Get an old food tray at the store and copy this impressive idea

There are few things quite as homey and relaxing as curling up on a couch with a book and a warm drink, especially on a rainy day. The sound of the outdoors knocking at the window pairs perfectly with a thrilling read. Having a conveniently portable side table will additionally give you a place to set a snack and a cup of coffee or hot cocoa. With this tutorial, you can turn any pedestrian wooden TV tray into a charming and delicate chevron-patterned side table.

When picking out your TV tray for this project, make sure to choose a tray with good structural stability. Surface flaws can be buffed out with your power sander and painted over. Adding the subtle chevron pattern is easy to do in any color. We chose a soft white that can match nearly any room and adds a rustic, classy farmhouse touch. As always, make sure to use proper safety gear and work in a ventilated area.

Materials
- Wooden TV tray
- Power sander
- Work gloves
- 3 glass bowl
- DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paint, “Dark Chocolate”
- Water
- Popsicle stick (optional)
- 2 large paintbrush
- White acrylic paint
- Painters tape
- Medium paintbrush
- Sandpaper

Instructions
1. Set up your wooden TV stand outside or in a well-ventilated area and use a power sander to sand the top of the tray. Make sure to use the proper safety gear to avoid injury.

2. Pour some DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paint in “Dark Chocolate” in a bowl to work with. Mix in some water with a wooden stick to dilute the paint.

3. With a large paintbrush apply a thin, even layer of the brown paint wash to the TV stand. Cover the top tray, as well as the legs and underside.

4. Place a small bowl of water and another separate bowl of white acrylic paint next to your working area. Dip a clean medium or large paintbrush in the white paint and then in the water before brushing it on the tray for a whitewash effect. Use short even layers, always making sure to dip the brush in water whenever you dip it in the white paint. Continue the whitewash until the entire TV stand is covered.

5. Allow the white was to dry. Apply a strip of painters tape horizontally across the top of the tray. Then, apply additional strips of painters tape in a chevron pattern across the length of the TV tray.

6. Using a clean small or medium paintbrush, apply a layer of white paint, without dipping in water, to the tray, covering the painters tape as you go. Allow the paint to dry.

7. Once the paint is dry, peel off the painters tape gently to reveal a subtle chevron pattern.

8. Use sandpaper along the edges of the tray to add some wear to your design. Set up your tray for easy access to a good book or some coffee.