I’m crazy proud about every single one of my projects around here, but this one takes the cake. I’ve dabbled in building things before and they always come out wonky and ghetto, so for the past few years I’ve just written it off that I just wasn’t that type of DIYer. But the difference some good role models, good instructions, and good tools makes will make you change your tune eventually. It was time.
The first build? A DIY farmhouse dining table for our back patio. The need for a dining space out here is what triggered the whole patio makeover in the first place, so once I committed to doing it, there was no turning back. A table HAD to be made.
*affiliate links included for your convenience, click here to see my full disclosure policy
I had so many table plans bookmarked that I loved, but I wanted something simple. Both because I was picturing simpler lines out here and because I didn’t want to bite off more than I could chew. Baby steps. The less angles the better the first go round. My only requirement was that it had a cross beam for putting your feet on to up the relaxation factor (am I right?!) and that I’d be able to use some beautiful chippy paint lumber we found this summer down the street (thanks neighbors!). This plan from Ana White fit the bill perfectly.
At the start of this, all I owned tool-wise was a drill, a jigsaw, and a very scary circular saw inherited from my father-in-law so I knew if I was going to build an actual piece of furniture, I needed to step it up just a bit with real safe tools. These puppies made this new territory alot less scary for me.
Ana’s plans include instructions for building the top for the table, but I needed modify them to using the lumber I had found. I assembled it much the same (you can see the pocket holes below) and then used these new dimensions in the rest of the build.
After modifying the cut list based on my unique top, I made my cuts with the miter saw. One part of the plans that really scared the bajeebus out of me was having to notch out the legs. I practiced on some scrap lumber and found that it actually wasn’t bad at all, as long as I made my cuts close together. It wasn’t the pretties notch that’s for sure, there was some splintering and I had to go back and trim more off to get the braces to fit later on, but all in all it was a success!
I decided to go ahead and stain the pieces of the base before assembling, just to minimize drips and getting paint on the underside of the top. I used Sherwin-Williams’ SuperDeck solid deck stain in “Caribou” which is also the color I refinished the patio set in, and applied it with my badass Purdy brushes that make it go so much faster (love!).
To seal the top, I sprayed two coats of Thompson’s Waterproofing Wood Sealer aerosol which was so much easier to use than a brush! I’m pretty sure this lumber is pressure-treated but I wanted to go ahead and give it even more protection since this will be out on the patio in the humidity. And to ward off the pesky carpenter bees that moved into our patio set this summer. Grrrrr.
From there, it was time for assembly. This actually went really fast and took just an evening, thank goodness. I modified the plans here also to flip the end pieces around so the screws (and my oops splintering) would be on the inside instead of the outside. For assembly, I used exterior deck screws for the cross braces and Kreg’s Blue-Kote screws so they’ll hold up well out on our salty humid porch. I was SO anxious and ancy to get it done and flipped over so I was really happy it all came together so quickly and easily! It was a long evening but it was worth it to see that table done before I called it a night.
The top is beautiful and is sooooo heavy! Sure, the boards weren’t completely flat or straight but I don’t mind one bit and it just adds to the charm of the old finish. I sprayed the base with the same spar urethane that I used on the patio furniture to make sure to keep water off that wood and I will be sealing the top in the near future so the paint won’t continue to peel.
I set it with some beautiful neutral and weathered pieces for our patio reveal which was perfectly subtle to let that pretty top show!
We are looking forward to many, many gatherings and feasts at this table for many, many years to come. I know it’s not a completely perfect job (and don’t EVEN measure some of it!) but it came out so much better than I imagined and by some miracle didn’t have any big hiccups like all my projects seem to have.
I totally have the building bug now and am already brewing up some other pieces I can do. If only I could have myself a true workshop instead of making a mess by the fishing rods and grill ;)
Stay tuned for more patio projects coming soon!
*Huge thank you to Ryobi, Thompson’s, Purdy, and Sherwin-Williams for providing products for the patio projects. I only use and promote brands I love and as usual, all opinions are completely my own. Click here to see my full disclosure policy
spar urethane
speed square
4″ brush
miter saw
wood glue
Kreg Blue-kote screws
Kreg jig
exterior stain
paint sprayer
sander
Thompson’s wood sealer
drill
I love this table and the entire space! You did a phenomenal job, Emily! Welcome to the build-obsessed club!
Thanks Sarah! I am so gung-ho to make another piece!!
Oh I want one for INSIDE my house! My problem is I have a super handy but way too busy hubby and I’m just a teeny bit worried about failure…and the poor guy having to rescue me. But…I’m feeling a bit of courage moving in…
Btw, where are the seat cushions from? Those are my favorite part of the textiles…
Go for it Lea!!! Seriously, I was amazed at how simple and easy this ended up being, especially to have such an amazing product at the end. And trust me, if I can do it, you can do it! The seat cushions are these from Pier 1 and they’re my favorite part too, they’re suuuuuper comfy :)
It couldn’t possibly be more perfect Emily! You totally rocked it my friend!
