The Creative Pool Noodle Hack That Elevates The Look Of Any Basic Folding Table

If you have a folding table, like the 4-foot model from Amazon for $59.99, you might find yourself trying to cover it up. Versatile as it is for parties, picnics, board game nights, and camping, it isn't the prettiest surface. Most sports plastic tops have metal legs, and while they serve a purpose, it's basic at most. The most common way to mask the appearance of this design is to cover it with a tablecloth, but what if there was a more permanent solution?

Getting creative with a little DIY ingenuity is a great way to breathe new life into a tired aesthetic. A plain black or gray number can be updated to include contrasting colored legs or patterned trim. The key is one of the most ingenious pool noodle hacks you never thought to use around the house. Check out a fun and simple way to elevate your folding table with only two ingredients — pool noodles and duct tape.

The purpose of this project is to elevate a folding table. One way to achieve this is by disguising thin metal legs and brackets with padding and a dash of color. Before you begin, gather your supplies. You can purchase the pool noodles from your local Dollar Tree for $1.25 each and a 10-yard roll of patterned duct tape for $10.59 from Staples. TikTok user i_am_lexc chose a wild leopard print for hers. You'll also need a pair of scissors or a box cutter to slice the foam and tape. Now, it's time to assemble.

Begin by laying the foam noodles against the legs and slicing wherever there's a joint. If the table you're using has straight legs, you only need to measure the distance from the floor to just under the tabletop and cut the tube to fit. Slice each piece of foam lengthwise to open it where the hole runs through the center. This lets you wrap sections around the metal, hiding it from sight. Once everything is padded, it's time to tape. Start at the bottom and wrap the foam noodles. Be careful to keep things snug and straight. Continue to the top and cover any visible brackets. Complete the look by covering the edge of the tabletop with a matching trim in the same pattern. There's no right or wrong way to decorate a dining table, so feel free to tweak the design to fit your needs.

One of the downsides to this design is that, even with 3-inch-wide strips, the tape seams are quite obvious up close. One way to overcome this might be using contact paper, peel-and-stick wallpaper, or gluing fabric over the foam. Is this one of the duct tape hacks that are worth a try? The answer depends on what you hope to achieve. If you're looking for a high-end finished product that will stand the test of time, maybe not. But if you want to jazz up a plain piece of furniture to better match your style, absolutely. You can also continue the project with additional details.

Covering the top is useful if avoiding tablecloths is part of your design plan. Try applying alternating strips of duct tape to create a striped effect, or go with a shelf liner for a large solid-style top. Add glitter, rhinestones, metallic paint, and other details that suit your theme. Remember to avoid covering the seam down the center of the table if you want it to retain folding capability. Whatever you choose, this pool noodle DIY elevates a basic piece of furniture into something fresh. The result is thicker legs, a pop of color, a fun pattern, and a perfect talking point the next time you need to pull out the spare table.