If you have trouble finding an accent table you like, if you can’t afford one, or if you simply enjoy making your own furnishings and accessories, try these ideas for constructing your own accent tables.
Spindle Table
Look for spindles from old stairway railings at salvage centers and antique stores, or purchase new ones from a home center. Pick up pre-cut wood rounds or squares while at the home improvement center or cut your own from furniture grade plywood.
Drill pilot holes for all screws in this project, and once screws are in place, cover with a bit of wood putty to hide them. If you prefer a more rustic look, skip the pilot holes and putty and just screw the pieces together, allowing the hardware to show.
Attach four spindles together in a square formation, using long wood screws. Next, screw wood cutouts to the top and bottom of the spindles. Sand and wipe the wood, and then paint, stain, or distress, as desired.
Industrial Look Table
For a less traditional look, here is a very simple design that you can make from plumbing parts and wood cutouts. Purchase cutouts, or cut a circle or square from plywood. Attach floor flanges to the bottom of the wood, three for a round tabletop, one in each corner for square. Screw a piece of threaded pipe into each flange (make sure you buy pipe that is threaded on both ends and is the proper size for the flange). Attach floor flanges to the bottom of each pipe.
Plumbing pipe is often treated to avoid rust. If the pipe feels greasy or appears dirty, wipe it down with mineral spirits before beginning your project.
Stain or paint the wood top as desired. Natural wood works great in industrial designs, so you may want to simply sand, wipe, and apply clear polyurethane.