I’m of the opinion that you can never have too many side tables. They can be put next to couches to hold flowers and coffee mugs, act as bedside tables or a nightstand, or even be used as plant stands to liven up a dull wall. We love incorporating copper pipe into projects here at the blog, and I thought it would be a fun challenge to come up with a side table DIY that would really show off the beautiful color of the pipes. Since I already figured out all the dimensions for you, all you have to do is grab an inexpensive pipe cutter and a ruler and get to cutting!
Supplies:
-20 feet of 1/2″ copper pipe
-1/2″ pipe strap (x4)
-1/2″ copper caps (x8)
–1/2″ copper tee fittings (x14)
–pipe cutter
-12″ wide wood board cut to 12″ x 11.25″ (x2)
-super glue or epoxy glue
If you haven’t used a pipe cutter before, it’s pretty simple, but you can check out this video for a step by step explanation. 
OK, so I basically made you a parts list of all the parts you’ll need. Letters A-E are all the pipe sizes (and the quantity of those sizes) that you’ll need, and F-H are the caps, tee fittings and pipe straps that you’ll need as well (they are also linked in the supply list). I would grab your pipe cutter and pipes and sit down in front of a movie or TV show to make the tedious cutting a little more enjoyable. It’s not hard, just a little boring. 😉
Now that you have all your pipes cut, you’ll want to assemble the bottom of your stand. Just follow along with the diagram above and remember that everything on the left side is the same on the right. So, if you see a B part indicated on the right, it will also be a B part in that same spot on the left as well.
Once you have the bottom together, build the top half of your plant stand in the same manner. The only part not listed in the parts list are four pieces of pipe that I ended up cutting to be 1″ long so I could attach the finishing caps (H) into the tops of the four corner (G) pieces. Without the pipe pieces, H and G don’t fit together since they are the exact same diameter. So the inch of pipe helps them connect.
Now, you can either use a dab of super glue to secure the pipe pieces together each time you connect them, or you can assemble it all first and then go back and glue them together once you know they all are the right length (that’s what I would suggest, just in case one of your cuts is off).
Stain or paint your two wood pieces and use your H straps to secure the wood to the pipe on the underside of each board. Now you’re ready to decorate with your new side table!
This is actually the first side table I’ve made/bought with two tiers and I really like the look of the double space. (It’s also nice for styling purposes since it holds more things.) I think it came out pretty professional looking if you ask me, and I love DIYs that people will be shocked to hear you actually made. Think you’ll give this one a try? xo. Laura
Love a good side table DIY? Check out:
–How to Make Mirrored Side Tables
–DIY Terrarium Coffee Table
–DIY Lightweight Cement Side Tables
Credits// Author and Photography: Laura Gummerman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess Actions.
I constructed one tonight and loved how easy it was. However, I made one small addition that I thought others many find helpful. I cut an additional four 1″ pieces of pipe and used them to secure the caps on the top.
So beautiful! I’m planning to buy the supplies this weekend… With some adjustments to the measurements, I’m wondering how tall is your stand?? I want to make mine a little bit wider/longer but am having trouble calculating the height… I’d like mine to be about 30″-32″ tall I think.
I bet you could clear-coat it. Or, you could force it to tarnish and THEN clear-coat it to capture that effect.
Simple nice designs thanks.
I constructed one tonight and loved how easy it was. However, I made one small addition that I thought others many find helpful. I cut an additional four 1″ pieces of pipe and used them to secure the caps on the top.
Simple nice designs thanks.
These are gorgeous! Plan on making them this week! I would like to use a 12×12 tile instead of wood for mine and was just wondering if the measurements on the copper wire that you specify would work for this since you specified your wood was cut to 12×11.25?
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Simple nice designs thanks
My Bf and I are building these now!
Quick tip; if your pipes are covered in red markings (numbering etc printed on the pipes by the manufacturer) a quick rub with some nail polish remove will make it come right off.
My pipe also came with labeling on it.
Solution…. I rubbed it with fine steel wool and it came right off.
Side note. I learned this the hard way… Clean the pipe before you cut it. Much easier to clean one long stick than several little one. Lesson learned. 🙂
Love this idea!!!!
I constructed one tonight and loved how easy it was. However, I made one small addition that I thought others many find helpful. I cut an additional four 1″ pieces of pipe and used them to secure the caps on the top.
Other than that the directions and pictures were awesome.
Thanks so much!!!
Yes, sorry for the extra cutting! I tried so hard to count correctly, but I missed that one! You only need 3 of the C size…
Laura 😉
Yes, sorry! I tried so hard to count correctly, but I missed that one! You only need 3
Laura 😉
Yes, sorry! I tried so hard to count correctly, but I missed that one! You only need 3
Laura 😉
Yep! Get a glue that works for metal though, not all of them do 🙂
Laura
Mine didn’t have labeling on the pipe, so I’m not sure how to remove it from ones that do!
Laura
You could try it with thicker pipe, but it could totally work!
Laura 🙂
I think it should cost around $60!
🙂
Laura
I just assembled the table this evening after having the copper pipes cut to the correct lengths at Home Depot, according to the detailed parts list. We were left with 5 pieces of pipe (letter C). We were stumped on where we might have messed up. After looking and re-looking at your diagrams we see that there are only 3 letter C pieces used in the assembly. Other then that the pictures and assembly instructions were easy to follow! It took my husband and I both to assemble it as we did not glue as we went along so needed two sets of hands to keep it together.
It turned out great. The total cost was about $60 but it is well worth it. I guess it you wanted a less expensive version you could go with another metal and then just spray them the desired color.
*I did clean the copper with lemon juice and salt before assembly to make them clean and bright!