I always loved these trough party tables when I saw them on Pinterest. It was something I really wanted to try and make for my entertainment area.
There are many versions of the trough table on the internet but I wanted to try and make mine out of recycled materials. I love the challenge of trying to make my projects look great even though they are made from recycled wood. Many people think because it is made from recycled materials it has to look cheap and I love to show that you can still make good quality furniture.
How to make a trough table
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Find a suitable table for your trough table
All you need is an old table with a top of at least 20 mm thick. I was offered this old table for free as long as I could collect it. There was a lot of damage on the top which I had no way of fixing. Instead of trying to fix the damage, I decided to distress the top even further to disguise the damage. I like to use a few methods to distress my projects. For this project, I used an old drill chuck with the tip cut off. You can now randomly hit the tabletop with the chuck. It gives you a nice pattern which doe not look like damage.
Once you have finished distressing the table you will be left with some raised surfaces. To smooth them out you can use an orbital sander to level the surface. You can get creative and add some detail to the top to give it more character. For this table, I added some straight grooves into the surface. This is very simple to do using a router and a straight piece of wood. I have used this method to add a greek key design into one of my wine barrel tables. You can clamp the wood down onto the surface and use the straight surface as a guide for the router. For this table, I used a grooving bit in the router.
I did have some issues with my camera and lost all my step by step photos, but because this table was so popular I was asked to make a new step by step tutorial. The legs on the original table were very flimsy and it looked like the family dog had been chewing on them. To make the legs I glued 2 lengths of timber together to make them chunky, bigger is always better when you are going for a quality look.
Cutting Holes in the surface
To cut the holes in the tabletop for the planters I drill pilot holes first and then used a jigsaw to cut the holes, which would become my ice troughs. I used plastic planters which I had seen used on other sites. But felt they ruined the look of my table in the end. I have since had a trough made for the next one that I make to give it a more professional look. The trough had a plastic lip at the top which was how they were attached to the underneath of the table and secured with wood supports.
Add drainage
Once your party is over and the ice has melted you will need some way to drain the water. I went with a simple method of drilling a hole in the bass of the planter using a hole saw. To seal the hole when in use you can use a rubber bung. When you want to drain the water you can put a bucket under the hole and pull out the plug.
Once my table was sanded down I stained the wood using cedar stain and added 2 coats of outdoor varnish. I added some holes in the lids that cover the holes to make it easier to lift them off.
Making the benches
I went for a simple design for the benches which I made up as I went along. You can make the frame, added some legs and cross slates. The full tutorial for the benches.
Staining and sealing the table
I sanded all the surfaces to take all the rough edges that distressing it caused, stained it using cedar stain and gave it 2 coats of varnish. This table is a great addition to any outdoor living space, all you need is the friends and the alcohol and you are set. And what a great picnic table. Looking to keep the kids entertained while you are entertaining, check out the super cool sandpit desk any kids would love.
My Amazon picks
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32 Comments
September 1, 2016 at 6:56 pmNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
jacqueline
very nice, and handy
September 3, 2016 at 10:31 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Stacy
My gosh it’s absolutely beautiful!! I love it!
September 4, 2016 at 10:16 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Donna Burton
Beautiful
September 5, 2016 at 2:57 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
anita_holland2410@hotmail.com
Thank you Very Much
September 14, 2016 at 12:49 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Mary
Very nice love it.
January 20, 2019 at 7:22 pmNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
milind sampat bhandirge
very nice Perfact useful Idia.
January 21, 2019 at 12:12 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Anita Holland
Thank you!
July 19, 2019 at 4:38 pmNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Elise L Ho
Super impressive and useful too.
July 21, 2019 at 9:18 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Anita Holland
Thank you Elise, it is very useful for party and special occasions.
October 25, 2019 at 5:10 pmNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Sharon
This is too cool! Looks doable 😀
Thank you for linking up w us at Creative Muster! We are pinning this! Many blessings to you. xoxoxo Sharon
October 26, 2019 at 8:26 pmNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Anita Holland
Thank you so much.
October 28, 2019 at 2:42 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Cecilia
Looks great, Anita! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm–pinning!
November 1, 2019 at 4:43 pmNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Candi Randolph
This is so clever! pinned 🙂 #unlimitedmonthlylinkparty
November 1, 2019 at 8:00 pmNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Anita Holland
Thank you so much.
November 3, 2019 at 7:29 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Michelle
Totally awesome!
November 6, 2019 at 12:26 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Anita Holland
Thank you, They are so great for parties.
November 8, 2019 at 12:31 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Kippi
Wow! This is a fantastic idea. Pinning!
Happy fall,
Kippi
Ps. Please share on my site at the You’re The Star blog hop
November 10, 2019 at 4:02 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Anita Holland
Thank you so much.
November 11, 2019 at 9:18 pmNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Linda S
wow! what a great idea!
I can see potted plants or herbs set in the trough, as well.
November 12, 2019 at 9:29 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Anita Holland
Thank you, so many uses for the trough.
December 4, 2019 at 6:25 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Kimberly
Thank you for sharing this on Traffic Jam Weekend, Anita! It has been chosen as a fave feature for this week’s party going live on Thursday at 5:00 pm CST.
December 4, 2019 at 11:56 pmNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Anita Holland
Thank you so much for the lovely comment and the feature. 😁🎅
December 5, 2019 at 11:01 pmNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
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[…] and these are some great ideas for decorating on a budget.” Michelle chose How to Make a Trough Party Table from Unique Creations by Anita. “I love the ingenuity of it.” Kimberly […]
December 5, 2019 at 11:17 pmNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Anita Holland
Thank you so much.
December 5, 2019 at 11:09 pmNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Traffic Jam Weekend #212 - My Bijou Life Blog Hop
[…] chose How to Make a Trough Party Table from Unique Creations by Anita. “I love the ingenuity of […]
December 5, 2019 at 11:17 pmNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Anita Holland
Thank you so much for the lovely compliment.
December 6, 2019 at 1:44 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
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[…] chose How to Make a Trough Party Table from Unique Creations by Anita. “I love the ingenuity of […]
December 10, 2019 at 2:08 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Anita Holland
Thank you so much😁
December 6, 2019 at 1:45 pmNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
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[…] and these are some great ideas for decorating on a budget.” Michelle chose How to Make a Trough Party Table from Unique Creations by Anita. “I love the ingenuity of it.” Kimberly […]
December 10, 2019 at 2:07 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Anita Holland
Thank you do much for the feature 😁😁
May 7, 2020 at 6:52 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Maria
What a beautiful and functional table
May 7, 2020 at 11:04 amNotice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home2/uniqufw2/public_html/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Anita Holland
Thank you so much Maria, It is really great for parties.
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