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Easy To Make DIY Farmhouse Table Riser

If you’d like an Easy to Make DIY Farmhouse Table Riser, check out this tutorial.

I used new wood but added a rustic appearance by distressing the wood and using a dry brush chalk paint technique.

I’ve wanted a long table riser for a couple of years, and when Allison at American School of Charm asked me to join a DIY Blogger’s Challenge, I knew it was finally time to make one for our Christmas Holiday Party. Be sure to see all the other creative DIY Table Risers at the end of this post.

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What Is A Table Riser?

A table riser creates visual interest to table centerpieces, vignettes and bookshelves by elevating certain items at varying heights.

You can use a table riser to add height to candlesticks, floral arrangements, centerpiece items, and more.

What are Table Risers Made From?

You will find that table risers can be made from various materials, including wood, metal, glass, ceramic, and plastic.

To create table risers, you can use a wooden slice, stacked plates, books, and cake plates.

We are building the table riser from new wood for today’s project. You can see all the materials and tools listed at the end of this post.

How To Build The Wood Table Riser

Begin by cutting your 4′ board down to 40″ long. Due to the width of the board, a table saw is the easiest method. However, if you are purchasing from Lowes Home Improvement or Home Depot, they will usually cut the board to size at the store.


Attach Smaller Board

Adding a second board to the farmhouse style riser, gives it added dimension and more character.

It is easy to attach the board with wood glue. Begin by placing the smaller board in the exact center of the larger board and use a pencil to mark the placement. Then turn the board over and apply a very thin layer of glue over the surface of the backside. You don’t want the glue to seep out from under the top board because your stain will not adhere to the glue properly. Should this occur, be sure to wipe away the excess glue quickly and thoroughly.

Two level DIY Table Riser for Farmhouse Table Centerpiece

Clamp and Wait Until Dry

Next clamp the two boards together until the glue is dry. In addition, place a protective layer between the top board and the clamp to prevent bruising of the delicate pine wood.

Use clamps to hold the glued pieces of the table riser together

Add Feet to the DIY Farmhouse Riser

Now that the glue has dried, you can add the feet to the bottom board.

Begin by determining the location of the feet. I decided to place them just inside the corners of the top board. Then drill a 3/16″ hole, using a cordless drill, approx. 1″ deep, allowing the hole to go through the 1″ board and slightly into the 1/4″ board. .

Drill hole to add feet to the DIY Table riser

Next, cut the dowel rod into 4 – 1 1/2 inch pieces.

Note: the length of the dowel rod pieces may need to be adjusted depending on the depth of the hole in the ball knobs.

add wooden ball feet to the bottom of the table riser with dowl rods and wood glue.

Add a drop of wood glue to both ends of the dowel rod and insert in the ball knob as well as the drilled hole in the bottom of the riser. Also, add a drop of glue to the flat area of the ball knob and be sure that it is pressed tight against the bottom of the riser.

Allow to Dry

In order to allow the glue to dry, I placed the riser on a level surface (the floor LOL) and placed heavy books on top. This will assure that the ball knobs don’t shift and become uneven.

Rudy doesn’t understand what’s going on!!

The DIY Farmhouse Riser is Built

The options to finish your DIY Farmhouse Riser are unlimited. However, here is how I decided to finish my riser.

First, in order to make the edges less sharp, use a mouse sander to round of all the edges, including the top board edges.

In addition, you distress the wood more by using a hammer, nails and screws to make dings and dents in the wood. This will make the wood have a reclaimed wood appearance if that is the look you desire. Here is a great tutorial on making new wood appear old.

Stain the Riser

Now you can choose to stain the riser any color of your choice. For this step, I used Antique Walnut Gel Stain, which can be applied with a clean cloth.

Note: If you plan to paint your riser, you may still want to apply a base of stain to achieve a reclaimed wood appearance.


Paint the DIY Riser

Next, I choose to use a dry brush technique to create an aged looking Farmhouse Style Riser. You can see this post for the Dry Brush Technique.

White Chalk Paint with a Clear Wax Finish was chosen because most of my tables are darker wood and I wanted the table riser to shine.

Easy Craft Project to make a table riser for your table centerpieces.

I used a similar technique to make our wood ceilings look like reclaimed wood. See the step by step tutorial here.

