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Vintage Casket Carrier Repurposed to a Dining Room Table

See how I repurposed a vintage casket carrier into a dining room table base and created a new dining room table!

My husband thinks I’m crazy with my repurposing ideas….and this little project is proof that I might just be (kidding, sort of). It all started a few years after my mom purchased a dining room table that she decided wasn’t her style anymore. She bought this lovely dining table at a very expensive furniture store in town and later realized what the base of it used to be. Since you’ve read the title of this post you know what I’m referring to; a vintage casket carrier that I’ve repurposed as a dining room table base.

vintage casket carrier turned table base

When my mom purchased this vintage Iron casket carrier, it came with a large piece of glass on top. It looked ok, but I knew when I got my hands on it I knew I would add a piece of wood to the top, not glass.

This antique casket carrier is rusty, industrial, vintage and HEAVY! It’s 100% iron and I love it.

Here’s what it looked like;

Vintage Casekt Carrier
Vintage Casket Carrier
Vintag Casket Carrier

How fitting is it that I’ve added this table base to my dining room right in time for Halloween! Haha. My husband still can’t get used to the idea that this used to be a casket carrier, but I don’t see it that way. I guess that’s the antique and vintage lover in me. I see a solid piece of furniture with history and a story (maybe some stories I don’t want to know). But honestly, doesn’t that make life a little more interesting?

Back to the story of how I repurposed this vintage casket carrier into a dining room table.

How I created a dining table with a vintage casket carrier base

I had a local wood shop make a wood top and leave it unfinished so I could finish it how I wanted. I started by using a darker stain and finishing it with a “white wash” finish

It was pretty, but I felt like it blended too well with the rest of the room. So I decided to turn the piece of wood over and create a new finish. This way I could have a “reversible table top.”

Vintage Casket Carrier table top

I decided that since this side was darker with lighter white wash, that I wanted the other side of the table top to be more of a barn wood look.

I used a “weathered” stain on the wood and left the knots in the wood exposed (or I didn’t do anything to cover them up).

After I finished the wood table top, I needed to decide how to attach the wood top to the casket carrier base. Honestly, I still haven’t finished this part. I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion that I will drill a large screw or maybe a bolt from the wood top down through the holes on the base. Here is another picture of the holes in the casket carrier base.

Vintage Casket Carrier

I’m all ears if anyone has another idea. I guess I’m a little nervous to drill through the top of the table, because once it’s done, there is no turning back.

So for now, I’ve styled my repurposed dining room table and taken pictures, but we have yet to use it until I figure out how to attach the top to the base.

vintage casket carrier repurposed to a dining room table
vintage casket carrier repurposed to a dining room table
vintage casket carrier repurposed to a dining room table
vintage casket carrier repurposed to a dining room table
vintage casket carrier repurposed to a dining room table
vintage casket carrier repurposed to a dining room table
vintage casket carrier repurposed to a dining room table

What do y’all think? The more I look at it, the more I think it might be better suited as an outdoor table with metal chairs. My husband agrees with the outdoor table, but I’m not sure if it’s because he is still spooked by the idea of the casket carrier base (LOL). You know me, I’m always changing things around.

Would you be spooked by the idea of eating on a vintage casket carrier table base? Or does it make the table a little more interesting?

Want to see more creative DIY table leg ideas? I’ve got you covered.

creative DIY table legs

If you enjoyed this post, I would love for you to pin it HERE or use the image below. Thanks guys!

Vintage Casket carrier turned table

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Lindsey**

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  1. Lourdes Torres says:

    It’s really unique that’s for sure! So creative. My husband would definitely not like it though. I would make it an outside table.

  2. Mariah says:

    This vintage table is gorgeous. I really loved the outlook of it. Makes the dinning room looks gorgeous. It is simple and elegant and have the perfect expensive look. Very nice design. Thanks a lot.

