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Outdoor Coffee Table with Metal Bucket Base

Written by Cass

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Give your patio some character!
Our guest today built her family an outdoor coffee table using a large metal tub as the base. Brilliant!
She wrote an excellent tutorial and we’ve featured it here for you to add the comfort and functionality of a sturdy patio table to your space.
Happy Summer! 
DIY Patio Table From A Large Metal Tub, By A Place To Nest Featured On Remodelaholic

We also love these pieces of outdoor furniture, both beautiful and comfortable:

The Handmade Home, build a patio table using an old door

Build an Outdoor Table Using an Old Door | The Handmade Home

Going Home to Roost, diy porch hammock

DIY Porch Hammock | Going Home to Roost

The Basement, simple DIY outdoor bench

Easy Outdoor Bench in Less Than an Hour | The Basement

Today's Nest, patio cocktail table with planter

Cheap Chic Cocktail Table from a Pallet | Today’s Nest

build a rustic outdoor dining table, Unexpected Elegance on Remodelaholic.com

Build a Rustic Outdoor Dining Table | Unexpected Elegance on Remodelaholic

Now see how Melissa built this outdoor coffee table for her patio!

Metal Bucket Outdoor Coffee Table
by Melissa of A Place To Nest

diy metal bucket patio coffee table

Hi, I’m Melissa from A Place to Nest.  I juggle a busy nest filled with a five year old son, a busy Hubby, a full time job, all while updating our builder grade home.  I love wood tones, white frames, and if I could paint everything with chalkboard paint I probably would.

I was thrilled when I was contacted by Remodelaholic to show off my bucket outdoor coffee table.  It all started with our patio table set breaking to pieces from the strong winds by my house.  Enter a large bucket I use for my Christmas tree and my imagination.  The rest, as they say, is patio history.

Here is a close up of the bucket I had on hand (bucket size 3 feet at the widest part).  I decided for walking space to put it right side up and drill a few holes in the bottom for any possible water drainage.

Remodelaholic note: We’ve had lots of questions asking where you can find a similar bucket to make this awesome table! We found one that’s just a little smaller than Melissa’s on Amazon (affiliate link) here. We’ve also had fans tell us that their local farm or tractor supply store stocks large washtubs and metal bins like this. If you’ve built this, we’d love to see pictures and know where you found your bucket!

bucket for outdoor coffee tableNext came some planning and decisions about lumber and how to attach to the bucket.  I decided to buy some 1/4 inch plywood to use as the base to attach the 2×6 boards to.  I wanted this table to withstand drinks, kids, and most of all resting feet on top of it so a base was key.

lumber for outdoor coffee table

lumber for outdoor patio table

I drew a circle and cut the plywood into a circle.  The next step was my favorite to get all negative energy out… the beating of the 2×6 boards to give it some character.  After that mood-altering step I then glued the 2×6’s to the circle and let dry overnight.  I followed the same technique by using the plywood as my template and cut the 2×6 boards to match the circle.

making the outdoor coffee table top

I already had stain on hand that I used on my wood wall art and on my chunky bathroom shelves so I stained it up and watched the character come out.  Finish with a coat of poly and my table top was done.

I attached it to the base using liquid nails and then finished with some clear, outdoor caulk to keep the water out.

Let’s get to the final product since that is what really matters.  Cocktails anyone?

outdoor coffee table top

Project cost breakdown:

Bucket- Free (thank you Christmas)
Stain- Free (from other projects)
Glue- Free (had on hand)
Caulk- Free (had on hand)
One 1/4 inch plywood- $20 (we bought bigger for an oops piece just in case)
2×6 untreated lumber- $30 (my son is using the left over scraps for building Lego worlds)
Poly- $10
Total cost:  $60

The coffee table ends up being the perfect height with our chairs (luck was on my side) and we have enjoyed the deck so much more already and summer has just started.

Anyone want to come chill out with me?

 I want to come chill out with you, Melissa! Thanks for sharing with us!

