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DIY Umbrella Stand with Side Table

Make this quick and easy DIY umbrella stand that can be used as a fun patio side table.

If you are wondering how do you make an umbrella stand, be prepared to be shocked. It is so easy, and can be incredibly inexpensive too!

DIY umbrella stand with a side table with two patio chairs and white umbrella

I like umbrellas for outdoor seating areas a lot. It gets really hot in the summers in Utah and the shade is necessary for enjoying the outdoors.

But they are kinda expensive. So when I found one at Target that had great reviews and was on sale (and free shipping with my Red Card) for only $25.00, I hurried and bought it before it was gone.

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This umbrella on Amazon is almost as cheap with prime shipping!

It is a basic beige color, and is really nice. I was so excited when it came in the mail, and pulled it out of the package ready to set it up. One Problem though,

How do I keep my patio umbrella from falling over?

You need an umbrella stand that is heavy enough on the bottom to prevent the umbrella from tipping over when its windy. A stand that secures the umbrella higher up, like this side table, gives your umbrella even more stability in the wind.

Our umbrella didn’t come with a stand. I jumped online and quickly realized that they are even more expensive then the actual umbrellas. And the less expensive ones had horrible reviews and weren’t very pretty.

So I decided to make my own, and I’m so glad I did!

This umbrella stand is heavy and sturdy. We have had lots of wind, and it hasn’t once fallen over or flown away.

 umbrella stand with a DIY patio side table with a book and a cup of coffee

Can a Patio Umbrella Stand Without a Table?

There are basically two options for securing an umbrella. The classic patio table with a hole in the middle. Or you have the heavy weighted bases the umbrella sits in.

I don’t have space for a big table but I wanted more function than just a base, so I created a small DIY umbrella stand table.

This umbrella stand cost me $0 because I already had everything (which is why it is the way it is) but if you don’t happen to have all this stuff lying around, you can still make it for pretty cheap.

How to Build a DIY Umbrella Stand

Tools Needed:

Supplies:

You will need a large planter (the top needs to be less than 20″ wide), about $8 in wood, some screws, a 2″ piece of pipe and a bag of cement. The one expense that I cannot estimate is the planter.

They can be pretty expensive, but I found this planter on Amazon, or I would recommend going to the thrift store to see what you could find there. You do want the planter to be plastic or something really light weight.

patio chair with orange and white cushion and blue print pillow with diy umbrella stand with a wood top side table

Make the Concrete Base

So last year I started the project. The first part was pretty easy, but back breaking! I learned that it is a good idea to mix the concrete in small batches and to put your pot where you want it to go (or at least close). I assembled mine in the front yard in my driveway, then we had to carry it all the way to the backyard. Needless to say, my husband wasn’t very happy with me :).

Because my planter has feet, I added some wood in the middle the same size as the feet to support the center of it. Then I placed a scrap piece of 1 3/4″ metal pipe in the middle and held it in place with some masking tape.

Then add the concrete till you get the pot mostly full. Again, mix small batches or you will exhaust yourself trying to stir it up! Then let it set up.

DIY umbrella stand shown in concrete planter while drying

Now you can use it just like that, which I did all last year, but I really wanted to create a little table top to rest on the top of the planter so I had a place to put my beverage while sitting outside watching the kids play.

So I thought good and hard about what I wanted, then it was winter… then it was spring… and then I needed a table top, so I finally got around to making it!

closed patio umbrella shown in DIY stand with two patio chairs

And it was super easy. I used my trusty Kreg Jig and my new nail gun and it was ready in no time. And with about $8 in wood you can too.

Cut the Wood for the Table Top

Cut (4) 11″ pieces of 2×4 and put two jig holes on one end of each. Measure 2″ down from the end with the jig holes.

Then arrange them like in the picture below, leaving a 2″ box in the middle, and secure with screws (you can also use glue for extra hold, but I forgot).

four pieces of cut wood shown with clamp to hold base of DIY patio stand

Before going any further, I double checked that it fit over my pipe. And it did 🙂

four pieces of wood shown on top of planter with base for DIY umbrella stand

Now I went back to my work bench and cut 12 pieces of 2×4 to 5 1/2″ long and added jig holes on one end of each.

Assemble the Table Top

Then attach the boards with a little gap between them. I just eyeballed it.

pieces of wood cut and screwed together for base of diy umbrella patio side table with ryobi drill

Go around the whole table top and attach 3 of the 5 1/2″ boards to each side.

pieces of cut wood shown together to make umbrella stand side table top


For the edges I used the 1×3, you will want to measure each side and cut to fit, the first two sides will be about 20″.

I turned the table top over and used the flat work bench to keep it flush to the top. Attach with nails.

diy umbrella stand side table top shown on work bench prior to staining

Flip the table top and do the same to the opposite side.

umbrella stand table top shown on work bench

For the two remaining sides, they should be about 21 1/2″. Attach with nails.

diy umbrella stand table top glued together and shown on work bench

Now it is ready for sanding!

diy umbrella stand patio table top before staining

Sand and Finish the Table Top

I sanded it a lot! I wanted to get the top supper smooth. Then I stained it with Minwax Dark Walnut and finished with an outdoor deck sealer.

