Easy DIY Exterior Table — Spruce & Fjell

DIY easy sideboard exterior table — **decor crafts** -> **furniture**

Easy DIY Exterior Sideboard Table
**Super Easy!**

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Small porch? Need more space for holiday decorating?

I have always envied people with large front porches - so much space for decorating! Our little cottage has a small porch, so I decided to expand my space by placing an exterior table under my living room window. As an added bonus, I would be able to enjoy the decorations from inside as well as outside.

I started looking for a small sideboard table that would be appropriate for use outside. Yikes! Too expensive, not for exterior use, or wouldn’t match my house. I really wanted the table to tie in with our house colors.

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Decorate your table for all of the holidays!

Build A Custom Exterior Table

I came up with the PERFECT solution! I would custom make the table myself. I just wasn’t sure yet how I would accomplish that, since I have zero furniture making skills.

I was walking through a local home improvement store with my husband (he was looking for supplies for his own coffee table project), and decided to wander off in search of fun items - I never know what I will find in the way of art and project supplies.

I was delighted to find a solid wood shelf that was the perfect size for my outdoor table. It was less than $15. For a bit more, I could have had one that was a bit nicer, and suitable for staining. Mine was to go outside though - I would be painting it with left-over paint used for house trim and the new front door make-over.

Now, I needed to find legs. I knew the store would have table legs. I found a store clerk, and he showed me to the legs. He pointed out legs that could be screwed on - no carpentry skills needed! Wow - I was amazed. I found the style I wanted, but they did not have 4 good legs (one was damaged). I later found the same legs on Amazon. Any style of screw-on leg would work for this project - I chose simple round legs.

SUPPLIES

Wood Shelf
I got my solid wood shelf from a hardware store. The reason I chose a shelf was that it had a nice rounded edge on one long side. That side would become the front of my table - facing out from the window. The straight edge would be the back of the table - toward the window.

Screw-on table legs with brackets

Unless you are a skilled furniture maker, you will need the type of legs that can be screwed on. You will also need the brackets and screws that attach the legs to the table top. We found ours at a local home remodel supply store.

I measured the distance from my window to the ground and purchased legs that were the perfect length. That’s the beauty of DIY - get the exact color and size YOU WANT. I chose round legs, but bracket screw-on type legs come in all types of styles. I am already planning my table for my back yard patio - it will have different legs.

Basic Carpentry Supplies

Drill - it’s easier to insert a screw if holes are pre-drilled (see below)

Sand Paper - you may need to do a bit of sanding

Screw Driver - power screw driver makes the job easier, but may take some practice

Brackets & Screws for table legs: these are inexpensive (under $10)

Exterior Paint & Primer

I am choosy about my paints. I used Benjamin Moore exterior paint. I love the stuff - easier to work with and takes less paint than other brands I have used. See my front door make-over project for information on that paint. I matched the table top to the door, and the legs to the house trim.

Quilter’s Square

Most carpenters use their own types of rulers and building squares. I admit - I have never seen a carpenter with a quilter’s square. I LOVE my quilter’s square, and would not do any sewing or carpentry without it. I even used it when helping my husband install the doors in our house. He was curious at first, but was pleasantly surprised to see what it could do for us. A ruler will work, but some type of square is easier for quickly checking accuracy.

SAFETY NOTICE

REMEMBER TO FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS listed on product labels. Work in a well ventilated area. Use a dust mask and eye protection for all cleaning and sanding. Use gloves when using cleaners such as TSP. We did not use that for this project, but I often use it to clean walls before painting.

INSTRUCTIONS

Clean The Wood

Clean and dry the piece of wood. I used a vacuum (with the brush attachment) to clean off dust. Gently wipe clean with a damp cloth. Sand any rough areas.

Choose Top & Bottom

Decide which side will be the top, and which side will be the bottom. You might find one side to be slightly nicer than the other. Perhaps the surface is better.

Apply Primer & Paint

Following directions on the can, apply the primer. I applied one coat. I waited 24 hours to allow it to thoroughly dry. Then I applied the paint. I applied 2 coats, allowing it to thoroughly dry between coats. You can sand with a fine grit sandpaper if needed between coats. My table would be outdoors and I didn’t feel I needed that step. It was beautiful with just the two coats of paint.

Mark The Hole Placement For The Bracket

Measure the distance away from the outer edge of the table top that you want your bracket to be installed. This is where my quilter’s square came in handy. I used 1/2”. In other words, the bracket was in the corner, 1/2” from each side of the corner. Using a marker, mark the table top at the location of the bracket holes. Repeat for all four corners. Double check your work!

Click any image below for a larger view.

Pre-drill The Holes

check drill size for DIY table — **CHECK DRILL SIZE!**

Once all screw holes are marked, you are ready to attach the brackets.
The first step is to pre-drill the holes.
**NOTE**: the pre-drilled hole must be SMALLER than the screw! Check this first. If the hole is too large, you will be in trouble. Drilling the hole is optional, but it will make inserting the screws much easier.

If you are new at this, I recommend practicing on a spare board. The holes need to be straight up (perpendicular to the table top). I practiced a bit to get the hang of it. Also, don’t go too deep! You only need to go in a little distance - just enough to start the screw. Don’t drill through your table top!

**Husband To The Rescue**

I was getting there, but my husband was faster, so finished the drilling and attaching of the brackets for me. You can do it! But you may need some practice first. I am not patient, so was thankful for his help.

Attach Brackets

Screw in the brackets, using a hand screw driver or a power screw driver. Screw in each screw only about half way. When all screws are in, tighten them down all the way.

Once the brackets are attached, you can screw on the table legs.

how to fix an uneven table leg — **Uh-Oh: Uneven Leg**

Ugghh! Now, I understood why my Norwegian grandfather always made his tables with 3 legs! I thought maybe that was a local custom. Now, I believe he just didn’t want to deal with this issue.
A shim was able to fit under one leg! The table teetered.
I thought about that when we made our Rustic End Tables. They have 3 legs.
My husband had just the right solution for this table.

Fixing Uneven Legs

He removed the short leg, and bracket that held it, and added washers under the bracket. It cannot be seen when the table is upright, and it perfectly handled the problem.