UltraClear Spotlight: Epoxy Coffee Tables

An artistic epoxy coffee table featuring several tinted UltraClear Art & Craft Epoxy streaking layers of orange and brown tones. There are geode-like crystals embedded into the finish at sporadic locations near the edges.

Celebrating Craftsmanship: Coffee Tables Transformed with Epoxy

Few home furnishings invite creativity quite like the coffee table. It occupies a central space in most homes, both in function and visual prominence, making it the perfect canvas for DIYers and artisans who want to experiment with epoxy resin.

In this Spotlight edition, we highlight the coffee table creations of real UltraClear Epoxy users—ranging from striking modern art pieces to rustic live-edge builds.

Each photo you’ll see throughout this article is a creation from one of our users, all with one shared aspect: the use of UltraClear Epoxy for a high-quality finish with clarity, strength, and peace of mind that endures.

A wooden epoxy river table with a straight, crisp blue-tinted river vein made using UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy.

Types of Epoxy Coffee Tables and How They’re Made

Epoxy coffee tables can take many forms, from simple clear coats on wood to complex inlay work and colored resin art. Here's a breakdown of the most popular styles:

A live-edge wooden epoxy coffee table with an UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy finish.

#1: Standard Wood + Epoxy Finish

These projects use a solid slab or panel of wood sealed and finished with epoxy to create a smooth, glossy table top. Users can also use a pre-existing coffee table as the base, applying the epoxy directly to it.

The process for this table involves:

Prepping the wood through sanding and cleaning.
Applying a seal coat of UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy to prevent air bubbles
Pouring an epoxy flood coat to finish the table top.

This style is excellent for beginners and adds a clean, protective sheen to any wooden surface.

A live-edge wooden epoxy coffee table with multiple vivid blue river veins, created using UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy.

#2: Live-Edge River Tables

One of the most eye-catching epoxy designs, river tables typically feature natural wood slabs with live edges which are separated by a "river" of epoxy.

This style involves:

Selecting matching wooden slabs. Many users choose live-edge pieces though they don't have to be.
Creating a mold to hold the shape.
Using UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy to fill the gap between slabs (up to 2 inches thick). Colorants and/or embedments are often added to the epoxy river.
Finishing with a final seal or topcoat.

Often colored with mica powders or resin dyes, river tables have an appearance that is dynamic and deep, making them superb as a centerpiece.

An epoxy table top finished with colored UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy. A variety of bright and vibrant pigments was used to produce a cheery abstract appearance.

#3: Artistic and Abstract Tables

For those with a creative streak, epoxy can be used as an artistic medium. Some designers embed color swirls, metallic pigments, or even geometric designs within the resin pour.

These tables require:

Flat wooden or MDF surfaces.
A base coat and careful color planning.
UltraClear Art & Craft Epoxy for detailed pigment work.

Depending on the design, a final clear coat of Bar & Table Top Epoxy may be added for protection.

A rustic-looking wooden table with a thick coating of UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy. Within the finish is a layer of sporadically placed tropical mementos.

#4: Embedded Object Tables

These coffee tables preserve memories, tell stories, or simply surprise. Common embedded items include coins, stones, shells, game pieces, or photos sealed in resin.

The typical build uses:

A shallow mold or tray-style wood base.
High-quality epoxy suited for embedding. For thicker layers, this means a Deep Pour Epoxy to seal in larger objects.
UV-safe colorants or clear finishing with UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy.

Every embedded table is one-of-a-kind and often serves as a conversation piece.

An epoxy table top with colored epoxy used to fill void and cracks to produce a flush, smooth surface.

#5: Vintage or Upcycled Furniture with Epoxy Inserts

Epoxy can also bring new life to vintage or salvaged furniture. Crafters carve out damaged or missing areas and replace them with pigmented or clear epoxy.

The steps often include:

Removing old finish and prepping the wood.
Cleaning out cracks, gaps, or voids.
Filling spaces with UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy—often tinted or pigmented. Bar & Table Top Epoxy also works for spaces that aren't too deep or if you're willing to take the extra time and care to layer it.
Sanding flush and applying UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy as a finishing coat.

This is a great way to combine rustic charm with a modern aesthetic.

A patterned wood table with an UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy finish.

#6: Patterned Wood & Epoxy Tables (e.g., Chevron, Parquet)

These tables combine precise woodwork with epoxy fillers between angled or repeating wood patterns.

Common steps include:

Cutting wood pieces into repeating patterns.
Gluing or placing them into a mold or frame.
Filling voids or seams with UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy.
Surface-level sanding and a final flood coat of UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy.

These tables are a beautiful mix of craftsmanship and creativity.

A flashy epoxy coffee table featuring several blue, black, and white tones mixed together and a river vein of geode-like crystals running through the center lengthwise.

