Category: DIY Furniture

Modern furniture originated at the turn of the century as a functional and fashionable solution for much household furniture. Hairpin legs are a great option for affordable furniture legs. But how much should you pay? A beautiful piece of furniture with hairpin table legs can cost you a surprising range of dollars. Completed modern table leg furniture can cost into the thousands. But the great thing about metal hairpin legs is that they are so user friendly – you yourself can make custom furniture for a fraction of the cost – and you end up with your very own furniture worth just as much. Plus, you get the satisfaction of having build it yourself!

First decide what piece of furniture you want. We make a variety of metal table legs as well as bench supports so you have lots of options. Once you know what piece of furniture you want, select the tabletop for your project. Then you get to choose what style of hairpin legs you want – or bench supports. You’ll have peace of mind knowing they are all made in the USA from high quality steel! Once you’ve put it all together don’t forget to send us a picture! We’d love to see what you came up with for a fraction of the cost. Just think, in not time at all you could have your own custom piece of furniture for less than one hundred dollars!

Vintage hairpin legs originated mid century as a stylish and functional means of supporting furniture. Using minimal material while being strong and stable these bent hairpin legs provided function as well as form. Tables, chairs, foot  and bar stools, bird cage stands, and even planters and table-top lamps were all made with hairpin legs.

Today these same sturdy and stylish principles apply and people are use hairpin legs on a multitude of furniture styles. Can these vintage legs still be used? Absolutely! If you find some on a piece of furniture in your grandmother’s attic or at an antique shop, you can certainly repurpose them onto your own piece of furniture. Or better yet, you can get your very own set new – and made just for you! Here at Modern Legs we make a variety of hairpin leg sizes and styles – or you can customize your order to suit your individual project. There’s nothing like completing your own furniture project with legs made just for you. Every set of hairpin legs is made to order, so you’ll know your legs are made in the USA from high quality steel. So go ahead and start thinking about that perfect table, chair, bench, or lamp…and let us know when you’re ready for hairpin shipped right to your door. They’ll be the perfect accent to your new modern piece.

It’s the time of year when it’s getting colder and the weather is threatening frost. Many folks are bringing plants indoors. Perhaps it’s houseplants that have enjoyed the outdoor weather of summer or tender plants you’ve started this year and want to continue enjoying. Where should these plants go now that colder weather is approaching? How about making a custom table or bench for the flora migrating inside?

How should you go about this? First determine the amount of space the plants will take up and then determine where the respective table will reside. This will give you a good idea of the tabletop size and leg height you’ll need. Finding a tabletop can be as easy as checking for old boards in the garage or finding appropriately sized lumber at the local hardware store or lumber yard. The height of the table will be determined by how high you want your plants. Perhaps you want them up against a windowsill or at a height that’s easy for watering and other maintenance. Measure the height you want the table and subtract the width of the tabletop. That will tell you what leg height you’ll need.

Now comes the fun part! Head over to the shop and check out the leg styles in stock from our classic hairpin legs to our updated version of the the classic, the Modern Leg, which is a hairpin leg with a twist! If you looking for more weight-bearing duty, check out 3 rod hairpin legs or our “Just the Tip” Legs, which have feet. Perhaps something along the lines of bench legs better fits this project – we offer two styles of bench legs and can make them in custom sizes. Make sure to consider an appropriate coating for the tabletop if damage from watering is a concern. Enjoy bringing a bit of green life into your living space and send us pics of your creations!

Our modern table legs have been used for chairs, coffee tables and even standing desks. We were asked recently what a good beginner DIY furniture project would be, so today we’re going to discuss how to make your own desk, using modern metal table legs. So you’ve decided to make a desk instead of heading to your local big box store? Congratulations! You’re on your way to having both: a custom piece of furniture for your home or office as well as the satisfaction of having built something with your own two hands.

You’ll need two sets of materials: a desktop and some legs. Most of the projects we see made with our legs use a wood desktop.  This could be as custom as crafting your own butcher block to use, or it could be as simple as picking up a vintage door. Scout around in your area for wood you can reclaim, rough cut wood you can easily refinish, or perhaps a tabletop which you already own, but which isn’t the correct height for your new DIY desk.

 

Once you have your wood picked out, head over to our products section and decide what legs are going to look just right supporting your desk. Many of the desks our customers make use classic hairpin table legs, but the tapered angle iron legs or flat bar bench legs might add the perfect look to your project. Measure the height you’d like to have your desk at, and place your order. One tip for those of us working at computers: make sure you measure the height your keyboard and mouse feel comfortable at, which may be different than where you want your monitors.

If you are going to refinish or add a second coat of sealant to your wood, take care of that while we create the desk legs for you and get them in the mail. By the time the legs get there, your desktop should be dry and ready for legs. We hope these tips help you get started, and if you have any questions about which legs might be best for your project, get in touch. And of course, send us a photo when you’re done! We love seeing the amazing designs our customers come up with.

When most of us think of modern furniture, we think of adjectives like: low, minimal, simple. Those are all appropriate descriptors, and sometimes the hardest part of choosing which modern coffee table is right for you is finding the right style. Furniture is no different from many consumer goods in that you can create a beautiful functional piece of furniture for a very reasonable amount of money, or you can spend a small fortune on one. Starting with a great piece of wood can help you avoid spending a fortune.

One of our favorite modern wood coffee table styles is just a simple wood top with some sturdy legs or a frame supporting the tabletop. A horizontal section of wood is one of the oldest and most classic design ideas. For those of us who love trees and wood products letting the wood remain the focus of the coffee table is a perfect balance between natural beauty and modern design. After all, the mid-century modern movement was all about taking furniture and architecture back to simple lines and simple materials.

 

At this point, let’s step away from the aesthetics and talk about composition. If you’re going to build a modern wood coffee table blending a wood top and metal supports, start with the tabletop. Talk to your local lumber yard and find out what wood they carry. If you’re not sure what type you’ll like, take a trip out and see if anything speaks to you. Once you have a piece you think will work, decide what type of supports you’d like. Our customers commonly use hairpin legs or bench supports, but we can build a custom frame for your piece as well…just get in touch and let us know what dimensions you’re looking for. Once you’ve ordered legs, you’ll have some time to sand and seal the wood. You can sand by hand or use an electric sander…just make sure you keep the sander moving to avoid creating patterns which might draw attention away from the wood grain. Sealing the wood is as simple as choosing a sealant and giving it two or three coats.

Once your legs or supports arrive, attach the metalwork to the finished wood with the right wood screws (1/4 to 1/2 inch less than the wood depth), and you’re done!