Plant stand + Lazy Susan = DIY mini side table

Side table made from a plant stand and Lazy Susan, photo

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 love, and some fabulous lime green spray paint. 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! (This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a small commission. You can read my full disclosure here.)

How to turn a plant stand into a mini side table

SUPPLIES

Ikea Snudda Lazy Susan
plant stand
spray paint
12 large furniture nails
36 small white furniture nails
three 2-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
needle-nosed pliers

INSTRUCTIONS

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

Hammer the nails the rest of the way, photo

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.

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.

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