Today I’m going to show you how to add legs to virtually any piece of furniture. It’s super simple and pretty fool proof! If you can use a drill, you can do it!
I have always loved this hack because it can change the look of an entire piece.
First, you’ll need the materials. I got the bookcase on the side of the road and the metal brackets and legs from Lowes. They have a bunch of different sizes and styles so choose the size and style to suit your piece of furniture and your style. You will need a drill or a strong arm and a screwdriver. For this piece, I needed 4 brackets (under $2 each) and 4 legs (also under $2 each). Note: only 3 are pictured but I obviously needed 4. *winks*
Next, you’ll simply screw the metal plates on the bottom of your piece.
Then, the leg screws into the metal plate and that’s it!
All done! Now, I’m sure you know I’m not a fan of faux wood laminate furniture so I painted it. There’s an excellent tutorial for painting laminate here..
Here’s a close up of the legs. I love the added height and since the bookshelf was going in such a small space, the legs make it look less heavy in the room. I love how it turned out.
Told ya you could do it! Check out the full post for baby’s nursery nook here.
Good Morning! Head over to Envy My Cooking and check out my Chorizo Taco Recipe! You can see…
23 Comments
Adding the legs sure made the bookcase look so much better and suited for the space. I have an old 1960’s dresser sitting out in the shop to repaint. I’ve been putting off the job as it looks so, well…60’ish. Each time I look at it, I think it needs legs for added height and also to bring it the 2000 era. Now all I need to do is to get some legs and brackets at Lowe’s.
I love placing legs on my cabinets and everyone else finds it weird. I guess I have someone like you who supports me with my habit. Haha! You have an easier process in adding legs to that cabinet and I guess I’ll try using metal brackets for my next project. 🙂
I’m planning to build a little bench later this year, and I found some retro legs to use. =D Now I have a better idea of how to attach it to the bench base! =D Thank you; this was so helpful!
Lovely! But…if the cabinet/bookshelf is heavy, or if you’re going to put heavy things on it, then putting the legs only on the floor/lowest shelf of the piece could result in the bottom shelf ripping out of the cabinet. Depends on how the bottom joints are made. Your photos show particleboard, which has very little integrity. I’d reinforce the bottom in some way, shim if necessary (because you can see that the sides project just a tiny bit below the bottom), and make sure that 3 of the bracket screws are in (or underneath) the sides.
I’m planning to add legs to what I think is a solid wood cabinet, and I haven’t looked at the construction details yet, but I’m considering building a simple frame of 1×4 held together with mending plates — like we used to do in high school stage crew to build flats — maybe with a middle cross-piece if I think the floor might sag.
Great blog post, but what are the brackets CALLED that you bought at Lowe’s (the metal plates)? I have been searching on all key words I can think of but they are not coming up. Unfortunately I can’t read the label on the photos. HELP! 🙂
A solid wood furniture is a always demanded furniture item and is a brand of good quality solid wood furniture items need of the time.People enjoy their home furniture, dining room furniture, kitchen furniture, bedroom furniture made of solid wood. If you are in USA there are many brand like IKEA, Birchi, Akin and many Other for solid wood furniture items. Thanks for your time to read my post.
Adding the legs sure made the bookcase look so much better and suited for the space.
I have an old 1960’s dresser sitting out in the shop to repaint. I’ve been putting off the job as it looks so, well…60’ish. Each time I look at it, I think it needs legs for added height and also to bring it the 2000 era. Now all I need to do is to get some legs and brackets at Lowe’s.
Adding those legs make SUCH a difference…love it!!
Where did you get the legs?
The legs make such a huge difference. Great job!
Jenny
http://simcoestreet.blogspot.ca/
Great idea! Thanks for sharing this quick and easy update!
Leslie
House on the Way
This is a fantastic idea. Will need to try this on a bookshelf I have in my son’s room. Thanks for sharing. Susan @ throughmyporchwindow.blogspot.com
Beautifully Post, Very nice
Nice furniture is also available for your home at forgali.com
I love placing legs on my cabinets and everyone else finds it weird. I guess I have someone like you who supports me with my habit. Haha! You have an easier process in adding legs to that cabinet and I guess I’ll try using metal brackets for my next project. 🙂
< Carl Patten >
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So sweet! What a great idea 😉 I love how you styled the room 😉
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com
Hmm.. i love such kind of DIY projects..!
I’m planning to build a little bench later this year, and I found some retro legs to use. =D Now I have a better idea of how to attach it to the bench base! =D Thank you; this was so helpful!
Do it yourself projects are great. I sear my kids learn more from building furniture than from school!
Hello, where do you purchase the legs from?
Hi Jackie!
They’re from Home Depot!
xo – Mallory
wow, such a adorable article this is! I really liked it and the ideas that are mentioned above.Thanks a ton.
Lovely! But…if the cabinet/bookshelf is heavy, or if you’re going to put heavy things on it, then putting the legs only on the floor/lowest shelf of the piece could result in the bottom shelf ripping out of the cabinet. Depends on how the bottom joints are made. Your photos show particleboard, which has very little integrity. I’d reinforce the bottom in some way, shim if necessary (because you can see that the sides project just a tiny bit below the bottom), and make sure that 3 of the bracket screws are in (or underneath) the sides.
I’m planning to add legs to what I think is a solid wood cabinet, and I haven’t looked at the construction details yet, but I’m considering building a simple frame of 1×4 held together with mending plates — like we used to do in high school stage crew to build flats — maybe with a middle cross-piece if I think the floor might sag.
Any updates? Had any problems with this?
Thanks. The description is really helpful.
DiD the legs come with the screws in them? If not how do you screw then in?
Yes the legs do come with screws already in them.
Great blog post, but what are the brackets CALLED that you bought at Lowe’s (the metal plates)? I have been searching on all key words I can think of but they are not coming up. Unfortunately I can’t read the label on the photos. HELP! 🙂
Hi! Here’s a link to a similar bracket. I googled “Mounting plates for table legs” https://www.lowes.com/pd/Waddell-Metal-Table-Leg-Straight-Top-Plate/3044351?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-Millwork-_-SpecialtyMillwork-_-3044351:Waddell&CAWELAID=&kpid=3044351&CAGPSPN=pla&store_code=1157&k_clickID=3fbe5da2-838e-472a-9586-ee94f469646e&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj-fOkZCX2QIVB5J-Ch0HcwtXEAQYASABEgKRfPD_BwE
A solid wood furniture is a always demanded furniture item and is a brand of good quality solid wood furniture items need of the time.People enjoy their home furniture, dining room furniture, kitchen furniture, bedroom furniture made of solid wood. If you are in USA there are many brand like IKEA, Birchi, Akin and many Other for solid wood furniture items. Thanks for your time to read my post.