Kits for Building a Glass Taxidermy Display for Coffee Tables

Custom Display Table Kits

• You can find taxidermy supply companies, locally or on the Internet, who carry display kits that are designed for use as coffee tables or end tables. Usually made up of oak pieces and glass or plexiglass panels, these kits come in various sizes and shapes, allowing you to order one that will suitably exhibit your taxidermy display while serving its double-purpose as a useful piece of furniture. Van Dykes’ or Mckenzie’s are among the many companies that sell table display kits that come mostly assembled. You can also find companies that will customize a kit for you based on the dimensions you need as well as specific wood-type and stain color.

Coffee Table Kits

• A coffee table kit that is made from mostly glass or plexiglass with a metal or wooden frame will be easier for you to find anywhere, whether you are looking in local shops or on the Internet, than a kit designed specifically as a coffee table taxidermy display. You’ll just need to keep in mind that a table made to house a taxidermy display is usually taller and sometimes longer or wider than a typical coffee table to allow ample room inside for the display. But if your piece is small enough, a regular coffee table kit can readily be used for taxidermy display.

Modifying an Existing Table

• Much in the same way that a regular coffee table kit can be used for taxidermy display, if you have an existing glass-topped coffee table that is sufficient size, it can be modified to be used as a display. If there is a shelf built onto the bottom of the coffee table, you might be able to leave it where it is to use as a base for your scene, although depending on the amount of room (height) you need inside you may have to lower it. Three sides of the table should be fitted with plexiglass and your scene should be arranged inside before the fourth piece of plexiglass is secured into place.

Modifying a Display Case

• If you already have a taxidermy scene in a display case that is not too large to serve as a coffee table, you can save yourself some time and money by modifying the case, if necessary, to serve in that capacity. If it looks odd or out of place to simply set the case in the midst of a seating arrangement of sofa and chairs, adding a finished piece of wood to the top of the case to act as a tabletop will give it more of a deliberate look. This might darken the interior of your display too much for your taste, though. If it does, you can either add interior lighting or leave off the tabletop entirely and instead add a platform with short (no longer than 3 or 4 inches) legs under the case. Adding legs willmake the unit appear to have been made as a display table.