DIY Folding Cutting Table With Storage

DIY folding cutting table with storage

I had hoped to blog last week, but a stressful time including many hours visiting my father in hospital meant that the time just vanished. I managed just 2 hours sewing over the last two weeks (tune in next week for the fruits of that two hours). So as things settle down slightly this week, I wanted to share with you how my darling hubby made the cutting table for my sewing room. Some of you may have already read this tour of my room (my very first blog post!). Since that post, I have just relocated my fabric storage draws from underneath the table to a spot by my ironing board so that I can have a clear space to take blog outfit photos. Now that my table is clear of obstructions underneath it’s the ideal time to share all of the details and to include some better photos of it.

Diy folding cutting table instructions:

So let’s get cracking with the tale of my table… It was kind of my idea with a generous input from hubby as to construction methods. The starting point is very simple: it’s a double floor mounted kitchen cupboard unit. Most DIY stores or kitchen companies will have a basic range of cupboards and will sell one-off units. This particular one has two doors and measures 800ml (31.5”) wide and 600ml (23.5”) deep. It’s mounted on the usually adjustable cupboard legs and the gap between the bottom of the cupboard and floor is covered in with standard kitchen kick boards to give a clean look. You can see from the photos that I have plenty of space inside for storage (excuse the messy innards!). You’ll notice as well that behind the cupboard, across the back, an extra section of wood was screwed in place right across the full width, it acts as a strengthening brace and I took advantage of it by attaching some partially screwed in screws to hang bits and bobs on. You can use hooks if you want I didn’t have any so had to get inventive.

DIY folding cutting table with storage

DIY folding cutting table with storage

DIY folding cutting table with storage

The large cutting table section itself is made of two pieces of MDF board which we got cut to size in the DIY store. The main section measures 950ml(37.5”) by 880ml(34.75”) and the folding down section measures 800ml(31.5”) by 880ml(34.75”).  When opened out fully I have a  working area measuring a whopping 1750ml (69”) by 880ml(34.75”).  You’ll also notice that my table top extends over the width of the cupboard which gives me a bit of room for my feet when I’m standing right by the edge of the table cutting out. The main MDF piece is attached to the top of the cupboard unit with sunken screws. This avoids the risk of rough screw heads and the sunken area could be filled in with polyfill if you don’t use a cutting mat or table protector like I have.

DIY folding cutting table with storage

DIY folding cutting table with storage

Now onto the ‘ foldy bit’ (technical term…ahem!). The two pieces of MDF are joined together with three hinges from the underside. If my memory serves me right I think these were attached before the table was screwed to the cupboard top. Finally, on to the least sophisticated bit of all…the legs and attachment to support the drop down piece. I literally just have two pieces of ‘leg shaped’ (another technical term…not!) wood and they slide into place within a ‘U’ shaped section of wood battens screwed to the underside of the MDF. I simply take away the legs and drop the section down when I want my room clear for photo taking and the legs store neatly next to the cupboard.

And there you have it…a nice large cutting table with built-in storage. I hope you feel encouraged to make your own and maybe even improve on my idea. Until next time lovelies!

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20 Comments

  1. Elizabeth Farr
    October 7, 2017 / 6:10 pm

    Oh, I hope your father is doing better. What a great table! How nice that it can fold up to optimize your space and that you have extra hidden storage beneath it. My husband built a custom formica top that sits on top of an old dining room table that lives in my room. It’s a huge table and plenty big for 95% of my projects, but there are times I wonder if a foldable table would be a nice option. Can you iron on top of this?

    • Diane G
      Author
      October 7, 2017 / 6:49 pm

      Elizabeth…he is doing better, thank you x.
      I’m glad you like my table set up. Yes, I’m sure it could be used for ironing too. You would need some kind of pad probably…I often use pieces of thick blanket underneath my cotton cover when I re-cover my ironing board, so something like that would be ideal and could be rolled up when not in use. Or you could add a permanent cover on top of the MDF.

