It's hard to be a fan of home furniture design solutions without having enough spare cash to buy them. The point is not only in the level of your income, but also in the price tags that are characteristic of such furniture, because they are often several times higher than for traditional options.
You can solve this problem by making a coffee table with your own hands. You will be pleasantly surprised to learn how easy and fun it can be.
low table
Most often, this option is found among coffee tables. They are not new, they just started getting more attention from the public lately.
They gained popularity two centuries ago, when tea lovers, the British, began to use them. A hundred years later, this trend has spread to other countries of the world, including ours. Now this is not a very popular option, however, having the right to life.
Chipboard table
A simple and quite practical option can be a chipboard coffee table, which you can make yourself without any problems. Now in the furniture market, chipboard is one of the most affordable materials that can be used to create a traditional table. Why traditional, we will talk later.
The price tag for this option will be significantly lower than if your choice falls on a wooden coffee table. It is best to take sheets coated with laminate or varnish. Nevertheless, you will put such a table in your home, and therefore you need to pay attention to the aesthetic component.
Further, everything depends on the design you choose. Simple, at the same time, a small table can be made from several parts. This option will be small and with several shelves. Perfect for the living room, and will stand near the sofa or armchair.
Shelves are well suited for magazines and remotes for controlling equipment. This reduces the chance of them getting lost.
glass table
Drawings of such coffee tables can be easily found on the Internet. Only one feature needs to be taken into account - in almost any case, you will need to buy a glass part of the table. You can also solve this issue with the help of old glass, which can be in your barn or garage.
The main part of the table can be made from the material that suits you, and cover it with a sheet of glass on top. To do this, you need to cut it in shape, then process the edges and fix it on the main structure.
Even if you do not make such a table entirely of glass, with the exception of the frame, you can get a very attractive and interesting result that will look good both in a modern interior and in the usual apartment design without any features.
Wooden table
Sufficiently detailed instructions on how to make a coffee table out of wood can be found on the pages of thematic magazines. This option will be more expensive than in the case of chipboard, but at the same time, the appearance pays for everything. Such material is better suited for tables of large sizes, at which, if necessary, you can work or use them to store documents that you view while sitting in front of the TV in the evening.
The design can be tritely simple: four bars for legs, which are complemented by a tabletop of the desired shape. Depending on the latter, you can take three legs, which will look even more interesting.
On top of this, you can add various decorative and functional details - whether it be shelves or some kind of decoration. Here you can give freedom to your creative nature.
Unusual table options
You could often see photos of coffee tables that are made from unusual materials. These can be safely attributed to a table made from an old suitcase.
The most interesting thing about this is that you will practically not have to do anything to create such an item. It will be enough for you to do the restoration of a pleasant appearance, if necessary, and the installation of such a table.
A huge advantage of this solution will be the reasonable use of space in the room. Well, this will be in front of the sofa, while the space inside the suitcase would also be good to use. There you can put some kind of blanket, or boxes of shoes. In general, here the matter is already behind a personal choice, in any case it is very convenient and practical.
Table from improvised materials
Separately, I would like to consider a coffee table made by hand from improvised materials. There are several options that I really liked, and I want to share them with you.
The first is a pallet table. They can be found in any supermarket or warehouse, and therefore it will not be difficult to get them. They are made of wood, which is very good for the interior. This tree can be varnished, which will greatly change its appearance.
Take two such pallets, or pallets, as you prefer, put the first with the legs up, put the second on top so that the legs converge. They can be additionally connected with self-tapping screws, and put a sheet of glass on top of them. The option is very beautiful and easy to implement.
As you already understood, I prefer the options when you do not need to deal with the work of furniture companies, and cut out all the details, and then customize them. I'm more interested in creative and fresh solutions.
For the second option, you will need only four old boxes, which, when placed on their side, must be connected to each other in a clockwise direction. We cover them with varnish beforehand, connect them and that's it - the table is ready. The empty space inside can be closed with a tree and a flower placed on top. Good luck with your choice.
DIY coffee table photo
Buying new expensive furniture is a financially costly option. As an alternative, for those who love exclusive and unusual interior details, a hand-made method is suitable.
Minimal experience with tools, imagination and creative thinking - that's all that is needed.
You can start with the manufacture of a coffee table, which uses a variety of and unusual improvised materials.
The finished product will decorate and diversify any room, living room or nursery. Often, unusual furniture is installed in country houses and summer verandas, where it emphasizes the style and brings the desired atmosphere.
Tools and materials
The basis of the future table is the material from which it is planned to make the countertop. There are many options for imagination, we will consider them below.
In addition, the following tools will be required for work:
- a hammer;
- scissors;
- pliers;
- fasteners (nails, screws, etc.);
- carpentry table with a set of knives (if any) or a hacksaw.
Working on a carpentry table requires additional skills. If they are available, then you can use a chisel, cutter and planer. When working with a tree with their help, it will be possible to perform more delicate work.
With the help of a sharp cutter or a set of special knives, it is possible to skillfully decorate a coffee table.
You need to stock up on additional materials, such as:
- glue;
- sandpaper;
- paint (preferably in the form of a spray);
- primer;
- decor (fabric, multi-colored plastic, lace, glass details, etc.).
Wooden coffee table
The most common material in the manufacture of furniture structures is wood. Even in the case of choosing it as the basis, the creator has several options.
The product can be made from:
- pallets;
- whole stump;
- logs.
A beautiful and practical coffee table made of pallets is carried out in several stages:
- At the first stage, it is necessary to determine the dimensions of the future table, and make markings on pallets.
