When we moved into our new home, almost a year and a half ago, I wanted all new furniture. However, my budget didn’t. We also had a newborn that we knew would soon be standing and clumsily walking around bumping into anything and everything, so a coffee table was the last of my worries. Now that the clumsy toddler has a handle on the walking thing (kinda), it’s time!
At first, I was just going to buy a coffee table…have you searched for coffee tables recently? Everything that I loved was SO EXPENSIVE. Like, really? It’s a coffee table, shouldn’t this cost less than the price of a dining table? So, I decided we were going to make one. A super cute, fun, modern-ish coffee table, with storage for whatever we may need (remotes, toys, toddlers…). Come along on our building journey! As always, if you want to see all the details, check out my Instagram, where I share each step of the building process in a story highlight!
Here are the detailed, free plans and below are the supplies you will need for the project.
SUPPLIES
- Tape Measure
- Speed Square
- Safety Glasses
- Pencil
- Ear Protection
- Drill
- Kreg Jig & Screws
- Miter Saw
- Circular Saw
- Jigsaw
- Nail Gun & Nails
- Sander
- Router
- Top Bearing Bit
- L Brackets (if not using pocket holes)
- Clamps
- Wood Glue
- Wood Filler (if using)
- Lumber
STEP 1:
Build the top of the table. You can do all sorts of things for the top of the table. Traditionally, I would build it just like the shelf, out of 1x4s kreg-jigged together. But I wanted something that would match the base of the table so I created a top from plywood and 1x2s. Cut the plywood to size and cut 1x2s in different lengths. Place the 1x2s row by row, always alternating the boards, so there isn’t a noticeable pattern. I used a ton of wood glue and finishing nails. I don’t love the look of wood filled holes, so if you have the patience and a bunch of clamps, you can always just glue the boards down.
STEP 2:
Build the bottom shelf. I made mine from 1x4s, but you can use any width board or a combination of widths to meet your shelf width. I used my Kreg Jig to create pocket holes on the back of the boards, then screwed them together. I then used a circular saw to cut the last board to the correct width for the shelf.
STEP 3:
Cut an ellipse (oval shape) in both the shelf and the top. There are a variety of methods that can be used here. I think the best option is to build a jig and use a router to cut a perfect ellipse. I didn’t have the correct bit for my router, so I used nails and a string to draw an ellipse on my boards, then cut it out with my jigsaw. There is a great diagram of this from thisiscarpentry.com. If you do this method to cut out the shelf first, you can place the shelf on the table top and trace around it to draw the oval on the table top, then cut it out with the jigsaw. This will ensure they are the exact same shape and size.
STEP 4:
Cut the four legs for the table. Use a clamp to hold all of the legs in place, then use a router to add a dado and rabbit in one side of each leg for the top and bottom shelf to rest. I used a top bearing bit and made my own simple jig to create uniform dados across all of the legs. Make sure your clamps are tight to avoid the boards slipping. The bearing on top of the bit rolls across the jigged 1x4s, creating a smooth cut.
STEP 5
Flip the top over and attach the legs using L brackets or pocket holes. Then gently pull the legs out to slide the shelf in and attach it with L brackets.
STEP 6:
Sand and stain table base. Normally I would wait to stain the entire piece once it’s completed, but due to the nature of this build, it’s much easier to stain the base before all of the side pieces go on, then go back and sand and stain the side planks. I used Minwax Driftwood on this coffee table.
STEP 7:
Cut 1x2s to length and use a brad nailer to nail them to the top and bottom shelf. I used one of the 1x2s as a spacer, in between each plank. This eliminates the need to measure where each side plank will go. If you want less space in between each 1×2, you can always cut a piece down with a table saw to the desired width.
STEP 8:
Sand and stain 1x2s. I didn’t wood fill these holes, as my stain had a lot of gray in it and the holes blended better than the wood filler. If you want to disguise the holes, I recommend the Minwax Blend-Oil Pencil in a color that coordinates with your stain choice. Grab a rolling chair and throw on some music because you are going to be here awhile! Just remember, all good things take time!
That’s it! You’ve done it! Now throw it in your living room and dance around it, I prefer the running man or roger rabbit. Also, if you have a toddler/child/significant other, time how long it takes them to crawl in it.
