DIY Hexagon Stool or Side Table Using Thrifted Legs

Geometric shapes have been having a trending moment for a while now, and I really hope they don’t go anywhere because I just love the idea of these graphic shapes on walls, pillows, blankets, and even furniture! Today I want to share with you how I used inexpensive thrift store tables and plywood to make some super cute hexagon stools (which I used as planter stands slash side tables).

So why thrift store table legs? Because it’s way cheaper that way! I bought 3 tables for under $6 each, and that came with all hardware as well, so it saved a lot considering table legs can go for more than $6 each alone, and you’d have to purchase hardware separately. I also really liked that I could get varying styles and heights this way so that each stool was a bit more unique.

How to Make a Hexagon Stool or Side Table

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Ok, so what will you actually need to make these yourself?

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Supplies (to make 3 stools like this)

• 9 table legs and sets of hardware (meaning you’ll need 3 old tables)
• 3 12×12″ pieces of plywood (I cut mine from a piece like this)
• a miter saw*
• an impact driver and drill
• a pencil and a protractor
• a ruler
• paint
• paintbrushes
• clear stain
• 1oo grit sandpaper or an orbital sander
• gold paint pen (optional)

*If you don’t have a miter saw to make the cuts, you can use a circular saw and create a “fence” to help you cut a nice straight line, like shown here. 

Step 1: Draw and cut the hexagons

Start by measuring your hexagon shape onto the plywood. I’d say the best way to do it is the shown on this tutorial. I used the protractor method, myself and this is kind of what you end up with:

From here, I set the angles I needed on the miter saw and got to cutting, which meant all I needed to do was rotate the plywood and cut all the way around, and voila! Perfect hexagon! Though, if I’m being honest, this did happen…

Thank goodness I had 4 squares from my plywood piece! Measure twice, cut once, right?

Step 2: Add the legs

Once everything was cut, I sanded it lightly (just to smooth our the edges) and got to work on putting the hardware on. If you buy really old tables, like I did, you’ll have some rusty pieces, but that’s totally ok. They still work just fine!

Screw the legs back on and you have yourself 3 stools!

Step 3: Add the finishing touches

At this point, if you have legs that are in good shape, you’re finished! I didn’t, and I wanted these to be a little bit different, so I kept going and used some leftover chalk paint I had from past projects.

Having the legs on makes painting them SO much easier, and also makes staining the top of the table a breeze! I used two light coats of a clear stain because I really like the look of raw plywood, and the wood grain is actually kind of pretty on its own!

Let everything dry, and voila! (Note: for the blue stool, I used a gold paint pen on the brass feet to bring out more of the gold.)

These turned out to be pretty sturdy, though I’m not sure I’d trust them as stools to sit on. A footstool would be doable, though! I ended up using them as plant stands and a little side table trio.

Did you spot the last Remodelaholic project up there? Yep – that’s the super easy calligraphy artwork up above the sofa. I also experimented with these just by our sliding doors because it’s a great spot for plants and indirect sunlight.

I love that they’re so easy to move around! I love that the pink brings in a pop of colour! I love that because of the hexagon they sort of ‘fit’ together!

I completed this project on a Saturday morning while my husband played with the twins, so it’s totally doable and not difficult at all if you’re comfortable with a saw! So, would you try it? 

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More easy geometric DIY projects:

Moroccan style hexagon side table

modular triangle concrete wall planters

building plan: geometric display shelves

building plan: fretwork geometric room screen

free geometric art prints