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DIY· giveaway· home decor· Paint

DIY Industrial Coffee Table

May 13, 2014

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Industrial Coffee Table DIY

Industrial style is so big right now and I have to say that I’m a fan as well.  But there’s one little problem…I’m not much of a welder and can’t afford the $$$ industrial home decor pieces.  So I have to think outside the box.  I knew I wanted a simple industrial style coffee table, but I didn’t want to buy a cheaper one online and risk the quality factor and I couldn’t afford the Restoration Hardware ones.  So I looked online for awhile and found this inspiration piece–she made her table out of wood and painted the base to look like metal!  Hers turned out so well, I decided to make a DIY industrial coffee table.  I needed to make mine smaller than she did, so I came up with my own plans.

cheap diy industrial table

This was kind of a trial and error build…I wish I was awesome enough to just whip up some plans and have them perfect from the start.  But I’m still relatively new to furniture building.  So learn from my mistakes because after much trial and error, I think I got it right.  Although if I were to do it again, I would make a few slight changes–and the cut list below includes the changes!

And PS this was extremely inexpensive to build!  I think all the supplies cost me less than $20 because I had several things on hand.

SUPPLIES:

  • 4 2x2x8–these are like $2 each at Home Depot.  I found them in the stud lumber section and I had to root through quite a bit.
  • 1 1x8x8
  • 2.5″ pocket screws
  • 2″ wood screws
  • Wood Glue
  • Kreg Jig
  • Drill
  • Minwax Weathered Oak Stain
  • Wipe-on Poly

Cut List:

  •  4 2×2:  47.5″
  • 6 2×2:  15.5″
  • Vertical legs:  6 2×2:  10.75″
  • 1 1×8 cut in half (approx 47.5 inches)

First you will build the frame of the base by using a Kreg Jig to drill pocket holes in the end of each 10″ 2×2 and screw them into the 4′ 2×2 piece.

DIY Industrial coffee table_2

Make the letter E with your wood and then attach the top.  Make sure to use wood glue on each joint also for extra strength.  Once the two frames have set, connect them with six 2×2’s using pocket holes.  As always, use the wood glue again on the joints and wipe away any excess that seeps out.

DIY Industrial coffee table_1

*Here’s the tricky part:  When drilling pocket hole screws, you will have a long attachment that fits onto your drill.  This is bulky and long and doesn’t fit well into tight spots.  For this you can try a right angle drill (which I don’t have but wish I did!) or a right angle rachet driver.  There should be an attachment on the rachet that will fit the Kreg driver bit.  Screw it until it’s tight!

DIY Industrial coffee table

Once you have the frame, use wood putty on the joints, pocket holes, and knots in the wood to get as smooth a surface as you can.  I probably should have used more wood putty–especially on the joints.  Because once they are painted, the extra bumps from the putty on the joints imitates welded metal joints.

{{Things I would have done differently:  I would have made my frame to match the size of the table top.  This didn’t happen because I originally built the entire frame nearly twice as large.  Once I sat the table frame next to the couch, it looked silly–way too big.  I debated whether or not to deconstruct the table or leave it, and I’m glad I deconstructed it.  I ended up turning the frame on its side and used the sides as the top and bottom.  It wasn’t hard to change but it meant my table top didn’t fit flush to the frame like the true industrial style does.  The measurements I included at the top of this post are slightly altered to reflect these changes!  }}

Give the whole frame a good sanding so it’s as smooth as can be.

Now you are ready to paint!

To achieve the metal look, I used a combination of two metallic paints by Modern Masters.  They sent me Antique Bronze and Black Pearl to try out in combination.  First I gave the base a good coat of the Antique Bronze.  This paint is awesome–so thick and rich and goes on like buttah.  And I thought I used a lot but I still have a TON left.  I let it dry overnight.  Please, enjoy this picture of my kids chalk artwork.

modern masters antique bronze paint

After that coat, I painted over it with the black.  I didn’t use as much paint and only did one coat so some of the bronze shows through.  It gives the illusion of depth, age, patina.  I thought about sanding it to see if that would burnish it a bit more, but I think it just dulls the finish.  So it really was just as simple as that–a good solid coat of Antique Bronze followed by a thin coat of Black Pearl.  And I got the look I like!

painting wood faux metal

To do the top, I stained the 1×8 boards in Minwax weathered oak after some serious distressing.  I used regular 2″ screws to screw up from the bottom side of the top of the base in several places.  I finished the whole thing with some Wipe-on Poly.

diy coffee table

 

Do you want to try out the Modern Masters paint yourself?  Please visit their site and check out all their amazing options.

Then enter to win ONE of the following (winner’s choice!)

(Contest open to US residents only)

  • Metallic Paint Collection or Matte Metallics
    One Quart and One 6 oz. container – your choice of color OR
    Four 6 oz. containers – your choice of color
  • Metal Effects
    One Pint Primer
    One Pint Reactive Paint – your choice of color
    One 4 oz. Solution or Rust Activator
    One Spritzer Cap
    One Pint of Permacoat Xtreme [Rust Only]
  • Front Door Paint
    One Quart – any color

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with paint from Modern Masters for this project.  All opinions are my own.