#7: Geode-Inspired Epoxy Coffee Tables

These projects are designed to replicate the crystalline appearance of natural geodes.

The geode-style table process includes:

Designing the layout with geode-like features (layers, clusters, cracks).
Adding crushed glass, glitter, and mica to UltraClear Art & Craft Epoxy or UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy.
Pouring multiple layers for depth and dimension.
Applying UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy as a final clear coat.

These are bold, vibrant, and make a strong artistic statement.

An epoxy river coffee table with a sculpted river scene depiction. Numerous pebbles and river-related embedments were sealed within the epoxy river vein.

#8: 3D Landscape or "Topographic" Tables

These coffee tables simulate miniature terrains—like underwater scenes, mountainscapes, or fantasy worlds—using carved wood bases or sculpted foam molds.

The process often involves:

Sculpting terrain shapes using wood or foam. With underwater river scenes, you can often just use the natural shape of live-edge wood to convey this aspect for a much simpler endeavor.
Sealing and priming the sculpted surface.
Pouring multiple tinted layers of UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy to show depth.
Applying a smooth, level surface coat with UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy.

These complex projects are immersive and highly detailed.

Side-by-side photos of UltraClear Epoxy craft resins

Why Use UltraClear Epoxy for Coffee Tables?

Choosing the right epoxy is critical when building furniture that will be used daily. Coffee tables see wear and tear, direct sunlight, drink spills, and more. That’s why so many DIYers and professionals turn to UltraClear Epoxy for their most visible projects.

UltraClear Epoxy offers:

Exceptional glass-like clarity, resisting yellowing far better than cheaper imports.
Superior UV resistance, keeping designs vibrant.
Compatibility with a wide range of colorants—from mica powders to resin dyes.
High-performance durability against scratches, moisture, and heat.
Easy self-leveling and bubble release.

And unlike many budget epoxies, UltraClear products are proudly made in the USA, with tight quality control and batch consistency you can trust.

You'll find our resin on the following pages:

UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy—Clear, self-leveling, and strong. This is our most durable resin, designed for long-lasting finishes that heavily resist nearly all forms of damage.
UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy—Our deep casting resin, designed for thick pours of up to 2 inches. It doesn't self-level, allowing for greater manipulation.
UltraClear Art & Craft Epoxy—Our art epoxy fits somewhere in between the other two. Use this for nuanced creations, especially smaller projects that require intricate designs.

An epoxy coffee table made using white-pigmented UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy. The epoxy was poured in and around an oddly shaped piece of raw wood.

Coffee Table Epoxy FAQs

Question #1: What’s the best epoxy for making a river-style coffee table?

Use UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy for the river vein(s). Its extended working time and ability to cure in thick layers (up to 2 inches) make it ideal for filling the space between live-edge slabs.

Question #2: How do I avoid bubbles in my table top finish?

Always apply a seal coat to wood first, mix carefully to reduce air introduction, and use a heat gun or torch after pouring.

Our UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy releases bubbles easily with proper technique.

Question #3: Can I color my epoxy without affecting its strength?

Yes—UltraClear Epoxy works well with mica powders, alcohol inks, and resin dyes. Use sparingly to avoid overloading the resin—they're very potent and little is needed in most cases—and test small batches when trying new effects.

Learn more about applying colorants to your epoxy in this DIY guide.

Question #4: How long does it take epoxy to cure on a coffee table?

Full cure takes 72 hours for Bar & Table Top Epoxy and sometimes longer for Deep Pour Epoxy, depending on pour depth. Tables should remain dust-free and undisturbed during this period.

Achieve a perfect cure by incorporating these 5 guidelines.

Question #5: What surface prep is needed before pouring epoxy?

Sand the wood smooth, remove all dust, and ensure the surface is sealed. Moisture or contamination can cause bubbles or adhesion failure.

Our epoxy prep guide will help explain the basics here.

A large block coffee table with an UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy finish.

Final Thoughts

Every project throughout this showcase reflects the creativity and craftsmanship of real UltraClear Epoxy users.

Whether you're creating your first clear-coat finish or attempting a bold river table, your coffee table will be more than just furniture—it can be a functional piece of art.

And with the right planning, tools, and high-quality epoxy, your next centerpiece can be something you’ll admire every day.

A vibrant coffee table with an UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy finish

Have Questions? Want Advice? We're Here to Help!

If you have any questions about epoxy coffee tables or any other aspect of epoxy—or if you'd simply like assistance in planning an epoxy project, please reach out to us at UltraClear Epoxy—our epoxy experts are ready to assist!

You can contact us via phone or email here. During business hours, you can also text chat online with one of our resin specialists by clicking the Help button at the bottom of your screen.

In our online store, you'll find a variety of useful tools and supplies, ideal for resin projects, plus our award-winning UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy and our UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy.

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