Different Patio Folding Tables and How to Make Them

Crafters, handymen and busy families can always use a dedicated workspace for projects, even when there is no extra room to put in a traditional table or workbench. The simple solution are patio folding tables that open for use and fold away for storage. For an interesting DIY weekend project, build a portable folding table, a permanently installed wall-mounted or built-in folding table, or a small folding table tray for smaller projects. A folding work table makes good use of small or unused spaces.

Portable Folding Table

Take inspiration from the Folding Resin Multi Purpose by Office Star. Build a lightweight, portable folding table with two pieces of sanded plywood hinged together in the middle, folding legs and a mounted handle for carrying. Get hardware at home centers or from salvaged furniture like card tables. Get plans and ideas from carpentry books online. Cover the tabletop with padded cloth for a more decorative surface.

Wall-Mounted Folding Table

For areas with ample wall space, but not as much for floor space, mounting a folding table on the wall is a convenient solution. Build the size table needed using lightweight materials, hinge the legs and table edge that will fold down, and secure the table supports to studs in the wall for a practical and accessible work area.

Built-In Folding Table

More intermediate carpentry and handyman skills are necessary to make a built-in folding table, but it is well worth the extra effort. Like built-in bookcases and cabinets, built-in folding tables provide a finished look to a practical piece of furniture. Some drywall and wall finishing skills can make the folding table fit into the wall instead of sitting on it. Cabinet doors can further camouflage the table.

Small Folding Table

Two beautiful examples are Cambridge Solid Teak Round Folding Cafe Table 30″ by Three Birds Casual and European Café 3-leg Folding Bistro Table – 24″ Round Metal Top by Furniture Designhouse. Assemble 15 short planks of cedar with some screws and hinges for a great 36-inch by 24-inch folding table to use outside on the patio or deck. Built a set of four matching folding tables to use at barbecues and outside parties. You can also give them as gifts.

Folding Table/Wall Hanging

Build a table that mounts on the wall, with legs that fold flat to frame the edge of the underside of the table. Mount a large picture on the bottom of the table and it can double as a framed wall hanging. Lightweight materials and a good paint job make this folding table/picture frame a fun and unique DIY project.

Drop Leaf Work Table

Attaching a drop leaf work table to the side of a storage cabinet can create a pop up and store-away work surface to use anytime it is needed. You can attach a table top the same size as the side of the cabinet with hinges and attach folding legs underneath with hinges and supports that are strong enough to complete the table.

Easily Make Your Own Mosaic Patio Coffee Tables

Mosaic patio coffee tables are a great way to add creativity, flair and style to any room of your home. Be wherever you intend to put it in your outdoors, creating a tile mosaic will bring color and sparkle to your space. Here is an easy way to make your own mosaic table easily and cheaply.

1. Find or buy a sturdy table. Make sure that it is not top heavy and can handle the weight of the tiles and grout. Clean the table and apply a weather sealant if the table will be exposed outdoors.

2. Buy inexpensive ceramic bathroom tiles at the hardware store. Pick colors that coordinate with your other outdoor décor.

3. Wrap a cloth around the bag and put the tiles inside. Smash them with the hammer until they reach the desired size of your project. If you have broken pieces of pottery or dishes, break these down into small, workable pieces as well.

4. Arrange the broken tiles on the table top. Make a pattern, design or border with the pieces. Consider working with different textures or adding glass pieces to the project for more interest. Space them about 1/8 of an inch apart to leave room for grout.

5. Glue the mosaic pieces to the table top using cement glue or a strong adhesive. Follow the package directions and ensure that the adhesive is completely dry before you grout.

6. Mix grout according to package directions in the trowel. Use the putty knife to push grout into all the cracks. Wipe excess with a damp cloth before the grout dries on the tiles. Add another layer of grout if necessary to even the table top surface. And, again, ensure that all excess grout is removed before the grout can dry or it will be extremely hard to remove later.

7. Seal the mosaic according to directions after the grout is completely dry in a well-ventilated area and then allow plenty of time to dry before you start using your new mosaic table.

To save you the effort and time, consider just buying a mosaic coffee table for your outdoors. You should find very affordable ones that will blend well with your outdoors. Here are some examples.

