DIY Furniture guide: How to make your own coffee table

by Rob Lowenthal 04/22/2022

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

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.
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.
Use the included brackets to attach the hairpin legs, applying clamps to hold them in place if necessary.
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.
Add a coat of wood filler to smooth out any existing knots or holes in the surface of the wood.
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

Rob Lowenthal

“I sell your home like it's mine”

A licensed real estate salesperson since 2016, Rob is affiliated with the Briarcliff Manor office of Corcoran Legends Realty. He serves buyers, sellers, renters, in Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam counties. Rob, a native of New York and Westchester County for most of his life, brings an extensive local knowledge of both residential and commercial properties to the table. His experience includes a wide range of property types – single-family, multi-family, condos and mixed use. “Hard to sell” properties is where Rob really excels. “There’s no problem that cannot be solved.”

Rob is certified for many different disciplines in real estate. Cartus Relocation Network Agent, AARP Agent, National Tenants Network (NTN) Agent, Green certified and Pricing Strategies Master. In addition, Rob has completed the Leader’s Edge Advanced training to better serve his clients. Rob has been both associate of the month and top closed dollar agent.

When you work with Rob, you get the feeling you’re his only client. Numbers don’t count, you do. Clients always come first. Each transaction is handled as if it were his own home. Rob strives to make the process as seamless as possible and takes care of all the details, no matter how small. His clients rave about his above-and-beyond service and prompt informative communication. Rob is easy going, friendly, and patient. However he can be a determined and aggressive negotiator when the need arises.

When not out actively working on behalf of his clients, Rob spends time with his wife and two teenage daughters. A devoted supporter of community he sits on several local boards and volunteers for numerous locale nonprofit organizations. He enjoys cycling, hiking, kayaking and winter skiing.

“May your price be right, and your sale be swift!”