Resin river tables have exploded in popularity over the past few years and for good reason. These striking pieces of furniture blend the raw beauty of live-edge wood with the modern allure of colourful, glass-like epoxy resin. Whether you're creating a one of a kind dining table or a sleek coffee table, a resin river table is a showstopper.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to make a resin river table and how to avoid the common mistakes that can cost you time, money, and materials. We will also provide information on the best timbers to use and which colour resins complement timbers
Making a resin river table is a rewarding but fairly complex woodworking project that combines natural wood and epoxy resin to create a striking "river" effect. Here's a step-by-step overview of how it's typically done:
Is it hard to make a river table?
It's not extremely hard, but it does require planning, patience, and some tools/skills—especially if you want a professional-looking result.
Many beginners have built great river tables by following guides, watching YouTube tutorials, and taking it step by step. You don’t need every tool if you work smart (you can rent or borrow some). Pre-made kits and pre-dried slabs can make things much easier.
What makes building a river table challenging:
1. Working with Epoxy
- Epoxy can be finicky—temperature-sensitive, prone to bubbles, and it must be mixed precisely by weight or volume.
- Mistakes (like leaks, cloudy resin, or uneven pours) can be time-consuming to fix.
2. Wood Prep
- Wood must be dry, flat, and sealed—wet or warped wood can cause curing issues.
- Flattening slabs takes effort (and often a router sled or wide sander).
3. Mold Building
- Your form must be perfectly sealed—resin leaks are messy, wasteful, and hard to recover from.
4. Tools Needed
- You’ll likely need: clamps, sander, planer or router sled, mixing tools, possibly a track saw or table saw, and a respirator.
5. Finishing
- Getting a smooth, polished surface can take lots of sanding—from 80 grit all the way to 1000+ for a glassy finish.
- Finishing options (oil, polyurethane, or a final resin coat) each take practice.
Common materials needed to make a river table:
- Live edge wood slabs (e.g., walnut, maple)
- Epoxy resin (deep pour type for thicker pours)
- Epoxy pigment/dye (optional for colour)
- Mold or form (melamine board or HDPE)
- Caulk or tape (to seal the mould)
- Clamps
- Sandpaper or sander
- Finish (oil, polyurethane, or resin topcoat)
- Mixing buckets & stir sticks
- Safety gear (gloves, respirator, goggles)
Step-by-Step Instructions on making a resin river table:
1. Choose and Prepare the Wood
- Select two live-edge slabs.
- Flatten and dry them thoroughly (use a plane or sander).
- Arrange them with live edges facing inwards (to form the "river" gap).
2. Build a Mould/Form
- Use melamine board or HDPE panels to build a mould slightly larger than your final table size.
- Seal all edges and seams with silicone caulk or sheathing tape to prevent leaks.
- Coat the mould with a mould-release agent so the epoxy doesn't stick.
3. Place the Wood in the Mold
- Position the slabs in the mould with the live edges facing each other, leaving the desired gap (river width).
- Clamp or weigh down the wood to prevent floating.
4. Mix and Pour the Epoxy
- Mix epoxy according to the manufacturer’s instructions (top tip: deep pour resin if thickness is greater than 1 inch).
- Add pigment/dye if desired.
- Pour slowly to avoid bubbles, and do it in layers if needed (depending on depth).
- Use a heat gun or torch to remove surface bubbles after pouring.
- Common Mistakes: Overheating by pouring too thick in one go. Under-mixing resin, leading to soft spots or sticky areas. Forgetting to pre-seal the wood edges (optional but helps prevent bubbles).
5. Curing
- Let the resin cure completely (usually 24–72 hours, depending on brand and depth).
- Keep it covered and dust-free during curing.
- Pro tip: Don’t rush this step. Curing time matters.
6. Demould and Flatten
- Remove the table from the mould.
- Flatten both sides using a router sled, wide belt sander, or hand planer.
7. Sand and Finish
- Sand progressively from 80 up to 320+ grit.
- Apply your chosen finish (e.g., resin coat, polyurethane, or oil).
