DIY Furniture: Make your own coffee table

by Linda Cappello, Broker, GRI, ABR 03/06/2022

To stretch your crafting skills while saving money on home decor, consider DIY furniture for your living room. From benches to shelving to accent tables, there are many projects for DIY enthusiasts of all experience levels. Here’s a guide for a new DIY hairpin leg coffee table to get you started:

DIY Furniture materials you’ll need

  • Scrap wood or plywood cut to size (your choice)
  • Measuring tape
  • Metal hairpin legs (found online or from local hardware retailers)
  • Screwdriver and wood screws
  • Sander or sandpaper
  • Wood filler
  • Paintbrush
  • Paint or finish

DIY Coffee table: Step by step

  1. The first step in this DIY furniture project is to clean and sand the plywood or scrap wood. Use either an electric sander or sandpaper to buff out any scratches and remove splinters.
  2. Decide which side of the plywood you want to face up. On the back, measure and drill holes in each corner for attaching the legs.
  3. Use the included brackets to attach the hairpin legs, applying clamps to hold them in place if necessary.
  4. Flip the table upright and double check for any wobbling or unevenness in the table legs. It will be easier to fix mistakes before you’ve finished the wood.
  5. Add a coat of wood filler to smooth out any existing knots or holes in the surface of the wood.
  6. Once the filler is dry, add your choice of paint or wood stain. Allow it to dry completely before using the table.

Now you have a unique piece of stylish, modern DIY furniture for your living room. You can use this same method to create additional pieces to match. Try making a bench, stool, accent table or dining table. Experiment with different surface materials like concrete, marble, stone or metal. Just make sure to check the specifications on the legs before you start.

While the combination of natural wood and metal hairpin legs is peak mid-century modern style, there are no limits when it comes to DIY furniture. Consider these ideas the next time you want to craft something all your own.

About the Author
Author

Linda Cappello, Broker, GRI, ABR

Linda A. Cappello, Owner/Broker of Cappello Realty Shoreline Properties. Cappello Realty is a full service boutique Real Estate firm that specializes in 06855 - East Norwalk, and services all of Norwalk and Fairfield County, CT. Linda has been in the Real Estate business for 20+ years, spending 18 of them as a Owner/Broker. Being a Broker adds a lot responsibility to her job. She is responsible for overseeing every transaction and agent in the office. This is a challenge that she looks forward to and takes very seriously. She is constantly taking continuing education classes and attending seminars to keep abreast of the ever changing market as well as the industry standards, rules and regulations.  

She is a native to East Norwalk, and has an in-depth knowledge of the city that she loves, as well as the intricacies of the many unique neighborhoods and areas that Norwalk offers. Linda offers her clients a network of professionals ranging from Attorneys, Mortgage Brokers, Home Stagers and Home Inspectors to any and all pros that you may need for a successful transaction and for the convenience of her clients.  

"My job doesn't end at the closing table. It goes far beyond that, keeping in touch and staying friends who refer their family and friends. A lot of my business is referral business which is the greatest accomplishment and honor of all. Earning my clients trust."