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Hairpin Leg DIY Nightstand by Elyse

bedside table with short hairpin legs

Here at Modern Legs we offer lots of style and size options for our hairpin legs. And this table is a great example of why we do that. This is a beautiful night stand made by Elyse.

bedside table with short hairpin legs

As you can see the hairpin legs are much shorter than the standard 16” coffee table size to accommodate the greater height of the wooden tabletop. One nice thing about hairpin legs is that it raises the table to just the height you need while still providing room underneath. This provides foot room for coffee tables and dining room tables, it makes room for storage underneath, and provides more light and airflow for an open feel to the room.

This nightstand combines round and square angles well and will be a very functional stand for years to come. Elyse did a great job of matching the finished piece to the wood bed in the room–both are on short legs.

Our metal hairpin legs come in even measurements from 4” to 30” to provide you with metal legs that will work well on your next table build. We also offer them in multiple diameters to best meet your table load and if there’s a project you have in mind that would be best suited to custom sizes, drop us a line and let us know what you have in mind; chances are we’ll be able to accommodate. We look forward to seeing what you come up with!

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Window Table with Tapered Angle Iron Legs

window frame table with tapered angle iron legs

No, that’s not a typo, this really is a ‘window table’ and it’s a unique piece we had to share. This customer did a great job of upcycling and created a great table in the process. During a house renovation windows were being replaced so this customer made one of the windows into a coffee table using our tapered angle iron legs.

This table has a very unique look and keeping the old hardware on the window adds to its character. The old-school look of the tapered angle iron legs went perfectly with the vintage window…in fact it almost looks like the window is in a new frame the way these metal legs form a solid square around the window. The other great aspect of the window table is the light it lets through. It really keeps the room open and light with the added light on the floor under the table. What a great idea!

Our tapered angle iron legs are a great option in addition to the metal hairpin legs and bench legs we offer. We hope that offering a variety of metal legs allows you to find the perfect match for your next DIY project, and we’re pretty sure this project proves it! Whether you’ve got a tabletop in need of metal legs or a project you’re making from scratch, there are lots of great options to make a unique and functional piece. And don’t forget to send us photos of whatever you come up with!

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Magnificent Entryway Table with Metal Legs by Bruce

tapered angle iron legs

Entryway tables are highly functional and lately we’ve seen a rise in the number customers who are making them. Often our hairpin legs are used to make a longer and thinner table that accommodates entryway spaces and provides a great location to place belongings upon entering and exiting the house, but Bruce decided to use our tapered angle iron legs, and we can’t argue with the results.

marble top entryway table with tapered angle iron legs

This entryway table Bruce made is just magnificent! It has a beautiful marble top as well as storage underneath with beautiful cabinet doors. The tapered angle iron legs go perfectly with it. This style of metal table legs offers a more structured look to the finished piece and they are very popular with our customers.

Just like our hairpin legs and metal bench legs all of our tapered angle iron legs are made to order and manufactured here in Colorado. If you have something special in mind let us know what you’re thinking of and we’re confident we can help you build a custom solution that ensures your finished piece is exactly what you had in mind.

 

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Railroad Spike Art as a Unique Wall Mounted Coat Rack

railroad spike art coat rack

Most people know us for our hairpin legs and bench legs – and most of our work is metal legs, but we’ve been known to do some fun custom metal work for our customers as well.

railroad spike wall mounted coat rack

Take Karen’s coat rack for example. She wanted something unique and contacted us with her idea. The bent railroad spikes were a perfect finishing touch for for Karen’s wall mounted coat rack design. She mounted them on a beautiful slab of wood that really highlights so much of what is beautiful about wood. The rings, wood grain and the live edge of the wood are all present here.

The dark metal of the railroad spikes contrasts nicely with the light colored wood and highlight the darker edge as well. If you’re looking for custom metal work, contact us to let us know what you’ve got in mind. From table frames to Karen’s railroad spikes we’ve made components for all kinds of projects.

We’re always curious to hear what our customers have in mind and if it’s made of metal, we can make it. Have a look through the blog to see some of our past projects and before you know it you’ll have your own custom piece!