- Cut out the core of the pallet. It is important to consider that the outer side should be smooth, and the reverse side should be embossed.
- Treat the legs with a primer and let them dry.
- Paint the countertop on all sides. Toning can be done in several layers. In this case, each layer must be treated with a fine-grained sandpaper.
- After drying all the parts, fix the elements with metal fasteners: nails, screws, etc.
Making your own table from a solid stump is even easier. The difficulty lies in choosing a piece of wood that is suitable in size and shape. From the point of view of aesthetics, a pine, birch or poplar stump is suitable for such a table. The choice should be stopped on an even and wide copy with unusual rings.
You can apply the material in different ways depending on the size of the table:
- low with thin metal legs;
- medium, where the base of the stump serves as a support;
- low on wheels.
According to the artist's idea, the stump can be subjected to minimal changes, limited to painting or varnishing. Grinding and installing wheels will help to give a classic look to the product.
Note!
Another option for lovers of natural style is a coffee or coffee table made of logs. Its production does not differ significantly from the previous versions.
The appearance of the finished product almost entirely depends on the appearance of the prepared wooden frame. Variants may differ in the width and expressiveness of the ring pattern.
First you need to process the logs with a piece of skin. To maintain the most natural look, the bark should be left on the sides and bottom. A more rigorous look will be given by metal legs or from an old table. If desired, supports can also be made of wood.
Making a coffee table out of wood is not a difficult task. Such a product brings a certain amount of originality and natural comfort to the home environment.
Chipboard coffee table
Exclusive furniture based on chipboard is a cost-effective option for those who want to work on the product themselves. This photo of the coffee table shows that such furniture outwardly is in no way inferior to a wooden product.
Note!
You need to start work with the development of a drawing of the future table. Ready-made patterns of the base and legs are applied to a chipboard sheet and outlined with a pencil, and then scratched along the contour with a nail.
Thus, you need to cut out two countertops, one of which will be the surface of the table, and the other - the bottom shelf. You need to attach flanges to them, and fix the wheels with bolts.
It is preferable to use rubber wheels because of their reliability. To diversify the appearance will allow a glass shelf between the tabletop and the base. Lacquering will protect the thing from premature destruction.
You can make such a table with your own hands from old unnecessary furniture. Decor elements will help to update and breathe new life into the old element of the interior.
There are many interesting options for coffee tables made of: glass, a radiator, windows and books, an entrance door, a wardrobe or drawers from a chest of drawers, a suitcase, a coil (cable), etc. Anyone who has imagination and a sense of style can come up with additional options.
decoration
The decor of the coffee table is the final and very important stage of work. Any ideas that fit into the interior of the room are suitable here.
Note!
Consider the most correct and harmonious options:
A table made of pallets, a stump or logs will decorate the applied carved pattern. The tabletop may not be made of solid glass, but of many glued pieces.
The use of fabric in decor should be neat. For this purpose, a material with a thin pile is suitable. Use your old coat as a base and secure with small nails and rivets.
Vintage notes will give lace and fringed ribbons, fixed around the perimeter of the object. It seems as if a tablecloth is covered on the coffee table.
A fashionable trend in recent years has been the use of twine and coarse hemp rope. Attaching it is pretty easy. It is necessary to lubricate the surface of the table with glue, and tightly wrap the base and legs of the table.
The decor in the form of a mosaic looks bright and unusual. Additional gloss will be given by varnishing the surface.
Decoupage decoration. This type of decor allows you to apply any image to the surface of the countertop. This will require special napkins for decoupage. The quality of the result depends on the availability of the necessary technical skills.
In any finish, it is important to take into account the practicality of the finished coffee table and its stability. Apply for this additional fasteners, stain treatment and varnishing.
Putting ideas into practice is not difficult if you approach the process with intelligence, imagination and great enthusiasm.
DIY coffee table photo
As in a bedroom without a bed, so in almost any other room, whether it be a living room, a kitchen or even a hallway, you cannot do without a table. Actually, in the bedroom, he will not be superfluous. And it is better to have several of them at once - for different purposes. So that there is somewhere to put a night lamp, where to lay out notes and books, install a laptop, or even just have a bite to eat or even do something more spicy.
Buying a "desk" is not difficult, the choice is now large, but making it yourself is a matter of special sophistication. Such a home-made item of an apartment “wardrobe” will be valued much higher by both the owner and guests, and it will be more pleasant to use it.
This is not an easy task, but it is also simple, requiring, however, a certain aesthetic taste and carpentry skills. But do not be afraid and immediately retreat. It is quite possible to cope with this task, the main thing is to imagine what you want.
Pros and cons
A homemade product has both its advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages:
- Variability. You can do with your own hands what you really need. In all aspects. This is complete freedom in the choice of form, material, texture, size, design.
- Saving. Buying in furniture stores will cost significantly more. In fact, for the same or even worse quality, you will sometimes have to pay many times more money.
- Uniqueness. What is done by hand, no one else will do. This will allow you to create a stylish and original, and most importantly, a unique interior almost anywhere - in the country, in an apartment, in your own house.
- Improving skills. Working on a table is an opportunity to practice your locksmith and carpentry skills, to learn a whole range of new things. These skills will come in handy when repairing finished store products in the future.
Having better understood the design of the tables, it will be possible to more professionally approach the choice of such products in retail outlets, or even discover a source of additional income. And in general - it will always be possible to help relatives and friends fix something, bring a fresh idea to the design.
