How to Raise Up Coffee Tables

How to Raise Up Coffee Tables
Published: Sep 18, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

One of these optional methods is sure to work for your particular coffee-table style.

Things You Will Need

  • Thick glass (same size as tabletop)
  • Rubber or wooden spacers
  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Drill and bits
  • Dowel, ¼-inch diameter or more, about 12 inches long
  • 4 wooden balls or finials (sized the height of adjustment desired and—pre-drilled on one side)
  • Carpenter’s glue
  • Paint or stain to match table

Table Top Adjustment

  1. Measure the top of your coffee table and purchase a glass table topper the same size as your table surface and as thick as possible.

  2. Place small rubber or wooden spacers or “feet” under the glass on top of the table surface at the corners. These will hold the glass above the current table surface.

  3. Set glass over the table and check the new height. If necessary, use taller spacers to raise the height.

Table Legs Adjustment

  1. Turn the table over and mark the center of each leg at the bottom.

  2. Drill a hole straight down into each leg to a depth of at least 1 inch.

  3. Cut a dowel of appropriate size—at least ¼ inch in diameter—into four equal pieces to use as pegs.

  4. Put carpenter’s glue on the end of one peg and insert it into the hole in the leg as far as possible. Repeat the procedure for each leg.

  5. Measure the depth of the interior hole of one of the wooden balls or finials by inserting a small wire or stick as far as it will go and marking the depth at the surface.

  6. Cut each dowel peg in the table legs to that length.

  7. Test fit a wooden ball or finial onto each—pushing it down onto the peg as tightly as possible until it is flush with the bottom of the leg. Cut the pegs as necessary so that each decorative ball or finial fits perfectly flush against the bottom of each table leg.

  8. Remove the balls or finials and put glue on the end of the pegs. Replace each on its peg and wipe away excess glue before it dries.

  9. Finish the leg extenders with paint or stain to match the table, and let dry.

  10. Turn the table back upright and enjoy the new height.

The Drip Cap

  • Coffee tables come in all sorts of styles and in various sizes.
  • Unfortunately, people do too.
  • If your coffee table is less than the ideal height for you, it may be easier than you think to fix it.
  • Place small rubber or wooden spacers or “feet” under the glass on top of the table surface at the corners.
  • Measure the depth of the interior hole of one of the wooden balls or finials by inserting a small wire or stick as far as it will go and marking the depth at the surface.

Photo Credits

coffee table image by victor zastol'skiy from Fotolia.com

coffee table image by victor zastol'skiy from Fotolia.com

Deborah Stephenson

Deborah Stephenson is a homesteader, lifelong organic gardener, former zookeeper, naturalist, artist and anthropologist who brings an eclectic range of experience to her writings. When not writing she can usually be found puttering in her…

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