Yield: One Table Riser

How To Build A Wooden Table Riser

How To Build A Wooden Table Riser

Easy to make DIY Table Riser

Prep Time 1 hour
Active Time 1 hour
Additional Time 1 day 22 hours
Total Time 2 days
Difficulty Medium

Materials

Instructions

    Begin by cutting your 4' board down to 40" long.

    Begin by placing the smaller board in the exact center of the larger board and use a pencil to mark the placement. Then turn the board over and apply a very thin layer of glue over the surface of the backside.

    Next, clamp the two boards together until the glue is dry. Place a protective layer between the top board and the clamp to prevent bruising of the delicate pine wood.

    Determine the location of the feet. Then drill a 3/16" hole, using a cordless drill, approx. 1" deep, allowing the hole to go through the 1" board and slightly into the 1/4" board.

    Cut the dowel rod into 4 - 1 1/2 inch pieces.

    Add a drop of wood glue to both ends of the dowel rod and insert the ball knob and the drilled hole in the bottom of the riser.

    In order to allow the glue to dry, I placed the riser on a level surface and put heavy books on top. This will ensure that the ball knobs don't shift and become uneven.

    To make the edges less sharp, use a mouse sander to round all the edges, including the top board edges. Distress more, if desired, with a hammer, screws, and nails to dent the wood.

    Next, stain the entire piece. I used Antique Walnut Gel Stain, which can be applied with a clean cloth.

    Next, I chose a dry brush technique using Old White Chalk Paint to create an aged look.

    Seal with Clear Wax.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Perfect Table Riser for Holiday Events

This larger table riser will be perfect for the any party and the upcoming holidays especially.

The DIY Napkins tutorial was shared on this previous post.

Antique Candle Company – Tree Farm is perfect for the holidays!

Budget-friendly DIY Long Table Riser for Farmhouse Tables.

Materials Needed For DIY Farmhouse Table Riser

Tools Needed For Table Riser


See how beautiful the table riser is on this Christmas Tablescape.

DIY Rustic Farmhouse Table Riser Tutorial that is easy to make.
Suzanne – Shop at Blue
Jayne – Chalking Up Success
Rene – MTB Home Living
Kimberly – From Farmhouse to Florida
Allison – American School of Charm
Mrs. Coleman
Jennifer – J Dub by Design
Donna – Modern on Monticello
Sydney and Co. Blog
Jennifer – Cottage on Bunkerhill
Kim – Cottage in the Mitten
Sonya Burgess
Leslie – Feet Under My Table

Thanks for stopping by today.

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For this Easy to Make DIY Farmhouse Table Riser, you can use new wood but add a rustic appearance by distressing the wood and using a dry brush chalk paint technique. Create you own table riser with these easy to follow steps.

How To Make An Easy Footed Tray - Faith and Farmhouse

Thursday 7th of April 2022

[…] Easy farmhouse table riser! […]

Linda 🐝

Wednesday 11th of November 2020

I love your riser and would like to make one for my daughter! In this post, the list of materials needed is blocked from view by two pictures. I've noticed this happening in another of your tutorials,, but just didn't comment. What caused that? I scanned the previous comments and no one mentioned it. I would like to know what materials you used. Thanks!

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Wednesday 11th of November 2020

Linda, I'm not sure why that is happening. Let me look into it. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Here's the list: 1 – Select Pine Board – 1x10x4 1 – Select Pine Board – 1/4x6x3 4 – Unfinished Ball Knob – 2 1/2 β€œ 1 – Dowel Rod 3/16β€³ x 36β€³ Wood Glue Stain Chalk Paint

Jennifer

Sunday 8th of November 2020

Another amazing project!!! I love how your tray came out.

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Monday 9th of November 2020

Jennifer, I really enjoyed doing this with you.

Leslie Watkins

Thursday 5th of November 2020

I love this soooo much, Rachel! You have inspired me, friend. Off to buy supplies to make one for my island. Just what it needs for holiday entertaining! Great job!

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Saturday 7th of November 2020

Leslie, I'm so glad you like it. Rachel

Allison O'Dell

Wednesday 4th of November 2020

I'm not sure what I love more, the tray or the styling? Both are so fantastic! It's so smart how you added the extra level to the top. I never would have thought of that. Such a pretty job!

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Saturday 7th of November 2020

Allison, I really appreciate your sweet compliments. Rachel

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