 

 

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Sofa Table with Custom Metal Bench Legs

Sofa tables! There are so many ways to add a small piece of furniture to the home that makes a big impact. We think the sofa table is high on that list. What a great use of space to provide additional functional space while using the couch. In almost any configuration, a couch table provides space to put drinks, reading materials, and anything else you may be using while on the couch—or want out of your pockets while you relax. Another great feature is that the table is accessible no matter where you are on the couch – not just from each end as with end tables.

sofa table with custom metal table legs

This sofa table was made by Benjamin who says, “[the legs] look great. I will definitely keep coming to you guys for future orders.” Benjamin used our flat bar bench legs –one of two styles of bench legs we offer–to make this great table. We offer hairpin legs and bench legs in a variety of heights and diameters, but Benjamin knew exactly what he wanted to build, so he got in touch about a custom set of legs. We welcome custom orders so check out or standard offerings and contact us if you have something else in mind. Thanks Benjamin for sending us a picture of this table, we’re sure we’ll see more sofa tables in the future!

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Bench Leg Storage Furniture

storage table with custom metal bench legs

Metal bench legs are great for benches of all styles. But they are great for so many other uses as well. Bench legs differ from our standard hairpin table legs in that they offer lots of surface area, meaning that most projects need two legs instead of four. Bench legs are designed to hold up a substantial amount of weight as benches typically hold up well, us. They also tend to hold really substantial furniture as well, like entertainment consoles, reclaimed post furniture and long tables. But just like our hairpin legs, if a table or finished piece of furniture is long enough, we can always add another leg for added stability.

storage table with custom metal bench legs

Here is a smart piece of furniture made by Anthony and Alanna using our flat bar bench legs. One of the best things about DIY furniture is that it is all unique. This piece of furniture goes to show how many uses metal legs can perform. This storage table has so many possibilities. With space both on top and underneath it gives so many options to the user – from entryway table to entertainment center this piece may get moved every few years, but it will keep getting put to use! On the lower shelves you can see where the bench legs were attached – they chose to keep those metal ends exposed which highlights the rustic look of the legs and adds depth to the second shelf. Congrats to Anthony and Alanna. We love the finished piece of bench leg furniture!

If you have a piece you’re just about done with, send us a picture, we’re proud to share our customer creations on the blog.

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Metal Bench Legs for Indoor Benches

tube steel bench legs

Benches are the perfect blend of function and simplicity in a single piece of furniture. When making furniture choices for the home, many of us immediately think of chairs and couches…but let’s take a moment to consider what benches have to offer.

Benches are solid enough to hold us while we’re sitting, but they are also slimmer and less cumbersome than chairs, meaning that they store under a table or along a wall much better than chairs. Plus, they are used for much more than just a place to sit for a moment or two. Benches are often used as additional table space when entertaining or simply running short of horizontal space. And yes, they are always a great place to sit – often for multiple people.

Pulling a bench up to the kitchen table, around the fireplace in the living room, or to a desk when working on a project, benches bring something to a room that having six chairs around a table doesn’t. The metal bench legs we make come in two sturdy styles – flat steel and tube steel. Both are built to effortlessly hold up the weight a bench is intended to hold. If you’re planning on using a nice thick piece of wood for the top of your bench, you can probably use two bench legs…one at each end. If you’re going to attach them to a thinner board or you’re making a nice long bench, adding a third bench leg in the middle is probably a good idea. If you’re not sure how to finish an upcoming project with bench legs, get in touch…we’d be happy to help you decide. And if you’re currently decorating or redecorating…consider what a bench with metal legs has to offer!

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Hairpin Legs and The Perfect Coffee Table

hairpin legs with feet

Wishing for the perfect coffee table to compliment your couch? Trying to find the perfect centerpiece for your living room?

