Adding a Skirt to My Sofa Table Charging Station
2 Materials
$20
2 Hours
Easy
The sofa table/charging station I built years ago remains one of my most used pieces of furniture. Seriously, I charge my laptop, my blue tooth ear bud and my phone here practically daily. It is the handiest, easiest, most life changing build I’ve ever made! However, with my new sofa the way I built my little table was no longer going to work exactly. It would no longer be sandwiched so now it had to not only stand on its own but also not look quite so dang ugly because EVERYONE is going to see it!
I moved the table from the back wall (where it used to be behind my old sofa) to beside my new one, creating the "hall" that leads back to the main floor bathroom.But it needed some work before it was ever going to be right in this situation.First, I had to add some support to its legs because though it WOULD balance and stand on its own it would never last if someone bumped it. (And considering this is the highway to my main floor bathroom that just wasn’t going to work.)
I went through a lot of thinking and ideas on how to make a nicer base but the simplest idea turned out to be the best.I checked my workshop and happened to have a piece of barn wood lying around that ended up being the perfect length. I basically just made a TV tray lol by adding the piece of wood to the side of the center leg of my sofa table and then pushing it completely under the couch.No more stability issues! Meaning: I am no longer diving to catch my lamp every time I bump into this table which is practically daily at this point because I am, admittedly, a bit clumsy.I still had the glaring problem of major ugly though. I did NOT build this table to be seen.
I headed to Amazon and picked out a neutral tablecloth that had a fringe along the edge.(I am aware how weird it sounds that I purchased a tablecloth instead of just buying fabric – I looked at shower curtains on Amazon as well. The choices are unlimited, they have finished edges and inexpensive price tags and they also have the added benefit of being stain resistant and durable! The perfect solution for someone who does not sew!)
I cut the tablecloth completely in half the long way and then found the exact center of my table.One staple on either end then one in the middle and then one in the middle of each middle etc. until I had all the pleats I wanted. Such a simple solution! Its the same way I made my guest bedroom bed skirt and several of my closet doors.
I knew it would be pretty glaring as the first thing you see when you walk into the living room so I went neutral with the fabric. I like the choice I made and think the little tassels are kind of cute.The fabric itself has the feel of drop cloth so even though I washed it and steamed it I could NOT get all the wrinkles out of it and I don’t own an iron so… Fortunately I like that it has a bit of a “rumpled” look.
I think I achieved what I was trying to do here: I covered up the ugly! I also think it sets the tone of a comfy and practical space but also is still kind of pretty!
Resources for this project:
Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Hometalk may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.More info
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Comments
Join the conversation
4 of 47 comments
-
I think I would use a clip on type lamp. Seems like it would be real easy to knock that lamp off.
- See 1 previous
-
Hi there! Amazingly we never had any trouble with knocking the lamp off however we did end up nixing this living room layout for a different one that moved the table to the other side of the room. It really opened up the space! You can see it here if you like :) https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/living-room-reveal-farm-houses-can-be-classy-fun-practical-44297022
-
hmmmmmmmm????
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Do you have a picture of the addition to the center leg? Would love to see how it is fixed to keep the table stable.
Good idea. If the depth is sufficient, dollar store bins would add lots of DVD or dog toy storage.
I remember seeing the project of when you built that table, it was meant to stand behind the couch, to recharge your phones, etc, but the legs were to never be seen. Why didn't you leave it behind the couch ???