How to revive an old outdoor dining table with a Serena and Lily–inspired driftwood finish using only spray paint
This was one of those projects that felt like, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” — the kind where you pass a beat-up piece of furniture every day and put off fixing it. It ended up being much easier than I expected and the result is gorgeous.
Our outdoor dining table started out looking tired and weathered, but with a few simple steps and basic spray paints I recreated a light, driftwood-style finish similar to what you might see on high-end outdoor furniture — without the high price tag.
I love the relaxed, sun-bleached driftwood look popularized by brands like Serena and Lily, but I wasn’t interested in paying thousands for a table. Instead I created a faux driftwood finish using spray primer and a layered spray-paint technique to give depth and variation that mimics natural wood.
Supplies used
- Fine-grit sandpaper (or an orbital sander with pads if you have one)
- Drop cloth to protect surrounding areas
- KILZ Original spray primer — we used about 4 cans to ensure good coverage
- Rust-Oleum Ultra Flat Khaki Camouflage spray paint — about 4 cans for base coats
- Rust-Oleum Ultra Flat Sand Camouflage spray paint — 1 can for light variation
- Rust-Oleum Satin Nutmeg spray paint — 1 can for warm accents
- Spray-paint comfort grip for better control (optional but helpful for large surfaces)
The steps
1. Lightly sand the tabletop to remove any loose, flaking finish and to smooth rough spots. You don’t need to strip everything down to bare wood; the goal is to create a sound surface for the primer to adhere to. If you have a power sander and feel comfortable using it, it will speed things up, but hand sanding also works fine.
2. Prime the table with a coat of a quality spray primer like KILZ Original to block any old stain or tannins from bleeding through. Primer creates a uniform base so the colors you add layer more naturally.
3. Choose a few coordinated light brown and neutral spray paints to build dimension. I used a Khaki tone as the primary base, then added lighter Sand and a warm Nutmeg to create subtle contrasts that read like natural wood grain rather than a flat painted surface.
4. Spray two light, even coats of the Khaki base color across the entire table. Use a steady sweeping motion and keep the cans moving to avoid drips. A comfort grip helps distribute pressure evenly for smoother application.
5. After the base has dried, step back about 18–24 inches and lightly mist the Sand color over the Khaki to add soft highlights. Holding the can slightly farther than you normally would produces a feathery, translucent layer rather than a heavy coat. Repeat with the Nutmeg, spraying sparingly to warm certain areas and create depth. Think of it as painting with layers of glaze instead of solid blocks of color — light passes will build the natural variation.
6. Let everything dry thoroughly. Once cured, the table has a soft, weathered look that blends well with neutral outdoor palettes and reads like driftwood. If you prefer a slightly more pronounced grain effect, you can add a thin glaze or use a dry-brush technique to emphasize cracks and texture, but the layered spray method often looks complete on its own.
We finished the table in the evening and set it up for a backyard cookout — it was a great way to test how the new finish looks in real life. The lighter, sun-washed tones pair beautifully with gray and white elements on our pool deck and are far easier to keep looking good outdoors than bright white paint.
It was also a nice birthday weekend project — sometimes the quickest makeovers bring the biggest satisfaction. The table now feels fresh and intentional, and it’s a huge improvement from the worn look it had before.
While we were at it, we updated an old IKEA outdoor table the same way so everything coordinates for summer entertaining. With a few cans of spray paint and a bit of patience, you can transform dated outdoor furniture into pieces that look styled and expensive.
We’re still working on the backyard — a cabana and outdoor kitchen are future plans — but small updates like this make the space feel more finished and enjoyable now. Whether you keep the finish as-is or add a subtle glaze later to highlight texture, this spray-paint method is an accessible way to get a weathered, driftwood look without expensive materials or specialized tools.
- Our Limewashed Brick (project details)
- Back Porch Makeover (project details)
- DIY Painted Concrete Pool Deck (project details)
More furniture makeover ideas
- Unfinished Work Table Makeover
- Hale Navy IKEA Cabinet update
- Footed Grasscloth Buffet makeover
- DIY Caned Nightstand refresh
- How to restore wood outdoor furniture
