Make your own high-end looking coffee table for a fraction of the price!
This DIY wooden coffee table is a great way to add style and personality to your living room or office.
Some of my favorite features of this coffee table design is that its not only easy and simple to make but the materials are also cheap and readily available.
Even though the coffee table is inexpensive to make, it can have the beautiful look of a high end piece of furniture. Coffee tables don’t have to be expensive. With a little creativity and some basic supplies, you can build your own DIY coffee table that is both stylish and functional.
Who can build this DIY coffee table?
This coffee table project is perfect for anyone who is new to woodworking. The step by step instructions provided in this PDF will help guide you though the building process and help save you time, money, and frustration.
The Joints are simple, this coffee table design has no fancy cuts, and the finish can be a simple coat of clear polyurethane.
Time to build
2 hours
Total cost of build
About $110
Skill level required
Beginner
Download the PDF plans
Plans for how to build the DIY coffee table.
What is included in the PDF download?
- Easy to read step by step instructions
- Material list
- Cut list
- Tools needed
- 3D illustrations
- Helpful links to tools and materials needed for the project
Recommend tools for this project
- Saw (miter saw recommended for precision cuts)
- Drill
- Impact driver with bit for screws
- Sander
- wood countersink drill bit
- measuring tape
- Ratchet straps
- about 5-10lbs of 3.5 in long screws (highly recommend T25 Star Drive screws)
- Wood glue
- Sand paper
Wood purchase list and cut list
Available with purchase of PDF plans.
Step 1 (DIY coffee table)
First, we will build up the frame of the coffee table.
Take two 39-1/2 inch 2×4 lumber pieces and two 23 inch 2×4 lumber pieces and arrange them as shown in the first image below.
Join the lumber pieces by adding glue to all areas that are making contact, predrill the holes for the screws to prevent wood from splitting, and add 3.5 inch screws.
Next, build up the second layer of the frame. Take two 39-1/2 inch 2×4 lumber pieces and two 26 inch 2×4 lumber pieces and arrange them as shown in the second image below.
Join these in the same way as before but don’t forget to add glue to ALL areas that will be making contact. This means gluing the entire sides of the 2×4 faces that are touching.
Make two identical frames.
Step 2 (DIY coffee table)
Next we will be attaching the coffee table legs to the frame.
Take one of the frames you built in the previous step and lay it on top of some 1-1/2 inch spacers. These spacers can be cut from scrap wood.
Next, add four 16-1/4 inch 4×4 lumber pieces to the frame. Add generous amounts of glue to all areas that will be joined together.
Next, take a ratchet strap and loop it around the table legs as shown below. Tighten the straps well, but not “all the way.” At this step “hammer” into place any stubborn legs or frame part that are not lining up. Once you have the perfect alignment, tighten the straps very tightly so that the 4x4s can not move.
Next, add 3.5 inch screws as shown below. Predrill, and add the screws deep so that they make a good connection with the 4x4s. Repeat this for all four legs.
Step 3 (DIY coffee table)
Next, flip the coffee table over and add 3.5 inch screws in the same pattern as in the previous step.
Make sure you have someone to flip the table with. DONT PUT PRESSURE ON THE TABLE LEGS UNTILL THEY ARE FULLY ATTATHED. Pressure before that can cause the leg joints to be weak.
Step 4 (DIY coffee table)
Next, attach the bottom shelf decking pieces to the main frame of the coffee table.
Take six 46-1/2 inch 2×6 lumber pieces. Cut 3.5 in x 3.5 in indents into two of the 2×6 lumber pieces on both sides as shown below.
Next, insert all the 2×6 decking pieces and attach them with glue, and 3.5 inch screws. Make sure you predrill.
Step 5 (DIY coffee table)
Next, attach the second frame piece you built in the first step to the main frame of the DIY coffee table.
Ad before, add glue, add straps, “hammer” into place any stubborn parts, tighten straps all the way, add 3.5 inch screws, flip the rolling table, add 3.5 inch screws to the top as well.
If the space is too tight to drive any screws when working from the bottom, then its ok to just add screws to the top only. The table will be strong enough.
Step 6 (DIY coffee table)
Next, attach the table top boards and perform finishing touches on the table.
Take six 46-1/2 inch 2×6 lumber pieces and arrange them as shown below. Attach them using glue, predrilling, and 3.5 inch screws.
Lastly sand down the whole coffee table. I start with a 80-grit sand paper to take out all major imperfections, next I follow with a 220 grit sandpaper to ensure a smooth surface that is ready for staining or painting. I use an orbital sander to speed up the process of sanding.