However, the independent production of tables is fraught with certain difficulties. Among them:
- Time consumption. Be prepared to spend one or more days working, and in the case of a large item, even a week. The maximum, as the masters admit, is 10 days spent on a large table. In fact, you can spend the whole vacation tormented with the material and achieve very meager results. Therefore, it is better to have a psychological readiness for difficulties during the first experience.
- Injury hazard. Working, especially with wood, is fraught with splinters. When working with old material (beams, boards from fences), you need to be extremely careful. But in some cases, even work gloves may not save you from small cuts. Too delicate hands are better not to do such things.
- Manufacturing defects. The house is still not a workshop, and it can be difficult to make some calculations - hence the roughness and unevenness on a product that seems to be ready and verified to the smallest detail. Well, if the table is made for giving, but in a standardized room the result can become the subject of offensive jokes and just look out of place. For the manufacture of an impromptu "bureau" or other structures more complex than an ordinary table, skills and some experience are still needed. It would be time to earn it.
- Need a tool. If it is not there, everything is simple - you have to buy and master it. Time is already money, and there are additional costs at the first stage. However, in the long run, such an approach will lead to savings - the next table will be made almost for next to nothing, especially if there are stocks of material in the country.
- Not suitable for all styles. You need to be careful to experiment with homemade products in modern interiors, for example, high-tech, where metal and technological materials “rule the ball”. It is difficult to work with them, and wooden products can disrupt the harmony of the room.
A little advice. If you decide to make a table, and this is the first experience, try to find a good adviser who will psychologically and with the help of his skills support the undertaking. You can take the first steps together, and then go on a free “flight”.
Assembly Features
There are many types of tables. The most common are writing, computer, toilet (with or without a mirror). Desktops differ depending on whether they are designed for a laptop or made for a desktop computer. In the latter case, you will need a special space for the system unit - it can be installed both under your feet and at eye level.
Each of the options has its own advantages that affect the design of the table. In the first case, the system unit will not get in the way at hand, but it will not be very convenient to connect USB ports to it from behind. When designing, you should leave a significant open space behind the table, do not put it near the wall. If the system unit is located on top, the bureau should be as stable as possible, and the table top should be made of durable, reliable material.
If there is a goal to design a desktop for a student, including a collapsible structure, it is reasonable to build drawers for notebooks, textbooks and CDs into it. An alternative is a separate shelf above the structure. Drawers can be either drawers or open shelves. The backlight is up-to-date.
Tables can also be angular, transformers; height-adjustable, collapsible, on wheels.
All these are not frills, but practical design elements. Among the more complex options, for example, river tables with a beautiful, often transparent material built into the middle part are popular. Their production will take more time and will require higher locksmith skills, however, it will allow not only to upgrade your working “skills”, but also to make a real interior artifact. Each of the types of tables has its own assembly features and specifics. Consider some of the most popular, simple and affordable options for creating a table that do not require the heights of technical training, but allow you to create high-quality and interesting products that do not look awkward or poor even in a modest interior.
Tools
But before you start carpentry manipulations, you need to decide what and with what you plan to work. You need to get down to business in full "instrumental" readiness. Do not be afraid, nothing rare and particularly complex will be required - only the usual working arsenal, which is always at hand for a real man. So, let's list the main ones. You can’t do without the “classics of the genre” - nails, screws, a screwdriver, a planer, a hammer, glue (instantaneous is also useful), a knife. In some cases, you can use a saw (in nature). Do not forget about work gloves and disinfectants. Be sure to have iodine and cotton swabs with you, unless, of course, the goal is to make a table, and not to get sick with tetanus.
The fact is that when sanding wood (with sandpaper or other device) it can turn out to be very “unfriendly” and just stand up with a pile. When working with metal, more metalwork tools are needed. And in any case, it is better to get eye protection - a special working mask. For the subsequent processing of the material and its cleaning, a brush and disinfectants, including those against insects, are also useful, especially when using old wood. You can also clean the table with sandpaper.
And, of course, you need varnish or paint for final processing. You may have to varnish the countertop several times (after the first one, the pile will simply stand up), which means that it is better to buy it with a margin.
Popular materials
One tool is obviously not enough. There is something, but nothing to work on yet. The main thing, of course, is the material. Theoretically, a table can be made from anything, but there are subtleties. The most popular is wood, but it must be dry! If it is not dry, dry it; it will take time, but for the sake of the quality of the product, in this case, do not rush anywhere.
A table made of dry wood, logs, timber is a wonderful and reliable element of the interior. Beautiful, functional and affordable. On this option, it will be possible to save a lot if there are inexpensive bars or logs at hand - they are stored, for example, in the country. In stores, good wooden tables definitely do not belong to the category of the cheapest.
Wood is trending right now. This is the main eco-material. You can’t do without it in interiors tailored to the natural style. In fact, it is wood in one form or another that is played up in all classical interior styles, up to colonial or modern.
You can make a bureau from chipboard. The material is composite and quite affordable. But it has a lot of downsides. Chipboard is afraid of moisture - no longer an option for the kitchen. It does not hold nails and screws well - unnecessary difficulties in the work. And in general, it is not very environmentally safe - it is better not to keep too many chipboard products in the apartment. Nevertheless, such a table can be placed, for example, in a house or on a veranda in a country house - as an inexpensive, temporary option - for the season, for receiving guests. Inexpensive, simple and moderately aesthetically pleasing, and most importantly - functional.
Let us clarify that laminated chipboard is also on sale - also wood and shavings, only laminated in a special way - with a polymer film at high temperatures, or even with a special varnish that provides increased water resistance. Chipboard is more expensive, but such boards are practically devoid of all the shortcomings of chipboard.