Metal hairpin legs make the best coffee tables! Why? We think it’s the perfect combination of functionality and durability. They function perfectly and bring style to any table design. Think about the coffee tables you’ve seen recently. Chances are the tabletop comes to mind before the legs or underside. And this is why hairpin legs do the job perfectly – they can be counted on to endlessly perform, but they don’t steal the show from the surface the owner chose to feature. Having a beautiful and functional tabletop makes the coffee table useful, but having sturdy solid legs that hang in there and hold it up forever is what a great table is all about. Rest assured that once you put together your perfect coffee table, our metal legs will be there to highlight its best features.

bryans tree section coffee table with hairpin legs

Here is a great example of the durability of our metal hairpin legs. As you can see these legs are thick steel and solidly hold the table together. The Just the Tip hairpin legs add a nice rounded end to the classic hairpin leg shape; this adds durability to the legs and a variation in shape. The rounded “feet” of these hairpin legs nicely compliment the round table. This table is actually a cross section of wood showing the whole tree’s size and dimensions. Bryan described the build by saying,

Attached a set of hairpin legs to this natural wood slab top. Love how the 2 materials come together and I love how strong it is. you can sit on it, stand on it, anything, and it doesn’t budge. Love it thanks a lot!

Thanks for sharing Bryan, we know the table will last as long as you need it to!

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Do Hairpin Legs Need Protection?

patio table with painted hairpin legs

All of our metal legs are made of 100% US steel, and we’re proud of that. They are great for durability and longevity, but what if you live in a harsh climate that has lots of environmental factors such as humidity or high salt content…say right near the ocean? Our legs are thick and durable and even with salt in the environment they will still last a long time.

A half-inch of steel is a lot of steel – even left alone in a rough environment there will be years of use–probably decades–before the metal would start to downgrade. But there are ways you can protect your metal legs. The easiest protection is to wax the hairpin legs. This provides a clear coating that retains the look of the metal legs while sealing out moisture and contaminants.

Our hairpin legs can also be clear coated with a metal sealant, which will maintain the classic look of the leg while adding a more durable coating – and adding a higher gloss look. Clear coating will provide a longer lasting finish than wax but takes longer to dry – and don’t forget to apply it in a well ventilated area. Yet another option is applying gun blue to the metal legs. This can be done alone or with a layer of wax over it and adds a deep color to the legs.

If color is something you are interested in, painting is a great option for hairpin legs. Choosing a paint that is intended for use on metal will provide the correct adherence and protection qualities. Or if you want a removable solution, try Plasti Dip. It’s a spray on paint that comes in many colors and can be peeled off later if you change your mind.

No matter what protection you decide to use on your metal legs, be sure to remove dust, moisture and any other particulate matter before applying and follow all of the manufacturer instructions. And don’t forget to have fun! We look forward to seeing what you come up with so send us a pic!

 

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Your Own Custom Hairpin Leg Project

coffee table with metal bench legs

Making your own piece of furniture is a rewarding project. There’s something supremely satisfying about working with wood and steel. The opportunity to make a piece of furniture which is uniquely yours is just the icing on the top. To make a meaningful piece of furniture, many of our customers start with a special piece of wood. Maybe it’s an old piece of furniture you’re resurrecting, maybe it’s a tree that you grew up with, or maybe you have a love for a certain species of wood…these are all ways our customers have used our hairpin legs to transfer a love of wood into a piece of furniture. You can take it a step further by adding a personalized feature to your furniture by choosing the perfect legs. Maybe a pair of sturdy bench legs are perfect, or maybe it’s the right pair of hairpin legs. Whatever is right for you, the furniture becomes a reminder of what you care about every time you use it.

kim ho sitting on pencil bench with hairpin legs

There are endless options for what you can create in your own table to make it something unique and special that others will admire. Thinking about what you love in life will help you come up with your ideal piece. Our metal legs offer longevity and durability to any project. You can choose between our bench legs and our hairpin legs; the bench legs come in tube steel as well as flat bar and our hairpin leg offerings are quite extensive… check it out! All of our metal legs are made to order right here in the USA and they are constructed of durable 100% steel. We know you’ll be thrilled with the custom piece you put together – send us a pic of your creation when it’s finished!