Rustic Garden Table

I really love doing reclaimed wood projects in between my repurposed furniture projects. Easy builds like this rustic garden table are a fun break after doing furniture projects that sometimes take days!

Reclaimed Wood Rustic Garden Table Directions

When a friend alerted me to all of this free wood, little did I know how long it would last! I’ve already made lots of projects, and today I’m sharing another easy reclaimed wood garden table project with you.

I don’t remember where I got these large boards, but I’m pretty sure it was a handmade bed rail of some sort. It was already quite weathered when I got it. I cut it in half lengthwise and then trimmed off partially rotted end pieces. You can see I’ve already cut the 2x4 legs  (leaning  against the saw stand).

Here’s where I tell you the truth in blogging. My first attempt at assembling the table didn’t go so well. Because I make things up as I go along, I often resort to plan B. We’ll pick up there . . .

Build Table Legs

Initially I started out with all 2x4’s, but when that didn’t quite work out, I switched to fence boards for the table skirt. These are the two sets of legs. I used wood screws to assemble all the parts of this garden table.

Assembly

I attached side supports to the two leg sections of the table.

Because the boards had a rabbet cut, I opted to put one up, and one down to allow the joints to sort of interlock.

The boards were slightly warped so I had to use a bar clamp to help pull the table top down while I secured it with the wood screws.

It’s well on it’s way, but to further support the legs and add extra storage, I decided to do a lower shelf.

I measured from the top to get the lower shelf support in place.

Rustic Garden Table Lower Shelf

Ta Da! So perfect!

Weathered Paint Technique

The height of this table is comfortable enough to stand and work on garden plants and potting.

It looks like Mindi might be rubbing off on me because I couldn’t resist this can of blue oops paint. Can you see that the table is wet? I cleaned it off with the hose and began painting with the cheap chip brush while the wood was still wet.

I did a really quick coat of the blue paint on the wet garden table.

Just as the paint was setting up and drying, I sprayed all the parts with the hose to make it look more weathered.

I absolutely LOVE the oops color looking all weathered. It looks like it’s been in the yard for years! The garden table is the perfect height for potting or working on a project. Clean it up and it would look great holding your favorite beverages for a pool party! Put it next to the grill to hold food, plates, utensils and more! The options for this little workhorse are endless!

It would get the most use at my house as a work bench. Will you build one, how will you use it?

gail