Asked on Jun 12, 2014

Adding height

Nidia
by Nidia
Would like to add 8inches of height to this table to use it as a coffee bar. Please any suggestions and color to paint to thanks
Want to add 8 inches of height to this table to use as a coffee bar. Please suggestions
  28 answers
  • Heather Douglas Heather Douglas on Jun 13, 2014
    Maybe a thick butcher block top?
  • Diane Arnold Diane Arnold on Jun 13, 2014
    She obviously didn't like any of those answers or she wouldn't be here again. Here's what you do. Take those legs off, yes they are lovely, but take them off. Go to Home Depot and buy taller table legs and attach them in their place. As for color I have no idea what your decor is, so how could I suggest anything? Personally I love gloss black, or red but that might not fit your style. See? Some people would say lavender milk paint, go with your style dear.
  • Carmen Carmen on Jun 14, 2014
    Change the legs. Add a hutch to give height, plus storage. This can be done on top of the table/desk OR remove the legs,add to bottom of table then put legs back on attaching to the new addition.
  • Bonnie Medearis Bonnie Medearis on Jun 14, 2014
    I love the color on the dresser listed below "Country Pine Painted Furniture" and it won't show coffee stains or they will just blend in. For the height add a three sided top to it with the opening in front for coffee cups, napkins and so fourth. You can buy a table top to match this fairly easily and make the sides out of pine or birch planks. It would make a functional cubby for storage. Just some ideas to toss around. Good luck. It is a lovely piece and I am sure it will turn out beautiful with what ever you do.
  • Ken Ken on Jun 14, 2014
    Put a bottom shelf under it ! Build a short legged table just bigger than the footprint of this table's dimensions using a sturdy but decorative plywood with matching veneer to the desired finish you plan for the rest of the table and then mount this existing table on top of it centered from all sides and drill up though the plywood shelf into the bottom of the legs of this table so you can attach the bottom unit with the proper screws. This will give you the height that you seek and a place to store additional supplies when you are serving from the top of it. Depending upon the finish you apply and how elaborate you get, it could be done for less that $40 and in a weekend, by yourself if you are handy with a drill and a saw and tape measure.
  • Hope Williams Hope Williams on Jun 14, 2014
    http://4theloveofwood.blogspot.ca/?m=1 Scroll down to "How to add height to your piece."
  • Linda Mil Linda Mil on Jun 14, 2014
    If you choose to purchase taller legs; be sure to save the original legs. You may want a shorter table again @ some point!
  • Karen V Karen V on Jun 14, 2014
    replace the legs, with longer ones. If you are able to remove the old ones. Then take to a wood turner and have them replicate some new longer ones for you..
  • Tegma Tegma on Jun 14, 2014
    For some reason, those legs look like they were just added as an afterthought. I'd remove them, get some longer legs at one of the home box stores, or from another table that's trashed, but I'd attached them on the inside of the bottom, rather than the outside. I think they would look nicer that way. Another tho't is to get some 8" legs, attach them to the top, and add glass atop of the legs. That would give you a shelf under the glass for some of your coffee needs.
    • Connie S Connie S on Jun 15, 2014
      @tegma agree, those legs do not match this desk. I had a desk that was similar to this when I was younger. It had completely different legs. These look very "off" for this piece.
  • Nancy Merrell Nancy Merrell on Jun 14, 2014
    Get a piece of granite cut to fit top, place on eight inch legs stained to match. Use space as a shelf to store cups, tray etc.
  • Deborah R Deborah R on Jun 14, 2014
    Add wooden casters to the legs. If inserts are not already there, very easy to drill and insert. Readily available online on restoration hardware sites.
  • Penny Penny on Jun 14, 2014
    i think this is really a desk...that's why it's short!
  • SK on Elderberry SK on Elderberry on Jun 14, 2014
    I have done this before, It was a fun project. I added a finished pine box to the top of my piece and then another table top. I added a small 1/4 " quarter round to the seams. I used wood filling to fill the small seams, then sanded the entire piece and painted. I added 7" to the top of mine..We also had a small cupboard which we added on top at a later date. Good luck. Please let us see your final piece. sk
  • Betty819 Betty819 on Jun 14, 2014
    Was this a sofa table or buffet? I have a similar buffet that is dark cherry with Queen Anne style and that buffet is solid cherry and so heavy. When I want to move it, even to get the furniture gliders under it is a struggle for me and my DH who can't do much lifting due to back surgery 18 mo. ago. I stuggle to lift each end up to slide the glider under it, so this piece and his solid cherry desk doesn't get moved often.
  • Yvonne Yvonne on Jun 14, 2014
    Ikea also sells legs, and they come in all sorts of styles.
  • Nidia Nidia on Jun 14, 2014
    @sksartell love your idea!!!! I have Never seen that before.... Where did u buy the top piece??? I'm in California. @betty819 I don't know what it was used for because my friend found it in an alley; we have been trying to figure out what it was used.
    • SK on Elderberry SK on Elderberry on Jun 16, 2014
      @Nidia Hi Nidia, I made the top piece from laminated pine. I routed the edge to match the original top edges. I buy my pine from Lowes or Home Depot. It comes in several different sizes. I used a 1"x2' piece. I have a router bit that is the same as the existing carved edges.
  • Adrianne C Adrianne C on Jun 15, 2014
    I don't think those legs would support granite, it's too heavy. I'd add to the top of the piece instead of messing up the legs.
  • Polly Zieper Polly Zieper on Jun 15, 2014
    Whatever you decide to do, please post photos!
  • Barbara Barbara on Jun 15, 2014
    When I find pieces like this I try to have an antique dealer stop by (we have several in town) to give me an opinion. It's reassuring to know that by painting or stripping I won't mess up the intrinsic value of a genuine antique - 'original finish with patina' is prized. With so many early wookworkers in the 19th and early 20th century, it's hard to know if the legs were origianl to the piece or if someone replaced them. An expert can tell you.
  • Rita Wozniak Rita Wozniak on Jun 15, 2014
    id remove the legs and get wood and trace the angles on it and have some one turn it on a wood lathe. to make 4 new legs.. stain it and reattach new legs.. or purchase 4 strait leggs and attach them would change the design.. however..
  • Rita Wozniak Rita Wozniak on Jun 15, 2014
    FYI to help move heavy furniture IFYou get one of those small crow bars. the flat kind.. that has and arch on one end.. i put that under the furniture legs and step on it so that i can get the furniture glides under them.. makes moving things so much easier.. on especially on wood floors.
  • Nidia Nidia on Jun 16, 2014
    Me
  • Kathy Suckstorff Kathy Suckstorff on Jun 17, 2014
    you could always make a platform under it with cinder block or brick cover it and set the table on it
  • remove the legs, and match it to something taller that goes with the flow of the furniture itself. Swap out the hardware for something more modern, and paint it A light color.

  • this thread is old so if anybody gets my likes or comments let me know if that desk is this and what you decided to do!


  • Redcatcec Redcatcec 5 days ago

    Oh dear, the legs look like they are about to start walking, please take them off and get legs that match the style if the table, Great project.

  • I would remove the legs and replace them, there are so many lovely choices online now. I would paint it in a color that matches your decor and leave the top in a wood tone. Finish it with a strong poly to protect it from use.