How to make an easy hairpin leg coffee table

The thought of making your own furniture may seem a bit daunting, but it’s surprisingly simple. This guide is here to walk you through how easy it is to make an impressive, mid-century modern-style hairpin leg table.

To make your table, all you need is:

Your chosen table top
Wood sealant – such as oil, wax, varnish, or paint
An old rag or paintbrush
Hairpin legs
Wood screws (Included with all The Hairpin Leg Co. legs)
A pencil
A drill
A screwdriver

CHOOSE YOUR TABLE TOP

You can use hairpin legs to make unique furniture from pretty much anything – from wood, to marble, to concrete. Even an old suitcase can be transformed into a standout surface.

This table was made with a live-edge slab. You can pick up reasonably-priced wood from a timber supplier, such as Timberyard.

PREPARE YOUR TABLE TOP

This depends what you’re using for your table top. Natural wood slabs sometimes require a little bit of cleaning and sanding, for which you can use a hand block or electric sander.

Man-made boards and reclaimed wood require less prep. They may need cutting to size and sanding to ensure they’re nice and smooth.

PRESERVE THE WOOD

If you’re using a wood top, it’s important to use a wood sealant to protect it from cracking, water damage and coffee spills.

We’d recommend natural oil. Danish oil is a great option, as it’s water-resistant and food-safe.

Paint also acts as a wood preserve, and can work well if you’re using pallet wood.

Use an old rag or paintbrush to apply the sealant. Cover the entire surface of the wood, including the edges, and apply a second coat for extra protection.

CHOOSE YOUR HAIRPIN LEGS

There are three things to consider when you choose your hairpin legs:

Size – Hairpin legs come in a range of sizes, from short 4” furniture supports to tall 40” poseur legs. 12” legs will suit most coffee tables, as they’ll ensure the table top sits parallel to most sofas.
Strength – Most hairpin legs have two prongs. Three prong legs are also available for extra reinforcement if the surface is very heavy (if it’s made from marble, for example), or if you simply prefer the aesthetic.
Finish – Here’s the fun bit. Hairpin legs come in a range of different metals or colours. So whether you’re into industrial chic, warm copper hues or funky duck egg blue, there’s a set of pins to suit your taste. You can even opt for raw, unfinished steel, which develops a beautiful patina over time.

If you’d like a little extra guidance to get the right legs for your table, use this guide.

ATTACH YOUR HAIRPIN LEGS

The Hairpin Leg Co. legs come with a free leg-fitting guide and wood screws.

Use the guide and a pencil to mark out where to fix your screws.

Drill a pilot hole to help guide the screws and prevent excess force on the wood.

Once the holes are ready, simply use a screwdriver to screw the hairpin legs to your surface.

FIT YOUR FLOOR-PROTECTOR FEET

Every set of The Hairpin Leg Co.’s legs also come with free rubber feet. Colour-matched to suit the legs, they slot on the bottom and protect delicate floors.

ADMIRE YOUR WORK