Build Your Own Coffee Table: A Step-By-Step Guide

Overview:

If you’re looking to get into DIY, building your own coffee table is a great way to start. This is a relatively easy project that doesn’t require much experience. Plus, there are many customization options available, allowing you to tailor the project to your preferences with various dimensions, wood types, or stains. Although I used poplar, you can complete this project for much cheaper using pine or cedar. Let’s get started.

Materials:

1. 2" Poplar

2. 1" Poplar

3. Poplar Legs

4. Wood Glue

5. 2 1/4 Screws

6. Polyurethane

   
   
   
   

Step 1: Cut and Glue the Top

Personally, I like using a picture frame pattern when building any type of table, as I feel it gives the piece a more high-end look. For this table, I ripped six 2-inch poplar boards to 5.5 inches wide (you will see the rest of the dimensions in the accompanying picture). The four outer boards of the picture frame are cut at 45-degree angles, while the two inner boards fit within them.

Start by gluing the two interior boards together, then glue the outer picture frame around it.

Step 2: Attach the Legs

Start by flipping your tabletop over and measuring 3/4 inches from the sides. Where these lines meet in the corners will serve as a guide for placing your table legs. Since this is a more low-profile table, I cut the four legs to 14 inches in height and then glued them to the underside of the tabletop.

Step 3: Attach the Frame

When attaching the frame, you’re essentially fitting these pieces inside the table legs. If you want to run them flush with the legs, you can, or you can recess them 1/8 to 1/4 inch inside the legs for a more polished look. Glue the four outer frame pieces, which are 2 inches in width, inside the legs, then glue the three inner frame pieces, which are 1 3/4 inches in width.

After gluing, you can further secure the frame by screwing it to the table top, although this step is not necessary. Screwing will provide extra support for your table and allow you to add additional reinforcement when attaching the two inner frame pieces to the table legs.

Step 4: Build the Bottom Shelf

The bottom shelf can be built exactly the same way as the tabletop, just on a smaller scale. The shelf will be built with a width to fit inside the table legs and a length that runs even with the legs.

Using the same 2-inch poplar, I ripped five boards to 4 3/8 inches in width (remaining dimensions in the photo). Four of the boards make up the picture frame, with one interior board, and all five are glued together.

The bottom shelf will slide onto four small 1/2-inch square, 2-inch-long pieces that can be glued at any height onto the legs. I like to glue these four pieces towards the bottom of the table legs so that the shelf sits roughly 5/8 inch off the floor.

Step 5: Seal Your Table

Your coffee table is almost complete, but now it’s time to protect your investment. Depending on the type of wood you used, you can either stain and seal your table or simply add a few coats of polyurethane for protection. Since I used aged poplar, I prefer to apply 4-5 coats of flat polyurethane to preserve the color I achieved through the aging process.

Final Thoughts:

Building your own coffee table is a rewarding DIY project that can help you hone your woodworking skills while creating a unique, personalized piece for your home. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced woodworker, this project offers flexibility with customization options such as wood types, dimensions, and finishes to match your style.

Remember to start with a clear plan, double-check your measurements, and take your time with each step. If you're new to DIY, opting for more affordable woods like pine or cedar is a great way to keep costs down while still achieving a beautiful result. Protect your hard work with a few coats of polyurethane, and your coffee table will not only look great but last for years to come.