DIY Coffee Table

April 9, 2011 By

After repurposing my vintage trunk, I was out a coffee table.  I can’t live without a place to set my coffee and laptop every morning so I got to work building what I thought was the perfect coffee table!

I modified Ana’s plans a bit to fit my couch.  We have a sectional that is equal on both sides and if any of you have the same then you know our pain in finding a square coffee table.  Of course, the plans were for a rectangle so I had to do some calculations to get a square table.

Here are pics of the steps I took as I went:

Pre-drill all of your screw holes to prevent the wood from splitting.

I used Gorilla Glue Wood Glue to join every piece.

Lookin’ like a table now:)

After supports

Trim pieces

Wood putty the screw holes.  I used Elmer’s Stainable Wood Filler.

Sand the rough edges and wood putty after it dries.

That was it for the building!  It was not difficult and I finished it in an afternoon.  How did I finish it?   I do love what I did with it and that is a tutorial in itself so I will be back to share that you all very soon!   Thanks so much for stopping by and keep those ‘I Made it Without My Hubby’ projects coming!  You gals are so talented and we love being inspired:)  You still have time to enter, just click on the button below:)  Also, keep a close eye on our future posts for info on how you can win a  Silhouette machine this month!!!! 

~Ashley

29 Comments Filed Under: Furniture, Knock-Offs, Woodworking Projects
  • Paula

    I can’t wait to see the finish! Can you post your modified plans? I’ve been looking for a square table! Do you think the notches in between the boards will harbor dust and crumbs? I’ve been worried about building an Ana White table for this reason.

    • Ashley

      Yes, I’ll post the plans I used…just have to find them;) I have notieced it harboring crumbs, which is annoying but i just suck them up with the vacuum… Thanks for stopping by Paula:)

  • Pat

    Great looking table. I noticed a design change between when you first started with the framing. You had the boards on the inside of the legs in a square all around, then the next photo shows that configuration changed. Was there a structural reason or just a change in how you wanted to assemble? I’m asking so as not to make any mistakeswhen buidling. Thanks.

    • Ashley

      Thank you Pat! I tried to reply to this earlier but it did not go through? I didn’t change the structure at all from Ana’s plans. The plans call for the side joiners to be fit to the inside of the legs and then you attach boards on all of the sides to make flush with the 4×4′s. The only changes I made to her plans was to make it a square and not a rectangle:) Hope this helps!

  • Sandi

    That is going to be a great looking coffee table… can’t wait to see the end results!

    • Ashley

      Thank you Sandi! I am enjoying it:)))

  • SuLin

    Can’t wait to see the finshed product! :)

    • Ashley

      Thanks for stopping by! I’ll be sharing it very soon:)

  • Minna

    I’ve been needing a coffee table for quite some time. This may be it! Eagerly anticipating the reveal!! :)

    • Ashley

      Soon:)) I just LOVE this coffee table! It wasn’t difficult at all;) Thanks for stopping by!

  • http://www.rachellewrites.blogspot.com Rachelle

    Love it! It reminds me of the one my dad made for our family over 30 years ago–he glued scrap wood together and stained it. My mom still uses it and I love it. :)

    • Ashley

      Thank you Rachelle! I hope to pass the pieces I build on to my kids and I hope they appreciate them like you do;)

  • Jennifer

    I’ll bet that thing is heavy!

    • Ashley

      It is heavy but my husband and I brought it in the house together and it wasn’t bad at all:) Thanks for stopping by!

  • http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com Kristen: Turning a House into a Home

    I love this! I’m trying to talk my husband into replacing our current too small coffee table with a handmade larger one. Oh, and I’m your newest follower!

    Would love if you’d check out my blog!
    Kristen

    • Ashley

      Thanks Kristen! I love having a larger coffee table. So great to have you and we will definitely check out your site;)

  • Pingback: Coffee Table Reveal

  • Bethany

    I am impressed with your coffee table! Nice work! May I ask where you purchased your couch? I have been looking for a while now and when I saw your photos I knew that is exactly what I want! (Bonus: I already have a square coffee table!!).

    • Ashley

      Thank you Bethany! I purchased my couch at Ashley Furniture. We got a great price on it:) Lucky for you on the square table…we searched forever for one and never found one! Thanks so much for stopping by!

  • http://www.SistersoftheWildWest.blogspot.com Amy Gilman

    awesome table. i LOVE it. i bet you save a ton of money DIY ing too. LOVE out it turned out too.

    • Ashley

      Thank you Amy! I’m not sure how much the original is but this one only cost me $40….and a coffee table for $40 is a GREAT price;) Thanks for stopping by!

  • Jennifer

    Can you please post the modified plans that you used? I know that my hubby could whip this thing out in an hour but I want to make it myself! (he argues that just because we have a big couch we don’t need a bigger coffee table, “Just take all your decorations and crap off it and its plenty big enough” lol) I would just hate to mess it up because my math was wrong! Love the site! Thanks!

    • Ashley

      I will Jennifer! I’m on it tomorrow, promise!!! I’m sorry, I meant to and then I lost them but I can recreate:)

    • Ashley

      Okay Jennifer I have the modifications I made: The leg joiners are 39″, the side aprons are 34″, the table top supports are 39″, the bread boards are 45 1/2″. Measure the table top pieces (2×4′s) after you put the table together. Hope this helps;)

  • http://tiarasandbowties.blogspot.com Kim

    I came back to browse around a bit. Came across both of your table post…LuV IT !
    I think I may have to get to HD and buy me some wood!

    • Ashley

      Thank you Kim! Happy building;)

  • http://inspire-me-heather.blogspot.com/ Inspire Me Heather

    Great tutorial and I linked it to my coffee tables project post too, well done!

  • Lauren’s Mommy

    I absolutely love this table and I would love to make one for our home. I know this was posted over a year ago, but I was wondering if you could share with me your supply list. (how many of each size of wood). Thank you!

    P.S.
    The finished product is gorgeous :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/sarah.s.babka Sarah Smith Babka

    I may have missed this, but what is the overall dimensions of the square table you made? Thanks! I am looking forward to my weekend project. I love your site. Thanks again. Sarah