Recco Mosaic Outdoor Coffee Table by Alfresco Home

The Recco Mosaic Outdoor Coffee Table by Alfresco Home features hand-laid mosaic tiles that are grouted with industrial adhesives for durability. The tiles are derived from natural sources like marble, travertine and slat. The colors may vary on each table.

Tremiti Mosaic Oval Coffee Table by Alfresco Home

Made from hand-lain mosaic tiles, the circular Tremiti Mosaic Oval Coffee Table by Alfresco Home feature a wrought iron frame that are electro-statically coated with a powder coat paint finish to give a weather-proof and rust-resistant finish.

Basilica Mosaic Outdoor Coffee Table by Alfresco Home

The base of the Basilica Mosaic Outdoor Coffee Table by Alfresco Home is made of stainless steel hardware with iron that is 5 mm to 6 mm thick. Its frames are electro-statically coated (E-coat) with a powder coat paint finish to provide a weather proof.

Preserving Patio Side Tables: Oil vs. Varnish

Outdoor wooden furniture like patio side tables is subjected to contraction and expansion because of frequent temperature changes and may be damaged by the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Oil finishes penetrate into wood fibers, enhancing the beauty of the wood but offer little protection from the elements or from heavy use. Varnish forms a protective surface layer that gives durability to furniture exposed to the elements and subjected to the rigors of outdoor activities.

If you are thinking of giving further protection to your patio table like the Brianna 20-inch Round Side Table by Anderson Teak, but cannot decide on whether you should apply oil or varnish, read on and know the pros and cons of using each of these wood table finishes.

Oil Finishes

Oil finishes include tung oil, linseed oil and oil varnish mixes that may be marketed as Teak oil or Danish oil. Boiled linseed oil includes dryers to reduce the amount of time needed between coats. Oil finishes are applied by wiping the oil onto the wood in the direction of the grain, briefly waiting for penetration and then wiping the excess with a lint-free cloth. Subsequent application requires complete drying, making the process rather time consuming.

Varnish

Varnish foes a good job of resisting wear, moisture and heat. This is the reason why it is the preferred clear coating for outdoor furniture. Most varnishes will cast a light amber hue when they are applied and will yellow over time. You may want to use varnish over dark-colored wood like Teak Outdoor End Table by All Things Cedar to avoid its yellowing tendencies. The best varnish for outdoor use is a high quality spar varnish. This product is far more resistant to wood expansion and contraction and many also contain ultraviolet inhibitors to mitigate sun damage.

Oil-Based Varnish

All varnishes are not created equally. Most are made with vegetable oil and resin. Modern formulations, considered to be synthetic varnishes, include phenolic, alkyd and polyurethane. Varnish is brushed on rather than wiped on and may attract dust during its rather prolonged drying time. A dust-free working environment is therefore essential. Each layer of varnish is distinct. Careful handling is required to work out surface blemishes and to give a good surface adherence for each additional coat.

Spar Varnish

Spar varnish is the type of phenolic varnish made for use on wood that will be exposed to the elements like the Solid Teak Round Side Table by Arbora Teak. You might have seen vintage watercraft made of mahogany and restored to an attractive, durable shine. The boat that was most likely treated to multiple coats of spar varnish. Clear wood garage doors also last far longer when treated and maintained with spar finish. Your outdoor table will remain beautiful for years when protected with high quality spar varnish.

If you have more questions on the right protection that you should use for your outdoor side tables, consult a reputable furniture manufacturer or distributor in your area.

Ideas for Replacing Glass on Patio Dining Tables

Glass patio dining tables are a reliable piece of furniture for the outdoors. They are relatively easy to clean, as opposed to a wooden table that is prone to  warping  and weathering over time. These also look very stylish and are much easier to maintain than most of the other table styles. Here are a few beautiful examples of glass outdoor dining tables.

• Bermuda Dining Table by Nuevo Living. With a frame made from natural and durable Teak wood, this dining table has a clean brown finish that is topped off with a rounded clear glass top. It suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

• Venice Round Dining Table by Vifah Modern Patio. Made of cast aluminum, this modern dining table features a Desert Bronze finish to complement your outdoors. It captures a piece of that wonderful California sunshine and casual lifestyle.

