Antique Pine Farmhouse Table

Farm tables are those warm, rustic surfaces that draw inspiration from the original harvest tables found in American homes of the 18th and 19th centuries. Rather than being built by skilled and trained artisans, farm tables were assembled from large and rough planks of fir. Their construction valued sturdiness and utility over detail and refinery. Today, farm tables can bring a sense of antique charm to any home, complementing matched chairs and contemporary benches alike. Here are five DIY farmhouse table projects to inspire your next act of handyman prowess.

This table and bench by Ashley, Adam, and Keith of Domestic Imperfection is most representative of the style, featuring solid breadboard ends and a warm, rich stain. Created using dimensional lumber readily available from the home center, the appealingly stout table still fits in an average-size dining room.

Similar to the previous example, though designed and built on a large scale, is a DIY farmhouse table project from East Coast Creative, which includes some intentional distressing to enhance the antique look. The table top attaches to an existing base, making it possible to build this project in a single weekend.

These DIY farmhouse table plans from American Woodworker show how turned table legs and aprons result in a more refined, traditional look. (If I were building a farm table, this would be my choice of design.)

Last is the least woodworking-intensive farmhouse table, courtesy of Ez at Creature Comforts. Built from pre-cut 2 x 8 boards and IKEA legs, this smaller version is ideal for apartment dwellers or others with small spaces, to place in a breakfast nook or use as a kitchen table.

Get the nitty-gritty details you need—and the jaw-dropping inspiration you want—from our collection of the favorite projects ever featured on BobVila.com. Whether your goal is to fix, tinker, build or make something better, your next adventure in DIY starts here.