A new use for the 3 legged tables

30 October 2008

Under $10, under an hour projects
Exactly the type of projects I love. I'm going to start a new category on my sidebar with easy peasy projects like these that don't break the bank.
Okay, so it's not exactly fabulous like I told you, but it's a great way of recycling! You know the 3 legged tables I'm talking about. I seriously see them at yard sales and Goodwill all of the time, you may have some in your house, you can buy them at Walmart for around $7.

We had 2 that we used as nightstands, and when we graduated to a black Target bedroom set, (someday we may have real furniture!! ) we decided to get rid of the little tables.




They were sitting in the Goodwill pile and I was on the search for something to put above my boys' beds that wasn't small or knick-knacky. I wanted something clean and big, and saw some cute tin ovals in a girls bedroom in Pottery Barn with an initial on it for around $50. Hmmmmm, I start thinking, I wonder if I could make something similar. I go down to Lowes, start wandering the aisles, think of using tin garbage can lids, but those are like $15, ask if they cut pieces of tin, or have any round pieces of wood, and then ding, ding, ding! I remember the little table tops I have sitting at home! So, that's what I used and it couldn't be simpler.

The tops already have your "hangers" on the back, ready to go. Get some big, light, wooden letters from Hobby Lobby. These ones were $1.99. Align your letter with one of your hangers on the back so it will hang straight. Paint the letter the color of your choice, paint your circle using paint, spray paint, whatever. I used a small bottle of craft paint and it covered the two for me. Just barely though, I would suggest using 2. Let dry, attach the letter with a glue gun and you are set!

I love the big impact with such little money!

Think of all you could do with these~how cute would they be in a girls' room staple-gunned with cute fabric, her initial and a big, fat satin ribbon to hang it from?

What about decopauging scrapbook paper onto it?

You could make it look like it's hanging from rope in a boys room and cover it with a suedy material

ohhhhh the possibilities! This worked for what I was looking for though. If you make one or think of some spectacular way to use the table top, let me know! I'd love to see.


Now, we just need to think of a project to use the legs. My boys wanted to use them as swords, but they're not the safest things with the metal screw sticking out the end. Hmmmmmmm...any suggestions?




I'll show you some more pics of the boys room tomorrow...we worked on it this weekend a little bit.

44 comments

  1. Melissa - That is a fabulous idea! They look so nice hanging in the bedroom over the beds!

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  2. Awesome! I love the colors you chose, how it looks with the stars on the walls, everything! Such a great idea! :)
    Carrie

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  3. super duper cute! Love to recycle and get such a great decoration in the process!~

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  4. I knew that I shouldn't have gave my round table to the DI !! You are so creative. Happy Thursday to you!
    Stephanie

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  5. What a GREAT idea!

    Paint those sticks like Candy canes and hang christmas pictures, or ornaments from them with ribbon for the holidays!!

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  6. Sooo smart! I did this but with MDF and fabric. Now you've got me thinking I should post about it, since I haven't hung them yet. Love your bloggy ideas!

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  7. What a great idea! My daughter's walls are tall in her room, and I have been looking for something like that! I may just have to use your idea! Thank you! Have a great day

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  8. toooooo TOOOO cute!
    I've been looking for something for the twins room and I think now I have it!! Thanks so much!

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  9. Wow, that looks like something I could and actually would do! Thanks for the tips!

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  10. What a neat idea!! I love it! I'm stumped though as to what you should do with the legs. I can't wait to find out though. I'm sure what ever you make them into will be ingenious!

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  11. Great idea! I love it. I've been thinking of how to change Boston's nursery into a "little boy" room...and this will be a perfect touch! Thanks:)

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  12. I love your letters on the wall, that is such a cute idea! Hmmm, what to do with those legs, I'll have to think on that one.

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  13. What a great idea! I've been wondering what I could do with the one I have. I had thought of painting and decoupaging it for my daughter's room. I like this idea better and I already have the letter:)

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  14. Oh my goodness! That is genius!

    Looks fantastic. Not sure what to do with the legs, but my son (and daughter for that matter) would have thought of the sword idea too.

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  15. Great idea!! I have some of those tables too!

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  16. That looks so cute, Melissa! I want to see their whole room now. Happy Halloween!

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  17. Hello. I am visiting today through Cherry. :o) I love your table top wall hanging!! May I ask how you hung them? What a cute idea!!
    Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

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  18. Great idea! I love seeing simple yet great ideas like this! I don't have any of the tables but next time I spy one on the cheap at a yard sale I def may pick it up!

    From what I can see of the boys room it looks fabulous as well. Can't wait to see more of it!

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  19. What an awesome idea!!! Glad you shared with us. As for those legs I came up with quite a few ideas. 1) A closet extend for the little one. put eye hooks and chain on them and hang from existing rod so the little ones can reach and doubles hanging space! 2) If you have small windows use a curtain rod. 3) Use to hold art paper (aka butcher paper) for the little ones. Use curtain brackets. 4) Attach to a wood base and use as a toilet paper holder. 5) Use to display a quilt or throw. 6) Use as lollipops for Christmas decor. Paint bottoms, use flat styrofoam circles covered with colored plastic wrap. 7)Use to drap magazines over or your tissue paper. 8) Save for next year and use to build your pumpkin topiary. 9) Attach clothes pins and hang with curtain brackets and use it for kiddos to display artwork to save your walls and fridge space. 10) Use to hold your craft ribbon with the bigger holes in center. 11) Hang wide ribbon from it securely and use to hand your girls hair bows. Good Luck and we want to see pictures!

