How to Create an Art Table From Everyday Things
Art is often about creative recycling. This kind of recycling is a great way to create things that have both an impressive form and quality function. Creating an attractive artist's work desk from recycled materials is an interesting way to develop a workspace, as well as make use of found objects.
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Things You'll Need
- 2 4x4x4 scrap pieces of lumber
- 16 1-gallon paint cans, filled with gravel or sand
- Circular saw
- Duct tape, any color
- Paint, various colors
- Paint brush
- Pencil
- Plexiglas, 4 feet x 3 feet
- Wood glue
- Wooden door, 8 feet x 3 feet
- Yardstick
Instructions
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Artistic Desk
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1
Use a yardstick to determine the exact measurements of an old wooden door. Divide that measurement in two and draw a straight line that divides the door into two equal pieces. Cut the wooden door in half using a circular saw. To create shelves, measure and cut one of the door halves precisely into two sections lengthwise.
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2
Select a fun design and paint the top side of the door half. Choose colors that coordinate well together and images that are similar for a cohesive look. Once painted, set the door aside so that it dries completely.
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3
Stack two of the one-gallon paint cans directly on top of each other. Duct-tape twice around the cans where they meet. Tape the area directly across the meeting point, as well as two inches above and below that line. Repeat this process to create two back-section table legs. The entire paint can may be taped or the paint cans may be left exposed, depending on your aesthetic taste.
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4
Assemble the table in the room where it will be used. Arrange the two duct-taped can legs so that they are directly three feet across from each other. Place one unpainted shelf on top of the two duct-taped table legs.
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5
Stack two more paint cans directly onto the door shelf, one on each side. Make sure that the paint cans rest directly over the bottom legs. Place the other shelf on top of the paint cans and add another paint can to each side.
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6
Tape four paint cans together so that the paint cans resemble the back table legs. Repeat the process so that there are two completed front table legs.
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7
Place the two 4x4x4 scrap pieces of lumber on top of the front paint-can legs. Lay the Plexiglas across all four paint cans. Determine if the table lays flat. If the table is not flat, measure the wood and trim the scrap pieces of lumber so that the table rests flat.
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8
Remove the Plexiglas and glue the wooden 4x4x4 lumber scraps onto the center of the front paint-can table legs. Lay the painted door across the table legs and place the Plexiglas on top of the painted door.
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1
Tips & Warnings
To make the desk permanent, use wood glue to glue the paint cans onto the shelf section of the desk.
Glue may also be added to the paint cans before stacking for extra stability.
