12 Types Of Table Legs (Traditional, Modern, and Antique Designs)

Tables are a must-have in almost any room, and they tend to be some of the most statement-making parts of our home furnishings. In places like IKEA, you can actually pick and choose the table’s top and legs separately. This can be a boon to people like myself, who like to have customization options available to them. But, how do you figure out what type of table legs you should get?

There are many different types of table legs, most of which have a very striking look tied to a specific design style. The most common types of legs on the market today include straight legs, saber legs, X legs, U legs, and hairpin legs. However, you can also find fluted legs, claw legs, as well as Cabriole legs.

Getting the right table legs for your table can add a touch of class to your home. Understanding the different types can help you get the right bang for your buck. Let’s make like a Mexican restaurant and “taco bout” it.

Straight table legs are exactly what they sound like. They are table legs, cylindrical or rectangular, that extend straight downwards. They don’t taper off at the bottom. Oh, and they don’t spiral. They’re just there, chilling. These are considered to be a very stable type of table leg and are common in both modern dining rooms as well as offices. While they can look bulky, they still remain pretty streamlined.

They’re probably the most common type of modern table leg you’ll find.

Trumpet legs have pretty designs that may include etchings in the wood, cute designs, and little bulbs or bells near the top of the leg. At the bottom of the leg, you’ll find the feet of the table ending in little points. Since these start large at the top and taper down at the bottom, they often look like inverted trumpet legs.

If they have vertical etchings running from the top to the bottom, they may also be called “fluted” legs. If the legs have extra lines that add body to the leg running vertically, they’re called reeded legs. Regardless of the name, they all seem to be popular with antique furniture. They’re common among desks, tables, and drawers that hail from the 19th and 18th centuries.

If you’ve ever watched Masterpiece Theater, then you might have noticed that a lot of the furniture in that snooty British show involved tables that had legs that looked like lions’ claws. This is a classic throwback to the Baroque period of France, but remains pretty popular for people who want to have an ornate and vintage look.

While these fell out of favor in the earlier part of last century, they still can be found in luxury home furnishing companies. So, if you want to have a slice of European decadence, then you absolutely can.

If you have ever tried your hand at fencing, then you already know that sabers are swords. Traditionally, they were thicker swords that had a bit of a curve to them. Saber table legs tend to have that same type of energy. They have a curve that turns outward slightly. Unlike most of the other common “vintage” table legs, these don’t usually have elaborate carvings in them. They’re just…there.

Saber table legs also happen to be some of the more timeless options as far as antiques go. So, if you want to get an older table that can be modernized, this is a good leg type to consider. They also work well with Victorian and Edwardian decor, though most people still prefer to have something that’s more eclectic.

Cabriole table legs tend to have a lot of similarities to saber legs. This is especially true when it comes to matters of structural integrity. However, they tend to be more extreme in certain measures. Cabrioles tend to be thicker up top, often marked with beautiful carvings that give the table personality.

At the bottom, you’ll see that the table legs taper down into a very elegant little “foot.” These are absolutely wonderful for homes that want to add a Mediterranean look to their environment. Since these tend to be very old world and ornate, they generally do not work out well with homes that try to work a modern or streamlined ambiance.

U legs are exactly what they sound like. They are table legs that are connected at the bottom, giving them a “U” shape. They’re growing in popularity among fans of modern and contemporary home styles. Though they are popular for dining tables, they really tend to be the most commonly used for desks and coffee tables.

They also make you stub your toe a bunch. Ask me how I know. While the chances of stubbing your toe skyrocket with this type of table leg, they still are pretty popular and offer an excellent level of stability. That’s why they work well in areas that are meant for entertaining guests and visitors.

Go to almost any modern furniture store, and you will see this style of legs everywhere. It’s one of the most popular table leg styles among modern, contemporary, coastal, and eclectic home designers. They are fairly straightforward. These table legs are straight, don’t have any extra flairs, and also have a slight taper at the end.

Most of the time, these legs are made of wood and are of a lighter color than the top of the table. They’re always put at an angle, giving your home a modern style. These first became popular in the midcentury modern era of furniture design, but they’ve remained popular ever since then.

