How to Create a Console Table from an Old Door
We’re sharing how to create a console table from an old door today!
With Earth Day right around the corner, I’ve been thinking about how DIYers everywhere do their part to save everything from large pieces of furniture to rusty bits and bobs from the landfill.
We created a console table from an old door several years ago which we still love and use to this day.
Finding the Right Door…
It all started when we found a beautiful door at an antique store in Blue Ridge, Georgia, while at the cabin for around $30 or $35.
I totally fell in love with the warmth of the wood and we hauled it back home to Florida.
Finding the Right Legs…
Around the same time, my parents were in desperate need of a new dining table for the lanai at Bliss Barracks because we had outgrown the gate leg table that only fit 6.
Besides, after multiple storm seasons, the center portion of the gate leg table was no longer useable and was headed for the burn pile anyway.
So, before they hauled everything off, my parents let us salvage the table legs to create a console table from an old door.
Thankfully, the legs were still in great shape, had pretty lines, and lots of charm.
How to Create a Console Table From An Old Door – The Process…
We started out by securing the salvaged legs to the old door with wood screws and a cordless drill.
Luckily for us, we were able to reclaim the anchor pieces that were already attached to the legs which made securing the legs to the table even easier.
Most tables come with a table apron. Since we were building a console table from an old door though, my bestie S, helped me build a skirt for the table using 1 x 4’s.
Given the salvaged table legs came attached to a piece of wood, S was able to secure the skirt to the existing wood with finishing nails.
We left a lip for the door approximately 2.5 inches from the skirt.
For added stability, S added two cross pieces made from 1 x 1’s and secured with finishing nails and wood glue.
Once the glue was dry, we added a small piece of trim with finishing nails.
Then I painted the skirt and legs white.
Once the paint had dried, I distressed the legs with 120-grit sandpaper and sealed them with clear furniture paste wax.
To add a layer of texture and help with our storage needs, we placed large water hyacinth baskets underneath the console table we created from an old door which served us well for many years.
How to Create a Console Table from an Old Door – The Update…
*This post was updated in April 2021.
As I’ve shared before, we live in an open concept home. This console table is one of the first pieces you see when you walk in the front door. It bridges the large gap between the entry and the living room.
While the baskets have helped immensely over the years, I’ve been wanting more closed storage systems lately because it feels like everything is on display.
I know this is not an uncommon feeling for those of us living in an open concept home. You can read more about our thoughts in this post, How to Style a Glass Display Cabinet, if you like.
Searching for a simple solution and an easy fix, I found this piece of inspiration in one of my all-time favorite decorating books, Patina Farm.
I painted an extra table leg we’d been able to salvage from the original project and asked S to attach it to the middle of the console table we created from an old door.
The extra leg was ok. But it honestly wound up looking much busier than I wanted and I knew immediately it needed a skirt.
So, I headed to our local home improvement store to pick up a canvas drop cloth.
After washing and drying the drop cloth, I sewed a pocket for the cafe rod we installed under the console table.
Most cafe rods will come with hardware. You also might be able to use a tension rod depending on how heavy your material is and how long your console table from an old door is.
Don’t forget you’ll need extra fabric than originally measured to scrunch it up on the rod!
The entire process from start to finish took less than 30 minutes (save for washing and drying the canvas drop cloth) and was definitely easier than I expected!
Especially, for a beginner-ish sewer like me.
The Decorating Dilemma…
While I’m really happy with the way the skirt came together, I’m still not sure what to add to the top of our console table from an old door, if anything.
I’ve tried the just French Country painted planter filled with flowers but it seemed like something was missing,
and I’ve also tried the planter with the lamps but now it seems a little too busy. Honestly, I can’t decide which option if any is best.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on how to decorate our console table from an old door if you have any. Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,
CoCo
Dearest CoCo – You know that we LOVE LOVE LOVE this table! It has all of the elements that we look for – vintage, reuse, upcycled and creative! Great job – it looks beautiful in your home 🙂
Vicki and Jennifer recently posted…Decorative Birdhouse…
Thanks so much ladies! I was thinking about you guys and how I won that contest with this table the whole time I was looking at the pictures from this post. It was definitely the start of a great adventure for us. Hugs, Coco
Wow!! You did a great job CoCo!! I love this piece! I’m glad you were able to salvage the legs from your old table. Love their shape. Hugs!
