Make a Contemporary Coffee Table for Very Little Cost
I love finding DIY projects that cost very little to do and provide a piece of furniture that looks stunning in the home, like this contemporary coffee table.
11/04/2023
makajumy.de
I know that I have featured a project similar to this in the past but couldn't resist showing an alternative way of making this style of table using very affordable materials that you will find at any Builders store. The hardest part of this project is finding the cardboard core for the table, but you can always substitute this by using flat cardboard coiled into a circular shape and secured with duct tape.
makajumy.de
Apart from the cardboard tube and a small piece of timber or board for the top of the coffee table, you will need to purchase pine or meranti half-round strips that come in lengths of 2,4 metres up to 4.2 metres and cost around R59 each. If you make a coffee table that is 500mm in height, you will be able to cut 6 half-rounds from each 3 metre length, allowing you to calculate the diameter of the table you want to make and work out how many lengths of half-rounds you will need.
While purchasing the half-round strips at Builders, you can also arrange to have them cut to length if you don't have the tools to do this yourself at home. Having said that, you really only need a mitre box and saw to cut these thin strips.
YOU WILL NEED:
Material for the table top cut to the size required for the table and [4] supports
Cardboard tube or cardboard sheet rolled into a circular shape
Duct tape if using cardboard sheet
Craft knife or utility knife to cut cardboard sheet
PVA glue or Contact Adhesive
Jigsaw
120-grit sandpaper
Paint and tools to finish
Tape measure and pencil
HERE'S HOW:
Step 1
Cut the cardboard tube or sheet cardboard to the desired height of the coffee table. This can be anywhere between 400mm to 500mm in height to match the height of a sofa or chair arrangement. If you are using a cardboard sheet, fold this into a circular shape and secure with duct tape at the ends.
Step 2
If you haven't already had the half-round strips cut to length - to the height of the coffee table base - do this now.
Use 120-grit sandpaper to smooth the cut edges of the half-round strips before glueing this onto the cardboard tube.
Step 3
To secure the half-rounds onto the cardboard tube, I have found that using Contact Adhesive is the easiest solution since you don't have to wait for the glue to dry and can continue with the project. Apply contact adhesive over the back of a number of the half-rounds and on the cardboard tube. Note that it is better to do small areas at a time. The adhesive on the strips and cardboard should be dry to the touch before joining the two together. If you use PVA adhesive, you will need to carefully watch that the strips stay glued as you work around the shape.
Step 4
Cut out the circular shape for the top of the coffee table using your jigsaw. After cutting, sand the edge of the circular piece with 120-grit sandpaper. Put aside for now until the painting is finished.
Step 5
Paint the table top and base with your choice of paint. Chalk paint is ideal for this type of project and dries quickly. However, do apply several coats of topcoat or clear polyurethane sealer to protect the tabletop from damage.
Step 6
Glue the supports for the top so that they are affixed on the inside of the base and offer additional support to the top section, as shown below.
Finishing
Apply topcoat protection if you are using chalk paint or be sure to use a washable acrylic paint. If you opt for a flat or matt paint, DO apply several coats of clear polyurethane sealer to the top of the table.