A freestanding umbrella will make your deck or patio much more comfortable for outdoor gatherings. By retrofitting a side table to accommodate the umbrella’s base, you’ll create a unique piece with twice the function.
Smart Style. We used a wooden outdoor side table to help us hide the umbrella’s plain base. This modification also allows the space around the umbrella to be used for serving and display.
Before we made holes in the table, we needed to measure the diameter of the umbrella stand (inset). Then we purchased a hole saw that was slightly larger than the diameter, and used it to drill through the table.
We also needed to accommodate knobs on the stand that are used to secure the umbrella. To do so, we marked a notch on the table, and then used a jigsaw to cut it out.
With the holes and the notch cut, we were able to place the table over the umbrella stand. Then we slid the umbrella through the top of the table and into the stand (inset).
We completed the new umbrella table by using it to display some potted plants. These help conceal the hole in the top and block a portion of the umbrella stand. Plus, they add another layer of greenery to this serene outdoor setting.
