Create A Modern Chunky Table Using PVC Pipe And Plywood With A Clever, Affordable DIY

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There's value in embracing fresh perspectives. They often lead to discoveries and new experiences. If you apply this practice of looking at things from a different viewpoint to your DIY projects, it can prompt you to use ordinary materials in unexpected ways. When you open your mind to new possibilities, you can create custom pieces of furniture that are stylish, functional, and, perhaps best of all, affordable. In fact, you can make a modern chunky dining table by simply attaching four lengths of spray-painted PVC pipe to the underside of a plywood tabletop. If you're wondering whether it's worth it to build your own furniture, this easy idea is a great place to start. And you have a guide to follow, with crafty TikToker @blondesigns sharing part one and part two tutorials.

You'll need a 10-foot piece of 4-inch PVC pipe cut into four equal lengths, matching 4-inch end caps, and four toilet flanges. You can have the pipe cut at the hardware store you buy it from or trim it to size yourself using a hand saw or an electric miter saw. Get some spray paint (@blondesigns used Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover Spray Paint in Gloss Berry Pink) and some screws. Get, too, a sheet of oak plywood and a roll of edge banding in the correct width. Expect to pay less than $150 for all of these materials, not including your choice of wood stain or sealer. Toolwise, you'll need some steel wool and sandpaper or sanding blocks (or for a faster job, a handheld orbital sander), a jigsaw, an iron, an electric drill, and a paintbrush or two.

Head outside wearing protective gear — goggles, gloves, and a respirator — to sand the lengths of PVC pipe. Then wipe them down with some acetone to remove any dust. Spray-paint them with at least two coats of your preferred hue. While the paint on the pipe is drying, turn your attention to the plywood tabletop. Trace the shape you would like onto construction paper and, once you're satisfied with the look and size, transfer it onto the wood. Cut the shape out with your jigsaw. Sand the plywood until smooth and finish it with your choice of stain or sealer. Once the finish has dried to the touch, apply a slightly longer-than-needed strip of edge banding all the way around the tabletop. Use a hot iron with the steam setting turned off.

Now, you're ready to put your dream dining table that doesn't cost a fortune together. Fit the toilet flanges over one end of the PVC pipes and screw them in place using an electric drill. Once they're secured, spray paint them the same color as the legs. Flip the tabletop upside down on a flat surface, measure the leg placement on the underside of the tabletop, and screw them into place using the built-in screw holes in the flanges. Fit the end caps to the open ends of the pipe table legs for a clean look. You may have to shave the neck of the end caps down a little to make them fit. Flip the table over and test its stability. Add more screws to the legs and make sure the end caps are flat if there's any wobble.

If you're struggling to find end caps that fit your pipes, other options include 4-inch test caps, which cost less than a dollar each at Home Depot, or a 4-Inch PVC Pipe Coupling Adapter. If you don't want to use screws to attach the toilet flanges, you could attach the legs to the tabletop using adhesive. One big mistake everyone makes when gluing PVC pipe is not getting the right product. A heavy-duty contact cement will glue PVC to wood with no need for clamping. If you find 4-inch PVC pipe a little too chunky, use a smaller-diameter pipe. Bonus: It should cost less. Just make sure you don't go too thin or you may compromise stability.

PVC pipe is highly paintable, making it easy to match this chunky table to your existing home aesthetic. With all of the different colors and types of spray paint available, why not get really creative? Mossy greens and deep blues are trending in dining table design. There are also a lot of options for coloring and sealing wood, with the cost varying depending on brand and product. Tired of all the grays or beige everywhere right now? Consider a natural mid-range or even dark stain, both of which are wood finish trends that have started popping up everywhere. To further customize your design, experiment with different types of tabletops. That could mean upcycling the top of a vintage table or buying a ready-made product, like this raw-edged vidaXL Rectangular Solid Acacia Wood Tabletop.