Use one of these DIY dining room table ideas to build a place for your family to gather, eat and make memories. From beginner to advanced, there's something for everyone!
When I was younger, I only knew the dining table as a super formal spot made of cherry wood that we used only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
These days, our dining table gets used in some form every day, whether we're enjoying family supper around it or I'm using it as a crafting station. If you haven't looked around in a while, you might be surprised to learn there are tons of truly amazing DIY dining tables out there, including my DIY farmhouse table.
DIY Dining Tables
To make a DIY dining table, you don’t have to be a woodworking expert. While it can help to have some sort of skill level, I am definitely not a professional and was able to build my own DIY dining table pretty easily. Plus, if you are really not into the idea of building your own table, there are so many clever ways you can upgrade a basic table and make it into something that’s truly you.
For example, you can make a convincing DIY farmhouse table out of an IKEA one. You have to see it to believe it. Here are 9 of my favorite DIY dining tables on the internet.
My DIY Farmhouse Table
I have to start this list with one of my all-time favorite DIY projects: my DIY dining table! I'm still so proud of myself for building this gorgeous farmhouse table all by myself. It was my first build with a Kreg Jig (a pocket hole system), and it let me build the dining table of my dreams without a crazy price tag.
DIY Harvest Dining Table
Harvest tables are so gorgeous and rustic. This DIY rustic dining table seats 8-10 adults, so there's plenty of room for everyone! This tutorial from Domestic Imperfection shows you exactly how to build your own table for the dining room.
DIY Farmhouse Table from an IKEA Table
Can you believe this is an IKEA table? Or at least it was before the East Coast Creative blog did this awesome hack on it. I absolutely love this DIY farmhouse table!
$60 IKEA Dining Table Hack
What I love about IKEA hacks is that each one looks so different. I never would have thought to do what A Kailo Chic Life did with a basic, old IKEA dining table. She gave her table a mid-century makeover with a simple design, and I'm loving it.
DIY Cottage Style Dining Table
If you love cottage style, this is a DIY dining table you need to make! I'm so impressed by it. I could see it fitting in really well in a farmhouse-style home too. Nina Hendrick created this table for under $200… and you can too!
$30 IKEA Dining Table Hack
Here's another incredible affordable IKEA hack! This would be a great DIY farmhouse table for a smaller home or even an eat-in kitchen. I really like the coloring on this one. Those wood tones are so soothing and beachy.
How to Make a Retrofitted DIY Tabletop
Have you ever come across a gorgeous set of table legs with a top that's badly damaged? Instead of walking away from these tables, embrace them! Thanks to this smart tutorial from Blesser House, you can create a new tabletop for any base. And of course, you can stain or paint it any color you like.
Pottery Barn Inspired DIY Dining Table
If you love Pottery Barn, you'll love this table. This DIY dining table is definitely an impressive build. While it isn't exactly a beginner project, it's doable if you follow the free plan on the website and use the right tools. Plus, it will only set you back about $100, which is pretty darn good.
DIY Live Edge Dining Table with Steel Frame
This DIY is brilliant. I never imagined you could make a DIY table with a steel base. While this tutorial won't teach you how to weld, it did make me imagine the possibilities if I connected with someone locally who can. It could be a game changer!
I love how Lemon Thistle created the live edge with a hand sander! Can you even believe that??
Tips for Building a DIY Dining Table
I thought it would be helpful to finish this post with some useful tips to make sure your dining table project turns out well. This isn't the end-all list, but these items can help you get the job done faster and with less stress, which is always a great thing.
- Make sure your boards are straight. A project can get frustrating quickly if you're working with warped wood. When you're buying supplies, dig through the woodpile until you find the straightest boards possible. Not sure how to tell? Rest the board on the wood rack and sight down its length. You should be able to see whether it's straight or not.
- Measure twice, cut once. Better yet, measure four times! Despite the best intentions, it's so easy to cut incorrectly. Trust me, it's much easier to measure again than to drive back out to Home Depot at 9 pm on a Saturday. (Ask me how I know!)
- Learn how to use a Kreg Jig. Most table plans call for a Kreg Jig. It's not as complicated as it looks or sounds, but there is a learning curve. If you foresee a DIY dining table build in your future, you might as well pick one up now and start learning it. And if you want ideas for more projects you can build, check out my 10 Amazing Kreg Jig Projects post here.
- Test out your stain. The very worst thing would be to finish building a gorgeous DIY farmhouse table and then put the wrong stain on it. Yikes! Make sure you test potential stain colors on the same type of wood your table is made from, and in all kinds of lighting. My favorite farmhouse-style wood stain is this weathered stain from Old Barn Milk Paint.
- Don't forget the sealer. Finally, don't forget that your dining table needs to be food safe. Your best bet is to grab a food-safe sealer and apply several coats over the stain or paint. Sealers come in matte, semi-gloss and gloss finishes, so test them on scrap wood over the stain before you choose.
Are you inspired to build your own DIY dining table now? I still love our DIY farmhouse table so much. It's genuinely one of my favorite DIYs ever.
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