[pinit align=”center” url=”https://www.remodelaholic.com/outdoor-coffee-table-for-patio/” image_url=”https://www.remodelaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DIY-outdoor-coffee-table-from-a-large-metal-bucket-by-A-Place-to-Nest-featured-on-Remodelaholic.png” description=”Ready for summer? Add this DIY outdoor patio table to your list. It’s designed to be sturdy and simple to build with this tutorial by A Place to Nest featured on Remodelaholic. #Remodelaholic #patiofurniture #DIY #outdoorfurniture”]

DIY Outdoor Coffee Table From A Large Metal Bucket By A Place To Nest Featured On Remodelaholic

Looking for more ideas for your patio? See below!

Beautiful Porch and Patio Decor Ideas

Dress Up Your Porch For An Inviting And Welcoming Entry. Beautiful Porch And Patio Decor Ideas Featured In Friday Favorites On Remodelaholic.com

How to Paint a Concrete Patio

7 Ways to Get Your Patio Ready for Spring and Summer

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Remodelaholic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Please see our full disclosure here.

Published: June 6, 2013Filed Under: DIY, Furniture Building Projects and Plans, Guest Bloggers, Porch and Patio, Tables, Tutorials Tagged: Coffee and End Tables, Furniture, Guest Bloggers, Outdoor living

About Cass

Cassity started Remodelaholic with her husband, Justin, to share their love for knocking out walls together. Since then, Remodelaholic has become a great community and resource for all those wanting to know how to make their builder-grade home BEAUTIFUL on a budget!


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Comments

  1. Becky says

    March 11, 2015 at 11:48 am

    Thinkinging about having my husband make a base for it. So can be a coffee table or picnic table.

    Reply
    • Cass says

      March 11, 2015 at 1:50 pm

      Be sure to send us pictures if you do, Becky! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jana says

    June 1, 2015 at 5:32 am

    How is the table holding up to the elements?

    Reply
    • Cass says

      June 1, 2015 at 9:22 am

      Hi Jana – This post is from a guest and I’m not sure how often she is able to check comments here, but you can ask your question over on her blog (linked at the top of the post) for a quicker answer. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Melissa @ A Place to Nest says

        June 1, 2015 at 9:26 am

        hi there! I actually applied a few coats of poly on the wood and its holding up great!

        Reply
  3. Pamela says

    June 19, 2015 at 9:16 pm

    Love your idea. For the table.

    Reply
    • Cass says

      June 22, 2015 at 1:29 pm

      Thanks, Pamela!

      Reply
  4. C.L. says

    May 1, 2016 at 8:30 am

    I LOVE IT! Awesome job

    Reply
  5. Jenn says

    May 23, 2016 at 10:43 am

    Hi Melissa,

    Thank you so much for this idea – it is beautiful! Can you please tell me what size the rug is? I tried to link to your blog to ask but you are no longer blogging. 🙁

    Reply
  6. Donna says

    February 13, 2017 at 10:48 am

    Great job! I love it, and the rug! Where is the rug from?

    Reply
  7. Deb Hatton says

    March 1, 2017 at 3:02 pm

    This is awesome! We actually have a round table top that lost its legs in the process of moving. We’ve been holding onto it for 6 years and just haven’t had the motivation to do anything with it. With a bit of a stain it would work perfectly for this. Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Pamela says

    May 4, 2017 at 11:48 pm

    Great look and idea. However, all the wood needs to be pressure treated for outdoor use or it will warp, buckle and rot. It should also be stained with a weather-repellent deck stain or deck paint. Just saying.

    Reply
  9. Amy says

    May 14, 2018 at 10:30 am

    How did you attach the plywood to the bucket? It doesn’t tell about that part?

    Reply
    • Cass says

      May 14, 2018 at 12:04 pm

      Hi Amy — the info is in the post: “I attached it to the base using liquid nails and then finished with some clear, outdoor caulk to keep the water out.”

      Reply
  10. Chuck says

    May 12, 2020 at 9:36 pm

    I want to make this and put a hinge in it to be able to use the basin for storage for sunscreen, pool goggles etc…love the design!

    Reply
    • Cass says

      May 13, 2020 at 3:58 pm

      Great idea! We’d love to see photos when you’re done!

      Reply
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Hey there, I am Cassity! Nice to virtually meet you!

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