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  20. I have 3 of these tables sitting in a closet. I could never throw them out cause I knew one day I would kick myself! So glad I didn't! Thanks for the great idea!!!! I was thinking that the legs would be cute lollipops-like sassy girl said. Line your walk up to your house. they would be cute spray painted white, rubb with a little silver and attach big snowflakes. Where does one get big snowflakes? The dollar store of course! Ours has some great snowflakes right now. some out of this bendy styrofoam stuff and some are silvery plastic! That would be cute and different! You could also stick them in pots next to your front door. Snowflake topiaries. Or, you could use them for a snowman. Get some big round styro balls. Put them on the stick, deocrate him and put the stick in a pot filled with rocks-maybe spray painted white! fun witer-keep up until jan. decor! thanks for the incentive to get me thinking!!! I know what I am going to do this week!!! I really love your blog!! Have a fantastic day!

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  21. GREAT IDEA!!! I have one in my basement I've been wondering what to do with (who doesn't!?) I'll save this project for January I think but it's now on my list!

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  22. That's funny, I just had one of those tables in my garage sale last weekend..it didn't sell :(
    That is a creative use of the top! If you come up with any other uses for it...let me know. You have great ideas. I am now following your blog.

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  23. Ooooh, this is SO my kind of project! Love it! Keep the projects like this one coming!!!

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  24. HI Melissa,
    We were on vacation when you switched your family blog over to private and I would really like to stay in touch with you and how your family is doing. My email is buffymadsen@gmail.com. I love your new blog though, it is very fun to look at and get ideas - thanks! I was trying to find that 72 hour kit you posted a while ago - is that on your family blog?

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  25. You have no idea how many times I've passed by these at consignment stores thinking, "I wish I had a new way to use that"! This is genius! AND I LOVE the way you used them. The colors are perfect! Thank you for sharing with us!

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  26. Oh my gosh this is awesome!!!! I love this idea! It looks great in that room also!

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  27. Those are awesome!! I would never have thought of using them for something like that.

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  28. WOW! Talk about being creative! I love how they turned out.

    Maybe use the sticks for drum sticks? Or for topiaries or for mobiles?

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  29. I love it! I can't wait to see what you do with the legs!!

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  30. So cute, thanks for sharing, I will be using this idea for sure. You all are so creative, I've been in a slump lately so I'm glad to have seen Chris' blog today.

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  31. Nice repurpose project. The legs would make nice bird perches or something for larger birds to chew on.

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  32. What a fantastic idea...love it! I am totally copying you on that one. You blog is lovely. Thanks for sharing.

    p.s. Found you through Just a Girl. I'll definitely be back!

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  33. Oh man! I sent my 3 legged table to the Goodwill a few months back. I'll have to look for them at garage sales or at the GW. I LOVE this idea!

    I suppose I could do a similar idea with paint, but I like the texture of the wood board against the wall...

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  34. Great idea. You could use one for a clock, outside for you house numbers or name, hang a smaller mirror on it, make a medallion, , paint concentric circles or paint anything your heart desires. My mind has gone into overdrive. Continue to repurpose.
    Sandy

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  35. Great idea. My boys are very grown-up yet I can think of other ways to use this idea. Think of all the things you could glue on it. How about a

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  36. Very Very Cute idea using something old and making it new again.

    karin

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  37. I just found your blog through Chris's "I Can Make That" party link and I l-o-v-e your site!

    Thanks for sharing such an awesome repurposing idea for the three-legged table (I've got to go grab mine out of the pile that was going to a church swap!)

    Can't wait to visit again.

    Kirsten of B&K

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  38. That's Fabulous! Love the Idea! You rock. . .

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  39. Guess what? I just found my 3 legged table down in the basement. Apparently I grabbed it out of the donation pile at the last minute. Score! Now I can do your project idea! I have to decide if I want it in my living room or my bedroom. If it goes in my bedroom, I may put molding around it to make a bigger statement on my blank wall.

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  40. I love your ideas and your blog,
    I'm going to try some of these great ideas!

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  41. Yeah, I'm really late posting this...but cut the screw ends off the table legs & let the boys use them for swords. Mine used my husband's fishing rods for them...fortunately, dad was working from home and MOM was NOT there...not my fault for a change ;D Also, if you do not already, keep arnica montana (available from the natural foods store) on hand. For bumps and bruises you give them 3 or 5 of the tablets tipped out in the cap and under their tongues...I am NOT a doctor, but those little homeopathic remedies worked wonders on our bumps, bruises, knots, etc. I was 100% sold after using it the first time. In fact, I need to get some!

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  42. Amy - aduke001@hotmail.com9/24/09, 9:54 AM

    Late - so very late on this one... but those table legs... have you ever seen the hanging book holder that is essentially a piece of fabric held up by two dowels... great for beside the bed on the wall...

    Again, late (I just found you!) but should you like a pic of that project email me.

    Love this idea btw.

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  43. Oh my gosh this is awesome!!!! I love this idea! It looks great in that room also!

     

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