Have you ever taken a shop class? If you have, you remember that sawhorses look like little stands. One of the newer industrial table leg styles to get hold of the market are sawhorse legs. As you can see above, they have a triangular “stand” appearance that is basically the same thing as a sawhorse. It’s just, you know, stylized.

These tend to work well with office desks as well as crafting desks. With that said, you can’t get a more stable table leg layout. So if you want to avoid having a shaky desk, this is a good way to make it happen. (By the way, this table leg style is totally hipster-approved.) If these table legs look particularly work-friendly, that’s because they are. They were originally used on tables in factories during the 19th century.

Yes, this sounds like the name of a crappy furniture version of a Marvel universe, but it’s a real thing. And it’s actually pretty neat, too. X table legs are legs that are, well, finished into the shape of the letter X. This gives the table a decent level of stability, and also offer up a cool hourglass silhouette to your table.

As you might already have imagined, this type of table leg is very popular among masculinely styled rooms and industrial-style rooms. If you want to have something that feels like an artsy warehouse item in your home, then you might want to consider getting a coffee table or desk with X legs.

To a point, I almost feel like I was avoiding talking about this style of table leg. People have been buying them up left and right, to the point that it’s starting to become both a Millennial and Gen Z cliche. (Could this be the new “Millennial pink?” Possibly. It’s that bad.) Hairpin legs are wiry legs that are made of folded pieces of metal to resemble an old-fashioned hairpin.

This leg genre initially started gaining traction among edgy New York City offices like the ones you’d see at WeWork. However, they quickly became crazily popular with anyone who wanted to reap the “fashionista” status for their own home. Most of the time, people tend to see these as feminine table legs. However with the right accessories, you can definitely make them “man up.”

Starburst table legs are another member of the “midcentury modern” family, primarily because it was an era where starbursts were everywhere. You could find types of chandeliers with this design, types of clocks with it, and yes, table legs too. These legs can be thinner or thicker depending on personal preference, but they are all arranged in the shape of a classic starburst.

If you are a fan of the old fashioned look of 50s glamour, you might like having a starburst table. However, this style of table leg (or base) is not the most stable. That’s why people don’t use them for desks. Rather, these legs tend to be found under coffee tables and side tables. So, it’s best to think of these as accent or statement pieces.

To a point, I wasn’t sure whether I should include this type of table leg, simply because it’s stretching the term of what a “leg” is. But, I decided to do it simply because there is no single way to get a wireframe table leg going. Wireframe legs are a lot like hairpin legs in the sense that they’re made of metal. However, that’s where the differences end.

Wireframe table legs are sculpted and often have more than just one metal wire to them. They also take a wider range of different shapes. Sometimes, you might see them arranged in a “standing rectangle” like the photo above. Other times, you might see the wires arranged into elegant little pillars, spiral shapes, or even something that resembles wicker pillars.

These can be a unique touch to your home. However, you should always check to make sure that the table’s leg structure is going to be stable enough for it to work well with the purpose of your table.

Related Questions

Why do most tables have four legs?

If you have two legs, you might notice a bit of instability. Three legs can work, but only if the weight of the table is evenly distributed along all the different sides. Four legs allow your table to have balance around all of its sides. It’s a good way to ensure that your table will have enough balance to minimize wobbling. While you can have more legs, the truth is that it’s rarely ever necessary. So, it’s a mix of both stability and cost needs.

What should I do if my table broke a leg?

The first thing you should do is figure out if you can get a table leg replacement. If you have an antique table that has a busted leg, you have to figure out whether or not you should hire someone to help repair the leg. Antique tables will most likely need an expert who can restore furniture without harming the integrity of the furniture’s structure.If you do not want to hire a restoration expert, can’t find a replacement, and don’t want to fix it, well…it’s probably a good idea to have a curb alert at your home. You will have to get rid of the table.

How long should a table last?

Tables can last for decades fairly easily, especially if they are made out of hardwood or metal. If you are willing to take extra good care of a furniture piece, then you should be able to enjoy it for at least 25 years. In many cases, it’s possible to see a table to last for well over 100 years. Tables that last that long are often meticulously cared for and made from premium materials.