I agree, on both accounts ;)
The table turned out so beautiful, and the whole outdoor room in general! I especially love the perfectly distressed finish of the tabletop.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw how perfectly chippy the paint was, I immediately made my husband come help me load it up :) Thanks so much Jesica!!
I absolutely love this table!
Eeeee! Thanks so much Jessica, I’m so happy you love it too :)
Beautiful, Emily! I love everything about your patio. That table is amazing! It turned out sooo good. And your tablescape is pretty, I’m loving those napkin rings! Thanks for sharing :)
Shonee
Thank you Shonee!!! Now I just need to have some folks over to actually set the table for :)
Looks amazing!! Great work and beautiful overall setup. Love the color palette and rug too!
Thank you Mistie! I love me some neutrals :)
You should be proud! This is seriously amazing. Awesome job!
I still can’t believe I did it Bre ;) Thank you!
I Love Love Love your table! I want one so bad! Your a pretty great do it herselfer =] I am an admirer.
Much Love
Tracy
You’re sweet Tracy, thank you!!!
I love this table. It looks so great on your patio. Thanks for sharing how you made it.
Thank you Brooke! I was worried it was going to be too big for the space but it ended up being perfect (and big = more room for food anyway!).
I love the finish on the top of the table. It is really beautiful and goes well with the surrounding area. Great job!
It definitely makes it feel like it’s been there forever Crystal, I’m obsessed with it :) Thanks so much!!
I’m super impressed by this build. Great job.
Me too Ashley ;) Thank you!!
You did a fantastic job! This is a beautiful table!
Thanks so much Sarah!
*Swoon!* You are the queen of DIY! Such a gorgeous table (and the perfect picture backdrop too!) :)
Well now, I’m not sure about that Erica, but thank you :) And yes, I’m super excited to use it for that too!!
Unreal. I like how you make it sound so easy and use all that fancy tool language. You are officially a pro Do-It-Herselfer! It’s amazing.
Oh Bre, you just wait till Haven friend! You’ll get the bug if it’s the death of me ;)
What an awesome table!! This space is so perfect :)
Thank you so much Meg ;)
Emily, I am in love with this table. You’ve inspired me and now our own farmhouse table is on our “to do” list for next summer. Thank you so much for sharing at Create • Share • Inspire Link Party. We hope to see you back this week.
Yay!!!! You will love these plans, they’re so easy and allow you to customize it easily too. I can’t wait to see what you do with yours, I know it will be gorgeous! Thanks!
This is stunning! I love the finish of this table and how it turned out. I selected this as one of my features from last weeks The creative gallery link party. Head on over and check it out. I am excited to see what you link up this week!
Aw, thank you SO much Emily!!!!
This I wonderful! I’m inspired to make one next spring when the weather warms up again. I really like your pictured descriptions. That helps a lot Thanks for posting. Love it! great job-Jenny
You’re so very welcome Jenny! I HAVE to see photographs when I’m following a tutorial so it makes me happy that they will help someone else :) I would love to see photos of yours when you get it done! Build on friend!!
So nice & looks great on your patio!
Thank you Julie! Got to have Christmas Eve dinner at it :)
Has anyone built this and run into a problem with seats at the end, not pushing in enough to actually eat at the table? I’m using this plan to build my own table to seat 10 in a couple of weeks and was curious if someone had any ideas on how to solve that problem? Thanks, love the plan!
Our chairs do hit the aprons, but they fit perfect for comfortable eating…although I do admit that was something I forgot to take into account when I was building, especially since I wanted chairs with arms. They are fully pushed in in the photos here. Luckily it worked out fine for us, but I would suggest definitely estimating the amount of overhang, along with the height at the apron, that will be needed for your specific chairs/comfort level. Good luck with your build!
Absolutely beautiful! Great job. I’m getting ready to tackle a dining room table, so like you, I’m searching for the best plans/design for my taste and need. I love your colors and rustic look.
These plans were SO much easier than I thought going into it, and how often does that happen in DIY?! There’s a ton of other table designs on Ana’s site so I’m sure you can find just the right one for y’all, then tweak it just a little ;) I’d love to see it when it’s made!
Looks great and just what I had in mind for my updated deck. Just wondering how comfortable it is to sit at either end of the table with the support across the bottom. Does it get in the way?
Thanks Suzan!! With the overhang at the ends, we haven’t found that the end supports get in the way at all and we both like to rest our feet on them while sitting in the chair (which we can do on the long side as well). As long as your table extends over the ends it shouldn’t be a problem.
Thanks for sharing how you made that lovely table.