How to Make Your Own Wooden Table

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Building a piece of furniture can be intimidating, but you can make a beautiful wooden outdoor table for picnics with just a few supplies and steps. Have your local hardware store cut the wood for you into the lengths that you need, and you won't even need to touch a saw.

Simple farm style table
Image Credit: Wooden Table - Simple Stylings

Things You'll Need

  • 10-foot one-by-six common white boards cut in half, 3 (you will have one extra board to discard or reuse for another project)

  • 8-foot one-by-four common white board, 1, cut into three 25-inch pieces (discard or reuse the excess)

  • Hammer

  • Quarters or other objects for spacers (optional)

  • Wood glue

  • 28-inch wood table legs with pre-installed hanger bolts, 4

  • Measuring tape

  • Drill with a Philips-head screwdriver bit

  • 1 1/4-inch wood screws, 15

  • 4 straight top plates for table legs

  • Electric sander and 220-grit sandpaper or sanding block

  • Tack cloth

  • 2 sponge brushes

  • Rubber gloves

  • Wood stain

  • Water-based polyurethane

Tools and supplies
Image Credit: Wooden Table - Simple Stylings

Step 1: Assemble the Boards

After your boards are cut, lay out your 5-foot boards vertically and add your spacers between the boards if desired. Use your hammer to tap the ends of the boards lightly to align them so that they are flush. Place your 25-inch wide support boards horizontally across the tabletop boards, three inches from the ends of the vertical boards and approximately one inch from either side. Mark where the support board will go.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

Tip

Using spacers between the boards can add character to the table. Any thin object, such as quarters, will work. After the table top is assembled, use a flat-head screwdriver to knock out the spacers by gently tapping the end of the screwdriver with a hammer.

Measure and mark
Image Credit: Wooden Table - Simple Stylings

Step 2: Glue Supports

Add wood glue to one side of the first support board, flip it over and press gently onto the tabletop boards. Repeat with the other two support boards, one on the opposite end of the tabletop and the other in the middle.

Add glue
Image Credit: Wooden Table - Simple Stylings

Step 3: Attach Supports With Screws

Allow the glue to set for 10 minutes. Then screw five screws into the first support board, approximately 2 to 3 inches apart, avoiding the seams. Hold the base boards tight while drilling in the screws so the boards don't separate. Repeat this step with the other two support boards

Advertisement

Step 4: Add the Legs

Attach the four straight top plates for the table legs with the included screws to each end of the support boards, approximately 1 inch in from the edge on all three sides. Screw the legs into the straight top plates.

Attach straight top plates.
Image Credit: Wooden Table - Simple Stylings

Step 5: Finish It Off

After removing spacers, lightly sand the table with sandpaper and an electric sander or a sanding block. Wipe off dust with a dry cloth.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Lightly sand.
Image Credit: Wooden table - Simple Stylings

Step 6: Stain the Table

Apply a generous coat of wood stain to the table base and legs using a medium-sized sponge brush. This project uses the color English Chestnut.

Advertisement

Warning

Apply stain and polyurethane in a well-ventilated area such as outside or an open garage. Avoid skin contact and use a face mask.

Step 7: Apply Poly

Allow the stain to dry overnight, and then apply one coat of water-based polyurethane with the second sponge brush.

With only one coat of stain and polyurethane you can achieve a beautiful wood finish.
Image Credit: Wooden Table - Simple Stylings

Tip

If your table will stay outdoors permanently you can add two more coats of polyurethane for protection, lightly sanding between each coat, or opt for an exterior-grade polyurethane.

Put It to Use

The other beauty of this table is that it's lightweight and easily portable. Instead of the run-of-the-mill folding table, you can wow your guests or attendees with a gorgeous homemade farmhouse-style table at your next soiree.

Advertisement

Add character to your front porch or deck.
Image Credit: Wooden Table - Simple Stylings

Advertisement

Video of the Day