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Furniture

Beginner Friendly Sofa Table

Build a sleek and low profile table that can double as a sofa table, console, or bookshelf.

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Difficulty
Easy
Time
3.3–6 hours
Cost
$$

About this build

Build a sleek and low profile table that can double as a sofa table, console, or bookshelf. This easy to follow project uses basic materials and beginner techniques to create a sturdy piece that fits behind a couch, along a wall, or beneath a window. Customize the length and finish to suit your space and style.

Tools

Essential

  • Drill / Driver
  • Miter Saw
  • Pocket Hole Jig

Materials

ItemQty
1x12x8', .75" x 12" x 96"4 board
1 1/4" pocket screws25 each
Countersink bits1 each
Wood glue1 each
1 1/4" wood screws25 each
Optional: countersink bit1 each
Optional: dowel/wood plug cutter bit1 each
Optional: flush trim saw1 each

Overall cost: $$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.

Cut list

PartQtyT × W × L
Table Top and Bottom23/4" × 12" × 63 1/2"
Sides23/4" × 12" × 24"
Vertical shelves23/4" × 12" × 22 1/2"
Horizontal shelves33/4" × 12" × 20 11/16"

What to buy

Buy 4 boards at 8 ft.

3/4" × 12"

4 boards

Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →

Start building →

Instructions

  1. 11

    • Cut the top and bottom to size. I suggest using a miter saw or a track saw.
    • Drill pocket holes on both ends of the top and bottom as shown in the picture. The pocket hole jig should be set to 3/4" and the drill collar should be set to 3/4".
    Beginner Friendly Sofa Table — step photo 4
  2. 22

    Cut the sides to size.

    Beginner Friendly Sofa Table — step photo 5
  3. 33

    Attach the top and bottom to the sides using wood glue and 1 1/4" pocket screws. Make sure the pocket holes face the bottom so they won't be visible when the table is finished. Tip: clamps really help with this step!

    Beginner Friendly Sofa Table — step photo 6
  4. 44

    Cut the vertical shelves to size.

    Beginner Friendly Sofa Table — step photo 7
  5. 55

    • Screw the vertical shelves into top and bottom of the table using 1 1/4" screws and wood glue. Put 3 in the top and bottom as shown in the image. Optional: To hide the screw holes, use a countersink bit to first drill a hole deep enough to hide the screw top.
    • Then screw the boards together and using either dowels that match the wood or a wood plug bit, glue in the wood and use a flush trim saw to trim it flush with the table. See step 6 for the spacing between the vertical shelves and the sides.
    Beginner Friendly Sofa Table — step photo 8
  6. 66

    Refer to the image for the spacing needed between the vertical shelves and the sides of the table.

    Beginner Friendly Sofa Table — step photo 9
  7. 77

    Cut the horizontal shelves to size.

    Beginner Friendly Sofa Table — step photo 10
  8. 88

    Attach the shelves with pocket holes and wood glue. Refer to step 9 for the spacing between the shelves and the top and bottom of the table.

    Beginner Friendly Sofa Table — step photo 11
  9. 99

    Refer to the image for equal distance spacing between the vertical shelves and the top and bottom of the table.

    Beginner Friendly Sofa Table — step photo 12
  10. 1010

    Sand and choose your favorite stain and you've made the perfect multi-functional table!

    Beginner Friendly Sofa Table — step photo 3

Tags

  • Sofa Tables
  • Beginner

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