Can I Change Furniture Feet on an Existing Piece?

Yes. When you look for instructions on how to add feet to furniture, you'll find a lot of guides that discuss building furniture from scratch. However, older pieces sometimes need foot replacements. You can follow this article and use our products to replace old or missing furniture feet. Keep in mind, however, that many pieces will require the same attachment method as was originally used. Be sure to review the piece and its functionality before making changes.

What’s the Strongest Way to Attach Furniture Legs?

Furniture feet attachments will vary depending on the type of project and materials used.

How Do I Attach Feet to an Upholstered Piece?

You can use most of our standard tips for adding feet to upholstered furniture since they involve attaching the feet to the underside of the furniture’s base. This makes it possible to attach the feet without ruining the upholstery.

7 Easy Ways To Attach Furniture Feet

July 11, 2025 Emily Ramey How To

Feet keep furniture pieces stable and enhance their style. When the feet on your furnishings become worn or detached, it’s time to replace them. And if you’re building new furnishings from scratch, they’re not complete without expertly attached feet.

Before you get started, make sure to gather the tools you’ll need for the project. While you may not need them all, keep the following handy:

Hammer
Flathead screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
Drill
Carpenter’s level
Tape measure

Wear the proper work gear as well. Eye protection, work gloves, ear protection, and shoes with hard soles will help you work safely. When you’re ready, follow these tips for securely attaching any style of furniture feet.

How to Add Feet to Your Furniture

Before planning your project, take a close look at the furnishing you plan to build or upgrade. If an existing piece has a specific type of foot attachment, use that same process for the replacement. Every decision you make about your project, such as choosing oak or pine, will affect your home’s aesthetics. Foot attachments are no different, but they also have an effect on function. Learn more about how to attach feet to your furniture in our guide below.

1. Straight or Angled Mounting Plates

It’s common to find straight mounting plates on ottomans, side tables, and other small pieces. Mid-century tables and furnishings with splayed legs typically make use of angled mounting plates. The following instructions apply specifically to our mounting plates. Other mounting plate styles available on the market may require different attachment methods.

Here's how to add feet to furniture when using mounting plates:

Find the center of the top of the foot by drawing 2-4 straight lines from one end of the foot to the other and identify the intersection point
Use the center point to drill a ⅜” hole that’s deep enough to fit two-thirds of the bolt
Use an Allen wrench to push the threaded insert into the hole until it’s flush with the wood
Measure for the position of the mounting plate, leaving at least 1” of space between the plate and each edge
Using the provided screws, secure the mounting plate to the underside of the tabletop, ottoman, or other furnishing
Secure the screw into the threaded insert in the leg
Insert the screw into the mounting plate and turn the foot until it feels secure

2. Osborne Wood Leg Mounting Cleats

The first step in installing leg mounting cleats is to choose the proper position for the function and aesthetic you are aiming for. After measuring for the cleat’s position, pre-drill up to eight holes and insert the appropriate screws.

Osborne offers two types of leg mounting cleats to suit different design needs: Straight Leg Mounting Cleats (Part #3912.12) and Angled Leg Mounting Cleats (Part #3913.12). Be sure to select the appropriate style based on your desired leg orientation.

If you used Osborne Wood’s hanger bolt install service, you’re ready to screw the legs into the cleat. Otherwise, you may have to drill a ⅜” hole into the top of each leg for the bolt. Install the bolt and leave one-third of it exposed. Screw each leg into the cleat.

3. Osborne Wood Threaded Inserts

For furniture legs with hanger bolts, Osborne Wood threaded inserts offer a strong, secure attachment method. These inserts are ideal for DIY installations and repairs where long-term durability is key.

If your piece has legs with hanger bolts, using threaded inserts provides a secure connection. Use a ½” drill bit to create a hole for the insert. Avoid drilling too deep to protect the furnishing’s storage area and tabletop.

After drilling the hole, use a 5/16” Allen wrench to push the threaded insert into the hole. Pro tip: Wrap the Allen wrench with tape to protect the insert. Screw the hanger bolt on the leg into the threaded insert you just installed. Repeat the process for each leg.

4. T-Nuts With Hanger Bolts

Depending on your project, learning how to add feet to furniture with T-nuts is also a common method. This type of fitting is similar to threaded inserts except that the T-nuts require a little more force. Use a hammer to lightly tap the T-nut until it’s flush with the wood surface. Afterward, you can screw the leg into place.

This is the best option for thick, solid wood. Since installing the T-nut requires more force, you won’t want to use this fitting with softwood products or thinner pieces.

5. Wooden & Metal Corner Brackets

When adding feet to larger or heavier furnishings, a center mount isn’t always possible. You may need to add chamfered legs to the corners or edges of the base. This is where dual-top plates or corner brackets become useful.

To begin, you may consider ordering a skirting kit from Osborne Wood. After installing the skirting, place a corner bracket in each of the four positions. Add a bolt in the center hole on each bracket and secure it to the leg using the threaded insert that has been pre-installed. The bolt should fit into the inside corner of the table leg on each side.

6. Direct Screw Attachment

When you’re deciding how to add feet to furniture, screwing the foot directly into the table base is often not recommended as the best solution. While you can use this method on small and lightweight pieces, the fitting could loosen over time.

In cases where a direct screw attachment is appropriate, you can quickly screw the foot into the base by hand after making a pre-drilled hole. Be sure to understand the design of your piece and its intended function when choosing if this is the right attachment method.

7. Dowel and Glue Joinery

While it’s one of the most elegant table leg options, joining the leg or foot to the base with a dowel requires more precision and patience. You’ll need good-quality wood glue to secure the dowel in place. Together, the dowel and wood glue form a strong and permanent bond.

To use this technique, add holes into both pieces in order to receive a dowel. Coat half of the dowel with glue and insert it into the hole. Apply more glue to the exposed portion of the dowel before pushing the foot into place. Wait for the recommended drying time.

Tips for a Secure and Level Fit

Use the following tips on how to add feet to furniture to ensure the feet fit securely and firmly to the furnishing:

Drill pilot holes in advance
Double-check the leg angles before tightening screws and bolts
Place furniture levelers or pads beneath the feet for added support

You can avoid costly mistakes by checking your measurements before making any permanent changes. The extra preparation prevents wasted time and materials.

Shop Furniture Feet and Hardware at Osborne Wood

At Osborne Wood, we sell a variety of fine wood products to help you complete any project. When building or restoring premium furnishings, use our legs and feet for stability, beauty, and durability. Contact us to speak with a product specialist today!

FAQs

Most of our customers have questions about fitting feet to new or existing furnishings. We provide answers so that you can confidently complete your project!