A DIY Leather-Topped Table

Build the Table

• 1

  Apply wood glue liberally to one side of a sheet of plywood. Set the second sheet on top of the first and align the edges.

• 2

  Fasten two spring-loaded wood clamps on each of the four sides of the plywood square to hold the wood layers together while the glue dries. Operate the clamps by pressing the handles together to open them, then slip them over the edge of the plywood layers and release the handles.

• 3

  Drive one wood screw into the center of the square with a power drill, countersinking the screw head slightly. Drive two screws through the layers along each of the four sides, approximately 4 inches in from the edges.

• 4

  Wipe off excess glue around the sides of the plywood with a rag.

• 5

  Leave the materials to dry for 24 hours, then remove the wood clamps.

• 6

  Turn the plywood tabletop over with the screw heads facing down.

• 7

  Align one table leg near one corner of the tabletop with the metal bracket flat against the wood. The exact position is your choice. Insert the screws that came with the table legs through the bracket holes and into the plywood with a power drill. Align and fasten the remaining three legs at each corner in the same manner.

• 8

  Turn the table upright on its legs.

• 9

  Scoop up wood filler on the front edge of a putty knife. Spread the putty over each screw hole, then scrape off the excess with the edge of the knife.

• 10

  Let the putty dry, then lightly sand it smooth with fine sandpaper. Sand the edges of the table by hand with medium-grit sandpaper.

• 11

  Spread out several layers of newspaper. Stand the table upright on top of the newspaper.

• 12

  Spray an even coat of lacquer over the tabletop, along the sides and around each table leg. Let it dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Apply the Leather

• 13

  Dip a paintbrush in wallpaper adhesive. Brush an even, thick layer over the tabletop.

• 14

  Spray the rough backside of the leather, known as the sueded side, with water from a misting bottle.

• 15

  Center the leather, sueded side down, on the tabletop. Roll over the surface of the leather with light pressure, from the center out toward the edges, with a rolling pin.

• 16

  Fold one side of the leather over the side of the tabletop. Tap a decorative upholstery tack through the leather and into the side of the table using a tack hammer. Tap additional tacks, evenly spaced, along the side of the table. Leave approximately 1 inch at each end of the side untacked.

• 17

  Turn the table around 180 degrees. Tug the leather over the side and insert upholstery tacks as before. Repeat along the remaining two edges of the table.

• 18

  Turn the table with one corner facing you. Press the leather along the left corner against the side of the table. Fold the right side of the leather over the corner, molding the leather to the corner. Insert tacks to fasten the folded corner to the table. Fold and tack each corner.

• 19

  Turn the table upside down with the legs facing up.

• 20

  Pull one edge of the leather around the bottom edge of the tabletop and staple it to the underside of the tabletop with a staple gun. Insert staples to fasten the leather along each edge of the tabletop.

• 21

  Turn the table upright on its legs. Let it dry until the leather no longer feels damp.