Plans to Build a Hall Table Using an Old Door

An Old Door Becomes an Entry Table with a Light Fixture

If you are a regular reader of Designs by Studio C, you know that I am a huge fan of my local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. I have found some of the greatest doors, light fixtures, cabinet pulls, and old furniture pieces there. I bought a narrow door from the ReStore about a year ago and have been waiting for just the right project… I created these plans to build a table using an old door quite awhile ago but just hadn’t had the opportunity to put it in motion!

This nifty table is built using scrap lumber, an old mirror, and a really cool light fixture, also purchased from the ReStore. The light fixture has new sockets and has been rewired to be plugged in. The mirror is cut to fit the center recess in the door, and I used my own chalk paint to make it look fabulous!

Initially, I cut the panels out of the door using my jigsaw for a different project but I wasn’t “feeling” it. I measured the openings, then cut pieces of plywood to fit, securing them in place with pocket hole joinery (so if you see pocket holes on the back side of the panels when I show how to install the fixture, you’ll know why!).

I’ve drawn the height of the table at 36-3/4″. The width and depth will depend on personal preference as well as the width of the door you choose. The same plan will apply to any solid wood door.

Materials:

• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws (<– affiliate link!)
• 1-1/4″ brad nails
• Edge banding, optional
• 1 – round electrical box for old or existing work
• 1 light fixture
• Lamp cord – 15 feet of SPT-2
• Plug for lamp cord
• Nail-on cord clips
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
• Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)

Lumber:

• 2 – 2×2 at 8′
• Scraps of 1×3 lumber (I used plywood)
• 3/4″ plywood for the shelves and top

Cut List:

• 2 – 2×2 at 36″ – Legs
• 3 – 1×3 at the width of the door minus 3″ – Front Stretchers
• 6 – 1×3 at the desired depth of the table minus 1-1/2″ – Side Stretchers
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood – Shelves
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood – Top

Edge banding (if desired) will be applied to the exposed edges of the plywood prior to assembly.

Step One

Cut the pieces for the legs and cut the taper using a jigsaw or a tapering jig on the table saw.

Step Two

Measure the width of the door. The door I used measured 20″ wide. Cut the 1×3 pieces for the front stretchers at the width of the door minus 3″. With the pocket hole jig set for 3/4″ material, drill pocket hole sin each end of the front stretcher pieces. Secure the stretchers to the legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws, locating the pieces 1/4″ back from the front face of the legs.

Step Three

Determine the depth of the table. I wanted the table to measure 13″ deep which does not include the thickness of the door. Cut the side stretchers at the overall depth of the table minus 1-1/2″. Drill pocket holes in each end of each piece. Secure the side stretchers to the legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws, locating the pieces 1/4″ back from the side faces of the legs. Secure the table assembly to the door using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Four

Measure from the outside of the center and lower front stretchers to the door, and from the outside of the side stretcher to the outside of the opposite side stretcher. This will be the size of the shelves. Cut a notch in each of the front corners to allow for the legs (approximately 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″) using a jigsaw. Secure the shelves to the stretchers using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails starting with the lowest shelf.

Step Five

Use the same overall measurement for the shelves to cut the top but do not cut notches in the corners. Secure the top to the frame using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Thoroughly sand the entire piece, and finish as desired. I used my own chalk paint using Plaster of Paris and Clark + Kensington paint (the BEST!!) in “Chalk” – pun intended!

To cut the mirror for the center panel:

Measure the center panel and subtract approximately 1/8″ from the height and width just in case the door isn’t square (mine wasn’t). Cut the mirror to size using a glass cutter. Wear gloves and safety glasses! Apply an adhesive for mirrors  or plain old silicone to the back of the mirror, then position in the center panel. I forgot to photograph this step but I know you get the idea!

To install the light fixture:

Choose an area on the upper part of the door for the fixture to fit. On the door I used, the fixture fit perfectly in the upper panel. Use a hole saw to cut an opening for the electrical box, then install the box. The box can also be spray painted to match the door so that it isn’t as visible. I added a piece of scrapbooking paper to the panel as a background for the light fixture. This step is totally optional!

Install the cross bar on the box to support the fixture. Cut a piece of lamp cord approximately 15 feet long and add a plug to the end. Thread the lamp cord through one of the openings in the electrical box.

I used a pull-chain switch on this light fixture since the fixture had a hole for a third arm that broke off. The switch fit perfectly! I then wired the fixture to the cord and tucked all of the wiring in the box, securing the fixture to the bar with a small piece of threaded pipe and a locking cap.

Secure the cord to the back of the door with the cord clips.

That’s it! Super easy, right? This piece would look great in so many areas – as an end table in the living room, as a nightstand, in an entryway – the possibilities are endless!

Have any questions about the plans to build a table using an old door? Leave a comment below or contact me at cher {at} designsbystudioc {dot} com!

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My Repurposed Life, Funky Junk Interiors

Originally posted 2014-07-03 08:00:23.