  2. Helen
    October 9, 2017 / 5:48 am

    Aw, bless your lovely husband! How great to have a super-size cutting table custom-made for you!

    • Diane G
      Author
      October 9, 2017 / 6:31 am

      Thanks Helen….I think perhaps after nearly 20 years together he might be a keeper 😉

  3. Sew Sarah Smith
    October 10, 2017 / 9:03 am

    This is brilliant and I’ll bear this in mind for future reference! Thanks Di!! Xxx

    • Diane G
      Author
      October 10, 2017 / 9:18 am

      Yay, thanks Sarah. I’m glad you find it helpful/useful. xxx

  4. Sarah Liz
    October 11, 2017 / 4:46 am

    What a lovely cutting and pattern table – it really will be great to use. Your husband must be as good with making things as you. Thanks for finding my blog – it’s nice to make new blogging friends.

    • Diane G
      Author
      October 11, 2017 / 9:21 am

      Thanks Sarah Liz, it is great to use…I’ll pass on the compliment to hubby. And it’s definitely nice to make blogging friends 🙂 x

  5. October 13, 2017 / 10:33 am

    Thank you for the informative post! I would love to have a cutting table like yours. I am really jealous you.

    • Diane G
      Author
      October 13, 2017 / 10:44 am

      Thanks Eli Cat. I’m glad you enjoyed reading about my table. Hopefully you’ll have one like it sometime.

  6. November 19, 2017 / 10:53 am

    This is really great, Diane! Good inspiration! I have my table already sorted, non-folding, but this is such a great idea for those with less space. My cutting table is a table top from Ikea on top of a Kallax unit also from Ikea, to which I added castors. I am still doing work in the sewing room, but will do a reveal as soon as it’s done.

    • diane
      Author
      November 19, 2017 / 1:30 pm

      Glad you like it Alex! Your table sounds fab too and with great storage. I can’t wait to see your new updated sewing room.

  7. Joseph Anderson
    April 14, 2018 / 5:00 am

    Diane G, this is an awesome post. I enjoyed every bit of it. In today’s world, space management is a big issue and posts like these are sure to help many readers. Thank you for sharing this invaluable post. Looking forward to more useful posts like this from you.

    • diane
      Author
      April 14, 2018 / 10:35 am

      Thanks Joseph!

  8. Virginia rohde
    April 3, 2020 / 3:14 pm

    You can get brackets for folding legs & leave over hang on edge for leg room. I have cabnit that I want to try this with.

    • diane
      Author
      April 3, 2020 / 8:29 pm

      Yes, I have heard about them :). I don’t sit at my table though. I only use it for standing and cutting so for the moment I’m just happy with these loose wood legs.

  9. Julianna
    January 17, 2021 / 1:39 am

    I love this and will be making one soon! Can you tell me what your table cover is made out of?

    • diane
      Author
      January 17, 2021 / 9:49 am

      Hi Julianna. The cover is a kind of textured squishy surface and it’s commonly called table protector. You can buy it by the metre. However, I don’t actually use mine anymore because years of pinning fabric and patterns together on top of it caused little pinpricks to dig up the surface and bits kept coming off. Nowadays I’ve painted and varnished the wood board for a smooth work area instead. Hope this helps

  10. Nicole
    May 1, 2022 / 5:41 pm

    Great idea with the folding cutting table.Do you mind sharing a picture of the underside when both table legs are stored?

    • Diane
      Author
      May 6, 2022 / 2:56 pm

      Hi, thank you.
      The very last group of 3 photos on this blog post show where the legs are held in place, It’s just three pieces of wood and the gap to just slide the leg in faces the main part of the table. I’m afraid I can’t give you an updated photo as I recently shortened my table to make more floor space to take photos and I now have two fabric storage units underneath the now shorter extension (I was desperate for more fabric storage), so I no longer drop the extension up and down.

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