We had just finished building and furnishing our little studio at our house right when the shutdown of 2020 happened. We were housing a travel nurse and he had requested a coffee table but it was nearly impossible to find an inexpensive one anywhere in town at the time! So I turned to my scrap wood pile and figured something out!
This is a very simple, beginner friendly DIY that can easily be done in an afternoon! In total this cost me nothing BUT if you have to buy the wood it would only set you back about $25!
Material & Tools Needed:
- (2) 8ft 2x4s (or four 2x2s if you do not have access to a table saw)
- (2) 6ft 1x6s
- Table Saw (only if using 2x4s)
- Miter Saw
- Driver
- Kreg Jig (optional)
- 2.5″ Screws
- 1 3/4″ screws
- Tape Measure
- Wood Glue
- Paint and Stain of your choice ( I used left over Tricorn Black paint and Varathane White wash with Special Walnut stain for top boards)
Step 1:
Since this was scrap wood, I took my 2×4’s and ripped them down the middle with by table saw to create “2x2s” but this step could be avoided if you do not have a table saw by just buying (4) 2x2s instead.
Step 2:
Once that is done you can cut all the pieces for your legs. You will need (4) 34.5″ pieces for the top and bottom of the long sides that will connect the two outer square leg ends. The photo to the left shows all of the 2x4s cut to size prior to ripping them down into “2x2s”
Step 3:
Next cut (4) 22″ pieces along with (4) 16″ pieces. These will be joined together with pocket holes to create squares. The 22″ boards go on the top and bottom with the 15″ pieces are the vertical pieces for a total height of 18″ tall. I used my Kreg Jig to pocket hole them together but you can use screws as well from the sides, if you don’t have access to a pocket hole jig. See image below.
Step 4:
Now that you have the 2 sides assembled you attach them together using the (4) longer 34.5″ pieces. Secure two to the top corners flush with the side of the wood and the other two to the bottom corners. Make sure the top pieces are flush with the top of the square legs. Onc again I used pocket holes but you can secure by drilling all the way through the side pieces if you don’t have one available.
Step 5:
Cut both of the 1×6 boards in half to make a total of (4) 36″ pieces. These should fit from side to side across the table top. Secure them from below with screws.
One thing to do that will make your life easier is to sand and paint the base 2×2 structure prior to securing these boards. I painted all of the 2x2s Tricorn Black and did a white wash/ Special Walnut stain combo on the top 1×6 boards.
Step 6:
After everything is secure, you will want to add a polyurethane top coat for protection. I use Varathane triple thick and lightly sand with a 320 grit block for a super smooth finish.
And their you have it! Pretty simple right?? I was pretty proud of this build and think it came out perfect for working on a whim with what I had available!
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