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11 DIY Live Edge Table Plans You Can Make Today (with Pictures)
Pete Ortiz
Last updated:
Every home needs a table, so why not be creative and build a live edge DIY table. There are many ways to create a live edge table that will look stunning and be functional. They are easy to make and come in many different variations.
In this article, we’ll look at 12 DIY live edge table plans you can build today. Some plans are simple while some might be more challenging. If you want to build a live edge table but don’t know how to do it, you’ve come to the right place!
Materials: Live edge wood slab, screws, hairpin legs, polyethylene
Tools: Measuring tape, electric sander, drill, paintbrush
Difficulty Level: Easy
This DIY Live Edge Coffee Table is a perfect, straightforward plan for making a lovely live edge table. You will need some essential tools and not many materials. You can order the slab and the legs for the table online to save time. This project is also budget-friendly as it should only cost you around $300, depending on the price of the slab. A project like this is a great practical option for beginner DIYers since it’s very straightforward.
Are you an advanced DIYer and looking for a fun table project? If that is the case, this Live Edge Side Table DIY plan should be on your project list. It’s more complex than some of the other plans on the list, but the final product will look stunning in your home.
Materials: Epoxy, glow powder, oil, stir sticks, live edge slabs
Tools: A mini torch, sander, sandpaper, sanding pad, vacuum, track saw,
Difficulty Level: Moderate
The DIY Epoxy River Live Edge Table is a moderately challenging project, as it requires different tools and materials. The directions are clear with video tutorials, so you shouldn’t have any issues completing this live edge table plan. The finished product has a river illusion in the middle of the table, which will make it a conversation piece for anyone who enters your home.
Tools: Table saw, orbital sander, hammer, drill, sandpaper
Difficulty Level: Moderate
This Small DIY Live Edge Table has a stunning design with epoxy, and it’s not too hard to build. The process can be challenging since you will be using epoxy resin. Still, the creators took the time to explain the project in such detail that you should accomplish it quickly by following the given instructions.
Materials: Epoxy, live edge slab, hard wax oil, wood wax finish, acrylic latex silicone, metal table legs, glass, river rocks
Tools: Router surfacing bit, flush trim plunge template, trim router, sander, sandpaper, pencil, drill, track saw,
Difficulty Level: Advanced
The River Style Live Edge Table is an advanced DIY project with lots of different details, and it requires various tools and lots of materials. Since there are a lot of steps to this project, it might be challenging, but if you have the right skills, this live edge table plan should be on your project list.
Materials: Live edge slab, wood screws, hairpin table legs, polyurethane
Tools: Orbital sander, drill, sponge brush
Difficulty Level: Easy
Here is another easy project for beginner DIYers. You can easily and quickly make this DIY Live Edge Coffee Table With Hairpin Legs. The only tools you need are an orbital sander and a drill, and there are just a couple of steps you need to follow. This project will be perfect preparation for more advanced tasks.
How would you feel if we told you that you could make a Cute Live Edge Coffee Table for less than $150? Although this is an advanced task, it’s very cheap, so you should try it out if you’re handy enough. There are many things you need to do to complete the project that might be time-consuming, but it’ll pay off in the end!
Tools: Cut saw, drill, level, hand plane, router, router jig, orbital sander, chisel, hammer
Difficulty Level: Moderate
This Live Edge End Table DIY project is moderate in difficulty, and the reason for that is that you need to cut your own tree stump instead of buying one. Once you finish that portion of the project, everything else is easy. You’ll easily tackle this table plan if you have solid woodworking skills.
Tools: Sandpaper, orbital sander, paintbrush, foam paintbrush, drill, socket wrench
Difficulty Level: Easy
The DIY Budget-Friendly Live Edge Table is easy to build and affordable. There are no complex parts in the plan, and you will need only basic materials. Overall, this can be a fun, quick project that can help beginners improve their skills. It should cost you under $100, which is much cheaper than buying a manufacturer’s live edge table.
This is a quick DIY Live Edge Dining Table plan that you can finish easily. You’ll need to sand and stain the wood boards and apply poly afterward. After finishing, the only step left is to attach the legs. Overall, this is a simple task that will help you to become better at DIY projects.
Last but not least, we have this plan for a lovely DIY Live Edge Slab Bar Table. It’s simple, and the instructions provided are self-explanatory. It will take over 24 hours to finish because you need to allow the epoxy to dry out. After that’s done, you’ll have a beautiful live-edge furniture piece.
What kind of wood is used for live edge tables?
Honestly, you can use pretty much any wood to make a live edge table. If you want to build a durable live edge table, it’s best to use hardwoods like maple, walnut, oak, or cherry. They are great for making coffee tables, dining tables, and other furniture pieces that get a lot of wear and tear. On the other hand, softwoods like pine, spruce, and cedar are also good, but they are better for decorative furniture.
When it comes to making live-edge tables, there are three main types of live-edge lumber:
Image Credit: deean, Pixabay
Tree Slab
Tree slabs are long slices of a log cut along the tree length. They are an excellent option for headboards or live edge tables.
Tree Round
Tree rounds are slices of the trunk that are cut horizontally. They have a relatively round shape, showing the rings in the tree. Depending on the tree species, their figures can vary.
Burl Round
Burl rounds are the rarest type of tree slices. They are commonly cut from large protrusions in the trunk of the tree. Burl Rounds have stunning irregular patterns, which will make any live edge furniture fantastic.
Image Credit: Capture and Compose, Shutterstock
How long does it take to make a live edge table?
There is no precise answer to this question since there are different ways to make a live edge table. Some projects are undemanding and can be finished in a couple of hours, while some might take over 24h to complete. Before beginning your project, figure out how much time you can dedicate to the plan, and then find the one that fits into your schedule. That way, you won’t have to rush, and you can completely commit to the project.
Conclusion
There’s no need to spend excessive amounts of money on a live-edge table if you’re perfectly capable of making it yourself. There are various plans made for DIYers and woodworkers of all levels. Check out the list again, choose the project that seems interesting to you, and start building. You can easily make a remarkable and affordable live-edge wood table that you’ll love!
Featured Image Credit: Pezibear, Pixabay
Contents
Writer
Pete Ortiz
Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing.
As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden.