DIY: Repurposed Tables
Posted on: January 20, 2013
- In: Blog | DIY
- 4 Comments
I have been obsessed with repurposing/upcycling lately. The idea of turning something old into something new and using it for something completely different is fascinating and something I hadn’t realized my parents did as I was growing up. We had a fence made out of pallets for the longest time and tables made from old wire spools are prevalent in my childhood memories. The act of recycling items around the home for various purposes isn’t new at all; it’s just become “trendy”. The following is a list of the different ways to make tables out of stuff you can either get cheap or you may already have lying around your home.
Pallets
I can’t kick off a list like this without doing pallets first. Pallets are everywhere and can usually be bought pretty cheap. There are numerous pallet companies you can get them from but they you can find them for free from Craigslist.com or some retail businesses. All you need is to keep your eyes peeled and have a way to bring them home and the possibilities are endless.
This is one of my favorites because it has that cool shabby chic quality and it looks professionally done. It’s not, though. The boards are from pallets. Table legs of all kinds can be found at your local Home Depot or Lowes.
These three tables are the standard design for a pallet coffee table (the end is a little fancier but the basic design is the same). I love the painted versions of this design over the rustic, unpainted but the choice is all yours. As you can see, you can even paint designs on the top (I’m a Union Jack freak so I feel in love with this one right away). Another great idea is to make a solid top as seen in the third image and mod podge fabric on top of it.
Doors, Windows, and Shutters
People upgrade their windows and doors all the time. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve seen old doors and windows on Craigslist in the Free section. These make great options for a DIY table, especially the windows due to the extra storage capabilities.
As seen, doors can be made into rustic kitchen islands, funky dining room tables, or shabby chic coffee tables.
Windows make excellent tables. They provide extra storage, can be painted to match any decor, and are a unique edition to any home.
Unique Options You May Not Have Thought Of
Surfboards!! A long time ago I saw an episode of MTV Cribs that featured a surfboard coffee table. This idea has stuck with me for many years. Got an old surfboard just lying around collecting dust? Attach legs and voila, the cool factor of your pad just shot up.
When I ran across this idea I was charmed. Take an old vintage suitcase and attach legs to it. This is not the only use for an old suitcase. These will be featured later in other DIY posts. These are great because you can still open them for added storage. They make great bedside tables.
Circuit boards, anyone? This totally appeals to my inner nerd girl. This ingenious idea requires spare computer parts from A LOT of computers. Motherboards aren’t that big, but if you can’t find enough to make a coffee table of this magnitude, perhaps a small side table would look just as amazing.
Got an old console t.v lying around? Gut it and you have a table with a shelf. Retro and super cute, this small one would work great as a bedside table. The larger one my ex-boyfriend has had for 20 years would make a fantastic bookshelf or even a china cabinet. Oh, if only I had thought of that when we were living together.
That’s all folks. I could post endless pics of cool ideas for tables but some of the fun is finding them yourself. Check out Pinterest for some great inspiration and always keep an eye on your local Craigslist Free section. Remember, repurposing/upcycling is not only eco-friendly but it’ll save you a ton of money and allow you to truly customize your living space.
One Last Idea For the Morbidly Chic
Take a coffin made out of pallets….
…..attach legs…..
…..and you have a conversation piece coffee table!!
4 Responses to "DIY: Repurposed Tables"
January 29, 2013 at 12:10 pm
I love them all! I have been starting a pallet project myself. I decided to make a coffee table. I found all the “how to’s” on pinterest and I also found the neatest iron table legs to use for the table. Thanks so much for all these other ideas as well!
Modern Hippie Girl 
January 21, 2013 at 6:24 pm
love the first two tables…..i could really see them in my home….great ideas
January 21, 2013 at 7:02 pm
I love them, as well. Since researching these ideas I could see a lot of them in my home.