DIY Nesting Tables - My ReStore Build

Nesting tables seem to be a rarity at thrift stores and garage sales? I don’t know that I’ve ever seen an old set available for refinishing?

My search began because I found this picture on BirchLane.com

I love the detailing in the ironwork, but at $230 US (down from $420), they are a tad out of my price range.

A week or so after saving this photo to drool over, I went to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Have you ever been to one? They are AWESOME-SAUCE! I’d never been before this visit so I didn’t know that you could get brand new building supplies, lighting, plumbing, cabinets, carpets, doors and windows (and much more of course) leftover from build sites or demolitions.

You know all of those door projects you been pinning from Pinterest? Hellooooo handsome!

Or what about this corner counter ($20) and a couple of these cabinets and you have a craft room!

My mind was exploding with possibility when I came across some deck spindles and gorgeous tiles.

The deck spindles (already pressure treated) had a cute little detail that reminded me of the nesting tables above and at $2 per, I couldn’t resist. For 8 spindles and 6 large tiles my expenditure for this project was $35.

I created my own building plans for the nesting tables, which will work for you if you use tiles that are 12″ x 24″ – and you will need to cut one of the tiles down. (my tiles measured 11 ¾” by 23 ½” – but perhaps that’s what they mean by 12×24″?)

To make the small nesting table you will need your tile cut to 20 ½” by 8 ¾” – or use those tiny mosaic tiles if you don’t know anyone that can cut it for you.

Nesting Tables – Small

4 spindle legs that are ~ 1 ¾” cut to 20 ½” long
2 pieces of 2×2″ cut to 17″ long
2 pieces of 2×2″ cut to 5 ¼” long
¼” plywood cut to 20 ½” by 8 ¾”
2 pieces of trim (¼” by ¾”) cut to 17″ long (or you could use ¾” dowels)
2 pieces of trim cut to 5 ¼” long

Nesting Tables – Large

4 spindle legs that are ~ 1 ¾” cut to 23″ long
2 pieces of 2×2″ cut to 20 3/8″ long
2 pieces of 2×2″ cut to 8 ½” long
¼” ply wood cut to 12″ by 23 7/8″
1 piece of trim cut to 20 3/8″ long
2 pieces of trim cut to 8 ½” long

I started by building the larger of the nesting tables first.

Using a Kreg Jig , I drilled out holes in my 20 3/8″ and 8 ½” 2×2 boards – two at each end where they’ll connect with the deck spindles (legs). Use wood glue and 2 ½” pocket hole screws and attach.

Put your nesting tables together by attaching the long top edges together first. This is great for the larger table, but you’ll want to attach the shorter sides first on the small table or you won’t be able to fit your drill in to attach them later. (you’ll never guess how I know this?) See photo below if I’ve lost you.

At this point I sanded everything smooth just to make life easier.

Now attach the 8 ½” top edge between these two pieces and you’ll have something that looks like this:

See what I mean about a tight fit on those shorter sides – there’s not enough room for your drill and the Kreg Jig drill bit in that small space.

At this point I decided to attach my trim pieces to three of the four sides of my large nesting table. Only three sides because the smaller of the nesting tables will slide in underneath the large so it needs that opening.

I adhered these trim pieces with wood glue and finishing nails then clamped them into place until dry.

Repeat this process on the smaller of the nesting tables, but add trim pieces to the base of all four sides.

So far so good? Pretty easy right?

Check and make sure everything is level and your table doesn’t wobble (again, this coming from the person that learned it the hard way), and then cut a piece of your ¼” plywood to the size of your table top. For my larger table, I cut my board to ½” larger than the tile so that I’d have a small ‘lip’ should the table tip over. My hope is that this small edge will save the tile from shattering.

With the above measurements however, you don’t have room to add a lip to the smaller nesting table – I cut it pretty close as-is.

Prime both nesting tables with Zinsser® Bulls Eye 1-2-3®, let dry and repeat for extra protection.

This is the point where you call up your bestie with a tile saw and beg her/him to cut one of the tiles for you. (Thank you Sherri!) The tile for the smaller of the nesting tables must be cut to exactly the size of your table or it won’t fit underneath the larger. These plans are TIGHT, but will make your finished product look more professional than if there were large gaps.

Paint your nesting tables with Painter’s Touch® Multi-Purpose Brush-On Paint in a semi-gloss black (I did two coats). Once everything is completely dry, you are ready to attach your tile to the table tops:

I used liquid nails to attach the tiles to the plywood and then ran a small bead of (outdoor) clear silicone caulking around the edge to keep the water out.

I love these!

Doesn’t quite look the same as iron, but I could easily change that by using one of Rust-Oleum’s specialty metallic spray paints like oil rubbed bronze or brushed nickel.

Nesting tables are usually for indoor use, but with the Rust-Oleum® primer and paint, plus the pressure treated spindles that I lucked out on – these are more than durable enough for outdoor use – which is exactly where I wanted them.

Decorative and compact when not in use, but easily moved around to use as side tables or even a small desk if needed. My patio really is my favourite room of my house – and even more so now.

And what about this?!

Pretty spectacular if you ask me!

I try to write out my building plans as I recall building it, but if I’ve missed out something, or if my steps are unclear, please leave me a comment and I’ll try to make things right. This is a simple build so if I’ve written anything that indicates otherwise, I’ve failed.

You really need to go and check out the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in your area – all of your Pinterest pins CAN come true (and you can help a fantastic charity).

Have a great one!