The DIY bamboo project
I got a bit inspired lately and decided that my next DIY project should be about bamboo..
Bamboo really is one of the best materials around! It is strong and durable, pretty and sustainable – it even has anti-bacterial properties!
And DIY is often a great, cheap way to either reuse something you already have but haven't used for a while, or upcycle an item – changing the way you use it. Either way, it means you spare one item from going to the landfills. Win win I think!
To the project: I had this sofa table in my lounge that I didn't like. It was in the house when I moved in, and as I didn't want to buy something new just for the sake of buying something, I have kept it for a while. But I had a great, cheap and pretty idea in mind that would allow me to use a part of it again, while getting rid of the thing I didn't like about it from the start.
In this project I kept the glass top and just made a new base. As I found the big bamboo pole laying around on the ground close to my home, the whole thing cost me about 20 HKD to make (for the shorter bamboo poles, a bit of glue and paint I already had in my cupboard).
You need:
- One large bamboo pole
- A couple of thinner bamboo poles
- A saw
- A drill
- Glue
- Paint
And then it is really all very simple! Follow these easy steps to make your own!
- Cut the thick bamboo pole into 4 shorter lengths (mine were about 40cm long). Then cut the thinner ones into two long ones (mine were about 75cm) and two shorter ones (about 35cm). But you can really make any size or dimensions you wish.
- Drill holes into the the bigger bamboo poles. Use a drill the same size as your smaller bamboo poles.
- Insert the thinner bamboo poles into the holes. Secure with glue.
- Insert all four shorter bamboo poles into the bigger ones, and secure with glue.
- Paint it (white optional)!
- Put a glass top on it
- Voila! Done
In-progress photos above. I decided to paint the big poles before starting the other work, but you can just as easily paint it all afterwards. It must be pointed out that this is not a table to drag around or move a lot. It is rather fragile (especially as the glass just rests on top and is not secured in any way) so it might not be suitable for families with children, or people who like to have wild parties at home..just saying..
