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Console Build with Faux Caning using Placemats!

June 30, 2021 by kelsey.mackall

You can DIY this console build with faux caning using placemats! I was so inspired by $2000 designer consoles that I set out to build my own. Boy, did it turn out GOOD. I’m particularly proud of this project and I used my favorite hack to create faux caning with PLACEMATS! You can’t get this kind of affordability, washability, and durability with real caning but you can still get the woven texture! Scroll down for stain details and the budget break down.

diy console build using placemats as caning styled in entryway with table lamp, vase with stems, black mirror, and stenciled tile floor
woman stands next to wall with painters tape marking a console cabinet shape

What You Will Need:

  • Poplar Boards (7-1×6 and 4-1×4)
  • Placemats (I used the table runner version)
  • Hinges
  • Magnet Cabinet Stops
  • Cabinet Pulls
  • Paint
  • Wood Glue
  • Screws and Clamps
  • Safety Glasses
  • Kreg Pocket Hole Jig
  • Drill
  • Miter Saw
  • Staple Gun
table runner rolled out to be used as faux caning next to polar board and gold cabinet pulls. Woman feet with white toe nails and script tattoo nearby.

Getting Started on the Console Build with Faux Caning:

I started my console build by creating my cabinet box using Poplar. I chose this wood because its a cheaper hardwood. It tends to be green but I made sure to sift through the lumber to find the lightest colored boards The top, bottom, and sides were all 3 boards wide (1×6). I cut the top and bottom to be 72 inches long and the sides to be 24 inches long. Pocket holes and wood glue is how the boards were attached to achieve my desired 3 board width.

woman at miter saw in safety glasses and messy bun cutting wood
Cutting each board to the correct length. I love these safety glasses.
woman drilling pocket holes with the console build with faux caning
All my boards got pocket hole to attach them together.
using a glue brush to apply wood glue to the sides of each board for the console build
The glue up. I love this handy glue brush!
clamps holding together 3 1x6 boards to create the console with faux caning
Clamps are your best friend to keep things tight while gluing and screwing.
pieces of console build laid out in garage
You can see the 5 pieces of my cabinet box. Top, bottom, left side, right side, and middle divider.
close up of console top glued and clamped
woman poses with screws in front of assembled console frame
The assembled frame with original legs.

The Console Legs:

Originally I had made the legs out of 2x2s but quickly scrapped them. They were looking a little too rustic and because of my own inexperience- too wobbly. Instead, my husband helped me weld some out of a square tube and flat bar we found at Lowes. I spray painted it black and they were so much better! Learning to weld might have been my favorite part about this project!

corner clamps holding together metal to create legs for the console build with faux caning
woman practices welding in garage wearing black, white, and red face shield, sparks flying
assembles cabinet frame with black square metal legs and hinges attached

The Doors and Faux Caning Using Placemats:

Surprisingly these doors were the easiest part of this console build project. Using Poplar 1x4s I mitered the corners and made 4 frames to be inset into my cabinet box. Admittedly I’m not great at measuring or math so either I’m a pro eye-baller or I got lucky that they fit so well. I used pocket holes once again to assemble my frame. *Make sure to account for your hinges!

Now for the show stopper of this console project, the faux caning using placemats! I cut my placemat/table runner to size and stapled it to the back of the door frames. I made sure to pull it tight as I went. If the edging of the placemats bother you, you could always add a trim box around it to look more finishes. I left mine as is for now since it won’t be seen inside the cabinet.

1x4s with mitered corners clamped and being attached with pocket holes
inside shot of cabinet where faux caning using placemats was staples to the back of door frame

The Stain:

This is where I really started experimenting. I couldn’t find a stain in existence that was quite what I wanted so I decided to do a paint wash instead. The colors used were Gravelstone by Behr (1st coat) and Dovetail by Sherwin Williams (2nd coat).

See my blog post on using paint as stain for more details on the process.

Budget Breakdown For the Console Build with Faux Caning:

This is an estimate since I didn’t keep my receipts and this project also happened during the high post-pandemic lumber prices. I believe if wood prices were normal it would have been half this cost!

  • Cabinet Frame (7 Poplar 1x6s): $200
  • Cabinet Doors (4 Poplar 1x4s): $80
  • Faux Caning Table Runner: $13
  • Cabinet Pulls: $12
  • Hinges and Cabinet Stoppers: $12
  • Metal Tubing for legs: $40
  • Misc Supplies (Staples, screws, glue, paint): $40

Estimated Total: $397

styled shot of finished console with table lamp, black mirror, vase with stems, gold votive, stacked books, and stenciled tile floor
close up of faux caning using placemats on console doors

Product Links:

*This post may include affiliate links. See my Privacy Disclosure for more information.

  • Table Lamp
  • Neutral Vase
  • Mirror
  • Floor Stencil
  • Cabinet Pulls
  • Placemats

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: caning using placemats, console build, diy cabinet, diy console, diy furniture, entryway, entryway console, entryway table, faux caning, placemat caning

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    June 30, 2021 at 4:01 pm

    […] the Entryway Console Build I couldn’t find the stain I had in mind so I decided to experiment with making my own. I […]

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