Hairpin legs make it easy to create your own distinctive furniture – from desks, to stools, to dining tables. To help you get the right ones for your project, we’ve put together this handy (well…leggy) hairpin leg guide.

You can use it to make sure you get your project just right – whatever you're making.

Pick your legs

Low cabinets/Planters/Pet beds

Planter: @thehairpinlegco Cabinets: @elizabethdotdesign Dog bed: @huskandbark

Legs	Prongs	Steel diameter	Max weight
4 inch	2	10mm	250kg

Our little 4 inch legs are perfect for propping up low furniture. They may be small, but they're strong enough to support very heavy loads.

Raised sofas/Record cabinets

Sofa: @thehairpinlegco Record cabinet: @villagegreenretro

Legs	Prongs	Steel diameter	Max weight
8 inch	2	10mm	250kg

8 inch legs are great for wide, heavy furniture. The extra space they free up underneath helps create a lighter, more elegant look.  

Drawers/Cabinets/Media stands

Media stands: @elizabethdotdesign

Legs	Prongs	Steel diameter	Max weight
8-12 inch	2	10mm	250kg
14 inch	2 or 3	10mm	250kg

Most storage units sit around 8-10 inches above the ground, although the exact size depends on how high you want the top surface to be. These fab retro media stands by @elizabethdotdesign are made with our 12 inch legs. 

Sideboards

Sideboards: @elizabethdotdesign

Legs	Prongs	Steel diameter	Max weight
10-12 inch	2	10mm	250kg
14 inch	2 or 3	10mm	250kg

Sideboards come in many styles, including the popular G plan unit. The ideal height for the top surface to sit above the floor is 60-80cm, which you can achieve with 10mm legs. 

Coffee tables/Side tables

Barcelona tiles coffee table: @cedricworld Bedside table: @harveycoxell Pallet coffee table: @woodandbroomedesign

Legs	Prongs	Steel diameter	Max weight
10-12 inch	2	10mm	250kg
14 inch	2 or 3	10mm	250kg

Your coffee or side table's height is down to personal preference. Measure the height of your sofa or bed to make sure you get the right match.

Stools/Footrests

Upholstered stool: @carolyn_atherton Furry stool: @nad_eden 

Legs	Prongs	Steel diameter	Max weight
14 inch	2 or 3	10mm	250kg
16 inch	2	10mm	140kg
	2	12mm	250kg
	3	10mm	250kg+
	3	12mm	250kg+

Most stools and footrests sit at 16 inches. 2 prong, 10mm will hold up to 140kg, which is more than enough for most stool tops and uses.

Benches

Outdoor pallet benches: @andy1maclellan Scandi dining set: @creeddesignco

Legs	Prongs	Steel diameter	Max weight	People
16 inch	2	10mm	140kg	Up to 2
	2	12mm	250kg	Up to 3
	3	10mm	250kg+	Up to 5
	3	12mm	250kg+	Up to 6

Whether you make a single-seater bench, or a much larger one, use the above guide to make sure you'll have the right amount of support.

Console tables/Dressing tables

Concrete console: @sash.cow Pallet dresser: @xb_design Trinket console: @loveallthingsquirky 

Legs	Prongs	Steel diameter	Max weight
28 inch	2	10mm	15kg
	2	12mm	25kg
	3	10mm	60kg
	3	12mm	120kg

As demonstrated above, console and dressing tables can be made with a wide range of materials – from pallet wood, to printer's trays, to concrete. Use our guide to determine which legs will best suit your chosen surface's weight.

Desks and dining tables

Dining table with Eames-style chairs: @chez_claire Dining table with black chairs: @wohn_gern Pastel desk: @littlebigbell

Legs	Prongs	Steel diameter	Max weight
28 inch	2	10mm	15kg
	2	12mm	25kg
	3	10mm	60kg
	3	12mm	120kg

Table and desk tops tend to be heavy, so we'd recommend using 3 prong legs to make sure you've got sufficient support. 10mm is fine for a surface weighing up to 60kg, but if it's any heavier, opt for 12mm.

Countertops

Counter top: @pinkscharming

Legs	Prongs	Steel diameter	Max weight
34 inch	3	10mm	50kg
	3	12mm	100kg

3 prong legs will give you enough support for everyday tasks at your countertop – like working, eating and drinking. We recommend the 12mm legs, in case you ever want to place heavy items on top of the counter. 

Bars and poseurs

Bar and poseur: @thehairpinlegco

Legs	Prongs	Steel diameter	Max weight
40 inch	3	12mm	80kg

Tall hairpin legs can transform a simple wooden surface into a unique home bar. Our 40 inch pins support up to 80kg freestanding, but more if you fix the table to a wall or static fixing.

Pick your colour

Now you can enjoy the fun bit. Our legs are available in a selection of finishes – from rustic raw steel, to copper, to duck egg blue. 

All our legs comes with free colour-matched protection feet to protect your floors. More on those here. 

If you have any questions, or you’d like any more advice on which hairpin legs would suit your project, feel free to get in touch.

As always, we can’t wait to see what you make! Tag #thehairpinlegco on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and we'll proudly feature your work.