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Furniture

Beginner Friendly Sofa Table

Step-by-step build — 10 steps. Also available as a print sheet.

  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