DIY Coffee Table Plans: 6 Simple Ideas to Build Your Own Custom Table

A coffee table is a versatile piece of furniture that can serve many purposes in a living room. It can hold decor, books, drinks, and even act as a footrest. Building your own coffee table can be a fun and rewarding project, and it allows you to customize the size, style, and materials to suit your needs and preferences. In this article, we will provide a few basic plans for building a coffee table, including materials, tools, and step-by-step instructions.

Materials:

• 4x8-foot sheet of 3/4-inch plywood
• 2x4 lumber (length will depend on the size of your table)
• Wood glue
• Screws
• Sandpaper
• Paint or stain (optional)

Tools:

• Saw
• Drill
• Screwdriver
• Measuring tape
• Square
• Sanding block
• Paint brush (optional)

Plan 1: Simple Rectangular Table

1. Cut the plywood to the desired size of your table top. A standard coffee table is typically around 48 inches long by 24 inches wide, but you can adjust the size to suit your space.

2. Cut the 2x4s to the desired length of the legs. For a standard-height coffee table, the legs should be around 17 inches.

3. Use wood glue to attach the legs to the corners of the plywood table top.

4. Secure the legs to the table top with screws, making sure everything is square.

5. Sand down any rough edges or surfaces, and finish the table with paint or stain if desired.

Plan 2: Rustic X-leg Table

1. Cut the plywood to the desired size of your table top.

2. Cut the 2x4s to length for the legs. For a standard-height coffee table, the legs should be around 17 inches.

3. Cut the 2x4s at a 45-degree angle on one end to create the X-shape of the legs.

4. Use wood glue to attach the legs to the corners of the plywood table top, making sure the angled cuts face outwards to create the X-shape.

5. Secure the legs to the table top with screws.

6. Sand down any rough edges or surfaces, and finish the table with paint or stain if desired.

Plan 3: Built-in Storage Table

1. Cut the plywood to the desired size of your table top.

2. Cut two pieces of 2x4 to the width of the table top and two pieces to the length of the table top. These will be used to create a frame around the perimeter of the table.

3. Cut two more pieces of 2x4 to the width and length of the table top, respectively, but make these pieces slightly shorter than the previous pieces to create a lip around the perimeter of the table.

4. Assemble the frame around the perimeter of the table top using wood glue and screws.

5. Cut a piece of plywood or MDF to fit inside the frame and use it as the bottom of the storage compartment.

6. Secure the bottom of the storage compartment in place with screws.

7. Sand down any rough edges or surfaces, and finish the table with paint or stain if desired.

Plan 4: Industrial Pipe Table

1. Cut the plywood to the desired size of your table top.

2. Purchase pre-cut pipe lengths and pipe fittings that can be used to create the legs of the table. The most common fittings used in industrial pipe furniture are flanges, elbows, tees, and crosses.

3. Use the pipe fittings to create the legs of the table, attaching them to the corners of the table top with screws or welding. You can experiment with different configurations of pipe lengths and fittings to create a unique design.

4. Sand down any rough edges or surfaces, and finish the table with paint or stain if desired.

Plan 5: Mid-Century Modern Table

1. Cut the plywood to the desired size of your table top.

2. Cut four legs out of 2x4s to the desired height.

3. Cut two pieces of 2x4s to the width of the table top and two pieces to the length of the table top. These will be used to create a frame around the perimeter of the table.

4. Use a jigsaw to cut out a curved shape in the legs and frame pieces to create the mid-century modern style.

5. Attach the legs to the frame with wood glue and screws.

6. Attach the frame to the table top with wood glue and screws.

7. Sand down any rough edges or surfaces, and finish the table with paint or stain if desired.

Plan 6: Pallet Wood Table

1. Disassemble pallets to obtain planks of wood of similar thickness.

2. Cut the planks of wood to the desired length and width of the table top. Sand down any rough edges.

3. Use wood glue to attach the planks of wood together to form the table top.

4. Cut four legs out of 2x4s or any other wood that can withstand the weight of the table top.

5. Attach the legs to the corners of the table top with wood glue and screws.

6. Sand down any rough edges or surfaces, and finish the table with paint or stain if desired.

Building a coffee table from scratch requires some basic carpentry skills, but with a little patience and attention to detail, you can create a beautiful and functional piece of furniture that you'll be proud to have in your home. With the wide variety of plans and designs, you can customize it to suit your specific needs and style, you will be able to express your creativity and create a piece that you'll treasure for years to come.