I appreciate it, Angie! I love those legs too and every time I look at them they make me think of my parents so I’m really excited we were able to use them. Hugs, CoCo
What a great console table! Sometimes, doing a Frankenstein can be a good thing, as in this table. Those scales are to die for. But, I also love the way you displayed the plates in the former pic. Adorable!
Happy Monday!
Nancy
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Thank you bunches, Nancy! It’s been fun to style the table for each season. I’m so glad we were able to come up with a plan to save both the door and the legs. Hope you’re having an awesome day, CoCo
I love how you saved this door and gave it new life. Since I am a fairly new follower, I have to ask…who is S?
Lori
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Thank you, Lori! I can’t tell you how many suitcases we had to sit on in order to get that door home 🙂 S is my bestie and we work on all sorts of fun projects together!
Coco, you are amazing! I can’t believe you made this table from a door. Wow, I love it and love how you styled it too. Just beautiful and a great way to repurpose a wonderful piece. xo Lisa
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I really appreciate it Lisa, thank you! I love old scales and I honestly didn’t think I had that many until I put them all together for that table display. Hope you’re having an awesome week, Coco
CoCo, I LOVE this!! I bought a fantastic old door a few months ago and it’s just been sitting in my garage. I’ve been tossing around the idea to paint it and prop it against the wall behind an end table in my living room, but if that doesn’t work I’m so doing this!!
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You’re sweet to say so, Amy, thank you! I have door propped up everywhere 🙂 They’re really easy to change in and out or jazz up seasonal decor. I can’t wait to find out what you do with yours. Hugs for a happy day, Coco
Oh my goodness! I just LOVE how the table turned out! I seriously haven’t done a good repurpose in a long while. Thank you so much for the inspiration. You and S are a SUPER talented team! P.S. I love the addition of the skirt! Now you’ve got the perfect hiding place for your newest fur babies’ toys! LOL!
Thank you for your sweet words, Christine, I really appreciate it. This table has definitely served us well over the years and I’m excited to have the new addition of the skirt too. Hiding Pipers toys is a fabulous idea. I had no idea I’d be picking up toys multiple times a day when we got her but she spreads them out all over the place. Hugs, CoCo
Hi Coco,
Love your table made from door, but love that you put the skirt on it……love it like that.
I love your floral and it looks stunning, I see what you mean about the lamps, maybe if they were white or cream they would look better, but how about 2 narrow white pitchers on each side or some cream pitchers or corbels or candle holders. Hope you find something you like, altho it does
look pretty with just the floral, but I would think it needed a lil something else too.
Well, have a great rest of the week hon.
Blessings,
Nellie
Those are all really great ideas, Nellie, thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it and I’ll definitely give them a try. Hugs for a happy weekend, CoCo
Wow Coco, I am impressed! Your console table is fabulous. Such a great idea. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely table at Love Your Creativity. Hugs
I really appreciate it, Linda, thank you so much! Hugs, CoCo
Fantastic:-)) It’s so ingenious:-)
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! Hope you have the best week, CoCo
I actually like the 5th leg without the skirt – I know, I’m a lot of help! LOL Try just one lamp on the top with some pictures or some smaller knick-knacks. I always find you have to keep playing with these things until you find what’s right. You’ll figure it out!
Those are all great suggestions, Ann, I’m on it! Thanks so much! Hugs, CoCo
I absolutely love how this turned out . Such a talented lady! Thank you so much for sharing it with us at the TFT party. I am featuring you this week on Shoestring Elegance. Congratulations.
Theresa.
Thank you so much for featuring my tips on how to make a console table from an old door, Theresa, I really appreciate it. Knowing how to decorate the top of it is kind of giving me a fit so I’m excited to see it featured. Hugs and thank yous, CoCo