There’s no place like home for the holidays. As you freshen up rooms and outdoor spaces for parties and guests, it can be tempting to splurge on furniture showpieces. But big-ticket items can sap your budget, and result in the same store-bought look as your neighbors.
Instead, recreate your favorite items for less, and fill your home with pieces you can be proud of. Wood and finishing costs will vary with your design vision, but typically the DIY route is more affordable—and much more rewarding. Stretch your dollars and creativity with some fun DIY ideas for the new year.
Living Room: Hairpin Legs Coffee Table & Side Tables
Classic DIY hairpin legs tables pair perfectly with a mix of living room furniture and fabrics. Side table by J&J Decor, coffee table by Yellow Brick Home.
The living room is usually one of the largest rooms in the house, and therefore one of the most expensive to furnish. West Elm offers a Hairpin Brass Plated Coffee Table and two Brass Hairpin Side Tables for over $1,200. They’re beautiful with brass, but may not be within your budget. If you’re looking to build your own, we recommend our two-rod 3/8" legs: four 16" legs for the coffee table and two sets of four 20" legs (eight legs total) for the two side tables.
Office or Playroom: Hairpin Legs Desk or Study Table
Kids and adults can both spread out and get things done on this large functional DIY work table.
If you’re planning a new venture for the new year, work from home, or just want a large, flat surface for play or homework, a hairpin legs desk is a stylish, sturdy solution. World Market carries a Wood and Black Metal Flynn Hairpin Desk for $349.99. You can create your own modern hairpin desk for $100 – $125, depending upon what supplies you already have. We’ve outlined all the supplies and steps in our tutorial.
Dining Room: Hairpin Legs Dining Table & Bench
Feast your eyes on this amazing DIY table and bench by Katherine Hyman (via Grace + James Designs)
If you’re in the market for a dining table, hairpin legs are one of the easiest ways to create a versatile mid-century marvel. Houzz offers an Urban Reclaimed Wood Dining Table for $2,799, or you can create your own to match your exact specs and style preferences. Just snag a set of four 1/2" 16" legs for the bench, and four 1/2" 28" legs for the table.
Have you created a custom piece of furniture that you modeled off of a retail item? Share it with us—we’d love to see it and hear how you made it your own.