However, the use of plywood will be no less practical. There are many types of it - there are also moisture resistant ones. This means that the range of applications is wider. In Russia, this material is gaining popularity and is also massively exported, which indirectly indicates its quality. Plywood is quite easy to process and not too expensive. Of the minuses - its facelessness, dull texture and the accompanying feeling of unnaturalness. In addition, when working with plywood, it is necessary to carefully approach the preparatory stage. Without a sketch, a drawing is indispensable. You can use both ready-made projects, and make it yourself.
The easiest way is to make a table from a furniture board, for example, ash. This is a little more expensive, but at the same time it will ensure the reliability of the main part of the table - the table top. Less worries with polishing, but at the same time somewhat less naturalness and texture.
An extreme alternative is the use of natural wood: stumps (by the way, they can be used on their own, but this is already a designer chic) or saw cuts. With them, everything is exactly the opposite. You will have to grind and varnish it yourself several times, but in the end you will get a completely unique unique product that all lovers of “natural” design can appreciate, unless, of course, after gatherings they leave without a few splinters in various places.
Often in the design of the table, glass or special optical glue, plexiglass glue, is used to replace it. You can also buy just impact-resistant glass - although it will come out more expensive. It's stylish, effective and safe. This material is optimal for small oval coffee tables, but recently it has been increasingly used by designers in models with right angles.
We also add that the legs and base can be metal. You should not be afraid of the combination of wood and metal - with a competent design, it can be not only harmonious, but also very interesting. In modern interiors, loft and hi-tech, sometimes you can’t do without it. In addition, metal is effectively combined with glass or its analogues.
Kitchen table
This is an absolutely necessary element of the interior. It should be comfortable, comfortable and stable. The surface of the tabletop is often of no fundamental importance - usually it is covered with a tablecloth or oilcloth. When making it yourself, it is important to pay attention to the lower parts of the structure so that you can sit at the table without any problems, and you can always place your legs comfortably.
A good DIY dining table can be made in just a few days. According to home "masters", even very beautiful large models took them no more than 7-10 days. Any material can be used - the easiest way to work with chipboard, plywood and wood. The main thing is that the beams and boards are even and well sanded.
Carefully study their dimensions, bring them to the norm if necessary - it is hardly advisable to make a kitchen table more than 80 cm in height. The shape and size of the countertop will depend on the interior and the availability of free space in the kitchen.
The table, although the main element of the interior in such a room, should not occupy the entire place. Therefore, especially in small kitchens, it is practical to make it square - you can approach it from all sides, and more than four people behind it are still unlikely to fit. In large dining rooms, on the contrary, it is better to stay in the classic rectangular format.
An oval or round tabletop will also look interesting, especially if you choose beautiful curly legs for it - this, however, will require good carpentry skills.
When working on a standard wood model, fasten the beams or boards with the planks at the bottom under the tabletop. A practical option with plywood. It is better not to use chipboard - there is always high humidity in the kitchen, and something is accidentally spilled regularly, and this material, as you know, does not withstand the influence of the water element.
An interesting idea would be to create a sliding table. In this case, the fasteners must be flexible. But you can do it easier. Still, making a sliding table in the format of one design with your own hands is not a trivial task.
Therefore, make two small rectangular products of the same dimensions. During the day, they can be moved to different parts of the kitchen or even an apartment, and moved before eating together, thereby forming a large table. A very practical option for small kitchens. When manufacturing, pay attention to the lower parts - partitions and beams should not interfere with each other when connecting tables.
If the kitchen is very small, you can make a folding table. Assemble the countertop and attach a special bracket to the wall. Such a “desk”, as a rule, has only two legs, which means that they should be placed so that at least three people can fit behind it at the same time. Another option is to build a small cabinet for storing dishes and food instead of one of the legs. This is the perfect way to save space.
When designing a table with a sink, it is better to seek the help of a professional. It will not be difficult to make sketches and the main structural elements, but the main thing is that they do not interfere with the passage of pipes under it. So you can't do without a locksmith and a plumber.
At the final stage, it is better to process any table. How to cover it and how to decorate it is a matter of taste. It can be varnished and covered with a tablecloth, or even trimmed with special tiles or even stone. The field for experiments is large.
Many color palettes, including bright ones, will fit into the interior of the kitchen. Do not be afraid to make the table red, yellow or green - it is fashionable, pleasant and aesthetically pleasing, it will create a good mood when cooking, eating and communicating with household members and guests.
And one more tip for kitchen tables. If you want to design a product with a drawer, make the design of the latter as reliable and airtight as possible so that moisture does not get there. Assemble it from several boards or planks and securely fasten them with special glue or nails. When using plywood, it should ideally not be thicker than 20mm.
High-quality grinding and processing is important, including against insects. Remember that the kitchen, as a place to store food and prepare food, is a favorite environment not only for cockroaches, but also for various arboreal and moisture-loving insect species, especially in hot climates.
For computer
The table for the computer should be compact and functional. It is always better to design it with a margin. There are two main concepts:
- Table for desktop computer. If the technique is powerful, for example, gaming, you will have to make the table long and wide enough. A monitor will take up a lot of space on it. A diagonal of 20 inches and wide screen rotation means the user is mobile at the table, which means that there should always be a place to put your hands. A separate measurement should be made taking into account the dimensions of the keyboard.
Other devices should also be placed on the table - a mouse, joysticks, gamepads, or even a game role. Part of the space will be occupied by the system unit. It can be installed at the bottom of the table - for this you will have to make special ceilings so as not to put the equipment on the floor. The table should not be closed - high-quality cooling is very important for a powerful computer, and open space will provide the necessary air circulation.
