element of contrast and brightness. Furthermore, its clean, crisp aesthetic seamlessly ties together other white accents throughout the living space, such as our stylish bookshelf and the flowing curtains. This coffee table isn’t just a functional piece; it’s a central design element that enhances the overall coastal, airy feel of our beach house living room.
While these photos capture the glossy, chunky appeal of the concrete finish, it’s worth noting that its charm lies partly in its subtle imperfections. Far from appearing like a sterile block of shiny plastic, it radiates that authentic, raw concrete vibe, even in its crisp white color and high-gloss sheen. The next picture probably best illustrates these slight variations – you can discern a few faint trowel marks if you look closely. Yet, to the touch, the surface is perfectly smooth. These nuanced textures are part of the “interest” we expected from the Ardex process, and for us, they beautifully replicate the natural movement and character found in genuine stone like marble. It’s these organic touches that truly make our DIY coffee table feel custom and unique.
Looking ahead, Sherry and I have already tossed around several ideas for enhancing the table’s base. We’ve considered staining the wood a little darker to better disguise its lighter edges or even painting the entire base a glossy white to emphasize the interesting octagonal shape of the legs. But for now, I’ve made a strong case for simply pausing, kicking up our feet, and savoring the undeniable joy of finally having a proper coffee table in our beach house living room. Is it really too much to ask for a moment of pure relaxation after such a rewarding DIY project?
bookcase / similar pink pillow / similar blue pillow / white faux wood window blinds
And trust me, don’t even get me started on the plethora of other furniture adjustments we’re envisioning for this room! In fact, since these photos were taken, we’ve already painted and re-covered two armchairs for the wall on the right, significantly boosting the comfortable seating options. While we’re contemplating a few more tweaks before declaring the room truly “done,” those exciting developments are a topic for another day! The evolution of our beach house is a continuous, enjoyable journey.
For any burning “where did you get that?” questions about our beach house, or inquiries about paint colors (which we get a lot!), this comprehensive page has all the answers you’re looking for. It’s a fantastic resource for replicating some of our favorite beach house finds.
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