Linked up with Katherine’s Corner, Saving 4 Six, Tidy Mom and The Pin Junkie.

 

Filed Under: DIY, giveaway, home decor, Paint 35 Comments

Comments

  1. alexis says

    May 13, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    I’d like to try some of the metallic paints.

    Reply
  2. amy says

    May 13, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    I think the metallic paints would be fun.

    Reply
  3. latanya says

    May 13, 2014 at 3:09 pm

    I like the Matte Metallic Paints

    Reply
  4. nancy says

    May 13, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    The metalics look awesome, I especially like the blackened bronze.

    Reply
  5. cassidy hansen says

    May 13, 2014 at 4:46 pm

    you couldn’t go wrong, but I like the Metallic Paints best!!

    Reply
  6. Linsey says

    May 13, 2014 at 8:48 pm

    Your industrial table looks great!

    Reply
  7. Linsey says

    May 13, 2014 at 8:52 pm

    Your industrial table looks great! The metall

    Reply
    • Linsey says

      May 13, 2014 at 8:53 pm

      The metallic plaster looks really cool

      Reply
  8. Kelly D says

    May 13, 2014 at 10:46 pm

    I would like to try the Hopeful Shade of the Front Door paint.

    Reply
  9. Laura says

    May 14, 2014 at 12:36 am

    I would LOVE to try this whole project. I could think of soooo many items I would like to look like metal!

    Reply
    • Heidi @ Honeybear Lane says

      May 21, 2014 at 4:16 am

      I know and the Modern Masters metallic paint is amazing.

      Reply
  10. Jessica says

    May 14, 2014 at 2:36 am

    The metallic paints look amazing but I’m also intrigued by the front door paints..my door is in need of a face lift!

    Reply
  11. Stteph @ Crafting in the Rain says

    May 14, 2014 at 4:02 am

    I want to try the front door paint because ours is boring white!

    Reply
  12. Diana says

    May 14, 2014 at 10:21 am

    Heidi you did a great job I love this. I really like the matte metallic paints best.

    Reply
  13. Jessica w says

    May 14, 2014 at 2:16 pm

    I would love to try the their matte metallics line

    Reply
  14. Sue says

    May 14, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    Wow! I’m really impressed! You might consider yourself a newbie to furniture making but it looks pretty cool to me. I also can’t believe you can plan it on paper and execute it like that. I’ve seen some real life people I know “attempt” to make stuff from their head before. It didn’t look this professional. You’re talented! 🙂

    Reply
  15. Jenna says

    May 14, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    I would love to try the reactive paints!!

    Reply
  16. Rebecca Parsons says

    May 16, 2014 at 5:01 am

    I would love to try the Front Door Paint.

    Reply
  17. Terry Spears says

    May 17, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    I love love this table!!! I’m adding it to my short list of projects this month!!

    Reply
    • Heidi @ Honeybear Lane says

      May 21, 2014 at 4:14 am

      Thanks! Good luck to you!

      Reply
  18. Kathie Craig says

    May 18, 2014 at 5:06 am

    I would love to try the Pewter Matte Metallic Pre-Mixed Water Base Colors.

    Reply
  19. Anita Mitchell says

    May 19, 2014 at 1:09 am

    The paints,metallics look cool.

    Reply
  20. Karrie Millheim says

    May 19, 2014 at 1:11 am

    I would love the front door paint

    Reply
  21. Margaret Maggie Porter says

    May 19, 2014 at 1:27 am

    I would love to try the metallic paints

    Reply
  22. Shannon says

    May 19, 2014 at 1:20 pm

    We totally need to repaint our front door, that’d be perfect!

    Reply
  23. angela higdon says

    May 19, 2014 at 9:27 pm

    I would love to try some front door paint! My front door needs it!

    Reply
  24. liz l says

    May 19, 2014 at 11:10 pm

    Front door is cool

    Reply
  25. Dwight says

    October 28, 2014 at 12:56 am

    Hi can you provide the final Length x Width x Height measurements of this coffee table? It looks awesome.
    Thanks

    Reply
  26. Bacheloronabudget says

    November 13, 2014 at 5:23 pm

    So glad I found your article – had my eye on this type of coffee table for a while. I made my own you can see it here:
    http://bacheloronabudget.com/diy-coffee-table-modern-reclaimed-wood-look/

    Reply
    • Heidi @ Honeybear Lane says

      November 15, 2014 at 8:24 pm

      That looks awesome! Great job and thanks for linking back!

      Reply

Trackbacks

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    August 9, 2014 at 5:05 am

    […] DIY Industrial Coffee Table  by Honey Bear Lane […]

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  2. Budget Friendly DIY Furniture For Your Basement - Cool Basement says:
    August 9, 2014 at 5:06 am

    […] DIY Industrial Coffee Table  by Honey Bear Lane […]

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    […] With industrial pieces on the rise, everyone is pulled to adding one to their decor. But, since the pricing for these is so high, that it mostly stays like a dream. However, with honeybearlane plans, you can DIY yourself a cool industrial coffee table. honeybearlane […]

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Hey there--I'm Heidi! I teach women how to decorate, DIY, and design so that they can love the home they live in.

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