After years of renting tiny spaces, I've finally moved into my own home, and I'm excited about making a functional workspace—specifically, I want to build a table that fits snugly in a window space. I'm aiming for a modern and minimalist design with a sturdy table that can handle my typewriter's vibrations. I think a 66" x 20" work surface would be perfect.
I'm planning to use black lacquer for the tabletop, paired with some metal atomic-style legs, but I'm stuck when it comes to choosing the right material for the surface. I'm considering options like MDF, plywood, or butcher block, but I want to make sure I'm picking something rigid enough. I went to Home Depot recently but ended up getting a plant instead of materials, and I often find myself stuck in a cycle of buying the wrong supplies, which can get expensive.
Any advice on what material I should use for the tabletop? Also, is there anywhere I can get it pre-cut?
2 Answers
I'd recommend checking out solid hardwood material from a local lumberyard, especially if you can find 4/3 cut hardwood. It has a different board footage compared to softwood planks. But just a heads up, since you're considering a width of 20" for the table, you might want to think about making it a bit wider, like 30", to give yourself more space. That's especially important for a sturdy design!
Using high-quality 3/4" plywood is a great choice! You can cover up the edges with iron-on banding to give it a clean look. If you want that super smooth and shiny finish, try using sanding sealer to close up the grain first. After sanding to 220 grit, apply thin coats of black paint and lightly sand in between coats to get it even. It'll look fantastic!
I've also thought about plywood to keep the costs down, especially given my own experience messing up sometimes—better safe than sorry, right? Plus, edge banding is a cool technique to make it look sharp!