Chippy + Peely: DIY Reclaimed Wood Side Table

Nothing beats the beautiful, craggily ap-peel of reclaimed wood. Give your home just what it needs with this DIY chippy-peely side table done right.

DIY Reclaimed End Table
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Reclaimed wood furniture pieces are a sure-fire way to add warmth and make your house feel like a home. Better yet, it doesn’t have to be a large piece like a dining table to bring that cozy effect. Something as simple as a DIY chippy-peely side table may be the perfect piece to bring in the warm rustic design you've been looking for.

Reclaimed Wood End table hero

End Table

Reclaimed Wood End table hero

Photo by: Kimberly Davis

Kimberly Davis

Materials Needed

  • (1) 1x2 x 10’ pine board
  • tape measure
  • pencil
  • chop saw (or miter saw)
  • nail gun + 1-1/2” nails
  • wood glue
  • reclaimed wood (we used (6) 3”x 17” pieces of chippy-peely tongue-and-groove wood)
  • (1) 17”x 17” piece of plywood
  • safety gear
  • sandpaper
  • wood stain (we used Minwax Simply White)
  • polyurethane
  • (2) small paint brushes
  • clean white cotton rags
  • (4) hairpin legs and corresponding screws
  • screw gun

Create Base

1. Start with a cut sheet of plywood to desired size for tabletop

End Table

1. Start with a cut sheet of plywood to desired size for tabletop

Photo by: Kimberly Davis

Kimberly Davis

Begin by cutting a piece of plywood to a 17x17-inch square. This will serve as the base for the table.

Measure and Mark

Before arranging, ensure that all chippy-peely wood being used has been checked for lead paint, and as a precaution, always use safety gear when sanding and cutting. Arrange reclaimed wood in the desired pattern. Measure and mark at 17 inches. Cut all of the chippy-peely wood as marked.

Glue and Tack

Using wood glue, attach all of the reclaimed wood pieces to your table base in the desired pattern. Tack down each piece with two nails to secure in place, and allow the glue to dry.

Apply Poly

7. Coat with Polycrilic

End Table

7. Coat with Polycrilic

Photo by: Kimberly Davis

Kimberly Davis

Wipe down your tabletop with a clean cloth, and apply a coat of polyurethane finish.

Cut Border Pieces

Next, we'll work on the 1x2 pine board. With the saw set to 45 degrees and the board on its side (with the shirt side facing up), cut four 19-inch segments for the table's border. The border will measure 19 inches on each outside edge and 17 inches on each inside edge.

Sand and Stain

Sand your 19-inch border pieces lightly, and wipe away dust with a clean cloth. Lightly coat each piece with your favorite stain. We chose Minwax Simply White. Allow to dry completely.

Attach Border

8. Nail gun edge pieces in place

End Table

8. Nail gun edge pieces in place

Photo by: Kimberly Davis

Kimberly Davis

Using the nail gun, attach the border pieces to the outside of your table. Create a skirt by leaving the frame flush with the tabletop and allowing it to hang below to cover the legs slightly.

Attach Legs

Flip the table upside down. Place the hairpin legs in the corners, pushing them up against the border for even spacing. Screw legs into the bottom of the table, flip back over, and enjoy!

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