- Buff or polish as needed for sheen.
8. Attach Legs/Base
- Drill and attach metal or wooden legs to complete the table.
The most popular woods used to make river tables:
There are many timber options available and its important to consider all options as making a river table is a big investment. Below we suggest some of the most popular timbers used in making river tables, if you would like to explore timber colours more, then have a browse of anyonewood.com the online wood database.
Walnut
- Colour: Rich dark brown with beautiful grain.
- Why it's popular: High contrast with clear or coloured resin; very stable and durable.
- Cost: Higher end.
Maple
- Colour: Creamy white to light tan.
- Why it's popular: Smooth grain and lighter colour pairs well with darker resin colours.
- Types: Hard maple, soft maple, curly or Birdseye maple.
Oak
- Colour: Light to medium brown.
- Why it's popular: Readily available, strong grain pattern.
- Note: Can be porous—may need sealing before epoxy pour.
Elm
- Colour: Light to medium brown with subtle reddish tones.
- Why it's popular: Unique swirling grain; adds rustic character.
Cherry
- Colour: Reddish-brown, darkens over time.
- Why it's popular: Warm tone and smooth grain, good for classic looks.
Ash
- Colour: Pale with bold grain.
- Why it's popular: Affordable alternative to oak, good contrast with coloured epoxy.
Black Locust or Acacia
- Colour: Golden to dark brown.
- Why it's popular: Naturally durable and rot-resistant, with dramatic grain.
Each wood gives a different finished style, walnut is more modern/luxury, while oak and elm feel rustic, and maple or ash give a bright, clean look.
The Best Resin Colours for Each Wood Type
The resin colour you choose is just as important as selecting the timber. Its important to make sure the colour complements the timber and does not clash in any way. Here are a few suggested colours for popular timbers.
- Walnut (Dark brown, rich grain)
- Clear or smoky grey – keeps it elegant and modern.
- Deep blue or ocean blue – strong contrast, dramatic.
- Copper or gold metallic – adds luxury, warms the tone.
- Emerald green – earthy and bold.
- Maple (Pale cream to light tan)
- Black or charcoal – sharp modern contrast.
- Bright blue or teal – creates a water-like river effect.
- Copper or amber – adds warmth and richness.
- White pearl or translucent hues – keeps it light and elegant.
- Oak (Light to medium brown, strong grain)
- Dark blue or navy – creates depth.
- Translucent green or mossy tones – rustic/nature-themed.
- Smoky black or bronze – matches the strong grain.
- Elm (Rustic with red-brown tones)
- Green or forest tones – natural look.
- Gold or bronze – accentuates warmth in the wood.
- Clear or amber – keeps focus on the wood’s natural character.
- Cherry (Warm red-brown, darkens over time)
- Black or dark charcoal – adds drama.
- Translucent red or burgundy – intense, cohesive tone.
- Pearlescent white or gold – softens and adds elegance.
- Ash (Light with bold grain)
- Teal or turquoise – beachy, light, modern.
- Charcoal or steel grey – industrial vibe.
- Metallic blue or silver – eye-catching contrast.
Top Tip
Use translucent pigments or metallic powders to add depth, or layer different tones for a unique flow effect.
Is it easier just to buy a resin river table?
If you are unsure if you have the skills or patience to make your own resin river table, than of course it makes sense to buy one from an expert, buy this may not be as easy as your think.
Finding the perfect river table that matches what you want can be challenging, as every river table is different. However there is a solution, on Wooduchoose.com you will find a great tool to help you design and price your own bespoke river table.
Building a river table conclusion
Building a resin river table is part craftsmanship, part chemistry, and all art. Take your time, plan each step, and don’t be afraid to start small. Whether you're making a centrepiece dining table or a side table for your reading nook, your custom creation will be a conversation starter for years to come.
If You’re a Beginner:
- Start small: try a river charcuterie board or coffee table before tackling a full dining table.
- Test your resin on scrap wood first.
- Plan every step before mixing anything.
