How to Make a Table Taller: Easy DIY Methods

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Temporary and permanent ways to raise a table height yourself
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Raising your table can be a simple project with the right tools. You can add extensions like bed risers, decorative feet, or PVC pipes to your table legs to make the table taller. Wooden extensions can be added to your table to add height to the legs. Alternatively, you can replace your table legs entirely to make sure you get the height that you want. To help you with this project, we spoke to home improvement specialist Gino Colucci to get his best tips for raising a table’s height.

How to Raise Table Height: Quick Tips

To make your table taller in a hurry, purchase leg extensions or bed risers to place under your table legs. Bed risers can be found in wood and plastic, in an assortment of sizes and shapes. Be sure to purchase a set of risers that will support the weight of your table.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Adding Extensions

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  1. To make your table taller in a hurry, purchase leg extensions or bed risers to place under your table legs, suggests Colucci. [1] Bed risers and table leg extenders are available in both wood and plastic. They come in an assortment of sizes, shapes, and colors, so pick ones that match your table as closely as possible.
    • To install bed risers or leg extenders, simply lift the table and slide a riser under each of the table’s legs. Ask a few friends to help if you have a heavy table.
    • Be sure to purchase a set of risers that can support the weight of your table. Most risers have their weight capacity printed on the product or packaging.
    • Colucci suggests painting the bed risers the same color as the table legs so they blend in. [2]
    • This method will work for tables of any size that are made of any material.
  2. Buy 4 bun feet with pre-installed hanger bolts from your local hardware store. Drill holes that are approximately 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) deep into the bottom of the table legs, then hammer in tee nuts . Screw in the bun feet until they are firmly attached and the table doesn't wobble. [3]
    • Buy tee nuts that fit the hanger bolts in the bun feet.
    • Paint the bun feet the same color as the table legs so that they blend in, if desired.
    • Bun feet are commonly used on sofas and other types of furniture. There’s a wide variety of shapes and materials, so it’s relatively easy to find some that look good with your table.
    • Bun feet usually range from 2-4 inches (5-10 cm), so they’re a good choice if you only need to add a few inches to your table.
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  3. Buy PVC pipe that has a diameter of 2 inches (5.1 cm) from your local hardware store. Cut the PVC pipe into 4 equal pieces measuring the same height you want to add to your table. Turn your table onto its side and place the PVC pieces over each foot, then stand it up carefully. [4]
    • If your table legs are narrow, use a smaller width of PVC pipe.
    • This method is best for folding tables with round legs.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Making Table Leg Extensions from Wood

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  1. Place your tabletop on the ground. Using a ruler, measure the center point of each table leg. Mark each spot with a pencil.
    • If your table is very heavy, ask a friend or family member for help turning it over.
    • Be careful to protect the surface of your table from nicks or scratches if you are placing it on a cement or stone floor.
  2. “Turn the table over and predrill the center of the table leg,” says Colucci. [5] Use an electric drill to make a hole that is approximately 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) deep at the bottom of each table leg. Insert the back of the tee nuts into the drilled holes. [6] Use a hammer to gently pound the tee nuts into the wood.
    • Make the surface of each hammer tee nut flush with the wood surface to ensure that it’s fully inserted.
  3. Measure and mark the center of each wooden extension (for the extensions, you can use short unfinished wood pieces or pre-made table legs that have been cut down and are roughly the same width and type of wood as your table’s legs). Drill a hole into each piece that is roughly half the length of your hanger bolts (screws with bolts on the end), then insert the screw part into the wood. Make sure the screws are long enough to go through the wood block and into the table legs, Colucci cautions. [7]
    • Use an electric drill to screw in the hanger bolt if you have a nut driver in your driver kit. Or, attach a nut around the top of the hanger bolt and use pliers to manually screw it in.
    • Look for more unique styles of table legs and wood pieces at flea markets, garage sales, or thrift stores.
  4. Carefully screw the bolts protruding from each wooden extension into the hammer tee nut on each leg. Continue screwing them in until you meet resistance to ensure that they are firmly attached. To make the extension more secure, Colucci recommends using “a premium construction adhesive and the long screws to join the pieces together.” [8]
    • Turn the table over to make sure it doesn't wobble when pressure is put on top of it, which could be a sign that the legs are uneven.
    • If the legs are uneven, remove the extensions and re-attach them to make sure that they are screwed in properly. If necessary, you can also sand down the longer pieces to match the others.
  5. Use a piece of 100-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface of the wooden extension and the bottom of the table leg. Continue sanding until the line where the two parts meet looks seamless.
    • Wear a mask to avoid inhaling wood particles while you sand.
    • Remove wood dust from the table with a clean cloth.
    • Fill in any gaps with wood filler if necessary.
  6. If possible, find the same paint or wood stain that you used to decorate your table to cover the extensions, recommends Colucci. [9] Use a small paintbrush to apply the finish evenly. Allow the table legs to dry overnight before turning over the table.
    • Place a plastic sheet under the table or around each table leg to prevent stains.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Replacing Your Table Legs

