I’m of the opinion that you can never have too many side tables. They can be put next to couches to hold flowers and coffee mugs, act as bedside tables or a nightstand, or even be used as plant stands to liven up a dull wall. We love incorporating copper pipe into projects here at the blog, and I thought it would be a fun challenge to come up with a side table DIY that would really show off the beautiful color of the pipes. Since I already figured out all the dimensions for you, all you have to do is grab an inexpensive pipe cutter and a ruler and get to cutting!
Supplies:
-20 feet of 1/2″ copper pipe
-1/2″ pipe strap (x4)
-1/2″ copper caps (x8)
–1/2″ copper tee fittings (x14)
–pipe cutter
-12″ wide wood board cut to 12″ x 11.25″ (x2)
-super glue or epoxy glue
If you haven’t used a pipe cutter before, it’s pretty simple, but you can check out this video for a step by step explanation. 
OK, so I basically made you a parts list of all the parts you’ll need. Letters A-E are all the pipe sizes (and the quantity of those sizes) that you’ll need, and F-H are the caps, tee fittings and pipe straps that you’ll need as well (they are also linked in the supply list). I would grab your pipe cutter and pipes and sit down in front of a movie or TV show to make the tedious cutting a little more enjoyable. It’s not hard, just a little boring. 😉
Now that you have all your pipes cut, you’ll want to assemble the bottom of your stand. Just follow along with the diagram above and remember that everything on the left side is the same on the right. So, if you see a B part indicated on the right, it will also be a B part in that same spot on the left as well.
Once you have the bottom together, build the top half of your plant stand in the same manner. The only part not listed in the parts list are four pieces of pipe that I ended up cutting to be 1″ long so I could attach the finishing caps (H) into the tops of the four corner (G) pieces. Without the pipe pieces, H and G don’t fit together since they are the exact same diameter. So the inch of pipe helps them connect.
Now, you can either use a dab of super glue to secure the pipe pieces together each time you connect them, or you can assemble it all first and then go back and glue them together once you know they all are the right length (that’s what I would suggest, just in case one of your cuts is off).
Stain or paint your two wood pieces and use your H straps to secure the wood to the pipe on the underside of each board. Now you’re ready to decorate with your new side table!
This is actually the first side table I’ve made/bought with two tiers and I really like the look of the double space. (It’s also nice for styling purposes since it holds more things.) I think it came out pretty professional looking if you ask me, and I love DIYs that people will be shocked to hear you actually made. Think you’ll give this one a try? xo. Laura
Credits// Author and Photography: Laura Gummerman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess Actions.
84 Comments
You could also use glass or a decorative tile in place of the wood!
I love this…especially that it manages to look shiny and simple at the same time! Thanks for sharing!
Love from Germany and a peak at our brand new site:
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XO, Lisa
I always loved reading about Josh’s furniture projects, but I never thought I’d be able to make any of them without investing in a whole garage-ful of tools (also I don’t have a garage…), so I love that this is so simple! How does copper hold up to time, though? I am picturing it getting kind of tarnished 🙁
Sarah,
If you polish it then spray a few coats of lacquer to seal it, it will stay bright & shiny.
I love this, Laura!! When I first saw this post, I literally said, “Yeeeeesssss!” outloud! I have been eyeing the copper pipe at Lowes and trying to figure out what to use it for. I have also been looking for a new plant stand. This combines both!!! So excited!
This looks amazing! Definitely one of those things that people would never suspect was a DIY, and would be super impressed once they found out. Great job!!
wow. great job! this looks incredible. I definitely want to give this a try.
This would be great for bedside tables. My husband is a tile/countertop installer and he always bring me home little slabs of marble from sink cutouts,etc so I’m thinking a copper and marble table might be in the works for next weekend!
I’ve just finished building this table. However I soldered it all together and then polished the joints to give it a more authentic look. I was wondering what you used for the white shelves? Is it gloss painted wood? It looks too smooth and shiny!
Ohh I really love this! I’ve been looking for a similar table and I am loving this. I feel like I would use marble contact paper for the top, or just leave it as is. Definitely will have to try this one out!
x Nora | http://www.colormenora.com
I literally just made one like this last week! From another tutorial on another blog.
well done!
This end table is incredible! I totally want to make one for my house!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Yes! I was thinking two of these would be good as nightstands, and marble! Woah, sounds great!
