If You Can’t Commit to a Table, a Set of Hairpin Legs Will Set You Free

I’ve lived in my apartment for over 13 years so my living room configuration has changed a lot during that time. Former roommates (and their couches) have come and gone, a TV and console has been replaced by a projector, and a rug and a set of armchairs were added at some point. During the pandemic, I set up a hybrid music-and-exercise corner where a digital piano and vinyl records live next to dumbbells and yoga gear.

I say all this to illustrate how much the usable floor space in my living room has shifted—sometimes, quite drastically. I’ve found that it’s always easier and more sensible to determine the couch and entertainment setup first, then find a suitable table to fill in the space in between. Eleven years ago, when I was acquiring my first coffee table, I knew I had to get something that would offer some flexibility—in terms of size, versatility, and affordability—for my never-ending and ever-evolving living situation.

I settled on a choose-my-own-adventure route: I bought a set of hairpin table legs from Etsy for $68 with the intention of DIYing a wooden table top. That way, if I needed to reimagine my living room, I could simply swap out the table top to match whatever the next vibe happened to be. Plus, I felt as though these rustic table legs were minimalist enough that they wouldn’t feel so outdated to me over time.

This project turned out to be one of my greatest under-$100 acts (and hacks). The process of DIYing a coffee table with hairpin table legs is so straightforward and simple—all it requires is a trip to your local Home Depot or any home-improvement store, a drill, a tape measure, and some materials and an outdoor space if you want to sand, stain/paint, or finish the piece of wood yourself. Here’s how you, too, can create your own table.

Determine your dimensions 

Hairpin legs come in all lengths so you first need to figure out how high you want your table to be. The general rule of thumb is to have the coffee table two inches lower than, or up to the same height, as the seat of the couch. If a coffee table is taller than the couch seat, the proportion will feel off. Most standard coffee tables are 14 to 18 inches high, so the hairpin table legs should be shorter than that. If you plan on getting a super thick slab of wood for the table top, consider getting even shorter legs.

A tape measure is key. Sit on your couch as you normally do, and determine how high a comfortable coffee table height would be for you. Imagine yourself setting a cup of tea down or kicking your feet up while watching a movie. Think about what table height would feel most natural to you. Then, knock off two or three inches from that height and try to find a set of table legs in that length.

Secure the table legs 

Spend time getting lost in the hairpin leg search—click around, look at pics, and see what styles and colors speak to you. The price points can be all over the place depending on the finish and retailer but as long as the legs are metal, they ought to be sturdy enough for a table project—and a lot of listings will also let you know how much weight the legs can handle.

If the farmhouse hairpin aesthetic doesn’t quite work for you, take a look at options like clamp legs (it’s very "artists’ studio"), hardwood turned legs (for a more traditional flavor), or rectangular U-shaped legs (think sleek and modern).

16" Hairpin Furniture Legs

Amazon’s most popular pick with nearly 16,000 ratings is this $20 set.

Twisted Hairpin Legs

How about a little twist?

The Crosby Hairpin Legs

For a super low coffee table (or perhaps a DIY console, as pictured), opt for a set of six-inch legs.

StudioVerne Hairpin Legs

These hairpin legs have a more industrial look.

Midcentury 16" Brass Coffee Hairpin Table Legs

The brass finish adds a bit of luxurious luster.

Find your piece of wood

Figure out the dimensions of your table top before you head to Home Depot (or your lumber supplier) since you’ll want to get it cut to size while you’re there. I landed on my table top dimensions of 22 x 36 inches to have it comfortably mirror the length and width of my sectional couch with enough leeway on all sides for people to walk around the table.

I settled on a piece of unfinished plywood since it was the cheapest option. (I will likely upgrade to a thicker, more expensive piece of solid wood once I acquire the couch of my dreams, something I’ll keep for the rest of my life. My current couch isn’t it, but it works for now.) This plywood is a half-inch thick which is thin enough for a quick DIY but substantial enough that it doesn’t bow or sag.

Customize, create, and construct

Now that you’ve secured your table top, it’s time to add personal flourishes to the wood before it gets attached to the legs. Maybe you want to paint a fun design on it. Or maybe you have a specific wood stain in mind. I kept my project simple: I took my plywood onto my terrace where I sanded down the entire piece (especially the corners), rubbed a chestnut stain on all sides, then coated the whole thing with teak oil for good measure. Once the chemical smells dissipated and the piece was fully air dried, I took the plywood inside to drill on the legs a half-inch in from each corner. (Hairpin table leg orders often come with their own screws and hardware.) If ever you need to condition your wood, a dab of Feed-N-Wax should do.

More options!

Original Adjustable Table Leg with Levelers

Can’t commit to a length? These legs are adjustable and even have protective padding on the bottom.

Eavan Table Leg (Set of four)

These under-$50 legs come from Wayfair, and the lengths range from 28 inches to 40 inches.

Powder Coat Hairpin Legs

These powder-coated legs add a ton of flair.

BFM Seating NV Sand Black Steel Dining Height Leg Set

You can build out your entire dining area with materials from this retailer specializing in restaurant seating and furnishings.

Table the next project 

When you get a set of hairpin legs, the possibilities for customizable home furniture are endless—for instance, you could just as easily assemble a dining table, bench, stool, or side table. Scope out your table leg options and set your vision into reality. If you’ve got to move your table to a new home, you can always remove the legs for easier transport. And, when the time comes to swap the tops, remember to dispose or upcycle the wood responsibly if it’s been heavily treated.

We love the products we feature and hope you do, too. If you buy something through a link on the site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Reading:

My 2025 DIY Dream Is to Level Up My Living Room Into a Sick (and Chic) Home Theater

You Don’t Have to Be a Designer to Dream Up Your Own Custom Furniture