Cardboard and Duct Tape Patio Table

Need an extra table for the yard or patio?  Maybe you occasionally have a few people over and don't want to invest in extra furniture that will only be used a few times.  Or, you just need a special place to set your umbrella drinks.  Most affordable outdoor tables are not very sturdy and at best, on the plain side.

This design for a cardboard and duct tape table admittedly, isn't very sturdy either, but you can use it for at least a season and since you make it out of cardboard and 1/3 - 1/2 a roll of duck tape it is a more cost effective (and also cuter) option.

The center piece is taped in, but still able to be removed, so you could mix it up for different events. The square may be decorated with pretty much anything, covered in clear contact paper and reset in the table. It would be easy to have custom tables for Fourth of July, BBQs, summer birthdays, etc.

Step 1 Prep Cardboard and Cut

Since I am forever feeling bad about throwing out perfectly good boxes, but really have no need for them, I've been checking out the cardboard projects. This project was inspired, in part, by the awesome cardboard lumber Instructable:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-Lumber/

Now, I am no where near as hardcore as that, but this table is in a similar spirit (just a tinier one).

So, like the cardboard lumber, you will need to prepare by gluing layers of cardboard together. I opted for three layers for most single pieces. The legs are three pieces of three. Nine layers, plus the duct tape, seem strong enough for a small table.

Start you lumber...

• Cut boxes into pieces...just follow along natural bends (a couple medium Amazon boxes were used for this project)
• Stack up in sets of three and glue
• Set something heavy on top and let dry overnight

You'll need the following pieces (all from the 3 layer cardboard):

Top
9" x 9" squares (2 pieces)

Legs
2" x 16" (8 pieces)
2" x 11" (4 pieces)
2" x 3"   (4 pieces)

Crossbars
1" x 7" (8 pieces)

Comments

[agis68]

really beautiful table....i liked the fabric you used....