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Makeshift Table Under $35: The Look for Less

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Usually the cheapest furniture sources include the thrift store or Craigslist. The major downside is that it can be very time-consuming trying to find something that’s presentable and also matches your style. Not everyone wants to go the secondhand route, though.

An alternative is to create a makeshift table using stuff you already have around the house. You get to control the aesthetic and stay within your budget at the same time. Brilliant, right? So, here’s our plan to build that makeshift table for $35 or less.

1. Find a cheap serving tray

No doubt you’ve seen DIY table ideas that involve setting a glass top on something interesting — like a piece of driftwood or a large, decorative rock with a flat top. Those are both fun ideas, but the glass can be expensive, dangerous, and heavy.

Instead, find yourself a decorative serving tray. Check HomeGoods, the home section at TJ Maxx, or your local thrift shops for affordable options.

2. Pick up a sculptural planter

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Next, head to Lowes or Home Depot and find a sculptural planer. A tapered design allows for a smaller footprint, but really any style would work as a unique table base.

3. Combine

Test the position of your tray atop your planter first. Once you know exactly how you want it, apply some super glue to stick the two together. Voila. Makeshift table, on the cheap.

This table could work as a side table, or you can arrange two or three of them together in an ensemble that you can use instead of a large coffee table.