Build this Round Top DIY Pedestal Accent Table for about $50, in a weekend. Win!
So excited to finally be sharing my Round Top DIY Pedestal Accent Table with you guys today. I designed this table for my big Modern Farmhouse Living Room Makeover. But, I was so neck deep in DIY furniture and projects in there, that I haven’t had a chance to share this.
I love pedestal tables. But the design can get pretty complicated. I wanted this table to have a beautiful design, but still be quick and easy enough to build with just a Miter Saw. The best part is the material costs. You can build 2 of these for less than $100. I hope you love it as much as I do!
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Round Top Side Table – Materials Needed
Exact measurements needed are on the printable plans. Be sure to double-check everything, as you build. It’s always possible that I could have mis-typed something. Bloggers don’t have editors. 😉
- 1 – 18″ Unfinished Pine Round – I bought mine at Lowe’s
- About 20′ of 1×3 Select Pine (or similar)
- About 2′ Pine Cove Moulding
- About 2′ – 1/2″ x 3/4″ Pine Moulding
- About 2 1/2′ of 2×2 Select Pine (or similar)
Round Top Side Table – Tools Needed
- Kreg Jig, Screws and Drill
- Wood Glue
- Brad Nailer and Nails
- Miter Saw
- Sander and Sandpaper
DIY Pedestal Accent Table Plans – Build Steps
Bonus: Free Printable Plans for the Round Top DIY Pedestal Accent Table are available for download at the end of the tutorial. 🙂
Step One
We’ll start with the cross pieces for the base and table top. Cut the long 1×3’s. Glue and Nail 2 sets of 2 of them together. Make sure to line them up as perfectly as possible. It’ll be less sanding for you later.
2 or 3 nails along the top should be enough to hold the pieces tightly together while the glue dries. BUT, keep the nails 2″ away from each end so that they are kept away from the angle we’ll cut next.
Step Two
Turn the 2 new pieces on their side to make 45-degree Miter cuts on each end. When you make your cuts, face the nail holes towards you. That’ll put them on the unseen side of the DIY Pedestal Accent Table. 🙂
Step Three
Now, cut 8 1×3’s for the feet. Glue and Nail 4 sets of 2 of them together. Make sure to line them up as perfectly as possible. 2 nails along the top should be enough to hold the pieces tightly together while the glue dries. BUT, keep the nails 2″ away from one end so that they are kept away from the angle we’ll cut next.
Step Four
Shave a 90-degree cut off one end of each of the 4 blocks, to make sure it is a perfectly flush end. Then, turn it on it’s side, and cut a 45-degree angle on the other end of each block.
Step Five
Put a pocket hole in the bottom of each of the 4 blocks. Use that to glue and screw the short blocks to the middle of the long blocks, to form 2 X’s. To help you line things up evenly, mark the center of the long block on each side. Then mark the center of the short blocks, in front of the pocket holes.
Step Six
Now, we need to add the top level to the X’s. Cut the 1×3’s. Glue and nail them across the top of each X. Make sure it is centered on the X. I like to glue this top piece in the opposite direction of the original whole pieces.
Step Seven
Cut 4 more 1×3’s. Glue and nail them to complete the top of each X for your DIY Pedestal Accent Table.
Step Eight
We’ll add the Cove Molding to each X, next. Cut 8 – 2 1/2″ long pieces of Cove Molding. Glue and Nail them on to the 4 ends of the top of the X.
Step Nine
We can attach feet to one of the X’s now. Cut 4 – 1×3’s with 1 90-degree end and 1 45-degree end. Glue and nail them to the bottom of one of the X’s, with 1/2″ hanging off the outside edge.
Step Ten
Cut 3 – 1×3’s for the post, then glue and nail them together. Put 4 pocket holes on this post with your Kreg Jig, 2 on each end (on opposite sides). Glue and screw the post into the center of each X base. The post is 2 1/2″ x 2 1/4″, so it will line up perfectly with the 1×3 base on 2 sides, but will need to be centered on the other 2 sides.
Step Eleven
Cut 4 – 2×2’s. Then cut a 45-degree chunk out of the end of each one, BUT leave 1/2″ at a 90-degree (see photo below). Glue and nail these to the center of each side of the bottom of the post of the DIY Pedestal Accent Table.
Step Twelve
Cut 4 – 2 1/2″ long – 1/2″ x 3/4″ dowels and 4 – 3 1/4″ long – 1/2″ x 3/4″ dowels. Glue and nail 2 of each on top of those 2×2’s. You want the 3/4” side of the dowels attached to the post. The 3 1/4″ long pieces should be on the 2 1/4″ long post sides. Glue and nail the other 4 pieces 3 1/2″ above the first row.
Step Thirteen
Sand everything smooth, then fill in pocket holes, nail holes, cracks and gaps with wood filler. Let that dry, then sand everything smooth again. I used a medium grit first, then finished with a fine grit. I also like to knock down all sharp edges with a light sanding too. I think it gives furniture a nicer, more finished look. And by every sharp edge, I mean every edge, top, bottom, sides, feet, angles…all of them.
