End tables are "in" right now. These practical furniture pieces are just the right size to hold a lamp, a houseplant or two, and a few plates of goodies at a casual gathering. Not only that, they can be jazzed up to add a bright note of color to an otherwise neutral scheme.

Looking for an easy and inexpensive décor project? Try crafting the end table look you want, whether you redo a Goodwill find with paint or build it all by yourself. Get inspired by these 9 adorable -- and very doable -- DIY end table ideas from Hometalk.

Change from Bland to Breathtaking

Here's a Queen Anne end table that was once lost in the crowd. Its mass-produced mahogany style had nothing unique about it. All that rapidly changed for the better when Marie of the Interior Frugalista came on the scene. With some chalk paint here and frog tape there (together with an adorable striped knob from her stash), she created a breathtaking piece of usable art.

Transform a TV Tray Table

You see them offered for giveaway prices at just about every garage sale. Those boring old TV tray tables are so common, in fact, that almost nobody even notices them. But this one is decidedly different. Kari at a Grace Full Life rescued it with a simple, fun fix -- sanding down and spray painting in a brilliant shade till it totally sizzles!

Dress up a Drawer

Searching for an end table that is much more than the sum of its parts? Look no further. Laurel of Chipping with Charm put together a seemingly ragtag collection of bits and pieces -- a disused drawer, some old yardsticks, a few beadboard leftovers, and a metal base. The final result is packed with rustic appeal.

Repurpose … a Potato Bin??!!

We had to see this to believe it. Clunky old potato bins get an update as thoroughly modern industrial chic end tables. Endless Acres Farmtiques followed through on an aha! moment with a healthy dose of elbow grease, stripping, sanding, painting, and staining to bring her vision to life. Don't you love that gorgeous green?

Glamorize a File Cabinet

Who'da thunk it? Here's a stunning end table that combines glamorous looks with a practical side -- it packs a lot of storage space into its compact size. Yet this project is a super simple, inexpensive transformation of a Goodwill file cabinet. Katie of My DIY Habits used painter's tape and gold and white paint to create a Dorothy Draper-inspired masterpiece.

Refresh a Storage Cube to Make Everyone Smile

This crazy cool end table was once a sadly forlorn thrifted storage cube. That is, until Morena of Morena's Corner spotted its potential (pun intended). She dressed it up with chalky paint and accented it with glued-on unfinished wood circles. Now its fun look brings a smile to everyone's face -- you can bet on that.

Create the Perfect Table from Plywood

Can't find the perfect end table to love? Why not try creating one from scratch? That's exactly what Jen at the House of Wood did, building this clever carpentry project while her toddler napped. The plywood table could be simply painted, or adorned with stain, upholstery nails, edge banding … whatever your heart desires.

Pallet Wood + Transfer Graphic = Tres Chic

You might think that this artsy pallet wood end table was picked up at a Parisian boutique, but surprise! It's actually a homegrown beauty, made right here in the USA. Blogger Art is Beauty put together the simple apron style out of FREE pallet wood, rescued from a neighbor's garage. The graphic was printed onto freezer paper and hand transferred. Tres chic, we say!

Knock Off a Pricey Chevron Piece

Notice the unusual shelving design on this handsome magazine rack end table. It was inspired by a pricey Plow and Hearth catalog offering, but cost about $200 less. SweetPea Paula saved a bundle by designing and building a unique version of the piece, with the help of her handy hubby. That's frugal … and fashionable!

Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.

Updated October 21, 2018.