At the same time, the design of the table is of no fundamental importance - in any case, it will be forced by technology. The main thing is to use high-quality varnish and paint so that the surface is smooth, it is easy to wipe it and it does not accumulate a lot of dust that is dangerous for equipment.
- For laptop. When measuring, keep in mind that both the computer itself and the hands of a person working or playing behind it should fit on it. Often, a full-fledged keyboard is also separately connected to portable computers, so it is better to use material with a margin. Leave room for the mouse too.
We add that almost any shape of a computer table can be made. Previously, there was an opinion that it should be rectangular, but practical experience has shown that oval tables, in particular for laptops, are a very interesting solution. If you attach wheels to them, turning them into an analogue of a coffee table, you can easily move with a computer around the room - show videos to friends from convenient angles or, conversely, if necessary, quickly and quickly immerse yourself in work or correspondence away from prying eyes.
However, a table with right angles has some specific advantages. It is easier to equip it with drawers and shelves for storing books and CDs. Do not forget about the reliability of fastening these structures, since the weight of a music or game collection can reach 7-10 kg.
night table
It is better to make a night table extremely compact. Dimensions are not his strong point, the main thing is the convenience of the form. First of all, adjust the dimensions of the materials to the height of the bed. It is better to make it flush with the level of the mattress, but it's okay if it gets lower. A tall night table is not too impractical, although it is found as an example in some design schools. If aesthetic qualities are more important to you, it is reasonable to experiment in this direction. In this case, you can choose any shape - from oval to rectangular and square.
The design concept should be included in the composition of the bedroom interior. For classic styles of materials, it is better to choose wood. Moreover, in the case of retro and historical styles, the more authentic it is, the better. If you have skills in artistic carving, then in this case it's time to use them. In modern interiors, a wooden product will also be relevant - if necessary, the texture will be hidden under varnish, paint or a tablecloth. The color scheme depends on the color of the room. The color should be in harmony with the bed, linens, and ideally with the floor and ceiling. Radical contrasts are out of place here.
Particular attention when working on a night table should be given to its stability. The leg can be made big. If there are several of them, they should turn out to be absolutely identical. Please note that not only an alarm clock or a table book is placed on the night table, but sometimes they rely on their hands - it should withstand such loads without problems. The table can also be equipped with several drawers, or, if the level of technical skill or the specifics of the material does not allow, with an open shelf.
Coffee table
In many houses and apartments, the habit of laying out newspapers and magazines on the coffee table has already become a thing of the past. They were replaced by new means of communication - various gadgets - from iPhones to laptops. But they also need to be placed somewhere, even if just put on charge. Before making such an interior item, it is better to immediately determine its functionality.
The main thing is to learn one simple truth: no one works for magazine "bureaus" - at best, they earn extra money, so they should be low, aesthetic and comfortable for a relaxed pastime. And it is aesthetics that come first. Your guests will remember, first of all, the design and material of the table. Another point is functionality. It is good if such a table has a space under the tabletop where you can put something.
So, as materials it is better to take chipboard or boards. They should be collected on dowels with the utmost, maximum accuracy - so that the junctions of the elements are not visible.
An additional crossbar will make the table more stable and reliable. If the design incorporates metal (legs), a welding machine will be required. A rectangular metal element can be placed in the base. Do not forget to strengthen the sidewalls in the same way. A very common option with glass (or transparent glue). Such tables are often found in offices, waiting rooms and other "guest" facilities. However, as the experience of many designers shows, it fits well into home interiors.
When manufacturing, it is important to pay attention to a wooden or metal base - it will be visible under glass! Cruciform shapes work well. Do not forget that glass can also be used simply as an additional component. For example, close them part of a classic wooden table. It is advisable to equip the resulting already light object of the interior with wheels. Such a “mini-transport” will be especially relevant in a large living room, as well as in an apartment where there are always a lot of children (then, however, you should not experiment with glass once again). It is a good and useful item for fun and leisure.
But the mobile table should be light. Massive - it is better not to equip with this “bonus”, but to make it from durable heavy overall boards. It will ground the interior, make it more collected.
There is also an option with a table-transformer. It is practical, but not always aesthetic. However, if you make a double (in height) base, then it can even be used as a conditional easel. We add that coffee tables, as a rule, are still small and are usually designed for one, maximum, four people. Sizing is purely personal. Only the height is fundamental - it can vary from 40 to 60-80 cm. Do not forget also that in some situations the product can also be used as a bookcase in combination - for this you will need to make shelves and compartments that meet your needs.
With regard to the color scheme, let's say the contrast of the table top and legs. The combination of metal and wood looks good. You can draw a picture on the surface or make an unusual ornament, but it’s easier to just cover it with something - you don’t have to repaint the products every time you change your mood and taste. And one more thing - about the form. Magazine furniture can be both round and rectangular-square - a matter of taste. Round products are used more often because they are safer and more democratic.
The knights of King Arthur, in the end, also sat at the round table, so in the living room, the place of reception and gathering of guests, each of whom often wants to show their individuality and initiative, it is better to do without seats at the head of the table and other patriarchal delights, and for children are safer - once again they will not hit.
Summer cottage furniture
A holiday in nature is a wonderful pastime, however, in order to really have a good rest and sit in a company, you need a high-quality and comfortable table. Such furniture is very specific. On the one hand, it must withstand high humidity - if it stands outdoors in the rain, on the other hand, it is very unpretentious in terms of aesthetic qualities and always gravitates towards naturalness. In nature, a glass table or an expensive metal product will be inappropriate.
