DIY A Folding Table That Looks Shockingly Chic

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A wood folding table is a versatile furnishing that you'll definitely want to have on hand if you're hoping to spend more time in your backyard this summer. Thanks to its sturdy construction, you can use it as a dining table, so that you and your family can enjoy a meal together in the garden. Alternatively, you can set it up in your greenhouse as a base for your plants. It's also perfect for parties since it can easily serve as either a buffet or a bar. But what you're probably not thinking about when it comes to folding tables is the way that they look. Usually, they're quite plain, and the focus is more on their practical value. However, if you DIY your own formal wooden folding table, you might end up with a shockingly chic addition to maximize your outdoor living space décor

Building a folding table is a stunningly simple project once you've prepared all the materials. For the tabletop, all you'll need are some evenly-cut plywood boards. For the frame underneath, and for the legs, you should get 2x4s instead. You'll also need some fast-drying exterior paint with a satin finish, such as this Glidden Porch & Floor White Satin Paint, in order to make the fixture look elegant. Folding leg brackets, wood glue, wood screws, and your drill will all come in handy during assembly as well. The completed project should pair well with all sorts of trendy ideas for designing your perfect patio.

To get started, cut your tabletop boards to your desired length, and sand down their edges with an orbital sander. Once that's done, take some of your 2x4s and dry fit them together into a box frame that will hold the tabletop together on its bottom side. The frame doesn't have to align perfectly with the edges of the tabletop; it can stop about half an inch short. However, the frame's width should account for any spaces you're planning to leave between the boards. The frame should also have a supporting crossbar in the middle that bridges the gap between its two longer sides. Once you're confident about the lengths of the 2x4s you're using for the frame, drill pilot holes for your wood screws at each joint. Then, paint the 2x4s and the tabletop boards. Now fit together the frame once again, but with wood glue and screws.

Next, attach the tabletop boards to the top of your frame with more screws, on both the far ends of the fixture and in the middle where the crossbar is. Use a thin leftover plank of wood or some plastic shims to create small, even gaps between the boards during assembly. Now it's time to turn your attention toward the table's legs. First, cut them to your preferred height and paint them. Then, attach them to your table, on the inside corners of its frame, via your folding leg brackets.

Building your table successfully hinges, quite literally, on your folding leg brackets. These hardware pieces should be made from a sturdy metal, such as steel, and have a self-locking mechanism that activates when you open them. TopDirect Foldable Self Lock Table Hinges, for example, should work perfectly for this project. Regardless of which hinges you pick, make sure to familiarize yourself with their weight capacity, so that you don't accidentally overload your table. During installation, you should also make sure that the top plates of your brackets, when they're unfolded, run perfectly parallel with the tops of your table legs. This helps guarantee that the legs will unfold correctly.

Another key to building a neat-looking folding table is painting it correctly. Remember to sand down any rough edges and clean the wood before you begin. During application, opt for multiple light coats instead of a single heavy one. If you'd prefer not to paint your table, and like the look of natural wood, try using a penetrating oil finish on it instead. This product will soak directly into the wood to protect it from UV rays and moisture. If you want to avoid using oil, or give the wood a richer color, you could opt for varnish instead, which has similar protective benefits. As long as you watch out for common outdoor furniture cleaning mistakes, your table's finish will protect it from wear and tear for years to come.