Robert Rose Carpentry · Your furniture, your way
The right legs change the whole feel of a table. Explore industrial steel, elegant centre bases and characterful wooden designs to find a style that works for your room and the way you use it.
Start with the look you love, then consider the shape of your top, the number of seats and how much room you need for chairs or benches. We can help you balance appearance with the practical details.
01 · Our industrial signature
Reclaimed scaffold tube legs
Reclaimed steel tubes bring an honest industrial feel to our furniture. Their rounded profile contrasts with the grain of the timber, while the clamps and joints become part of the design. Marks and variations in the steel give each set its own character.
Tube layouts can be adapted for dining tables, desks, benches and other bespoke furniture. Connecting rails help form the frame, and their height and position matter: a rail tucked beneath the top can leave more room for an end chair than one placed lower down. We agree the complete layout for your piece.
Brushed, polished & waxed
Our standard finish. Debris is brushed away before the steel is polished and waxed, giving it a cleaner sheen while retaining the character of reclaimed metal.
Brushed only
The tubes are cleaned of loose debris without the polishing stage. This leaves a quieter, less shiny appearance for those who prefer a more understated industrial finish.
Raw / as reclaimed
The most rustic option, retaining more of the tube’s original marks, colour variation and weathering. Discuss the surface condition with us so the finish suits where and how you will use the furniture.
Reclaimed steel varies from lighter grey to darker tones. A finish sample or photograph can help you choose.
02 · A lighter metal profile
Hairpin legs
Slender bent-steel rods give hairpin legs an open, elegant outline. They allow more light beneath the furniture and work well when you want the timber top to be the main feature.
They suit coffee tables, side tables and desks, with suitable specifications also available for dining and taller furniture. The number of rods, rod diameter and leg height must be chosen to suit the top and its use.
Works well for: Mid-century-inspired rooms, lighter-looking furniture and a choice of metal colours.
Consider: Taller legs and heavier tops need an appropriate specification. Floor protectors help separate the steel feet from your flooring.
We source our hairpin legs from The Hairpin Leg Company. Ask us about the current heights and finishes available for your project.
Choose a finish
Colour examples are a guide; availability depends on the leg specification.
Black or coloured powder coat
A coated finish for a clean, consistent appearance, from subtle black to a brighter accent colour.
Clear powder coat
Keeps the visible steel character beneath a protective clear finish, usually with a slight sheen.
Raw steel
Uncoated metal for those who want to apply their own finish or allow a weathered appearance. Bare steel can rust, including indoors.
Zinc
A lighter metallic finish. If the furniture is intended for outdoor use, ask us to confirm the suitability of the complete leg and tabletop specification.
Copper
A warm metal tone that can develop a patina over time, depending on the finish and care.
Chrome
A brighter reflective look that contrasts well with darker timber.
03 · Defined shapes in steel
Industrial metal frame legs
Steel end frames give a table a clear architectural outline. Choose straight lines for a quieter look or angled members for more visual movement. Black gives a strong contrast with timber, while a natural-steel appearance can emphasise the industrial character.
Trapezium
A closed frame with sloping sides, usually wider at the floor than beneath the top. It gives a rectangular table a purposeful industrial outline while keeping the middle of each end open.
Consider: The sloping sides and bottom rail can affect the position of end chairs and bench legs.
X-frame
Crossed steel members create a strong visual feature at each end of the table. The diagonal lines work well with a characterful reclaimed top and give the base a more expressive appearance than a simple rectangle.
Consider: Check chair clearance against the crossing point and the spread of the feet.
Tapered closed frame (V-frame)
This frame has angled sides joined by a floor-level rail. It offers a more tapered outline than the square frame while retaining a closed perimeter.
Consider: The lower rail and angle of the sides need to work with your chosen chairs.
A-frame
Two sloping sides are joined by a horizontal crossbar, leaving the feet separate at floor level. This gives a familiar trestle-inspired silhouette with an open upper section.
Consider: The crossbar and splayed feet should be positioned with end seating in mind.
Square / box frame
A rectangular steel loop gives a clean, simple outline. Its straight sides complement both rustic timber and more contemporary tops, making it a versatile alternative to diagonal frames.
Consider: The floor-level rail occupies space at each end; allow room for chair feet and anyone sitting there.
04 · Open up the corners
Pedestal & centre bases
A centre base changes both the appearance of a table and the way seats fit around it. These designs move support away from conventional corner positions, though their feet and floor plates still need to work with your seating.
A clean centre support
Central metal pedestal
A single metal column rises from a broad floor plate, leaving the perimeter of the table free from corner legs. Its simple outline works particularly well with a round top and creates a clean contrast with the character of reclaimed timber.
Works well for: Round dining tables and compact dining areas.
Consider: The floor plate still occupies space beneath the table. Its diameter, weight and top fixing must suit the size and weight of the tabletop; a slim-looking column alone does not determine suitability.
