8 easy steps how to make a concrete side table
I had these hairpin legs around my house for quite some time now, because I wanted to make another bench. But then I started working with concrete and sooner or later I got this idea about adding a concrete side table with hairpin legs to the hairpin legs bench.
Here is a picture of the bench in case you don’t know what I am talking about.
And because I am definitely not a procrastinator I started straight away experimenting with concrete and my hairpin legs. I made one test run to see how hard it is to work with concrete and also to test the procedure I was thinking about.
Actually, it is a pretty easy procedure and therefore I wrote these
8 easy steps how to make a concrete side table
Follow my 8 easy steps how to make a concrete side table right here:
What do you need to make a concrete side table:
- Portland cement
- bucket as a mould
- hairpin legs or wooden legs
- bucket to mix the concrete in
- a shovel or stick to stir the mix
- sand paper
- top coat or paint if you want to paint
- a tarp to cover your working space
- gloves and eye protection
Now start with 8 easy steps how to make a concrete side table
I even made a video on how to make this table because it is just something so cool. So please watch the video and then get started.
How do you start? Well, you need to get all of the above-mentioned material. If you don’t want to paint the side table, then no paint is required.
The bucket is used as a form, so check if the inside bottom of the bucket is nice and straight. That is the most important step because you want to have an even table. I didn’t use a bucket for the side table, I used a wider plastic container.
If you want to make a small side table or stool, you should get a straight bucket.
It is easier to clamp the legs onto a straight bucket. You get clamps at Walmart for about 80 cents and they help to keep the legs straight.
Let’s start with step number 1:
Step 1:
Mark your bucket where to position the legs. Are you considering 3 or 4 legs? Make sure you put your check marks at the rim of the bucket. You need to see them after you poured the concrete.
Step 2:
Mix the concrete with water. I made two batches that are easier to stir and handle. Because the concrete can get pretty heavy and you don’t want to hurt your back (like I did).
Add your first batch of concrete mix into the bucket and shake it to eliminate any air bubbles.
Step 3:
Smooth the surface with the shovel.
Step 4:
Insert the legs at the checkmarks. If you use a straight bucket, you can clamp the legs onto the bucket so they stay in the right position and can’t move. With this bucket, clamping the legs onto the bucket wasn’t possible.
Step 5:
Add another batch of concrete mix and shake it carefully again to eliminate any air bubbles.
Step 6:
Make sure the legs are straight and in the right position. Because I could not clamp the legs onto the bucket, I put a lid on top hoping they would not move. It worked well.
Make sure you give it enough time to dry
Step 8:
Keep the bucket in a shady and dry spot under a cover or in the garage and let dry for at least 24 hours.
Wait at least 24 to 36 hours. The concrete has to be completely dry. Carefully turn the bucket onto the legs and remove the bucket. If it sticks a little, just wiggle and shake it a little bit. The bucket normally comes off pretty smoothly without any problems.
Read on, I have more to show you.
I made this short video so you can see all the steps we did again:
Watch the short video of the making:
There are many options to add a finish to this side table.
It really depends on your style. I like this concrete side table natural, reduced, this is why I am only going to put a top seal on it. Nothing more.
I sanded a little bit on the sides and the underside of the concrete. It was already pretty smooth because I tried to do a good job before I set it aside to let dry.
If you paint use good paint like Sherwin Williams and then apply the Top Coat over it for protection.
If you can’t make up your mind what to do, make more stools and tables and you can experiment with paint.
And here is the result of my hairpin leg side table. I love it.
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Add some last touches
Sand the edges off and check with your fingers if the tabletop needs a little sanding also. I just sanded over the edges and the small cracks and I was done.
I don’t like it to look perfect and this is why I am not sanding it a whole lot.
For the protection of the concrete surface, I applied Top Coat from General Finishes twice. This is absolutely your choice if you want to do this or not but it protects the concrete from stains.
If you like it colorful, you can paint it. If you like it a little boho eclectic you can put a stencil on top of the table. I used Sherwin Williams paint on my test tabletop and it held up pretty good.
If you paint, use good paint and then add the Top Seal over it for protection.
I can’t normally make up my mind what to do, therefore I make more stools and tables and experiment with paint and stencils.
If you like it natural but want some kind of protection, apply Top Coat (affiliate link is included in this post), which I have added to most of my projects and always worked out well.
How to make a Stool or Side table with wooden legs
And of course, I didn’t stop here because I wanted to try another little table with wooden legs and I wanted to paint it too. Here it is.
Isn’t it cute? I am going to paint the legs and I just love it.
Now, this little table is cheaper than the hairpin legs table, because the legs are cheaper. I bought 2 round wood pieces at Lowes for altogether 9 $.
The little stool has a total height of about 19 inches, so I decided on a height of 17 inches for the legs. This was an easy saw job. Or if you don’t want to do that you can actually order the legs pretty cheap from Amazon:
For this table, I used a different mold bucket. But the procedure is the same as with the side table.
Don’t forget to mark the position of the legs
I just marked the 4 legs (I only used 3 hairpin legs) added the concrete mix, use 2 batches, and let it dry for 24 hours.
Make sure that the wooden legs are NOT all the way down at the bottom of the bucket, otherwise you can see them afterward.
After 24 hours I turned the bucket carefully around and let it sit for an hour. After this rest, the bucket came off pretty easily and looked nice and smooth. Although one leg is not completely straight the table stands pretty solid.
Then I sanded off the little cracks and smoothened the rim, which took me about 5 minutes because it looked pretty good already.
I checked through my sample paints and found some pretty pastels and this is how I painted the legs of the little stool. Don’t you think its cute?
Here are some more examples of how you can paint the stools or tables:
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Summary of 8 steps how to make a concrete side table
It was fun, especially because I had my friends Corinna and Jackie over to make this project together. It is an easy project and making a couple of these cute stools is absolutely worth the time.
And actually think Christmas presents or birthday presents for somebody who has everything already. Make little tables or stools, get creative and paint them or personalize them, it is fun, not expensive, and doesn’t take a lot of time.
And while you are working with concrete, make these cute little concrete pumpkins just perfect for Thanksgiving and Halloween. https://colorfuldesigner.com/how-to-make-cement-pumpkins-diy-fall-decoration/
Just let it dry for at least 24 hours before you give it the last coat.
Send me some pictures of what you have made, I would love to see it.
See you next week,
Conny xoxo
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