How to Determine the Right Size for Your DIY Table Base Kit

When ordering a DIY table base kit, one of the most important steps is choosing the correct size for your tabletop. The right table base size helps your finished table look balanced, feel sturdy, and fit your space the way you want.

This guide is specifically for straight leg table base kits and turned leg table base kits. Whether you are building a DIY dining table, farmhouse table, kitchen table, desk, coffee table, or unfinished furniture project, the process starts with two simple measurements:

Your tabletop size and your desired overhang.

Start With Your Tabletop Size

Before choosing your DIY table base kit size, you need to know the finished size of your tabletop.

Measure the full length and depth of your tabletop.

For example:

Tabletop size: 72 inches long x 40 inches deep

Once you know your tabletop size, the next step is deciding how much tabletop overhang you want around the base.

What Is Tabletop Overhang?

Tabletop overhang is the amount of tabletop that extends past your table base.

For example, if you want a 2-inch overhang all the way around your table, that means the tabletop will extend 2 inches past the base on each side.

Since there are two sides to the length and two sides to the depth, you subtract the overhang from both sides.

So if you want a 2-inch overhang all the way around, you would subtract:

4 inches from the length

and

4 inches from the depth.

Example: How to Size a DIY Table Base Kit

Let’s say your tabletop is:

72 inches long x 40 inches deep

And you want a 2-inch overhang on every side.

For the length:

72 inches - 4 inches = 68 inches

For the depth:

40 inches - 4 inches = 36 inches

That means the table base kit size you would need is:

68 inches long x 36 inches deep

This gives you a 2-inch tabletop overhang on the front, back, left side, and right side.

Easy DIY Table Base Size Formula

Use this simple formula when figuring out your table base kit size:

Tabletop length - total overhang = table base length

Tabletop depth - total overhang = table base depth

The total overhang is the amount of overhang on both sides combined.

If you want a 1-inch overhang on each side, subtract 2 inches from the length and 2 inches from the depth.

If you want a 2-inch overhang on each side, subtract 4 inches from the length and 4 inches from the depth.

If you want a 3-inch overhang on each side, subtract 6 inches from the length and 6 inches from the depth.

If you want a 4-inch overhang on each side, subtract 8 inches from the length and 8 inches from the depth.

How Much Overhang Should a Tabletop Have?

You may see general table overhang recommendations online, but every tabletop, table base, and furniture project is different. The right overhang for your table depends on your tabletop size, the style of the base, your seating needs, and the finished look you want.

For our own builds, we typically use a 1-inch to 3-inch overhang depending on the size of the tabletop. Smaller tops may look better with a smaller overhang, while larger tops may need a little more overhang to keep the finished table looking balanced.

That being said, tabletop overhang is ultimately at your discretion. Some customers prefer the legs to sit closer to the edge for a chunkier, more substantial look. Others prefer a larger overhang so the base sits farther underneath the tabletop.

There is no single perfect overhang that works for every DIY table project. The goal is to choose an overhang that works best for your tabletop, your space, and how you plan to use the finished table.

Overhang Also Affects the Space Between the Legs

When choosing the size of your DIY table base kit, it is also important to remember that your overhang affects how much space you will have between the table legs.

The more overhang you choose, the smaller your table base will be. A smaller table base means the legs will sit farther underneath the tabletop, which can reduce the amount of space between the legs.

This is especially important if you plan to use chairs or benches, because the space between the legs can affect seating and legroom.

Most of our standard table legs are 3.5 inches x 3.5 inches. Our chunky table legs are 5 inches x 5 inches. These leg sizes can also be found in each product listing.

To figure out how much room you will have between the legs, you will subtract the size of the legs from your table base length and depth.

For our standard 3.5-inch legs, you would subtract 7 inches total from the base length and 7 inches total from the base depth.

For our chunky 5-inch legs, you would subtract 10 inches total from the base length and 10 inches total from the base depth.

For example, if your table base size is 68 inches long x 36 inches deep and you are using our standard 3.5-inch legs:

68 inches - 7 inches = 61 inches between the legs

36 inches - 7 inches = 29 inches between the legs

If you are using our chunky 5-inch legs with the same 68-inch x 36-inch base:

68 inches - 10 inches = 58 inches between the legs

36 inches - 10 inches = 26 inches between the legs

This gives you a better idea of how much open space you will have between the legs once the table base is assembled.

Choosing the Right Overhang for Straight Leg and Turned Leg Table Kits

When choosing between a straight leg table base kit or a turned leg table base kit, the overhang can affect the overall style of the finished piece.

A smaller overhang can make your table base look wider, chunkier, and more substantial.

A larger overhang can tuck the legs farther underneath the tabletop and may create more space around the edges of the tabletop, but it may also reduce the space between the legs.

For many DIY dining table projects, a 1-inch to 3-inch overhang is a good starting point, but every build is different. Before ordering your custom table base kit, think about the finished look you want, your chair placement, and how the table will be used in your home.

Don’t Forget About Chairs, Benches, and Legroom

When sizing a DIY dining table base kit, you also want to think about how people will sit at the table.

Ask yourself:

Will chairs be used on the ends?

Will a bench be used on one side?

How wide are the chairs?

How much legroom do you want?

Do you want the table legs closer to the corners or tucked farther under the tabletop?

How much space do you need between the legs for your chairs or bench?

These details matter, especially for dining tables and kitchen tables. Your table base kit should not only look right under your tabletop, but also leave enough space for comfortable seating.

Custom Sizing for Your DIY Table Base Kit

While we do offer some standard table base sizes based on our own typical builds, we can also customize sizing for many projects.

Every tabletop, room layout, chair setup, and build style can be a little different, so the right base size may depend on the look you want, the overhang you prefer, and how much space you want between the legs.

Our standard sizes are meant to give customers a helpful starting point, but they are not the only option. If you need a different size for your project, reach out before ordering so we can see what works best for your build.

Why Measuring Correctly Matters

Choosing the wrong table base size can affect both the look and function of your finished table.

If the base is too large, your tabletop may not have enough overhang and the legs may feel too close to the edges.

If the base is too small, your tabletop may have too much overhang, which can change the look of the table and may reduce the usable space between the legs.

Taking a few minutes to measure your tabletop, calculate your desired overhang, and check your spacing between the legs can help you order the correct DIY table base kit the first time.

DIY Table Base Kits Make Building Easier

At Curbside Treasures, we offer DIY straight leg table base kits, turned leg table base kits, table legs, bench bases, unfinished furniture, and custom furniture options to help make your project easier.

Whether you are using your own tabletop, butcher block, reclaimed wood top, pine tabletop, farmhouse-style top, or another custom surface, knowing how to determine your table base size is the first step toward a successful build.

Measure your tabletop.

Choose your desired overhang.

Subtract the overhang from both the length and depth.

Check the leg size listed in the product listing.

Subtract the leg size from both sides of the base to estimate the space between the legs.

Then you’ll know what size DIY table base kit you need for your project.

Building your own furniture does not have to be complicated. With the right measurements and the right straight leg or turned leg table base kit, you can create a custom table that fits your home, your space, and your style.

DIY Project Disclaimer

This blog post is meant to be used as a general suggestion and starting point only. Because this is a DIY project, the final design, sizing, tabletop attachment, support, assembly, finish, stability, and overall performance of the finished table are ultimately the customer’s responsibility.

We are not responsible for how the final table performs once it is assembled, finished, modified, or paired with a tabletop by the customer. Every project is different, and customers should make sure they are comfortable with the measurements, construction method, support, hardware, and final use of their table before completing their build.