How to Build a Table | Pretty Handy Girl

Building a Farmhouse Table has been on my mind for several years. I was never crazy about our hand-me-down dining set. But, I never had the time to build a table from scratch. Now that the table is done, I don’t know why I put it off for so long. Building a table is relatively easy DIY project. You basically need four table legs, 1″ x 4″ boards for the apron and a table top. Depending on your style, you can use anything for the top. You can cut grooves into an existing table top to create the plank look, like Lauren from Bless’er House did:

Faux Plank Table Top by Bless'Er House

Or you could use 2″ x 6″ lumber to create a new table top like Jaime from That’s My Letter did:

2x6 Lumber Table by That's My Letter

Or wrap MDF with galvanized sheet metal for a zinc top, like Traci from Beneath My Heart did:

Zinc Topped Table by Beneath My Heart

Feel free to create a table top with something less conventional like a slab of marble, tempered glass or an old door! Use your imagination and creativity.

I chose to work with reclaimed lumber for a true farmhouse table top. I bought reclaimed rafters from The ReUse Warehouse in Durham, NC. When I paid for it, the lumber looked like this:

Reclaimed Lumber Farmhouse Table | Pretty Handy Girl

But, was transformed into this:

Reclaimed Lumber Farmhouse Table | Pretty Handy Girl

Here are the details for creating the reclaimed wood table top.

Today we’re going to learn how to build the table base!

How to Build a Table Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

  • 4 Table legs (rope twist legs I used from Osborne Wood Products)
  • Table top
  • 1″ x 4″ Premium Pine (poplar or other straight knot free wood)
  • Kreg JigHow to Build a Table
  • 2″ Pocket Hole ScrewsHow to Build a Table
    (you may also need different depth screws if you have a thin table top)
  • Tape MeasureHow to Build a Table
  • Combination SquareHow to Build a Table
  • ClampsHow to Build a Table
  • Pencil

Optional: 2″ x 4″ board for additional center support

How to Build a Table Instructions:

Measure your table top and subtract 8″ from the length measurement (my table is 71″ long, so the measurement I need for the base is 63″.) Measure the table top width and subtract 5″ from that measurement (my table is 42″ wide, so the measurement I need for the base is 37″.)

Next measure the thickness of the top of your table legs. Then double that number. This will give you the width of both legs per side. Subtract this number to get the length of your apron rails. (For example, my table base final measurement is 63″ x 37″. My table legs are 4″ wide x 2 = 8″. Therefore my two side rails need to be 55″ and the end rails should be 29″.)

How to Build a Table | Pretty Handy Girl

Cut the 1″ x 4″ boards to the size you figured out above.

Lay your legs and apron rails upside down on a flat surface. Double check your measurements, square and the table top dimensions against the table base.

How to Build a Table | Pretty Handy Girl

Pull the apron rails aside. Mark the center of each rail. Measure and mark 6″-8″ out from the center mark and continue making a mark every 6″ – 8″. Transfer the marks onto the parallel apron board. These will be your pocket hole locations.

How to Build a Table | Pretty Handy Girl

Drill two pocket holes into the ends of each rail. These will be for attaching the rails to the table legs. Drill pocket holes at all the pre-marked locations. This will be for attaching the table top to the base.

How to Build a Table | Pretty Handy Girl

Lay out the legs and rails on the flat surface again. Mark 1/4″ in on the table leg.

How to Build a Table | Pretty Handy Girl

Line up the apron rail with this mark and use clamps to hold the rail in place. Drive 2″ pocket screws through the rail and into the legs.

How to Build a Table | Pretty Handy Girl

Continue attaching the rails to the table legs. Work upside down on the flat surface to assure that your table base top will fit flush with the table top.

How to Build a Table | Pretty Handy Girl

Your table base should be complete and look like this:

How to Build a Table | Pretty Handy Girl

For added support, you may wish to attach a 2″ x 4″ board to the center of the table base. Simply drill two pocket holes per end and attach it to the apron rail.

How to Build a Table | Pretty Handy Girl

When attaching two different thickness boards together, refer to this Kreg Jig chart. It is an invaluable resource!

Kreg Jig Pocket Hole Screw thickness guide | Pretty Handy Girl

Click Here to download a PDF version.

How to Build a Table | Pretty Handy Girl

Set your table top on top of the base and center the top onto the base. Make sure the overlap on both sides are equal and the overlap on the two ends are equal.

Secure the top to the base using pocket hole screws. (My table top is 1.5″ thick, I used 1 1/2″ pocket screws, but you may need to use the chart above to figure out what length screw to use.)

How to Build a Table | Pretty Handy Girl

Your table is finished!

How to Build a Table | Pretty Handy Girl

That was fairly easy, wasn’t it.

Reclaimed Lumber Farmhouse Table | Pretty Handy Girl

Next week I’ll show you details about my rustic farmhouse table top and how to distress and age the table legs.

Reclaimed Lumber Farmhouse Table | Pretty Handy Girl

In the meantime, I can’t wait to invite anyone and everyone over to sit down for good food and great conversation around this beauty.

Have a great weekend!

PHGFancySign

Disclosure: I was provided with complimentary table legs from Osborne Wood Products. This is not a sponsored post. I was not told what to write. This post contains some affiliate links.

 

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How to Build a Wood Table | Pretty Handy Girl

25 replies
Newer Comments »
  1. Lauren
    Lauren says:

    It turned out beautifully, Brittany! I’m always amazed by your skills. I really like your dining rug too. Can you tell me where you got it? Thanks so much for the link back! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Nancy
    Nancy says:

    I am totally in awe of all you do! That table is fabulous, love it! I’ve looked at your tutorials and heavens, the are awesome!

    Great post and blog~

    Nancy

    Reply
  3. Jaime Costiglio
    Jaime Costiglio says:

    Lovely turn out and thanks for including my coffee table (with cringe worthy green paint – not my choice!). Your table now suits you and your home much better, no excuses come holiday tablescapes 2015.

    Reply
  4. Kristin
    Kristin says:

    I absolutely love this! We don’t have room for a full farmhouse table in our tiny place right now, but we’ll be moving next summer and a farmhouse table is going to be one of the first things we make, provided the new house has room! Thanks so much for the tutorial!

    Reply
  5. Jordan
    Jordan says:

    Great tutorial! I really hadn’t ever thought I’d be able to do something as intricate a table like this, but you’ve made it see a lot more manageable! Definitely gonna share this with some friends needing a new dining room table.

    Reply
  6. Stephanie R
    Stephanie R says:

    I love how this turned out! My dinning room table is going to need to be updated soon, do you think that this is something that even people who aren’t very handy could do?

    Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] table legs on my DIY Farmhouse Table have Van Dyke glaze on it that accentuates the rope […]

  2. […] Speaking of table, did you notice that my table is different from last year? I finally made this beautiful farmhouse table from reclaimed timbers and Osbourne wood table legs. You can easily make your own table following this tutorial. […]

  3. […] We have the deceased couple’s old dining room set too. One day I’d like to replace them, but I hate spending a lot of money on furniture. Now, show me a good power tool and I can plunk down some cash! (Update: I finally built my own dining table that I love! The tutorial is here.) […]

  4. […] From Pretty Handy Girl: How to Build a Table […]

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