Step Fourteen
Since I wanted a painted base with a stained top. I finished the base and top completely before attaching them. So, you can stop here and apply whatever stain and/or paint you’d like before moving on. You can see the details about my finishing steps below.
I’ve also shared a link to a video showing you how I distressed and stained the top on my DIY Pedestal Accent Table.
Step Fifteen
When you’re ready to attach the top, just glue it on, make sure it’s centered. Use a nice layer of glue to get a strong bond. Then nail it in, through the top, in a 5 or 6 spots to get a tight bond. Angling the nails a little seems to get the tightest grip. Fill those holes with a matching wood putty and they’ll completely disappear.
Build Note: If this was a heavier table, I wouldn’t want to just rely on glue and nails for a top. But this DIY Pedestal Accent Table is pretty light and you’ve got a huge surface area covered in glue holding it together. So you can pick it up with the top and not worry about breaking the bond between the top and the base.
Round Top DIY Pedestal Accent Table Plans – Finishing Steps
You can stain, paint, or just poly this DIY Pedestal Accent Table to match your style. But, here’s how I finished mine.
I painted the base in a creamy, off white color called One Horn White. It’s part of JoAnna Gaines paint line with Kilz. You can get this shade at Target. I used Eggshell. I’ve used this paint line on a lot of walls and furniture lately, like this DIY Christmas Tree Box Stand. It dries fast and cures fast, like a chalk paint. And looks so pretty.
I always have to mix other latex paint into a chalk paint before using it on furniture, but not with this Magnolia Homes line with Kilz. I can paint it directly on furniture and still sand it and work with it like Chalk Paint.
Anyway, I painted the whole table white. Once dry, I sanded all of the edges lightly, back to wood. Then grabbed a cheap chip brush and lightly dry brushed on a color a few shades darker (Behr’s Sandstone Cove mixed into a Chalk Paint).
Dry brushing is just using the tiniest amount of paint, just on the tips of the brush. Then lightly swiping it across the surface to slowly put on the right amount of paint.
I followed that up with a very light dry brushing with the first color, to get a more layered, even look with the paint. Then I lightly sanded those edges again, with my little Gator Micro Zip hand sander. Clean away all the dust and apply 2 coats of a water-based poly. I used Varathane’s Polyurethane Clear Matte.
For the top, I made a short video on how I quickly added some character and distressing to the 18″ Round Top, I bought at Lowe’s. I finished it off with 2 coats of Watco Medium Walnut Danish Oil. And 4 coats of the Varathane. I like a lot of protective finish on table tops. 🙂
That’s it! You’re done. Enjoy you’re new DIY Pedestal Accent Table. 🙂 Be sure to follow Abbotts At Home on Instagram to see build tips and sneak peeks of new builds and room remodels.
Round Top DIY Pedestal Accent Table PlansHello, DIY friends! You can download the DIY Pedestal Accent Table plans here. These plans are currently free to email subscribers and for personal use only. They cannot be shared or sold without my permission. Please let me know if you have any questions and enjoy your build! 🙂
Looking for more DIY Furniture? Check out my DIY Modern Farmhouse Console Table.
And, this DIY Table Over Washer and Dryer is always popular.
If you need a great little desk for your elementary age kids. Check out this DIY Childrens Desk with Storage Drawers.
Or, have a look at my Build Plans Gallery to see everything.
Feeling inspired? Now you’re ready to build your own DIY Pedestal Accent Table. Let me know if you have questions. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.
Would really like to have one of this table beside my bed. I really loved the texture and the design. It makes any room elegant. I would definitely make this one for myself. The white bottom makes it look he perfect table beside any bed.
Thanks so much, Mariah!
Step 10 – what setting on the Kreg Jig and screw size. Thanks
Hi Laurie, I went with the setting and screws for 3/4″ thick wood. But you could technically do just about any size on this, because the base is so thick. But, the screws on this post are just a small part of holding this table together. So much glue goes on to each piece of that post that it’ll take an act of God to tear it apart. 😉 Let me know how it turns out or tag me on SM. I’d love to see how it looks with a different finish. 🙂
Stephanie Abbott
AbbottsAtHome.com
The table looks so good! Where did you get the chair at the top of the post? That’s my favorite style. We have similar ones, but not quite as nice as that one 🙂 I’ve added you to my reader, I love your style!
Hello Ani. What an awesome compliment. So glad you like my style. And, I hope this is good news…I just reupholstered that chair in that pretty blue velvet (bought at JoAnns). It’s a wing chair I’ve had for years. You can see the DIY Tips for that DIY here: https://abbottsathome.com/tutorials-to-upholster-a-wingback-chair/
This table is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing with us at TGHWG! Hope to see you again next week.
Thanks so much, Sheri!!
All creatures, great and small, love this table!
Thanks so much, Kim!
the accent table came out great! Looks store bought but amazing you put it together!
Thanks, Alice. Saying something I built looks store bought is an awesome compliment!