The DIY Thin Entryway Table That Will Fit In Virtually Any Space

One thing that really makes an entryway is a table. It's a great centerpiece to draw the eye, and a handy spot to place items like keys and wallets. Additionally, using furniture is one of the best ways to fake the look of a formal entryway even if you don't have one. However, finding one that fits your hallway can be notoriously hard. Some are too long, or too wide, and can cause all sorts of issues. That's where a DIY thin entryway table that will fit in virtually any space comes in. 

The best part about creating your own table is that you can tailor it to your needs. Make it as long as you need, wider or thinner if you want, or even add a second shelf if you're feeling a little wild. The materials are rather simple, and are fairly cheap, depending on the wood you use. All you need is some lumber, screws or nails, wood glue, wood filler, a sanding block, and paint and/or stain. However, the tools can cost a pretty penny if you don't already have them around. You'll need a screw or nail gun, depending on which you want to use. A sander may also be a great option to have around for this project, unless you want to sand it all by hand. The most important, and the most expensive, part of this project is the miter saw, but it's a valuable tool to have for straight and even pieces.

Making this table is easy, and so is finding the parts. Unless you want a very specific or rare type of wood, you can find all the materials you need at home improvement stores like Lowes, Home Depot, Menards, and Ace. However, if you're looking for more consistent quality wood, and a better chance to pick out the materials you want while supporting local, you can check out nearby lumber yards as well. This is also a good way to get around having to purchase a miter saw, as sometimes they will go ahead and cut wood to the measurements you need.

Of course, these more common stores are also great places to buy your other materials, including nails, screws, and a sander. If you're still not feeling quite prepared to start your table just yet, the staff members are often willing to help answer any questions you have as well. Go and buy the materials you need, and take a look at the lumber available to see if there are any that catch your eye.

You may not be eager to buy those expensive tools, especially if you don't think you'll use them again anytime soon. In this case, the best option is to see if you can borrow one from a nearby tool lending library or perhaps even your own local library. This allows you to create the entryway table that you want, without spending money and wasting space in your home on something you may not ever use again.

As for the design, you have a few decisions here. You need to figure out what wood you want, paint, and potentially stain. The YouTuber above chose to go with a natural and black color scheme, but you are free to choose any mix of colors you want. For example, you can add a few shelves for shoes, which is a brilliant solution to make a small entryway feel bigger. Once you have all the tools you need, take your measurements carefully so you don't need to redo the work later.

There are many ways you can build a table, but the basics are that you create a few legs, and attach them to a plank that will become the base of the table. To attach the lumber together, it's best to use a mix of wood glue and screws or finish nails to ensure the pieces are held firmly together. While you can make a modern minimalist table with just a board and some glue, adding screws or nails makes the furniture more secure. To hide over the screw holes so it looks like one piece, you can consider purchasing or making wood plugs out of leftover scraps. If you are going to paint your table, you can also fill the hole with wood filler and sand it out so it doesn't look like there is a hole at all.