• Kross Square Table Incl. Glass Top by Sifas In-Outdoor Living. Authentic and weather resistant, this table offers rustic simplicity and expressive strength. This creation in “ultra light” forged aluminum allows it to resist the worst outdoor conditions.

The glass from  a patio table, however, can become scratched and worn and may need to be replaced. There are a few ways to do this, including changing what the surface of the table is actually made from.

Replace the Glass

By simply replacing the glass in a patio table, you will have removed the weathered look and made your table look as good as new. Depending on the size of your table, replacement glass, textured or clear, cost around $250 to $350 to cut and ship to you, complete with a hole in the center for your umbrella. You might also want to consider buying colored or painted glass to change up the whole look.

Replace with Synthetic Resin

Because glass tables are a bit fragile, replacing a glass patio tabletop with a plastic one  might appear to be a great option. These table tops are more durable to shocks and scratches penetrating  their surfaces. Plastic tabletops are made of acrylic Plexiglas and are almost unbreakable. They can be patterned, textured  or clear in their design. This is an inexpensive option that that will save you in the long run.

Stone Tabletops

A much more expensive but also more expressive and aesthetically pleasing alternative to a glass patio is a round stone-top patio table. These tables are usually ornately designed out of mortar, stones and cement, with patterns of different colored tiles and stones decorating their tops. Durable to both weather and human abuse, these tables will outlast the house itself, if given the opportunity. However, if you are just replacing the glass on your patio table, a stone tabletop may not work, as they need rather specific frames. Most stone tabletops have supports holding them that are made out of a strong metal. Many glass and plastic patio tables have plastic supports holding them up, as they are designed to hold much less weight.

Why Choose a Backless Wood Bench over Other Seating Types

A backless wood bench offers several advantages over other types of outdoor seating. If you need an additional seating area in your garden, terrace or patio, a wooden bench is most certainly worth considering. Below are the top four reasons to pick this kind of bench over the other types.

Space saving. Backless benches are intended for people to sit closer. As a result, you can create enough seating space for three in the very same area that normally has enough room for two chairs. Chairs may be more convenient and comfortable; however, if you are tight on space, you have to make some sacrifices. Still, this does not mean that you have to sacrifice comfort. On the contrary, carefully selection can make you find one that is as cozy and appealing as chairs.

Durable and sturdy. In contrary to chairs that are frequently moved, wood benches are usually permanently mounted to the ground and are meant to be left in place. As a result, they are less vulnerable to the effects of wear and tear despite the fact that they usually accommodate three to four people at the same time. The more that they are resistant to wear and tear, the longer they will look and feel good.

Stylish. Empty chairs look kind of sad no matter how beautifully they are made. Benches, on the other hand, look highly decorative even when no one is using them, creating a sort of inviting atmosphere. They also blend perfectly with the natural surroundings, especially if they are made from natural material. This makes them an indispensable feature in gardens where they have both practical and decorative value.

Cost-effective. A fine backless bench is never inexpensive, although you can create a seating space for more people with the same amount of money by using benches instead of chairs. For the cost of two sturdy, industrial strength chairs, you can easily get a high quality, commercial grade park bench for three. Check out these examples.

• Deluxe Sauna Bench by All Things Cedar. This is a free standing deluxe cedar bench that comes with a lower shelf for your storage needs. Ideal for a shower room, sauna or by the pool, this bench is made with clear Western Red Cedar with routed edges, sandy finish and zinc plated hardware.

• Cambridge 2-Seater Backless Bench by Anderson Teak. Unlike the typical benches and chairs with backs, the lowest point of this seat’s curve is directly in the center, allowing you to face either way. It is made with kiln dried first grade plantation grown teakwood with marine grade brass and stainless steel fittings.

Savannah Backless 4ft Bench by Arbora Teak. Made using Grade A solid plantation teak from Indonesia, this bench is the perfect addition to your patio or as substitute to a dining chair when used with a dining table. It features solid brass hardware and an ergonomic design for comfortable seating.