Laura 🙂
This is so sweet! Such a simple design, and I love how unique the copper looks against that sofa!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
Definitely going to have a go making these, they look amazing!
http://www.peonyandpeach.blogspot.com
Love this! It looks so professional! Also love the look with the rug underneath. 🙂
Ceri
October Eleven
Nice! I really like the way you guys styled it also. I like mixing metals and the copper and gold go nicely together.
-M
http://www.violetroots.com
Love the copper look http://www.hannamarielei.com
I LOVE this!!! I want to make these into night stands. Do you think if you double it, it would be as sturdy? Thanks!!!
Do you know about how much it cost for these materials? And did you paint the wood or leave it untreated?
I never would have through about making a side table myself. I love the simplicity of this. It’s so clean and beautiful. This will an upcoming summer project for me for sure 🙂
This is awesome! side tables are so useful and always looks great! Love how you’ve made your own, makes it special! x
http://the-twins-wardrobe.blogspot.com/
Love this! I’ve been brainstorming a pipe base frame for a skinny counter height table in our kitchen. I want to use a live edge piece of wood for the top, and this is looks great but also wouldn’t detract from the wood. I love the caps for the ends of the pipe (instead of bulky looking flanges). When I make it, I’ll be sure to tag ABM on instagram.
That is so awesome! You did a great job and it looks like its made to go right with that couch! I found your post on BlogLovin because I love DIY things! I’d love a visit back sometime. Have a great week!
Love the color scheme you have going on! Your DIYs are always so clever and easy to follow.
Angelina Is
Love love love this!! 🙂
I like the way this project turned out! It’s definitely a beautiful addition to the space. I want to give it a try myself. I think I’ll make two for my bedroom to hold flowers, candles, and my daily cup of tea.
Happy Monday
http://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/
This is Awesome! so making one of these!
What a fantastic idea, and looks easy and affordable too. Thanks. http://www.anrola.com
I bet you could clear-coat it. Or, you could force it to tarnish and THEN clear-coat it to capture that effect.
Love this project and the two tiered look! Absolutely beautiful 🙂
Love this!! Great DIY
Loving the copper!
Kristi | Be Loverly
This table is so cute! I love it so much 🙂
tonixox.blogspot.com
I couple of weeks ago I made a copper and denim magazine rack and this would look great with it.
That’s what I call the job well done! Oh, by the way I love this shaggy little rug under the side table. Here are some more of these: http://www.dorisleslieblau.com/vintage-rugs/deco-rugs
I did a similar table/ plant stand and I used a marble tile as the tabletop. I just love using copper pipe for DIYs! http://www.abubblylife.com/2015/03/diy-copper-pipe-marble-plant-stand.html
Ooooh this is so pretty! I’m interested in pricing out this baby. Thanks for sharing!
http://www.allthedelights.com
WOW! Love it 🙂 Absolutely gorgeous and we’ll definitely be trying this at home.
LAURA you are making us all look bad! Is there anything you cannot do?? I’m a huge fan btw! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Yes, I am also interested in the cost of materials. Can you give us a ballpark on the cost? It looks amazing!
today i posted about my own home decor {pin}spiration!! twins, you read my mind, i’ve been searching for more DIYs!
xo, kiely
http://www.pocketofblossoms.com
This is fantastic, thank you!
OMGosh you guys this is so cute:)
Laura
http://www.24-7style.com
I really love this sidetable. And it seems like a pretty easy to do, so maybe I should try it 🙂
Do you think this principle could be used to make a small desk? I was going to buy a desk for my bedroom but would much rather DIY it
I could never make something like this, I’m too lazy! But it does look really nice 🙂
http://www.gemmacarey.com/
I was wondering how you removed the labeling that is in a lot of copper pipes. Usually I see it with printed text for the manufacturer and the type of pipe. Or were you able to find pipe that didn’t have that printed on it? If so where did you get it?
Awesome! I am inspired to make one.
I love the look of this! So professional.
I’m planning to try this myself, but I’m a bit puzzled – do the joints really stay on (at the right place) with just glue?!
Thank you! Love the stuff guys come up with! <3
This is so perfect! I’ve just moved house so am so gonna try this!!
Find out how to style Summer suede here!