So, before you start making such furniture, you need to decide on an important point: where it will stand and how mobile it should be. Basically there are two options:
- Fixed outdoor table. Typically, such structures are placed near the garden house or away from it in comfortable places to relax - under an apple tree or other fruit tree. The main thing is that such an exterior item be durable and reliable, stand on its “legs” as firmly as possible. It is reasonable in some cases to even dig the legs into the ground. The surface can be anything, but preferably wood.
The main thing is to remove pile and shavings from it, as they can lead to unpleasant and deep injuries or just a splinter. Please note that the surface must be moisture resistant - the table will regularly get wet in the rain. In cases of heavy rainfall or just a long absence in the country, it is better to cover it with something, say, oilcloth. This will not save you from high humidity, but it will protect you from direct contact with water.
- Movable table in the country house. As a rule, this is a more compact option. It can be used indoors, taken out to the veranda or outdoors. The main emphasis in self-manufacturing is best done on the use of lightweight materials so that it can be carried.
Wheels are unlikely to help much (the landscape in the country is not always even), although they can also be attached, but this will make the structure less stable. A good bonus would be the ability to push or assemble the table. For the winter season, such a table can be completely folded and put into the attic so that it does not deteriorate.
What is better to make a table for giving? Pallets, boards, old logs, for example, from an already unnecessary or dilapidated fence, partitions from boxes, an old tire, or whatever, can come in handy. It is better not to use glass and not to abuse metal. The latter tends to rust: this is not so scary, but aesthetically it can spoil all natural harmony, unless, of course, there is a desire to create an entourage of a post-apocalypse.
Boards for countertops in the country are best fastened from below with the help of planks. There is another option with gluing - this is a more time-consuming technology, after processing it will be necessary to pull off the boards and keep them in this state for about a day. If the material is old, it is better to arrange it by color, align it stylistically with color.
Light - to light, dark - to dark, with interweaving of color contrasts closer to the center. Don't strive for perfection with constant alignments - naturalness doesn't have to be symmetrical. The next step is to sand the surface. Better to do it with sandpaper.
When working with legs, the main thing is to make them the same length - otherwise there will be little pleasure in eating at such a table. It is important that their surfaces are not beveled, but even. However, if you dig your legs into the ground, and there is no saw at hand, you can always compensate for a couple of centimeters, but only as a last resort.
Then, after designing the design, the countertop must be varnished. After the first time, the pile will probably rise, so we process it twice. For reliability in the lower part at the final stage, you can make an additional support-mount. It will make the structure more stable and allow you to comfortably position your legs.
In continuation of the work, you can also attach benches to the table - make them part of a single structure. It is better to connect the bench to the table with special wooden planks using nails or long hairpins. For reliability, you will also need washers and nuts. The seats themselves are made according to a similar principle, only their height, of course, is lower than the table, and the mounts should be even more reliable - it is better to make cruciform ones.
The final step is painting. Gray, brown, natural tones look good. Bright colors look too eclectic, unless you have a modern country house design, and instead of trees, artificial vegetation.
And a few more words about the size. As a rule, country tables are long, but not too wide - so it is easier and more convenient to approach them. Do not install them too close to bushes, especially thorns, gooseberries or cherries, it will be painful to approach them.
The distance from the fruit trees must also be reasonable, otherwise you can repeat Newton's experiment, but this is unsuccessful. The height of country tables, as a rule, is made average, since both adults and children usually sit at them. So with built-in seats it is better not to overestimate the design.
How to arrange lighting
This question is relevant both for small night tables and for working products on which a computer is installed. You can put a small floor lamp on the night "buro", it is reasonable to stretch the wire with the switch to the bed so that each time they do not reach for the table and do not drop the lamp in the dark. A desk lamp also makes sense on a desktop, but as we experiment with homemade designs, other more interesting possibilities emerge.
If you make a small “add-on” above the table from several panels - plywood and chipboard, securely attach them with nails, then under them you can install an ordinary light bulb, or better, an LED. It will be more efficient to use two or three small spot LEDs. They will provide high-quality and uniform lighting.
A child who studies at the table, and an adult in the process of work, can read at any time without problems. To work at a computer (so that the light does not shade the screen), it will be possible to turn on only one point of illumination, which is reasonable to place a little to the side - it will become a source of subdued light.
Among modern design concepts, there are also options for lighting tables from below, through the design of the countertop, however, it will be problematic to cope with such a complex “technical task” without a qualified electrician, and the practical benefits of such structures leave much to be desired.
The choice of light temperature for almost any table design is purely individual and depends more on the place of use. In classic small bedrooms, warm color combinations will be relevant.
In the interior of the kitchen, on the contrary, cold shades will fit more harmoniously. Much depends on the style. Hi-tech, for example, is often imprisoned precisely for a cool range. Accents in the classic, colonial style and some variations of the loft, on the contrary, are best placed on the warm segment.
Forms
The table can be made absolutely anything, completely carved-carved, but the design has already developed several classic and practical shape ideas. Among them:
- Rectangular. It was these tables that were popular in almost all historical eras. In Russia, the boyars gathered behind them, they served as a place for a meal for peasants in huts and the basis of tavern life.
In Soviet times, they were slightly pushed back by other forms - square, designed to minimize living space as such. Now rectangular tables are no longer associated with the ideas of dominance and patriarchy, but have retained their immanent massiveness and hardness. Most often used in large rooms. Suitable for summer cottage, living room, spacious kitchen.
