Make DIY Side tables with reclaimed materials

If you follow the blog for awhile, you know I have an addiction for recycling old paint buckets! This time I made DIY side tables.

[ This post probably contains affiliate links, our full disclosure policy is boring, but you can read it HERE ]

If you don’t remember the previous buckets DIY, take a look at the shelves and the stool!

Creating a DIY side table with paint buckets and reclaimed wood is a straightforward and rewarding project. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you craft your unique side table

Let’s begin the tutorial, I warn you, it’s a bit long!

Gather your supplies:

To make a DIY side table, you’ll need:

• 2 (old) paint buckets
• A piece of plywood (this one is perfect for this DIY)
• Wooden dowels
• 12 screws
• A saw and a miter box
• A drill
• A screwdriver
• A ruler
• A pencil

Start making the bucket DIY Side Table

Trace with a pencil (a crayola works great) a line at 3 inches of the bucket bottom to cut it. Take the second bucket and trace a line at 1 1/2 in. front the bottom.

Cut both bucket bottom with the saw (yep, it works) . Try to cut as straight as possible. Once it’s done, sand the edge.

These are the 2 cutted bucket bottoms. 

To screw the legs, you need to drill holes on the sides. You must calculate to have the same distance from one to another (bucket’s diameter divided by 3).

In the 1 1/2 inches high bucket bottom you have to drill 3 holes (one for each dowel).

In the 3 inches high bucket bottom you have to drill 6 holes (two for each dowel).

To make the table legs you will need three dowels (1 1/4in. radius) of  25 in. long.

You must screw the dowels with the buckets pieces. The 3 inches high bucket bottom on top, with the dowels inside the bucket.

Then +/- 14in. below, the second bucket bottom. Place it opening up so you can use it as a tray.

Time to make the tray for the DIY side table.

I cut a circle in a triplex panel. I used a jigsaw. If you don’t have one, you can purchase a circle wooden piece in your hardware store or online.

To make the drawing, I just place masking tape on the trays. If you want to varnish the part that remains in wood, do it before painting.

Otherwise your beautiful paint will turn yellowish and you will have to start over… waste of time, believe me I tried!

So First, apply one or two layer of varnish. Once it’s dry you put the tape, creating a nice pattern, and then you can paint.

When the paint is dry, you remove the tape.

I forgot to take a picture, but it’s s very simple step.

It just remains to fix the tray with the legs. Place the tray upside down on the floor and put the table base on it (upside down too).

Take measure to center the legs on the panel and mark the emplacement.

Screw the base and the tray together.

And voila, your DIY project is done!

These DIY side tables are not only a creative way to reuse materials but also adds some unique piece of furnitures to your home. Enjoy your new, stylish, and eco-friendly side table!

Thank you for reading till the end! I made two different size tables. You will find a small summary of the measurements below.

 

 

 

RELATED: DIY round Coffee Table

RELATED: How to make DIY Cardboard table

Want to remember it? Save this DIY Side Table on your favorite Pinterest board.

 

You will find all the tutorials featured in the video on my “Best DIY” page.

Amaryllis