Ombre DIY Stump Side Table

Lately, we’ve been looking to add a new touch to our home, and one of these DIY Ombre Stump Side Tables does the job perfectly!

DIY Ombre Stump Side Tables - Sugar & Cloth - Houston Blogger - Home Decor

 

I’ve been swooning over stump side tables for a while now.

But, call me crazy. I can’t seem to justify their $200+ asking price (see here) for a stump of wood.

However, thanks to Craigslist and a little perseverance I have no reason to fret about these ridiculous prices!

For less than $15 worth of supplies and some internet stalking (one of my specialties, thank you), I made two Ombre DIY Stump Side Tables.

I also styled them in two different ways in my living room to give you an idea of how you can incorporate them into your home.

And this DIY Stump Side Table is by far one of our top 20 DIY Coffee Table Ideas.

Here’s how–

DIY Ombre Stump Side Tables - Sugar & Cloth - Houston Blogger - Home Decor

 

Materials Needed to Make an Ombre DIY Stump Side Table

Wooden stump

Sandpaper

Spray polyurethane (in a matte finish)

Scrub brush

Gold spray paint (optional)

DIY Ombre Stump Side Tables - Sugar & Cloth - Houston Blogger - Home Decor

How to Make an Ombre DIY Stump Side Table

1 — First and foremost, snag yourself a few free stumps.

You can do this by checking your local Craigslist, newspaper, or ad bulletin, or you can go trek the forest if you’d like.

Most people are giving it away to whoever will pick it up, and in this case, that’s you.

DIY Ombre Stump Side Tables - Sugar & Cloth - Houston Blogger - Home Decor

 

Try and find stumps that already have the bark removed and are cut as close to level as possible to that you don’t need to do anything other than sand the rough parts down a bit.

DIY Ombre Stump Side Tables - Sugar & Cloth - Houston Blogger - Home Decor

 

2 — Once you’ve picked your stumps, give them a good brush to get all of the excess pieces and dirt off. You can even wipe them down if you need to.

3 — Next, sand them down to the desired finish and smoothness that you’d like.

4 — Now that you’ve sanded them, turn them upside down and spray paint the bottoms a color of your choice, fading it upwards.

5 — Once the color is dry, flip them over and give them a few coats of polyurethane so that the wood will hold up to wear a tear a bit better.

When they’re dry, you can go to town styling them. You can pair it with other ombre decor items like these DIY Ombre Pillowcases or DIY Watercolor Art. 

And considering they’re practically free, I’m sure you’ll find lots of places to put them!

DIY Ombre Stump Side Tables - Sugar & Cloth - Houston Blogger - Home Decor

 

Quick Tips In Choosing a Tree Stump for a Side Table

Here are a few tips to help you choose the right stump for your side table:

— Look for a stump that is at least 18 inches in diameter. Anything smaller is likely to be too unstable and could topple over easily.

—  Choose a hardwood stump over a softwood stump. Hardwoods are more durable and will last longer.

—  Avoid stumps with cracks or rot. These defects can weaken the overall structure of the stump and make it more likely to break or collapse.

— Make sure the stump is cut evenly on all sides. This will help create a stable base for your side table.

— Be sure to sand down the stump before use. This will help create a smooth surface and prevent splinters.

If you’re looking for more easy DIY table projects, see some of my favorites below 

#DIY ombre stump side table by Sugar & Cloth

DIY Ombre Stump Side Table

Print
5 from 1 vote
Lately, we've been looking to add a new touch to our home, and one of these DIY Ombre Stump Side Tables does the job perfectly!
Prep Time2 hours
Drying time1 hour
Total Time3 hours
Course DIY
Category Home Decor

Equipment

  • Sandpaper
  • Scrub brush

Materials

  • 1 wooden stump
  • 1 spray polyurethane in a matte finish
  • 1 gold spray paint optional

Notes

Try and find stumps that already have the bark removed and are cut as close to level as possible to that you don’t need to do anything other than sand the rough parts down a bit.

Instructions

  • First and foremost, snag yourself a few free stumps.
    You can do this by checking your local Craigslist, newspaper, or ad bulletin, or you can go trek the forest if you’d like.
    Most people are giving it away to whoever will pick it up, and in this case, that’s you.
  • Once you’ve picked your stumps, give them a good brush to get all of the excess pieces and dirt off. You can even wipe them down if you need to.
  • Sand them down to the desired finish and smoothness that you’d like.
  • Now that you’ve sanded them, turn them upside down and spray paint the bottoms a color of your choice, fading it upwards.
  • Once the color is dry, flip them over and give them a few coats of polyurethane so that the wood will hold up to wear a tear a bit better.
Cost: $30
KEYWORD: diy stump ombre side table

Be sure to share your DIY Ombre Stump Side Table with us on Instagram using the hastag #sugarandclothloves, so we can follow along, too! We always love seeing all of your creations!

 

Please note that we may earn a commission for some of the above affiliate links. However, products featured are independently selected and personally well-loved by us!

45 thoughts on “Ombre DIY Stump Side Table”

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    • Hi Tina! Polyurethane sprays are water resistant but not completely waterproof. It could probably hold up outside under a covered patio but probably not sitting outside under the sun. Hope this helps!

      Reply
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  15. Love it! I’ve been meaning to do a log table DIY for awhile – I have some logs in my backyard just waiting to become something lovely like this!

    Reply
  16. My husband would probably not be impressed with altering the colour of wood, but I LOVE that touch of gold!!

    Reply
  17. I’ve SO wanted to know if this was doable after seeing so many in magazines and catalogs. Thanks for breaking it down for us!

    Reply
  18. THANK YOU for posting this! We actually have a ton of wood in our backyard. We lost a tree in a storm a few weeks ago. I will totally be using this tutorial!

    Reply

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