- Square. Products of this form allow you to perfectly organize the space. Their use is reasonable and economical. In addition, it is always possible to move such tables. Often there are folding models that turn from square into rectangular.
It is not easy to make such a product on your own. However, you can simply make two identical tables. Let us clarify that in terms of a home-made approach, it is square and rectangular tables that are suitable for the “pen test” of novice masters. And it’s easy to make, and the field for experiments is wide.
- rounded. A round or oval piece of furniture is suitable as a coffee or night table. This is an ideal shape for apartments where families with children live, as it avoids unpleasant collisions with sharp corners. It is technically more difficult to make them, but the most unexpected items, for example, car tires, can always come to the rescue.
- Designer forms. Table edges do not have to be even. Sometimes they are made curvilinear. Products can be rounded on one side, having right angles on the other. Triangular patterns are becoming more and more popular.
For example, in the kitchen it will be advantageous to look at a table that is rectangular in relation to the seats and rounded towards the sink and cabinets. Guests will be able to sit comfortably, and the hostess or host, while treating them, will not constantly bump into corners. Naturally, the manufacture of such models will require higher technical skills. The main difficulty will be how to cut a suitable shape. This also imposes some restrictions on the materials used - beams, boards and logs in many such structures are technically inapplicable.
How to make from improvised materials
Sometimes it’s hard to restrain the fantasy, then very interesting options for improvised “desks” are born, which can be used both in nature and in modern high-tech interiors and not only - even at work. It is not difficult, for example, to make a table from a car wheel, or rather, tires. Attach chipboard to it on one side - a little less than the radius, and on the other - legs. You can decorate the side surfaces and the lid to your taste.
If you drag the table with fibers or ropes, you will also get an ottoman - two in one at once. To create more effective fasteners, stock up on liquid nails. The cover of such furniture can be made removable and subsequently stored in the "wheel" whatever your heart desires. With a competent approach, such a hiding place will completely become a mini-safe, where you can protect things at least from children, and not every unlucky thief who breaks into your home will guess such a little trick.
Nobody bothers to collect old boxes into a useful design: you get a kind of interesting labyrinth table. However, here you need to be very careful - many craftsmen who posted their creations from boxes on the Internet turned out to be something more like an urn. To avoid this, do not leave too much free space in the center of the structure.
Another, perhaps even more extreme option is to design a table based on an old suitcase. Such Soviet colossus is waiting for the hour of its disposal on many balconies of the country, and perhaps now is their finest hour. Just do not rely in the literal sense of the word on exceptional Soviet quality - it is better to strengthen the product with sheets, for example, plywood. You will need more legs and wheels.
Disinfect the product before starting work. At the final stage, it can be varnished, painted or pasted over with a cloth. This option is suitable for colonial and various retro styles, and in general it will look at least original in any room. With benefit in working on the table, you can also use old frames - the main thing is to strengthen them well. With adequate design, you can achieve all the benefits of the effect of pop art style.
A loft-style pallet table will decorate almost any interior of a modern living room. You can also make an interior object from pallets, from an old window sill or countertop (with an antique effect), from ceramic tiles, professional pipes. A table made of a profile or water pipe is a fashionable idea at all. And in general, almost anything is suitable for creating creative furniture: from old chests and barrels to mirrors, wallpaper rolls and batteries - the main thing is to trust your imagination, sense of style and technical skills in working with material and tools.
Beautiful interior placement ideas
And finally, let's look at some interesting examples of homemade tables in various interiors. Let's start with the cottage. At a distance of a few meters from the landings, a large table made of lacquered boards will fit in well. Light or dark brown color will be in perfect harmony with the greenery. The tabletop is divided into five parts along the narrow part (according to the number of boards). Having fastened them from below, we will keep the effect of naturalness and naturalness.
From below, the table will also be fastened with two overlaps, on which it will be convenient to put your feet. The benches are also attached to the table (consisting of three boards each). Favorable design is emphasized by additional neat carving on the sidewalls. As a result, we have before us almost an example of the pre-revolutionary tsarist Russian style of the mid-19th century, or even modern (how to look).
It was in this environment that connoisseurs of rural idyll met guests at the beginning of the 20th century, organized creative meetings, exhibitions and even theatrical performances. Such a table does not look old-fashioned, it seems to continue the interior of a classic country house, where there is at least glass and metal.
Another example. Table-river for the living room. The easiest way to make a transformer with your own hands is to make its imitation, that is, do not use a plug-in structure in your work, but paint the product accordingly. In fact, this is a classic wooden table with a relief surface, which will successfully stand next to a sofa or armchairs.
The color is better to choose depending on the style of the room. Light wood will be in harmony with light light tones and vice versa. The dyed part (blue or its shades) should be in harmony with the chandelier or ceiling. On such a table, low vases with flowers or greenery will look beautiful. The simpler the design of such a table, the better - it can be used both as a coffee table and as a dining table.
The next idea - for a corner computer table - is also quite real for do-it-yourself implementation. We will make the corner parts rectangular, and the one that protrudes on us is of an arbitrary, but wide and comfortable shape, so that you can put your hands on it, put the keyboard. From materials we use plywood or chipboard.
Regular wood will work, as will old countertops, but working with the form in this case will be a little more difficult. If, nevertheless, a “difficult” material is chosen, pay attention to varnishing and painting, it is better to pay special attention to these stages of work.
We use uniform color schemes, without abusing light shades. In our example, the table will be brown. However, for the perfection of the design idea, the color of the table should be harmonized with the color of the monitor, keyboard and system unit.
