DIY Concrete Coffee Table (With Cooler & Firepit)!

Spring is approaching, which means more creative ways to spend time with loved ones and celebrate fun events – like St. Patrick’s Day! And, to help keep the celebrations going even in the most unconventional of years, I was challenged by my friends at Carhartt and Guiness to find creative ways to celebrate at home for their #MakeYourOwnParade campaign! So, to help keep things safe and fun, I created a DIY concrete coffee table that doubles as a drink cooler or fire pit for outdoor entertaining! 

How To Build A DIY Concrete Coffee Table For Outdoor Entertaining

This project is sponsored by Carhartt & Guinness and contains affiliate links.  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

Want to see this build in action? Check it out on my YouTube channel!

I cannot believe this was my first concrete furniture project! I am so excited about the way it turned out!

I legit don’t know what I like better about this table. That it can be used as a drink cooler…

… or a fire pit! 

Either way, I cannot wait to show you how I made this! Let’s get started!

What I Used:

Tools
Miter Saw
Table Saw/Circular Saw
Drill/Driver
Brad Nailer
Concrete Mixing Tub
Shovel/Concrete Mixer
Bucket
Sander & Sandpaper
Paint & Staining Supplies
Wood Clamps
Carpenter’s Square
Tape Measure
Safety Goggles
Gloves

Materials
Bag of Concrete
(5) 1 x 4 x 8′ Cedar Boards
(6) 2 x 4 x 8′ Cedar Boards
(1) Sheet of ¾” Melamine
Remesh
1 ½” Wood Screws
2 ½” Decking Screws
1 ½” Stainless Steel Brad Nails
Wood Glue
Silicone Caulking
Outdoor Finish
Concrete Sealer
9 x 13″ High Heat Baking Pan

Cut List:

Melamine
(1) Bottom @ 24 x 36″
(2) Long Borders @ 37 ½”
(2) Short Borders @ 24″
(2) Long Pan Box Edges @ 1 ¼ x 9″
(2) Short Pan Box Edges @ 1 ¼ x 10 ½”

2 x 4’s
(8) Legs @ 14 ¾”
(8) Long Stretchers @ 30 ½”
(8) Short Stretchers @ 18 ½”
(2) Supports @ 18 ½”
(2) Leg Supports @ 14 ¾”

1 x 4’s
(8) Short Sides @ 23″
(8) Long Sides @ 33 ½”

The Steps:

1. First, I cut my melamine into the sizes I needed for my table top mold. I made the bottom piece 24″ wide and 36″ long and then cut 2″ tall strips to fit the edges.

2. Next, I assembled my mold with wood screws.

3. I then nailed 1 ¼” tall melamine strips in the middle of the mold to frame out my opening for the pan to go later (it’s most helpful to have your pan on hand to measure this. You want to make sure it will fit perfectly before pouring.

Remember, I didn’t want the pan to fit inside of this box. I wanted the box to be the exact size of your pan because this will form the opening in the concrete to the drop the pan into later.

4. Next, I vacuumed my mold and sealed all of the edges with silicone caulking. I wiped away any excess before letting it dry.

5. Once the silicone was dry, I mixed my concrete until it was a peanut butter-like consistency and then shoveled the concrete into the mold with my hands. I also added wire remesh to strengthen the concrete table.

6. I made sure to bounce the mold up and down a few times and run a sander along the sides to vibrate some of the air bubbles out before covering the concrete with plastic and allowing it to dry for a few days.

7. While the concrete dried, I began to build the base. I started by assembling the legs. I used (2) 2 x 4 boards for each leg and attached them with wood glue and decking screws. 

I then added two smaller stretchers (top & bottom) in between each full leg with wood screws and glue.

Next I attached the two smaller sides together with the long stretchers the same way.

I then added leg supports…

… and center supports.

8. Once the base was assembled, I added my decorative slat wood boards to the outside using wood glue and brad nails.

9. I then sealed the wood with an outdoor polyurethane.

10. As the table base dried, I de-molded the concrete slab and lightly sanded the edges by hand. I then sealed the concrete.

11. Last step was to assemble the table and insert the pan into the opening. You can also drill drainage holes into the pan for easier cleanup!

Want to use it as a cooler? Add some ice!

Want to use it as a fire pit? Add some lava rocks and wood!

So stoked to have a space to entertain outside year round!

Want to tackle this build or save it for later? Make sure to Pin It!

Until next time friends, happy DIY’ing!