How to Make an Easy DIY Table Centerpiece

Check out this simple, budget-friendly DIY table centerpiece, perfect for seasonal decorating or your next special event!Â
You all know how much I love a pretty tablescape; they are one of my favorite decorating things to do! Â Usually, the first thing I consider for my tablescape is the centerpiece. Â Sometimes, a simple jar or pitcher of flowers is all you need. Â But when a DIY table centerpiece can fit the bill, I’m all for that too! Â I love creating pieces that can be used over and over.
We recently did a DIY table centerpiece for our niece’s wedding and I loved how it turned out! Â Even though you may not be wedding planning, this centerpiece idea could be used for so many seasons and events. Â Best of all, you can easily tweak the dimensions to make it work best for YOUR home!
Before we dive into the “how to”, let’s chat about what makes a great table centerpiece, ideas for things to use, and some tips for even deciding on a centerpiece!
How to Choose a Table Centerpiece
There is a ton of room for personal preference and I actually love that a centerpiece is a great opportunity to express your design style! Â Whether creating an everyday centerpiece that remains on your table for the whole season or switching it up for a special tablescape, centerpieces can be a lot of fun and can be as simple or extravagant as you want to make them!
Size and Scale of a Centerpiece
When I start to think about a centerpiece, I first thing of size and scale. Â While simple centerpieces are beautiful, I like to make sure that every guest at the table has a “centerpiece”, so to speak. Â Instead of one jar of flowers, I like to use three jars and spread them down the table. Â Or instead of one grouping of candles, I may scatter a few groupings of candles and candlesticks down the length of my table.
Always keep in mind the amount of space you’ll have once your place settings have been set. Â If you’re uncertain, try putting your place settings down first and then plan your centerpiece. Â When I am setting the table, I almost always start with my place settings for that very reason!

Whether creating a DIY table centerpiece or using decor that you already have, you’ll want to consider height. Â If I am creating a tablescape for an event, I like to make sure that guests have a decent line of sight to the guests near them. Â There are a lot of different opinions about that and rightfully so, as there are varying scenarios. Â For example, if I’m doing a round tablescape, I am not terribly concerned if everyone has a pure line of sight all the way across a large, round table. Â They aren’t really going to be chatting with someone six feet across the table! Â Again, this is a lot of personal preference, so just consider your guests.
If I am creating a centerpiece that is going to stay on my table for a particular season, I don’t worry about height at all. Â I like to create pieces that can be easily moved down if we are having a family dinner. Â For those everyday centerpieces, I tend to go large and make them statement pieces for the dining room!
Favorite Items to Use for Centerpieces
Here is a list of my go-to centerpiece items. Â Since I love creating tablescapes, I always keep an eye out for interesting things that could make unique centerpieces or even items that I can turn into a DIY table centerpiece!
- Vintage French zinc pitcher
- Large ironstone pitcher
- Vintage zinc bucket
- Vintage European pickling jars
- Collection of vintage jars (these French green ones are my favorite!)
- Collection of old bottles (amber are great for fall or the French ones for spring and summer!)
- Brass candlesticksÂ
- Vintage dough bowl with candles or seasonal items like gourds, lemons, or pinecones
DIY Table Centerpiece
Why a DIY?
If you’re still needing something unique, like we did for our niece’s wedding, you may want to consider a DIY table centerpiece! Â For the bridal table (which was about 18 feet long!), we needed something very long. Â However, we didn’t want to hide the bride and groom for their reception! Â So we needed a centerpiece that would be short enough that they could still see and be seen.
To go along with the rustic chic style of the reception, we opted for a simple wooden frame. Â The reception venue didn’t allow real candles, but the bride loves lots of light and candles. Â We ordered battery operated pillar candles and decided to turn them into a statement.
Grouping a collection of items is always a great way to make a beautiful statement, whether it is on a tablescape, bookshelf, or any kind of decor space.

I love that this DIY table centerpiece will allow for grouping items for a big statement on the table! Â Whether it’s candles, candlesticks, jars or bottles of flowers, or seasonal items, such as pumpkins or Christmas trees, it has a lot of possibility!
To fit the size and scale of the bridal table, we made our DIY table centerpiece six feet long. Â You may want to shorten the length for a more standard dining table! Â If I were making this for my eight foot dining table, I would make it no longer than four feet and probably closer to three feet.

DIY Table Centerpiece Step One:Â Material Prep
The first (and most important) step is to decide on the type & cut of wood. We wanted a rough, unfinished look. Our first choice (cypress) was unavailable, but a 2x4x16 piece of spruce worked great instead. As an extra bonus, it smells great!
If you plan to staining or paint your centerpiece, an everyday 2×4 may work just as well.
Since we had a specific dimensions to work with, we cut the two by four into the lengths we needed (ripped to approximately one inch square):
- 4 Six foot rails
- 2 Four foot pieces (Cut to size in next step)

Disclaimer: We are not master woodworkers–far from it! But we did discover a new-to-us way to cut the right length every time. Instead of marking the length with a tape measure each time, or using an existing piece as a template to mark on the new piece to cut, we:
- Cut our first piece
- Stacked it on top of the next piece to cut
- Slid the stack over until the template was snug to the (non-moving!) saw blade
- Removed the template piece & and sawed away (see video below)

Step Two: Glue & Clamp
Now that we had our wood cut to length, we next glued the pieces together in sections.
- First, we glued two short support pieces to the two six foot rails

- Tip:Â Keep a damp rag on hand to wipe away excess glue.

- We clamped the side rails together and laid it out to set.

Step Three: Final Assembly
Once we glued both side rails together, the end was in sight! We just:
- Glued more 8″ support pieces to connect the side rails
- Clamped them together

- Once the glue was dry, we removed the clamps & nailed the corners

AND it’s done!
While at first glance, it seems like a very simple, wooden box, this DIY table centerpiece is full of possibilities! Â I’d love to hear if you decide to make one! Â In the comments, list a few things that you would use to style this centerpiece! Â Let’s help my niece have a long list of decorating ideas since she is taking this to use in her new home!
Blessings,

What a great idea! Now to see if I can get hubby to make me one
I love your DIY table idea. So cute. Thank you!
Robyn,
I’m loving this so much. I can’t wait to get my hubby to make me one. I’d like to share on my Dirt Road adventures on Sunday, a link to your tutorial!
You’re so sweet Rachel. Thank you for your kindness! I would love to be part of your Dirt Road Adventures. Thank you!
Robyn