DIY Farmhouse Table

This project has been one I have been itching to do for so SO long.  Until this house, I have never had a "formal" dining room OR a dining room big enough for a table this size. The moment our offer was accepted on this home, I knew exactly what was going to fill that room. But first, I had to paint it, and we had to replace the floor. (there was carpet in there, I did not want carpet in my dining room). So we put ourselves to work.

The week before Easter the table still wasn't done, which was beginning to panic me a little. I was hosting Easter dinner. For the first time EVER. Without this table being built, all I had was a small, square, 4 person table in our breakfast nook. My husband sensed my anxiety and panic and he set to work each night after the girls would go to sleep.

We originally wanted to use the plans from decorandthedog.net, you can see the plans here. However, it wasn't quite as large as I was hoping for, and the legs were WAY more expensive than I wanted to spend. We ended up spending less that $150 total for the entire table, including the stain, instead of spending $77-$115+ PER LEG.

These are our adapted plans for the table, a little larger table and a substantially cheaper option.

Material List
**Everything except the legs were purchased at Home Depot.

4 Table legs (We used these from Lowes, we did have to cut the bottom 4-5” off because the table was too high, but it was a substantially cheaper option at just $25 per leg, literally a fraction of the cost.)

3 - 1"x4"x8'

3 - 2"x4"x8'

5 - 2"x8"x8' (Their plans originally called for 1”x7”x8” but we wanted a thicker table top.)

Clamps

Wood Glue

1 1/4 - inch pocket hole screws

1 5/8" Brad nails (if using ship lap barn boards)

Cut List

- 1"x4" (Apron boards)

- 2 @ 30.25"

- 2 @ 82"

- 2"x4"

- 5 @ 38"

Instructions

Attach the 1"x4"s to the legs using pocket hole screws and wood glue, offsetting 3/8" back from the front/sides of the leg tops. 

Assembling the table is easiest done on the floor or work bench if you have one large enough (we used our garage)  it is easiest to assemble it upside down.  Starting from the leg, mark 10.5", 25.5", 40.5", 55.5" and 70.5" on the long 1"x4". Using these marks, attach the 2"x4"s to the 1"x4".

On the first board you are attaching the tabletop, determine the top of the board and then flip it over.  Mark the board using the drawing below.  You need a mark 2" from the end and 1" from the side.  Flip board back over and place it on top of the table matching up the marks with the top corner of the table legs. We used screws to just screw the top of the table on, the original plans said to use a brad nailer, it really is up to you. 

Sand down the top of your table until it is a nice and smooth surface. Once this was done, we (called a friend, because I’m a weakling) moved the table into the dining room and placed it on some drop cloths. We decided to paint it IN the dining room to save the table from being dented or scratched during moving it that might remove paint or stain. 

We used Benjamin Moore Advance in Pure White for the base/legs and then we used Midwax PolyShades in Espresso for the top. We actually ended up only doing one coat on the top because the color was exactly what we wanted after that, and we didn't want to risk it getting too dark. 

It took about 3 nights (working on it after the kids went to sleep) to cut/assemble/paint the table. Some of this was because we would realize we didn’t have enough screws or something, and stores were closed. 

I am in LOVE with my new farmhouse table, and the possibilities for decorating are endless. I have included a few pictures of the table decorated for Easter dinner, and I am just itching to be able to decorate it for Thanksgiving and CHRISTMAS. Sorry, got a little excited there. 

Above everything, I would just say, DON’T be afraid of this project. I am probably in the minority here, but home projects do not scare me. However, this one in particular was not difficult, and it is so fun being able to showcase a custom piece of furniture in our home that we will love and cherish forever. In fact, for our anniversary this year, my husband is getting a piece of wood for the table engraved with our name and anniversary on it.

The dinner table is so much more than just a place to stuff your face. It is where the family comes together, memories are made, stories are shared, and love is the main course. This custom made, with love, table is the perfect addition.

Also the chairs I purchased at Wayfair on Black Friday sales for 50% off. They no longer have these chairs, but they have some pretty similar here. 

I wish you all the luck, and as always, please do not hesitate to ask me questions. XOXO,