Easiest table runners or covers.

Next is to sand,prime & paint them.

Get matching light color countertop remanent or a mirror cut to size to put on top of. Try cutting out posterboard or color paper to put on top to visualize before buying.

Since your hubby does woodwork, he could make a countertop out of wood with a lip over existing top which you could paint

Buy some fabric and cover them like a table cloth.

It would be nice to see all of the paint/bedding/flooring choices before deciding about painting and handles.

I agree with your husband :) what I would do is to get a piece of heavy duty glass cut and properly buffed all around and rest it on the table top , you could even put fabric to match your curtains or bedding and use that under the glass if you want a different look , no paint... just use lemon oil to keep the wood top shape.

Or you could get a piece of mirror for on top and the bottom shelf and lighter hardware.

they're nice, but would look better painted. next time tell him to use better wood if he wants them to stay natural!

what you could do make both of you happy, redo the top in a darker stain like a warm walnut, and paint the lower portion.

try General Finishes Milk Paint (it's an acrylic enamel). very easy to paint with. make sure to prep the wood prior to painting.

https://generalfinishes.com/all-colors#

do a nice glass or acrylic handle or knobs.

and if you're really feeling creative

I like them as is! I wish my DH would do something like that.

Or you could get a glass top cut as suggested above. Then you could change out your fabric/paper under the glass whenever you felt like it.

Thank you all! I totally appreciate the thoughts, and also the work that went into them :). It’s great having a spouse who can do things! Beth, I think he would use nicer wood if he was making them today-these were in his poorer bachelor days (you can’t imagine how much nicer they are than anything else had back then). Maybe I’ll just sand and oil and replace the drawer handles. Any ideas? Wall color and flooring below (the floorings shown in my daughter’s yellow room).

you could sand, use a gel stain in walnut on all the outer wood, and paint the inside of the lower portion your beachy color. (just use whatever you used on your walls for that inset portion) I think that would look nice w/the wood.

find a new handle that fits those existing holes.

Based on your picture, you need larger nightstands! I understand wanting to use something your DH made (mine makes things for our house, too) but is there another bedroom they could be used in where their size and finish would be more appropriate? That way his beginning handiwork is still part of your home and maybe he can make something more in line with your vision for your room.

Ha! That’s a very good point! Hmmm maybe we could move them to the guest room we will finally have. They hopefully won’t be as stacked when we move in-we will have swing arm wall lights and my son liked a bunch of books on mine. Everything is stacked everywhere in our house right now.