Because of limited countertop and workspace in an RV, the dining table really takes a beating. In addition, because they are meant to be utilitarian, stock dining tables are not the most aesthetically pleasing pieces of furniture.
Photo by Follow Toto
If you don’t want to give your entire camper a facelift, you can still add a little more splash to your eating space with these five easy and cheap projects.
1. Laminated fabric
Julie of The New Lighter Life restored the table in her 1996 Winnebago camper with a few dollars worth of laminated fabric (also known as oilcloth). She purchased the fabric at Hobby Lobby (you can also find various ones on Amazon) and stapled the fabric to the bottom of the tabletop.
Laminated fabric is waterproof and comes in many colors and patterns. It’s also easy to remove if you want another change.
2. Spray paint
Cassie P. was featured on the Popup Princess for her stylish Jayco camper remodel. The camper’s basic table was also given new life with spray paint in a bright vintage turquoise.
Rust-Oleum makes several types of spray paint that can be used on a variety of table surfaces. After two or more coats, let the spray paint dry and then add a clear sealer like Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Clear Enamel.
3. Decoupage
Sean and Kristy of Long Long Honeymoon recently gave their dated Airstream Classic interior a makeover. Along with new upholstery and painted walls, their faux wood dining tables also received a facelift.
They painted the tables with primer and paint and used Mod Podge to decorate the table with vintage national park postcards. The table was then sealed with a polycrylic finish.
4. Peel-and-stick tiles
Tiled tables are wonderful in that they are contemporary and easy to keep clean. However, regular ceramic tiles add a lot of weight to a camper. To give your tabletop a similar look, try using peel-n-stick tiles.
The tiles are made of lightweight vinyl and come in a variety of colors and patterns. They are usually sized 12×12 inches for use on floors, but the tiles can easily be trimmed to size with scissors. eHow has an informative video on how to cover a table with self-stick tiles.
5. Hire an artist
If you are not the handy type but want a unique RV table, consider hiring an Etsy artist. The creative site features talented designers like Dubtastic Designs. He hand paints skim boards to be used as RV and van tabletops and EngineersWoodChalet builds custom tabletops made of barn wood.