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  1. Use a measuring tape to check the current height of your table from top to bottom. Next, measure the height of the leg on its own. Use these measurements to determine how long you need the new table legs to be.
    • Note that the height of a standard dining table is usually 30 inches (76 cm).
    • To select new table legs that closely resemble the original ones, take a picture of the legs to bring to a hardware store.
    • You may also opt to buy new, decorative table legs that contrast with your tabletop.
  2. Carefully remove all screws from the underside of the table. If any of the attachments are reinforced with glue, use a screwdriver to gently pry them off. If necessary, use a rubber mallet to carefully tap the sides of each leg to loosen the glue. [10]
    • Wear goggles while removing the screws to protect your eyes from any flying debris.
    • If any small blocks or wood pieces are attached to the underside of the table, remove them as well.
    • Keep the screws in case you need them to attach the new table legs.
  3. Place your new table legs on an easy-to-clean surface, such as a countertop or linoleum floor. Use a 100-grit sandpaper to sand down the legs. Continue sanding to round the edges until you get the shape you want. [11]
  4. Place your table legs on a large plastic sheet or other clean surface that you don't mind staining. Use a clean paintbrush to apply a stain, lacquer , or paint that matches the rest of your table. Allow the legs to dry overnight before attaching them to the table.
    • If you can't find the right finishing product to match the new legs to your table, consider repainting the entire table.
  5. Use a ruler to measure where you want the center of each table leg to be attached to the underside of the table. Mark each spot with a pencil. Make sure that each hole is spaced equally from the sides of the table. [12]
  6. Use an electric drill to make small holes at each of these 4 points. Line up the tip of your drill bit with each pencil mark to be as accurate as possible. Drill each hole approximately 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) deep. [13]
  7. Add a few rings of woodworking glue around the hanger bolts for extra reinforcement when attaching the table legs . Slowly screw each leg into each of the 4 corners of the table. Stop when you meet resistance and the leg is firmly attached.
  8. It is best to let the woodworking glue dry completely before moving the table to make sure it bonds properly. Let the table sit overnight, or for 6-8 hours. After this drying period, you can turn over the table carefully and use it normally. [14]
    • Putting weight on your table before the glue dries could loosen the legs and make the table wobbly.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you make table legs longer?
    Gino Colucci
    Home Improvement Specialist
    Gino Colucci is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Crackerjacks Handyman Services (not a licensed contractor) in Chandler, Arizona. Crackerjacks Handyman Services offers an effective cost-saving solution for commercial and residential repair and maintenance needs, specializing in smaller projects. Crackerjacks Handyman Services carries liability insurance and all technicians go through a background check.
    Gino Colucci
    Home Improvement Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Purchase or make your own wood blocks, leg extensions, or risers. Source screws long enough for the task. Turn the table over and pre-drill the center of the table leg and desired extension. Then, follow your predrilled hole with a bit that's larger than the screw head you're using so the screw will be recessed. Use a premium construction adhesive and the long screws to join the pieces together. Stain or paint the extensions to match the legs.
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      Things You'll Need

      Adding Extensions

      Attaching Wooden Extensions to the Table Legs

      • Pieces of wood
      • Ruler
      • Pencil
      • Electric drill
      • 4 Tee nuts
      • Hammer
      • 4 Hanger bolts
      • 100-grit sandpaper
      • Clean cloth
      • Paint or wood finish
      • Small paintbrush

      Replacing Your Table Legs

      • Measuring tape
      • Electric drill
      • Screwdriver
      • Goggles
      • Rubber mallet
      • 100-grit sandpaper
      • Varnish, lacquer, or paint
      • Woodworking glue

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      References

      1. ↑ Gino Colucci. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.
      2. ↑ Gino Colucci. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/p4bvDGcRn1s?t=93
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/QbKU0tWwjIM?t=60
      5. ↑ Gino Colucci. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/JuZTf3h8C-I?t=65
      7. ↑ Gino Colucci. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.
      8. ↑ Gino Colucci. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.
      9. ↑ Gino Colucci. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.
      1. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/add-taller-legs-coffee-table-18026434.php
      2. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/add-taller-legs-coffee-table-18026434.php
      3. ↑ https://howtonestforless.com/2015/07/29/how-to-add-legs-to-furniture/
      4. ↑ https://howtonestforless.com/2015/07/29/how-to-add-legs-to-furniture/
      5. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/add-taller-legs-coffee-table-18026434.php

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To raise the height of a table temporarily, buy a set of bed risers, which are wood or plastic supports that go on the bottom of your table legs. For a more permanent solution, buy bun feet or get 4 short pieces of wood the same height. Then, attach them to the bottom of your table legs with screws or hanger bolts. If you want to blend the new feet in with the table, sand the wood where the legs meet the extensions. You can also paint the bottom of the legs with the same color paint as the rest of the table. For more tips, including how to replace your table legs with taller ones, read on!

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