TikTok Shows Us How To DIY A Stunning Herringbone Dining Room Table On A Budget
It's no secret that furniture is an expensive investment, and high prices can lead many to pick up the power tools to try to recreate more high-end pieces. Ashley Rae Jones, whose username is @ashley.rae.jones on TikTok, did just that after seeing the cost of herringbone dining tables online, opting to tackle the project herself. In the end, the table was made for less than $300 and looks like it came from a high-end furniture store.
Herringbone is a timeless and elegant pattern that can lean both traditional and contemporary. The pattern is characterized by the staggered zig-zag made from rectangular pieces. The end of one board meets the corner of another, and the V-shapes are stacked to tessellate the pattern. It's important to note the difference between herringbone and chevron, which has the ends of the rectangular pieces cut at 45-degree angles and creates more of a symmetrical zig-zag. For a herringbone table top, you only have to cut the boards to size, but it's important that the ends are straight in order to create the design properly.
DIY High-end
The material to recreate a project like this is pretty straightforward. The base of the tabletop is a sheet of plywood, which can cost as little as $26 for a 4-foot by 8-foot board from Lowe's. To create the herringbone pattern, Jones used 1-inch by 6-inch boards, which come in 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12-foot lengths, ranging in price from $8.76 to $20.20. These boards will have to be cut to your ideal size. Longer boards tend to look more elegant and show off the herringbone pattern best. Jones also used square planks for the table legs and 1-by-2 boards to frame the sides of the table.
To recreate the table from TikTok, first start by cutting the plywood to the desired table size. Jones added 2-by-4 planks to the underside for extra support. Flip the board over and place the 1-by-6 planks in a herringbone pattern. Fasten them to the plywood with nails or screws. With the herringbone pattern secure, use a circular saw to cut off the excess along the edge of the plywood. Attach the legs to the underside of the table. Jones used wood legs; however, you can also purchase metal table legs if you want a more contemporary look. Cut 1-by-2s to the length and width of the table and cut mitered edges to frame the table. Fill any cracks and seams with wood glue, sand down the table, and stain the wood. Then, enjoy your new custom table.