How to DIY an Entry Table for a Small Space

This post shows you how I made an entry table for a narrow or small space and includes instructions on how to make your own!  Your entry can easily go from drab-to-fab, too!  Styling is easy and I even used free art! Read on for details.

UPDATE: I have heard back from so many of you who have used this as inspiration and your photos of your tables are INCREDIBLE! I am so proud of you!!!

Welcome to our small, narrow entry way.

Our entry way is two stories but is not very wide. When I stand inside the front door I can just about touch the walls if I spread out my arms so it’s a little over 5 feet wide.  That makes it challenging when trying to decide on a table for that space.

Adding an entry way table, even is space is limited,  is a very welcoming addition.  It is an introduction to all who enter your home and can be beautifully personalized.

No two entry tables really look the same and everyone is different when it comes to table preferences and style themes throughout the home. They can be functional or just for looks.

There are a few factors that go in to choosing the perfect table.  Location, function and space availability are the three that set the course for mine.

Mine is just for looks.  I wanted a table that would make the space beautiful, that would feel warm and inviting and that I could decorate in a simple, yet elegant way.

I have looked around and could never find the right table.

Every time I found one that I kind of liked, there was something about it that was not going to work.  Too long, too deep, too short, too shallow, too curvy, too straight….and so on.

For years I have had it in my mind that I would build something out of these corbels that I have been hanging on to and, since I couldn’t find something I loved for my entry way, I decided to build it using these.

They’re full of beautiful detail and substantial, which I do love!  They were going to make the perfect base for a table, don’t you think?

I bought them at Hobby Lobby about a decade ago. But, you can find them all over if you scour the internet. By using these I would be able to have a table completely against the wall.

On a traditional table, the prebuilt table the legs would run into the baseboard and decrease my allowed surface area which meant that either the table would stick out more than I wanted and I also didn’t want to cover my floor!

Where to find wood corbels:

There are so many options on ETSY and EBAY that you could look in to. And you can check out Hobby Lobby. They have a great selection of corbels there, too!

BUT, if you want to embark on making your own, I just created another table and made these corbels in my garage with just a few tools and a few dollars.

Building the table would also allow me to build the exact measurement that I wanted for the length and have total control over the color.

After mulling it over for a long time, and realizing that I hung the mirror two years ago and never finished the space, I suddenly became tired of looking at the empty space that made it feel like we haven’t finished moving in.

So, you know what I did?!

I woke up one morning and I just did it!!! The hardest part was getting started.

I had also been trying to decide what color to paint the corbels and how I wanted this piece to look for a long time.  I finally decided on aged black corbels and a wood top.

I could have gone in so many directions because this is a completely customizable piece.

I chose black because my front door is black both on the inside and outside.  Also, the color of the iron in the sconce lighting is dark, this space gets so much light and because the artwork frames in that area are black.  Deciding if it should all be painted black or not was another choice I had to make. I ended up wanting the top stained in an espresso.

How I made my entry way table:

I had an 8′ x 12″ pine board in the garage. I think that I purposely bought it for this project a year ago but can’t remember because 1. it has been a year and 2. I have so much wood in the garage from a bunch of other projects that I just wasn’t sure.

I just used it anyway because it fit my need.   I also bought a trim piece that was 8′ long that had a beaded detail that .  mimicked the little beaded detail at the top of the corbels.

I measured and cut the board to the width that I wanted.  I then mitered the trim piece and secured it to the board on 3 sides with wood glue and a brad nailer.

A larger nailer with a higher gauge nail would have split the wood since it was so small and delicate.

I painted both corbels in a dark gray.  I wanted to mostly cover the brown, but left a little peeking through.  I then used a black paint over the gray.

This milk paint dries really fast so I was able to move quickly through the layers.

While that was drying,  I stained all of the wood using an Espresso stain from Minwax.

While the wood top was drying, I then went back over the corbels with an antiquing wax working it into all of the grooves and wiping excess off.

See the difference? What a difference the black paint and wax makes!  After the wax sets up a little, then you buff the wax and that is when it takes on a beautiful shine.

I measured and leveled the screws for the corbels on the wall.

I attached D-rings to the back of the corbels so I could have more control over the measurements for leveling them out.

After leveling them and attaching the screws to the wall with anchors,  I simply hung the D-rings on the screws.  I then added Gorilla Glue to the tops of them and attached my table top.

The whole project from beginning to end took me the better part of a day.

Thankfully, with all of the knowledge I have from the craft room, I was able to easily whip this out.  I wish that I had just done it sooner.

It reminded me that the hardest part is starting and it isn’t as hard as you have something made out to be in your head.

When it came to styling I didn’t want to overwhelm this small space.  Learn how to get FREE ART for your home that you can print and frame.

I kept it simple and used the rule of three. I chose a beautiful oversized plant and 2 frames.  Now this space is welcoming and inviting.

In the evenings, when the lights are on, there is a soft glow and beauty greets you when you walk in the front door.  I LOVE this entry so much now.  It really added some life and warmth to the space!

I hope this gives you the inspiration you have needed to create something beautiful in your own home!