Among the night tables, a two-level version will be practical and easy to manufacture. It's easier to make it rectangular, but if skills allow, it's better to make it round. The lower overlap is placed at the level of 10-15 cm from the floor, the upper - at the level of the height of the mattress.
For a bedroom decorated in dark colors, a soft dark texture is suitable. The table can be painted even in black paint. It will thus become a color spot in the room, giving additional contrast to the bed and floor. A nice visual effect will appear if you place a carafe of water and a glass on it.
And the last example is a compact small night office with two drawers. In this case, choose dark colors. The wood will need to be well processed and varnished. The design of drawers is as simple as possible.
Reading time ≈ 4 minutes
A coffee table made of wood with your own hands can become exactly that interior detail that will add completeness and atmosphere to the whole room. After all, this will not be a trivial acquisition from a furniture store, but a hand-made thing. Do not be discouraged if you do not have special knowledge in the field of carpentry. We will tell you how to make a coffee table without an expensive tool and a lot of experience in our master class.
Choice of drawing, materials and tools
For the manufacture of a table, you can use many materials: glass, metal, plywood, chipboard. We will consider a simple option with wooden beams and boards, which a person without experience can easily implement.
First you need to think over the drawings of the table, based on which the necessary materials and tools will be selected. The simplest, most convenient and versatile option is the classic model of a rectangular table with four legs. Table top and leg height can be customized to suit your needs.
Drawing of a classic coffee table.
Therefore, for the manufacture of the table you will need the following materials:
- Wooden beam 40*40 mm (total length 1.6 m).
- Board planed for tsargi 50 * 20 (total length 3 m).
- Planed board for countertop 10*20 mm (total length 3.2 m).
- Self-tapping screws.
- Putty for wood.
- Lacquer or paint for decorative finishes.
Instead of boards for the countertop, you can take a sheet of waterproof plywood and cut the countertop out of it. In this case, the manufacture of the table will be even simpler.
Master's advice: the drawer (the frame between the legs of the table, on which the table top rests) must be done, otherwise the structure will be unstable and deform over time.
It is also worth preparing the following simple tools:
- Wood saw or jigsaw.
- Electric screwdriver.
- Sandpaper (grinding nozzle for a drill / grinder).
- Level.
- Marking pencil.
Stage-by-stage production of a table
Step by step workflow:
Coffee table before painting.
Master's advice: after each layer of varnish, the product must be carefully sanded with fine-grained sandpaper (grain size 20-40 microns).
Thus, it will take you no more than a few hours to make a wooden coffee table with your own hands, as a result of which you will get a beautiful, easy-to-use product.
Video: making a coffee table from bars.
Many things can be done by hand. It is difficult in most cases, only at first glance. The new review has collected examples of unique and amazing coffee tables that craftsmen have made with their own hands.
1. Old suitcase
Old suitcases are real finds for designers and out-of-the-box thinkers. Through simple manipulations, suitcases turn into unique furniture and decor items. For example, you can turn an unnecessary suitcase into an original coffee table by simply screwing the legs to it. Such a table will add charm to both a bachelor's apartment and a family living room decorated in a classic style.
2. Boards
Instead of going to the furniture store and buying a finished product, get creative and go to the hardware store for wooden blocks and metal legs. Next, you should connect the boards to each other and screw the boards to them. A handmade table is a unique and versatile thing, as wooden furniture fits perfectly into any interior.
3. Battery
Got new batteries? However, do not rush to throw away the old cast iron radiator. Buy a piece of glass and turn an old battery into an original coffee table that you definitely won't see in the store or your friends.
4. Framed window
An old framed window is a wonderful material for creating a charming living room coffee table. Screw the legs wrapped with coarse ropes to the frame and decorate the surface of the table with beads and shells.
5. Logs
A stunning low table can be made from small logs. First you need to assemble the base of the table from plywood, glue wooden bars around the perimeter, and close the middle with a plywood lid. Next, you need to glue thin wooden saw cuts on the plywood cover so that it seems as if the table is made entirely of logs, screw the legs and carefully cover all the cracks.
6. Wooden cuts
Large wooden saw cuts are an amazing material for creating a beautiful and original table that will become a real highlight of the living room and will last for many years. Making such a table is easy. It is necessary to carefully process the wood and fasten the two saw cuts together, glue a wide wooden leg bar in the center and open the surface with varnish.
7. Pallet
Wooden pallets are an excellent material for creating a wide variety of furniture: sofas, beds, chairs and of course tables. First, you should get a pallet, carefully clean it and paint it in the desired color. There is nothing left to do - screw the legs and put the glass tabletop on top.
8. Wire reel
A large wooden reel for wires is a practical ready-made coffee table. Of course, getting it is not so easy, but if you are lucky, you know what to do with it.
9. Tire
There are many ideas for creating original furniture from waste car tires. For example, you can make a charming table out of a tire, a piece of plywood, a few pieces of wood, and coarse rope.
10. Glass
A budget and very original table for a modern living room, to create which you will need square-shaped glass and low castor legs.
11. Glass and books
The original idea of recycling unwanted books. Of course, this is not about fiction and the works of the classics, but about old textbooks that are gathering dust on the shelves. In addition to books, you will also need a small piece of glass and a frame. Insert the glass into a pre-painted frame and attach the finished structure to the book columns.
12. Chest
Wooden table and bowl.
Sometimes, even a broken trough can do a good job. For example, it is useful for creating a coffee table. In addition to a metal bowl that acts as a leg, you will also need a round countertop made of chipboard or wood.
15. Old table
An old coffee table can be an excellent material for creating a new table. You just need to paint the legs and cover the table with a fabric of the desired color.