Turn everyday items into a DIY seating chart for your special event. For inspiration, see how DIYer Tidewater and Tulle used spray paint, wood stain and a little creativity to create a custom wedding reception seating chart.

Step 1. Choose a well-ventilated workspace and use a drop cloth to protect your surroundings. Lightly sand the unfinished pieces with sandpaper and remove sanding dust with a lint-free cloth. Generously apply Varathane Premium Fast Dry Wood Stain (shown here in the color Kona) to all of the wood pieces, including the wooden cabinet knobs, and let them sit for 2-3 minutes. The longer the stain sits on the wood before you wipe away the excess stain, the darker it will be. Before the excess stain dries, wipe it off in the direction of the wood grain using a clean, lint-free cloth. Let the stained wood dry for 1 hour.

Step 2. For protection from spills and scratches, apply Varathane Ultimate Water Based Polyurethane. Apply three coats, waiting 2 hours between each coat.

Step 3. Shake your can of Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Spray Paint (shown here in Metallic Warm Gold) for 1 minute. Keep the can 10-16” from the hula-hoop as you paint it in a steady, back-and-forth motion. Apply multiple coats a few minutes apart. Allow to completely dry.

Step 4. Assemble the seating chart stand by holding the hula-hoop between the two long wood blocks, creating a gap for the hula-hoop to fit. Once you’ve established the size of the gap, turn the wood blocks over and use wood glue to secure the short, thin wood boards vertically over the gap to hold the blocks in place. Add four cabinet knobs to the bottom to act as “feet” for the stand. Add your finishing touches to the hula-hoop with ribbon and table numbers.