Upcycle A Shoe Rack Into The Chrome Coffee Table Of Your Dreams

In a world of mass-produced furniture pieces, it can be a challenge to find unique pieces that express your personal style, especially when it comes to coffee tables. Because coffee tables are designed to run the length of a couch and are generally made out of wood, there aren't too many variations available. And too often, when you finally find a gorgeous custom coffee table, it comes with a hefty price tag. There is a way, though, to make a cool custom chrome coffee table using an old shoe rack. This hack is perfect if you are in the market for a modern-looking, unique coffee table, but you don't want to spend a ton of money. All you need for this DIY is a shoe rack, a little bit of plywood, wood glue, a saw, and some aluminum sheets. 

This is an easy project, and the end result is a coffee table unlike anything you will see at a furniture store. The shiny, modern aesthetic of this table will infuse your living room with new life and give your guests something to talk about. There are also some fun ways to customize this DIY, as well as ways to apply the table's concept to other areas of your home.

To begin this project, measure and cut a piece of plywood to the length and width of the top of your shoe rack. (This step only applies if your shoe rack has legs that extend above the top rack.)  Cut pieces of aluminum to cover the top and sides of the shoe rack, as well. Then, apply wood glue to the top of the shoe rack's legs and press on the plywood sheet. After this, put a layer of glue on the top of the plywood and press on the aluminum sheet. Use this technique to attach the rest of the aluminum sheets to each side of the shoe rack. When the glue has dried, remove the protective film from the aluminum pieces, if applicable.

To keep your new coffee table looking shiny and clean, avoid using anything abrasive to clean it. Instead, just wipe with a clean, dry cloth and then with a cloth that has been wet with water and soap or white vinegar. If you are worried about having to constantly remove unsightly smudge marks, stainless steel sheets are an easier-to-clean option. You could even opt to get polished stainless steel sheets that are made for kitchen backsplashes and cut them down to size. This would give a slightly more muted chrome look that's also easier to keep clean.

If you want the chrome look that this DIY provides, but you also want a coffee table with a little storage, you are in luck. With a small tweak, you can have a sleek, chrome coffee table with a semi-hidden (or fully exposed) storage shelf. To do this, you need to omit one (or both) of the long aluminum side panels and instead cut a piece of plywood and aluminum the size of the lower rack, being sure to make grooves for the legs. Thin strips of aluminum will also need to be glued onto the legs to cover the parts that are exposed. If you decide to leave one or both sides of the coffee table open for shelves, prior to adding the aluminum panels, you might want to consider painting your shoe rack black or even giving it a metallic coat to match the chrome. This is because some of the shoe rack's wood will be exposed from the inside.

If you want to tie your living room together with a pair of expensive-looking end tables, you can use these aluminum sheets to finish off a handmade end table set or even cover your old set with them. This chrome look doesn't have to be limited to your living room, though. You can apply this idea to bedroom nightstands or bookshelves as well.