What you need to know to install wood and metal furniture legs.
We’ve put together this quick tutorial to show you how to install Dritz Home wood and metal furniture legs. Each leg style is a bit different, and thus requires a specific approach to install. Because ottomans are the “it” accessory of the day, we used a DIY tuffet kit as our starting point to explain the attachment of both wood and metal legs. However, note that you’ll use these leg installation techniques regardless of whether you’re attaching the legs to the flat base of a bench, chest or other piece of furniture or home accessory.
Dritz supplies:
- Furniture legs (many styles to choose from – wood and metal)
- Marking pen or pencil
- Drill and drill bit
- If installing metal legs: #8 screws (3-4 screws per leg, depending on leg style), and a drill bit extension – 6-8″
- If installing wood legs: wood insert nut (this is something you’ll find at the hardware store; 1 nut per leg)
Other:
- Tuffet kit (links below) & fabric OR other piece of furniture with flat wood base
Optional:
The ottomans we made used tuffet kits from Fairfield™, either the 18″ round kit, or the 18″ square kit. The kits include the foam cylinder, plywood, cushion wrap, patterns and instructions. However, the installation of the Dritz furniture legs would be the same if you were applying the legs to any other type of furniture with a wooden base.
Before constructing or applying upholstery, mark position of legs on wood base. This is especially important on round projects. We made centering lines using the pre-drilled holes in the wood base as our guide (the pre-drilled holes are there in case you want to add a button when upholstering).
First we’re going to talk about applying the wood legs. There are 3 styles to choose from: tapered square bun, fluted column bun and curved country bun.
To install the wood legs, determine final placement and mark the position of the center screw.
Install wood insert nut at marked position.
Twist legs into wood insert. Finish the ottoman as desired following the instructions in the tuffet kit.
She’s beautiful, huh?
This ottoman also uses the wood legs, but for this look, we painted the legs and added gold foil tape.
Take a closer look. You’ve got a lot of options when it comes to the wood legs!
Now take a look at the metal legs. Your choices here are the industrial antique brass or chrome, or the modern hairpin antique brass or chrome.
To install the metal legs, determine final placement and mark positions for screws.
Drill pilot holes for screws with small drill bit.
Position legs over holes and secure with screws.
Tip: Using a drill bit extension is very helpful when applying the screws. The screws can be applied straight and not at an angle.
Finish as desired and admire!
This final look uses the square tuffet kit and modern hairpin legs. Swoon!
We hope you’re as excited as we are about the new additions to the Dritz Home range. When it comes to easy DIY, having clever finishing accents to work with is a game changer.
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Happy DIY!
