Build a coffee table

This step by step diy woodworking project is about how to build a coffee table. If you want to learn more about building a simple coffee table, we recommend you to pay attention to the instructions described in the article. There are so many designs and plans to choose from when building projects for your living room, so make sure you take a look over the related woodworking projects that are featured on our site.

Before starting the actual construction project, we recommend you to plan everything, as to save money and to keep the costs under control. Adjust the size and the design of the coffee table to suit your needs. In addition, we recommend you to invest in high-quality materials, such as pine, redwood or cedar, as they have a nice finish and are highly durable, especially in a humid environment.

If you don’t have a rich expertise in woodworking field, you should ask a friend to give you a hand with the project. There are many things that you could go wrong, so make sure you plan everything and invest in quality materials. Select the lumber with attention, making sure the components are perfectly straight and in a very good condition. Use a carpentry square to check if the corners are right-angled. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

Building a coffee table

Materials

A – 4 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 13 1/2″ long LEGS
B – 4 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 17″ long, 4 pieces – 41″ long, 4 pieces – 21″ long APRONS
C – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 22 1/2″ x 46 1/2″ long BOTTOM
D – 2 piece of 1×4 lumber – 6 1/2″ long SUPPORTS
E – 4 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 48″ long, 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 48″ long TABLETOP
F – 4 pieces of caster wheels WHEELS

1 piece of 4×4 lumber – 6 ft
4 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 8 ft
1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 2’x4′
2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 8 ft
1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 4 ft
4 pieces of caster wheels
1 1/4″ screws
glue, stain
wood filler

Tools

Safety gloves, glasses, Miter saw, jigsaw
Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

Apply several coats of wood stain to the wooden components
Fill the holes with wood filler and smooth the surface

Time

One Day

Vanity Plans

Free coffee table plans

Building the frame of the coffee table

The first step of the woodworking project is to build the frame of the coffee table. Build the legs for the coffee table out of 4×4 lumber and the aprons out of 1×4 lumber. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the aprons and secure them to the legs using 1 1/4″ screws. Add glue to the joints and make sure the corners are square. Leave no gaps between the components and make sure the aprons are 3/4″ recessed.

Fitting the bottom supports

Continue the project by fitting the supports to the bottom frame. As you can easily notice in the diagram, we recommend you to cut the supports at the right dimensions and to drill pocket holes at both ends. Align the components with attention and secure them to the aprons using 1 1/4″ screws. Add glue to the joints and remove the excess with a damp cloth.

Attaching the bottom shelf

Next, build the bottom shelf and secure it to the supports, as described in the diagram. Mark the cut lines on the 3/4″ plywood sheet and get the job done with a circular saw. Make the notches and remove the excess material using a chisel.

Smooth the edges with fine-grit sandpaper and remove the residues with a vacuum cleaner. Fit the plywood sheet to the structure and secure it into the using glue and finishing nails. Check if the edges are flush.

Building the top frame

Fit the 1×4 aprons to the top of the coffee table, as described in the diagram. Drill pilot holes at both ends of the components and secure them to the coffee table using 1 1/4″ screws.

Attaching the tabletop

One of the last steps of the woodworking project is to attach the slats to the tabletop of the coffee table. Drill pocket holes along the slats and secure them together using 2 1/2″ screws and waterproof glue. Drill pilot hole through the top aprons and insert 1 1/4″ screws into the tabletop. Add glue to the joints and make sure the are no gaps between the components.

Build a coffee table

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. Fill the holes with wood filler and let it to dry out for several hours. Afterwards, smooth the wooden surface with fine-grit sandpaper and vacuum the residues. Attach caster wheels to the legs of the coffee table.

Thank you for reading our project about building a coffee table plans and we recommend you to check out the rest of the projects. Don’t forget to share our projects with your friends and LIKE us, by using the social media widgets, if you want to be the first that gets our latest articles.

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