A sculptural focal point
Spider / star base
Angled metal arms spread from a central hub to create a star-shaped footprint. This brings a more architectural feel to a timber top, with open spaces between the arms and no conventional legs at the corners.
Works well for: Statement round tables and larger tops where a central base suits the design.
Consider: Check where the feet fall in relation to chairs. Base width, steel section and mounting arrangement are selected for the individual top rather than appearance alone.
Two supports, an open perimeter
Twin pedestal / trestle
Two supports sit beneath the length of the table, each with a foot across the floor. This arrangement moves the uprights away from the corners and offers an alternative to four separate legs, particularly on a long rectangular table.
Works well for: Long dining tables and selected gaming-table designs.
Consider: The position of each upright and the transverse feet affects chair clearance. End overhang and any connecting rail need planning around your seating layout.
A central base in reclaimed timber
Wooden pedestal legs
Our wooden pedestal brings the warmth of reclaimed timber into the centre of the table. Upright timber supports sit on crossed wooden feet, creating a distinctive base without legs at the outer corners. It pairs naturally with the hexagonal top shown here and offers an all-wood alternative to a metal pedestal.
Works well for: Hexagonal tables and bespoke round or shaped tops where a central wooden base suits the design.
Consider: The crossed feet take up space on the floor, so their position matters when arranging chairs. The base proportions and tabletop overhang are planned together to suit the size and shape of your table.
05 · Warmth from top to floor
Wooden legs
Wooden legs carry the warmth and character of the tabletop through the whole piece. Our reclaimed-board designs retain natural grain, knots and signs of the timber’s previous life. Timber choice, section and finish are agreed for each style.
Reclaimed boards, joined at a right angle
L-shaped wooden legs
Each leg is made from two timber boards joined along their length to form an L-shaped section. The closed corner faces outward, with the open angle facing inward beneath the table. This gives a broad wooden face on each side without using a solid square post.
Works well for: Reclaimed-wood dining and gaming tables, including the LIMA shown here.
Consider: The board widths, timber finish and attachment are matched to the table. These legs are a different construction from our square-section option.
A more substantial all-wood option
Chunky square wooden legs
Straight legs with a square section give a table a simple, grounded appearance. They pair naturally with reclaimed timber tops and offer a fuller look than tapered legs. Their proportions can be kept balanced so the base complements the top rather than overwhelming it.
Works well for: Rustic dining tables, substantial desks and selected gaming tables.
Consider: Leg width and inset affect the space available for chairs. The timber section and fixing method are agreed for the particular table.
A traditional trestle shape
Wooden X-frame legs
Two diagonal timber members cross at each end of the table, creating a distinctive X-shaped support. A connecting stretcher can tie the two ends together. The result brings the familiar trestle shape into an all-wood design, with grain and character throughout the base.
Works well for: Farmhouse-style dining tables and longer reclaimed timber tops.
Consider: The angled feet and stretcher occupy space beneath the table. Their position matters if you want to use a bench or place a chair at either end.
A lighter, more elegant outline
Tapered wooden legs
These legs narrow towards the floor, giving the table a finer profile while retaining the warmth of wood. A slight outward angle can add to the lighter appearance. They suit a quieter, more contemporary scheme where you want the timber top to remain the main feature.
Works well for: Elegant dining tables, writing desks and smaller furniture.
Consider: The degree of taper, any splay and the supporting apron are designed around the top. For desks, we also consider knee clearance and your chair height.
Explore our wood finishes when choosing the overall tone of your furniture.
06 · Make it work for you
Choosing the right legs
Think about your seats
Allow for the width of your chairs, space to pull them out and room for knees beneath the top. If you want someone to sit at each end, the leg inset and any crossbars deserve particular attention.
Match the base to the top
Shape, length, width and weight all affect the choice of base. A design shown with one tabletop is a style reference, rather than confirmation that it suits every size.
Consider the finished height
The total height includes the tabletop as well as the legs. For desks and gaming tables, we also consider the underside clearance, chair arms and depth of any apron or playing vault.
Choose the overall feel
Hairpins and tapered timber give a lighter outline. Square posts and end frames create a more grounded look. Pedestal and spider bases make the centre of the table a feature.
Can I choose a different leg style for a table?
Often, yes. Send us the table you like and the leg style you have in mind. We will check how the alternative works with the top and explain any changes to construction or price.
Can the legs be moved to make more seating space?
The position can often be discussed as part of a bespoke design. Moving legs or rails affects the supporting structure as well as chair clearance, so we agree the whole arrangement before making it.
Will the legs detach for delivery?
This depends on the table and fixing method. Let us know about narrow doors, stairs or other access restrictions so we can discuss the appropriate construction and assembly.
Do all leg styles cost the same?
No. The material, size, finish and fabrication can change the price. We confirm any difference when quoting your chosen table and base combination.
Not sure which style to choose?
Tell us your tabletop size, the number of seats and the look you like. A photograph of your room or chairs is helpful too.