  3. Janet says:

    That is a super interesting base….love the accordion element! I do see, though, how it might leave some a little uncomfortable at dinner 😛

  4. […] the wood slab, I had a wood table top that was previously used for THIS table. Do you remember my very controversial table? Here’s a picture below of what it used to […]

  5. […] Did you enjoy this post? You might be interested in my dining room from our old home that might just include a vintage dining room table that will make you squirm 🙂 […]

  6. […] Vintage Casket Carrier Repurposed to a Dining Room Table from Repurpose and Upcycle. […]

  7. Nelly Hennessy says:

    You are indeed very creative, you see and object, and your mind will think of “what else can I do with i t”! Often times I ask myself that question, however Icould not bring myself to use that “carrier” anywhere in my house!! You are so much daring than what I am!! Good for you!

  8. Trudi Schooley says:

    I Love it and would leave it right there. You could drill holes for long screws that would fit down into the casket carrier. Would flange them out on both sides so that the screw head sits flush. That way you can change the top to what ever side suits your fancy.

  9. Rebecca says:

    Love, love, love it!

  10. I absolutely love it. It is an incredibly unique piece.

  11. I simply adore the table Lindsey, super cool and uniquely chic, off the rocker just enough for a quirky statement piece that creates a perfect focal point for the room, I’m defineatly going to find a way to share this one in a round up next month! thanks for sharing your project at #fridaysfurniturefix!

  12. Mary-The Boondocks Blog says:

    Lindsey your timing was perfect for Halloween. I think it is a very interesting piece and certainly a conversation starter. But I think it is not for everyone. My husband would have a fit if I did something like that. Respect for thinking outside the box.

  13. acraftymix says:

    That’s creepy, but soooooo incredibly cool. I wish I was a fly on the wall when people come for dinner Lindsey. I can just imagine the reactions and conversations. LOL, seriously cool

  14. Jen says:

    This is probably the most creative DIY decorating tutorial I have ever seen!

  15. Cindy says:

    It is actually AMAZING…but a little creepy…BUT AMAZING!!!
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

  16. Oh WOW! That is cool … a little creepy 🙂 …but very very cool! I would totally keep it in the dining room. It looks awesome!

  17. Anonymous says:

    I would use wooden dowels in the table and into the holes in the carrier. Then no bolts on the top

  18. Leslie says:

    What an awesome project! I think it looks fantastic as a table. Who cares what it was used for originally. That’s what you call a ‘conversation piece’ ???? Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!

  19. I was almost expecting something more creepy given its former life and that Halloween posts are popping up already, but you made it classy! I LOVE what you did with this! So creative!

  20. Barbara says:

    Wow!! This is what I call thinking outside the box. What a great idea for a table. It is so unique and I doubt you will know anyone with the same dining table. I hope you don’t have to drill through the top in order to fasten it.

  21. lamscomm says:

    This is actually super cool! I love the interesting and unique!

  22. K.Rupp says:

    HAHA! I’m not a superstitious person so I would think it should be fine anywhere you think it looks best. My last post was about re-doing a stinky dresser that I got from a foreclosed house. My neighbors joked they thought the place could have been haunted and a dead body may have been in it…..hence the stink!!! That didn’t seem to stop me… HAHA. Yes, lets eat off the casket carrier in the dining room….for sure!!! I’m in:) It’s really cool looking and so unique and different! I love different stuff like this! Found your post through the amaze me monday party! I am pinning this one:)

  23. Cordelia says:

    I think that it looks great. Eating off of this table would be a pleasure. You have done a wonderful job. Would hate to see you drill into the wood so hope you can come up with a way to make it more stable. Keep us posted on your ideas.

  24. Rhonda says:

    Well, if books and plates start flying across the room……I would throw that thing out the door!!

  25. JESS44903 says:

    This is SO neat! 🙂

    I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

  26. Cindy Richter says:

    When I first read the title, I was immediately like whaaat?! So I get what your hubby means. Bit I honestly think That is the most unique table I’ve ever seen! I love it. How cool!!!!!

  27. Very unusual piece Lindsey … LOVE it. Could you attach or weld a flange (a projecting flat rim, collar) with three or four holes for screws, to the top of the posts? Then you could screw the top down from the underneath side. Good luck … interesting table.

  28. carol says:

    Sorry, but I wouldn’t want it in my house and I like Halloween!

  29. vrmm26 says:

    Such a neat piece! Wish my mom would find me such goodies!! Love how you added the wood top. Couldn’t even imagine the kid fingerprints on a glass top, lol. Visiting from Nifty Thrifty Sunday party.