I scored this little coffee table for free on my local buy, swap, and sell site, and it had the perfect shape for a unique transformation. In this DIY Bronze Leaf Coffee Table Makeover with Mandala Decal, I’ll show you how I combined metallic leaf and a Cricut-cut mandala decal to bring an outdated piece back to life. This makeover is a great example of how you can use bronze leaf, adhesive vinyl, and spray sealer to achieve a luxe finish on a budget.

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DIY Bronze Leaf Coffee Table Makeover with Mandala Decal

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Materials Needed:

• Bronze leaf sheets
• Size adhesive (metal leaf adhesive)
• Soft brush
• Cricut vinyl cutter (or pre-made mandala decal)
• Removable vinyl
• Black primer
• Satin spray polyurethane
• Orbital sander
• 220-grit sanding discs
• Butter knife or heat gun
• Bronze wax paste
• Transfer tape
• Credit card or vinyl squeegee tool
• Screwdriver (to disassemble and reassemble the table)

Preparing the Coffee Table

This table was in rough shape. The bottom shelf veneer was peeling, but the structure was still solid. I dismantled the table to make sanding easier.

The peeling veneer lifted off easily using an old butter knife. If yours is more stubborn, use a heat gun to soften the glue and make removal easier.

Next, I sanded the surfaces smooth using an orbital sander with 220-grit discs to prep for paint.

Priming and Sealing the Table

The lower shelf was porous, so I applied two coats of black primer. I originally planned to paint it black too, but the primed finish looked great, so I decided to seal it instead.

I used spray satin polyurethane, applying four coats. Spray sealers dry faster in cold weather, which allowed me to keep moving forward.

Cutting and Applying the Mandala Decal

You can buy mandala decals online, but I used my Cricut vinyl cutter to make one with temporary vinyl. After cutting the design and weeding out the excess vinyl, I used transfer tape to position the decal onto the tabletop.

Applying the Bronze Leaf

To add the bronze leaf, I brushed on a thin coat of size adhesive over the mandala decal area and smoothed it with a credit card.

Once the adhesive turned tacky (follow your product’s instructions), I gently laid the bronze leaf sheets over the design and used a soft brush to press them into place.

After drying overnight, I brushed off the excess leaf and peeled away the decal.

Sealing and Final Touches

To prevent the bronze leaf from tarnishing, I added four more coats of satin polyurethane.

Once dry, I reassembled the table and rubbed a touch of bronze wax paste onto the legs. It added subtle detail and broke up the solid black finish, even if it doesn’t show up strongly in the photos.

More Cricut project ideas you may like

I gave my boring kitchen lightshade a makeover with vinyl decals.

I made a towel rack for my spa areas and added a quirky quote using vinyl decals. You can find all my Cricut projects here if you are looking for inspiration.

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