5 Easy Furniture Pieces You Can Make with Hairpin Legs

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Build a Simple Desk

DIYing a desk doesn’t need to be an intermediate project. If a simple writing desk will do, this table shown can be assembled by any beginner in just an afternoon. First, you’ll need to select your legs—a great resource is hairpinlegs.com, which offers a variety of styles and sizes. Hairpin legs typically comprise two or three rods per leg, with three usually being used for larger items like desks or dining tables for extra stability.

Since the standard height for a desk is on average 28 to 30 inches, choose your leg size accordingly, but remember—this project can be completely customized to your own specifications. A sheet of plywood cut to size makes for an easy top, then finish the wooden table top with a topcoat of your liking. For a more polished look, mask the raw edges of the plywood with an iron-on veneer in a coordinating material.

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Create an Entryway Bench

An upholstered bench, like the one pictured, should not pose a problem for someone who has previously reupholstered a chair or some other piece of furniture. To get the look of the one shown, courtesy of Carrie from Thirty Eighth Street, cut down a piece of plywood to your preferred size and attach a piece of four-inch high-density foam with a spray adhesive. Wrap a piece of batting around the whole thing, stapling it to the bottom of the plywood loosely on all four sides.

When you’re ready to attach the fabric—upholstery fabric is best for a project like this, for its durability—make sure the pattern is lined up exactly where you want it to be before wrapping it around the seat and stapling it underneath. Finally, mark off a spot for each of the hairpin legs, ensuring they are the same amount of space away from the edges on each corner, before securing them with screws.