Repurposed Vintage Milk Jug Side Tables

Jaime here from That’s My Letter sharing a DIY repurpose project that works great outside or inside.

Take a vintage milk jug, add a pre cut circular wood top and you have a functional and stylish side table. If you want to get fancy I’ll show you how to add the personalization too!

I started this project with some crusty old milk jugs that really serve no purpose these days and after a little paint and adding a wood top we have a beautiful and useful piece of furniture.

Together the two milk jugs make a great pair on either side of our diy outdoor sofa but ‘S’ is not my last name, these milk jugs will be going to a friend’s home.

The personalization is icing on the cake, if you have a steady hand you can add any letter in nearly any font you desire. Ready to get started?

Repurposed Vintage Milk Jug Side Tables Supplies:

vintage milk jug
17 3/4″ circular wood round
hammer
sandpaper
spray primer
spray paint gloss
spray clear gloss poly
stain
clear semi gloss poly
foam brush
acrylic paint (for personalization)
small brush
printer/paper
scotch tape
ballpoint pen
3 L brackets
pliers
1″ wood screw
drill/bits
1 1/4″ wood screw
E6000 adhesive
measuring tape

Repurposed Vintage Milk Jug Side Tables Instructions:

Step 1: Use a hammer to pop off the top, empty any residual liquid (yikes!), rinse and let interior dry completely. Sand any loose paint and rust off the exterior.

Step 2: Using a spray primer with rust protection, apply the first coat. Let dry then spray with paint color. Use several thin coats allowing them to dry between coats. Resist the urge to cover the entire jug in one or two passes. Too much spray paint will result in drips and a less durable paint job.

Step 3: Print out desired letter using a word document. (The font here is Monogram KK at 650 point.) Tape the print out to side of milk jug in desired location. Using a ballpoint pen and heavy pressure trace the outline of the letter. The pressure from the pen should leave an impression in the paint.

Step 4: Using a small paintbrush, apply acrylic paint on and inside the impression, it may take 2-3 coats for even coverage. Once dry, apply clear spray gloss over the letter to seal.

Step 5: Stain the circular wood round (I used Minwax Early American) on all sides. Let dry then seal with Minwax clear semi-gloss polyurethane. Use at least three coats of the sealer and sand between coats.

Step 6: Place wood round on protected surface. Apply a line of E6000 adhesive to top rim of milk jug then flip over onto wood round, centering the milk jug (use a measuring tape to ensure it’s centered).

Step 7: Prepare the L brackets by bending them to an angle suitable for the lip of the milk jug.

Step 8: Determine good placement for 3 brackets, predrill into wood top then secure bracket with 1″ wood screw.

Step 9: Predrill hole into milk jug just above lip and down into wood top.

Step 10: Secure milk jug to wood top using 1 1/4″ wood screw. Finally, apply bead of E6000 adhesive around seam between wood top and milk jug. Let dry before flipping upright.

You now have a new side table from a vintage milk jug. If you plan to use the tables outdoors, be sure to use exterior grade paint and polyurethane for weather protection. Now go search for some vintage milk jugs.