Looks pretty easy to do and adds such a different look to any room. With the size of the apartment that I share with my husband we’ve been looking for side tables for the living room that doesn’t take up too much space, these would be great! 🙂
This is sooooo cool! LOVE!
♥ Heather & Melissa
I’d love to know the cost of all the materials as well! Thank you!
It’s beautiful! 🙂
That’s such a good idea, Teresa! I’m gonna try this 🙂
what a beautiful DIY, the rose gold shade of the copper is just lovely..I need to try this DIY out <3
http://amelodyofdiaries.blogspot.co.uk/
This is so unique! I bet it will make a great talking point with house guests!
Jess at Wallpaper Ink
Hi! I’m a big fan of your blog! Have you ever seen this copper pipes table my husband did last year for our home? We have big affinity 😉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYTRkQuUV-E
You should definitely sell these! They’re amazing – I’d pay good money!
Charlotte / Styleaked
Hi, just came across your website and it’s wonderful! Plus, I’m surely going to try this!
Lovelovelove this table! But I was wondering. Why do you need 8 C’s? I could only count 3
Hi Laura! I saw your project on craftgawker and had to make it. I have cut all my piping and have started to assemble everything. You have written that you need 10 3/4 (C) pieces 8x, but it looks like you only use them 3x. Am I missing something?
This is beautiful! We’ve just moved and are looking for small furniture pieces. I may try this!
I just assembled the table this evening after having the copper pipes cut to the correct lengths at Home Depot, according to the detailed parts list. We were left with 5 pieces of pipe (letter C). We were stumped on where we might have messed up. After looking and re-looking at your diagrams we see that there are only 3 letter C pieces used in the assembly. Other then that the pictures and assembly instructions were easy to follow! It took my husband and I both to assemble it as we did not glue as we went along so needed two sets of hands to keep it together.
It turned out great. The total cost was about $60 but it is well worth it. I guess it you wanted a less expensive version you could go with another metal and then just spray them the desired color.
*I did clean the copper with lemon juice and salt before assembly to make them clean and bright!
I think it should cost around $60!
🙂
Laura
You could try it with thicker pipe, but it could totally work!
Laura 🙂
Mine didn’t have labeling on the pipe, so I’m not sure how to remove it from ones that do!
Laura
Yep! Get a glue that works for metal though, not all of them do 🙂
Laura
Yes, sorry! I tried so hard to count correctly, but I missed that one! You only need 3
Laura 😉
Yes, sorry! I tried so hard to count correctly, but I missed that one! You only need 3
Laura 😉
Yes, sorry for the extra cutting! I tried so hard to count correctly, but I missed that one! You only need 3 of the C size…
Laura 😉
Love this idea!!!!
I constructed one tonight and loved how easy it was. However, I made one small addition that I thought others many find helpful. I cut an additional four 1″ pieces of pipe and used them to secure the caps on the top.
Other than that the directions and pictures were awesome.
Thanks so much!!!
My pipe also came with labeling on it.
Solution…. I rubbed it with fine steel wool and it came right off.
Side note. I learned this the hard way… Clean the pipe before you cut it. Much easier to clean one long stick than several little one. Lesson learned. 🙂
My Bf and I are building these now!
Quick tip; if your pipes are covered in red markings (numbering etc printed on the pipes by the manufacturer) a quick rub with some nail polish remove will make it come right off.
Simple nice designs thanks
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These are gorgeous! Plan on making them this week! I would like to use a 12×12 tile instead of wood for mine and was just wondering if the measurements on the copper wire that you specify would work for this since you specified your wood was cut to 12×11.25?
Simple nice designs thanks.
I constructed one tonight and loved how easy it was. However, I made one small addition that I thought others many find helpful. I cut an additional four 1″ pieces of pipe and used them to secure the caps on the top.
Simple nice designs thanks.
I bet you could clear-coat it. Or, you could force it to tarnish and THEN clear-coat it to capture that effect.
So beautiful! I’m planning to buy the supplies this weekend… With some adjustments to the measurements, I’m wondering how tall is your stand?? I want to make mine a little bit wider/longer but am having trouble calculating the height… I’d like mine to be about 30″-32″ tall I think.
I constructed one tonight and loved how easy it was. However, I made one small addition that I thought others many find helpful. I cut an additional four 1″ pieces of pipe and used them to secure the caps on the top.