DIY Japanese Paper Washi Tape Table Top

I’m baaack! First, let me apologize for my absence this month. To sum it up, work has been crazy! But don’t you worry, I’m ready with lots of posts to satisfy your summer blog reading schedule. And today, I have a fun one 🙂

Because I am young & can’t afford to buy glam new furniture, I accept any & all hand-me-downs. This high-top table was in my parents’ kitchen growing up, however over the years, it has taken quite the beating. It needed an update. A cheap one.

While doing some of my normal browsing of BuzzFeed, I came across an article on adorable ways to decorate with washi tape. This post lead me to the blogs of Elise Blaha & Lady Croissant, both of whom made plain furniture look fabulous using a little thing called Japanese paper washi tape. I had to try it!

My extensive search for washi tape (Etsy, craft stores, etc.) led me to Cute Tape. This site has so. many. rolls. of. tape! After I decided what color scheme I was going for and a rough estimation of how much I would need for my table (I guessed, really), I landed on the six pack in Pretty Sunset. The tape, with shipping, cost $19.

Then, it was time to craft! I considered trying a chevron pattern, but without the patience to measure all of that out, I decided on simple stripes.

The first strip of tape was the hardest. I tried to use a ruler as I couldn’t find my trusty yard stick (not). I was not concerned with perfection, so I kind of winged it.

Once I had the first strip down & flat (make sure there are no air bubbles!), I put down one strip on each side, back and forth, back and forth. This process took about an hour.

I left about the same amount of tape on each end of the strip, and when I was finished all of them, I folded them under the top of the table.

And voilà! My brand new $19 table was complete. I am really, really happy with the result. I may get a piece of glass to put over the table to prevent damage, but for now, I just use a coaster and try not to spill. 🙂