Isn’t it pretty?? I love how the grain jumps out with the stain. Look at those pretty knots.

diy patio wood table top shown after being stained

I had to wait 24 hours before putting the table top on the umbrella stand outside because it wouldn’t stop raining! Seriously, do we still live in Utah? I thought it was a desert here… Oh well, at least my garden is happy.

diy wood patio table top shown with umbrella stand on patio

And now I can sit down, read a book, sip my coffee and watch the kids play.

set of two patio chairs shown with diy umbrella stand with side table

Then I can also work on that patio, but that’s gonna be a big project for another weekend.

UPDATE: We found a few small changes for drainage. When it rains and the umbrella is down water will fill up the top lip. I just drilled a couple of holes on each side, just above the concrete, to let the water run out.

Our nephew also found out a flaw when he filled the pipe the umbrella goes in with sand and rocks….. I would recommend that once the concrete cures, drill a hole in the bottom of the planter so you can get any debris and water out with out having to flip the whole thing over.

diy umbrella stand side table shown on patio with book on table and cup of coffee

For now, I’m gonna sit down and enjoy getting my umbrella stand finished 🙂

diy umbrella stand side table shown on patio with two patio chairs and a white umbrella
Make your own umbrella stand with a side table for cheap. Makes the perfect seating area to enjoy summer. Tutorial from Houseful of Handmade.

Make Your Own Umbrella Stand Side Table

Yield: 1 Umbrella Stand Side Table
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $8
Learn how to make this quick and easy DIY umbrella stand that you can use as a fun patio side table.

Materials

  • 2- 2x4s 8′ long
  • 1- 1×3 8′ long
  • 32- 2 1/2″ Kreg Jig screws
  • 3/4″ finishing nails

Tools

  • Saw (I use a miter saw)
  • Kreg Jig
  • Clamps
  • Drill
  • Screw driver
  • Nail gun
  • Sander

Instructions

    1. Cut 4 11″ pieces of 2×4 and put two jig holes on one end of each.  Measure 2″ down from the end with the jig holes.
    2. Then arrange them like in the included picture, leaving a 2″ box in the middle, and secure with screws.
    3. Cut 12 pieces of 2×4 to 5 1/2″ long and added jig holes on one end of each.  Then attach the boards with a little gap between them.  I just eyeballed it.
    4. Go around the whole table top and attach 3 of the 5 1/2″ boards to each side.
    5. For the edges I used the 1×3, you will want to measure each side and cut to fit, the first two side will be about 20″.  I turned the table top over and used the flat work bench to keep ti flush to the top.  Attach with nails. Do the same to the opposite side.
    6. Measure the other sides, they should be about 21 1/2″.  Attach with nails.
    7. Now it's ready for sanding. I sanded it a lot!  I wanted to get the top supper smooth.  Then I stained it with Minwax Dark Walnut and finished with an outdoor deck sealer.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

-Kati with picture of blog author Kati

Jessica

Sunday 30th of July 2023

This is awesome and so creative. Thank you!

Kali

Sunday 26th of June 2022

Thanks for the post! How large an umbrella was this?

Kati Farrer

Monday 27th of June 2022

It's a 9 foot umbrella. I did a second umbrella table and you can get the exact umbrella I used for that linked in the project. https://housefulofhandmade.com/diy-umbrella-side-table/

Kim

Wednesday 12th of February 2020

How much does the final product weigh?

Kati

Thursday 12th of March 2020

More than I can carry! I have to have my husband move it for me. It is definitely sturdy.

Kathy Harris

Friday 12th of April 2019

Hi Kati! I’ve saved this post for a very long time. I just bought an outdoor umbrella on WayDay (Wayfair’s 38-hr. sale). Like you, I’m not willing to pay more for the stand than the umbrella. Question: Would PVC pipe work? I might use a round wood top that I can drill a hole in, if I can find one that isn’t MDF or particle board. I’ve never used jKreg, but have lots of pins about it and use tools easily. This may be the time I actually go buy it as your top really is the prettiest. If I post on IG, I’ll credit you. Thanks for this great idea!

Kati

Friday 12th of April 2019

I would worry about the PVC breaking if there was any large winds. If you choose to use PVC make sure it is nice and thick and sturdy. A round top would work if solid wood. But the Kreg jig is super easy to use. If you buy one, it might just open up lots more options for you to do more DIYs ;) Please tag me when you post cause I would love to see it done! Good luck.

maria

Wednesday 7th of March 2018

I am very impressed how it came out, I love this idea. Love the color of the stain.

Kati

Friday 16th of March 2018

Thanks Maria! It turned out so great. We love having a place to sit and enjoy outside too.

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