Main Aesthetic: Simple Modern

For my main aesthetic, I’m going for a simple, modern look. Right now, I’m planning on making this for my mom, and she’s really into a clean, minimal style for my parents’ house. The kind of table she suggested is super simple, just a round top with four corner legs. The main thing for me is keeping it simple, especially since my woodworking skills aren’t the best. I do have some solid woodworkers in my family, though, so I’ll be checking in with them for advice.

If I can (after talking to people who actually know what they’re doing), I’d like to push myself a little by making the legs more interesting. The table in the second image has a more unique leg design, and for some reason, it really stands out to me. It adds a little complexity without making the whole thing look over the top. That said, I know this might be a bit ambitious for my skill level, so I’ll see what’s actually doable.

As an alternative, I’m also thinking about making a bedside table. I probably wouldn’t do the exact design in the last image, but I like the idea of a more traditional rectangular style where I could have some space to store books or other stuff. This would still keep the simple aesthetic but be a little more functional, especially if I can work in some storage.

If I went in a completely different direction, one option could be a more industrial-style table. I could use darker wood with metal accents or even try incorporating some welded steel legs. It would definitely lean more rugged and heavy-duty, which might not fit the vibe of my parents’ house, but it would be cool to build.

Another option could be a mid-century modern look. This would mean a thinner, tapered leg design and a more polished wood finish, probably with a slightly different shape for the tabletop. It would still be simple but would have a more retro feel, which could be an interesting challenge.