DIY Rope Side Table
I’m back! The past couple weeks have been filled with moving, unpacking, and re-decorating. I’m still working on my new home, but just couldn’t stay away from blogging for too long. Plus, I’m excited to share my new decor and apartment with y’all!
One thing I always liked about moving is that it’s a new beginning. It’s a new place to decorate and start over. Granted, this move was a partial start-over since the floorplan is similar, but still a new environment nonetheless.
I’ve harnessed this energy of a fresh start and have been decorating most of my new home with a slightly different style and decor. Shortly before I made the decision to move, I started working on this earthy side table:
I’d had this repurposing project bookmarked for a while after reading about it in Apartment Therapy. Their tutorial spells out the process pretty well and it’s a very easy project.
Knowing I could find some cheap planters to create this table, I was sold… but I still had to customize this table to put my own stamp on it. After seeing an ad for a similarly-shaped wicker table in a decor magazine, I decided to add sisal rope to my table.
To do this, I simply glued the rope onto the already assembled planters with a hot glue gun. Start at the top of the pot and work your way downward.
The rope was a great choice because I’ve been making over the rest of my decor to be more natural and earthy, like my bedroom makeover. I wasn’t sure where I would use the table, but with my new decorating scheme, it could go in any room.
Once you’ve completed your gluing, give the table a haircut. Using scissors, trim all the scraggly hairs from the rope. Check out the difference this makes:

The top half has been trimmed while the bottom half hasn’t been trimmed yet.
The tutorial calls for using a pizza tin for the top of the table, but I used a wood plate I scored at a thrift store & painted white. You could use any round piece for the top; just make sure the diameter of the top matches the diameter of the planters. (My planters measure 12″.)
The only downside to this project: it uses a lot of rope and hot glue. I think I used about 4 packages of rope to completely wrap the planters. It’s still a lot cheaper than the table that inspired me, but it did take 3-4 hours to complete.
I’m still pretty happy about this project and the natural vibe this table gives the room. This rope side table would look great in a nautical, shabby chic, cottage, country, or beach-decorated space. At the moment, I’m using it in my new sacred space in the beachy Zen bedroom of my new apartment.
Plus, since the insides are hollow, you could even use the table for secret storage… like for that candy stash you hide from the kids.
UPDATE, 07/11/14: This crafty table is still standing and fit perfectly into yet another bedroom makeover! Check out a peek here:
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It’s beautiful! I love the natural look it has 🙂 I’m visiting from The Shabby Creek Cottage.. hope you’ll stop by and say hello sometime.
-Bonnie @ Revolutionaries
http://www.revolutionariesblog.com
Thanks for the compliment & for stopping over!
Your table is so unique and cool! I love the organic feel the rope brings! Nice job!
Selene @ Restoration Beauty
Thanks! I love the natural vibe it has too. Appreciate your comment & stopping through!
I love that you invested a little extra time instead of money to make something you love! This table turned out great!
We would love for you to link this up with us at Living Well Spending Less! You can link up any of your thrifty projects each Thursday – we would love to have you join us! http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/category/thrifty-thursday/
Thanks! I probably wouldn’t make another one again though, because of how long it took. Also, thanks for the heads up on your party and for hosting it!
Really cute idea, so earthy. Thanks for sharing.
Sarah @ http://www.creativeramblingsblog.com/
Thanks for the compliment & for stopping through!
Love your take on this. Looks adorable! Coming over from DD&D Linky.
Thanks! I appreciate your coming through to leave a comment!
This looks brilliant and it’s an idea I would have never thought up. I love the earthly feel the rope brings to the space.
Thanks! I appreciate your stopping by to comment & compliment!
I really like your creative twist on the project. It’s perfect for summer and the coastal vibe!
Thanks for sharing at Monday Funday Link Party!
Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!
Thanks for stopping through and for hosting your party each week! Hope your day’s great as well.
I love this project, I’m going to add this project to my growing to do list.
Awesome! Let me know how it comes out! Of course, I understand that to do list may take a while to complete… I have a long one too! Thanks for stopping over!
I LOVE your new table – it looks fabulous and I didn’t guess what it was made from ! Ingenius.
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Thanks! Hope you have a great week also and thanks for stopping through!
Hi Angela! What a fantastic idea. These look great. Thanks so much for linking up to Thriving on Thursdays. Your post will be featured at tomorrow’s party. Hope to see you again sometime.
Anne xx
How awesome! Thanks so much for the feature and for stopping by. Have a great week!
What diameter rope did you use ?
How much rope, in linear feet, did this project take ?
The rope was 1/4″ diameter. I believe I used 4 packages or so of 50′ rope.
Good job Angie!! I really like this. I am very impressed with your website! I knew you were creative but I had no idea.
How did you get the tables to stay together and are they plastic planters? High temp glue gun? Thanks for all of your great ideas
Yes, I used plastic planters. The link in the post goes to the tutorial that explains how to attach them together.