Side table - after

Plant stand - before

I decided to try a different take on the tray table I made nearly a year ago. This time, it would have a more practical permanent top. Plus, it’s an ideal opportunity to use more of my furniture nails, which I adore. I’m volunteering at a girl’s camp next week, so I’ll post my next project in two weeks. Hope you’re all enjoying your summer!

Plant stand + lazy susan = mini side table

Supplies for DIY side table

Supplies
Ikea lazy susan
plant stand
spray paint
12 large white furniture nails
36 small white furniture nails
3 two-inch mending plates
large piece of paper (at least 15 inches square)
newspaper or drop cloth

Tools
rubber mallet
drill & 1/16-inch drill bit
screwdriver
scissors & pencil
needle-nosed pliers

Trace and cut out the circle.

1. To make a guide for evenly spacing out the furniture nails, trace the top of the lazy susan onto a piece of paper. Cut out the circle.

Fold the circle into 12 equal parts.

2. Here’s a no-measuring method to divide the circle into 12 equal pie pieces: Fold in half, then in half again the opposite direction. Then fold the outside edges into the center to create a square. Then fold the circle in half at each of the points where the square folds reach the edge. I’ve marked the lines so you can clearly see the folds. This gives you twelve points along the outside edge of your tabletop.

Spray paint the lazy susan.

3. Spray paint the top of the lazy susan. Leave the base on so you can spin it while painting. If you don’t use a primer first, you’ll need to spray several coats (like I did). Let dry several hours.

Remove the bottom of the lazy susan.

4. Flip the lazy susan over. Use pliers to unscrew the nut. Then pull the base straight up and off.

Unscrew the turning mechanism.

5. Remove the four screws holding the turning mechanism. And, for goodness sake, remove the Ikea sticker. :-)

Hammer the nails onto the pattern.

6. Place your pattern on your table top. Measure about half an inch from the edge, and drill a pilot hole at each point. The wood is hard and the nails are soft, so a pilot hole helps them go in straight. It’s ok if you accidentally drill all the way through on these. Then hammer a large furniture nail into each hole—but not all the way.

Tear off the pattern.

7. Tear the pattern away while leaving the furniture nails in place.

Hammer in the remaining nails.

8. Hammer the large nails in the rest of the way. Place three small furniture nails between each large nail. Drill pilot holes for the small nails as well. Make sure you only drill down halfway for these. Insert them into the holes, then hammer them in the rest of the way.

Attach the base.

9. Flip the table top over, and center the plant stand in the middle. Place the mending plates over each arm, drill pilot holes, then screw in all the screws halfway. Finally, tighten all the screws down snug against the arms of the plant stand.

Finished DIY side table

10. Flip it over, grab a cold drink, and have a seat. :-)

Related content