Building your own Lego table can be a fun DIY project that allows you to create a custom piece of furniture for displaying and playing with Legos. With some basic supplies like wood, paint, and hardware, you can make a Lego table that is sturdy, functional, and matches your home’s décor. In this guide, we’ll walk through the entire process step-by-step, from choosing materials and designing the table to assembling and finishing it. With the right tools and techniques, you can make an awesome Lego table even if you only have beginner DIY skills. So let’s get started!
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Planning Your Lego Table Design
Before you start building, it’s important to plan out your Lego table design. Here are some things to consider:
Size
How big do you want your table to be? Standard Lego baseplate sizes are 8” x 16”, so make sure to account for how many baseplates you want your table to hold. A good starter size is 32” x 48”, which can hold 16 baseplates. But feel free to make it larger or smaller depending on your space and needs.
Shape
The most common shapes for Lego tables are rectangular and square. But you can get creative with other shapes like circles, diamonds, hexagons, etc. Just note that unconventional shapes often require more complex woodworking.
Height
Standard table height is about 28”- 30”. But a Lego table is often used by kids, so consider making it shorter based on their age and height. Low tables around 24” high are comfortable for kids to sit at and play.
Baseplates
Will you permanently attach baseplates to your table or store them separately? Attached baseplates create a seamless building surface but are fixed in place. Removable ones allow you to reconfigure layouts but can get lost and damaged without proper storage.
Storage
Incorporating storage like drawers, shelves, and bins allows you to neatly organize all the Lego pieces. Think about how much storage you need, and where it should be located on the table. Underneath or on the sides are common placement areas.
Theme
If you want a themed table, decide on the style elements you’ll use like color, graphics, shape and decorations. Try to incorporate features that match the theme, like castle turrets or ocean waves.
Once you’ve decided on the size, shape, height, features and theme, sketch out some table plans to visualize your design. This will make the building process much easier.
Materials and Tools
Now it’s time to gather supplies! Here are the materials and tools you’ll need to make your Lego table:
Wood
Plywood or dimensional lumber work well for the main table structure. Use sanded plywood with one good face for easier finishing. Hardwoods like oak and maple are attractive options too. You’ll also need wood for the legs, frame, shelves, etc.
Tabletop
MDF or birch plywood make great tabletop surfaces because they’re smooth, stable and take paint well. Get a 1⁄4” or 1⁄2” thickness. You can also use more expensive hardwood sheets.
Baseplates
Standard Lego baseplates are about $10-$15 each. Get as many as you need to cover your table’s surface. Green and grey colors blend well, but you can pick any color scheme.
Hardware
Wood screws, nails, brackets, and L-brackets are used to join all the pieces together. Get a variety pack with standard sizes. You may also need specialty hardware like drawer slides.
Paint & Finish
Choose attractive, durable finishes like acrylic paints, stains, or polyurethane. Get necessary primers, sealers and topcoats for your materials.
Edge Banding
Iron-on edge banding covers up unfinished plywood edges for a streamlined look. Get edge banding that matches your tabletop wood type and thickness.
Glue
Have wood glue like Titebond on hand to glue boards and joints. Epoxy or contact cement work well for adhering Lego baseplates permanently.
Power Tools
Circular saw, miter saw, drill, orbital sander, and router make cutting, shaping and joining easier. Sanders help smooth and finish the wood. Jigsaw can cut out complex shapes if needed.
Hand Tools
Hammer, carpenter square, measuring tape, level, clamps, chisel, nail sets, and block plane help with assembly and finishing. Have sandpaper in multiple grits for smoothing wood.
Cutting and Prepping the Wood
Once you have all the materials and tools, you’re ready to start constructing the table! Follow these steps:
Cut the Tabletop
Measure out the dimensions you want for your tabletop, and cut your plywood or MDF to size with a circular saw. Use a straightedge guide for straight cuts. Cut out any holes or special shapes you designed at this stage too.
Cut the Legs
Cut four identical legs to length based on your desired table height. Miter or notch the ends if you want angled or unique leg designs.
Cut Supports and Frame
Cut lengths of wood to make the horizontal and vertical supports that will form the table base frame. Follow your frame plans for exact dimensions and angles.
Cut Shelves and Drawers
Measure and cut wood for any storage components like shelves, drawers and cabinet boxes according to your plans.
Sand and Finish Wood
Once cut, sand all wood pieces thoroughly with 120 and 220 grit sandpaper to smooth any rough edges. Finish with desired stains, paints, etc. now or later.
Add Edge Banding
If using plywood, apply edge banding strips to cover up the plies and give a polished look. Use an iron to adhere the veneer edge bands. Trim excess when cooled.
Now your table components are ready for assembly!
Assembling the Table
Here’s how to put all the pieces together:
Build the Base Frame
Attach the legs and cross supports to form the table base. Use wood screws and L-brackets to make a sturdy frame. Check for square using a carpenter square.
Add Shelves or Drawers
Install any shelves, drawers or storage boxes you’re including, using screws or drawer slides as needed.
Attach the Tabletop
Place the tabletop onto the base frame. Mark and pre-drill pilot holes, then attach with wood screws from below. You can also use Z-clips for easy tabletop removal.
Add Lego Baseplates
If adding permanent baseplates, arrange them on the tabletop and adhere with epoxy or contact cement. Weight them down until the glue dries fully.
Finish Assembling
Add any trim, back supports, decorations or hardware like handles. Use wood filler if needed to patch holes and dents. Sand again lightly when dry before the final finish.
You now have a structurally complete Lego table! Just a few more finishing touches left.
Finishing the Table
These last steps give your table that polished, professional look:
Apply Final Finish
Paint, stain or seal the wood with your chosen finish. Apply carefully and smoothly in the direction of the wood grain. Add multiple coats for best protection and coverage.
Seal Baseplates
To protect permanent baseplates and give a smoother feel, coat them with clear acrylic sealer. This prevents glue oozing from bricks over time.
Add Decorative Touches
Now is the time to decorate your table with any themed elements if desired. Paint on designs, attach hardware pulls, add graphics or embellishments. Get creative!
Organize Storage
Install dividers, bins and labels so all the Lego pieces have a structured place. This keeps the table neat and makes clean up much easier.
Stage with Legos
Finally, deck out your table with amazing Lego builds! Place Lego sets, landscapes, creations, and piles of bricks artfully on the table.
Conclusion
Building a custom Lego table is an incredibly fun and rewarding project. Follow this guide to design and construct your own table tailored exactly to your space and Lego collection. With the right preparation and techniques, you can make a quality Lego table even with basic DIY skills and tools. Just take it step-by-step. The end result will be an awesome furniture piece that provides endless hours of Lego building fun for kids and adults alike. So grab your wood, bricks, and power tools and get started on making your own spectacular Lego table today!