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This table skips the usual apron-and-leg framework and builds instead from flat glued-up panels: a solid top, two panel legs, and a panel shelf below, joined with pocket holes. That construction is what gives it the plain, slab-sided look the name promises — there's no visible joinery to distract from the surfaces.
The shelf below is split by a center divider into two roughly two-thirds/one-third bays, which is a nice place to stash baskets or magazines without needing drawers. Get the divider and dividers' positions marked before you glue anything — the shelf panel has to land square between the legs or the whole lower half looks crooked from the front even if it's structurally fine.
Pocket holes are the recommended joinery throughout, but brad nails and glue or straight screws work too — you'll just need to fill or hide the fastener holes on the visible faces if you go that route.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 3/4" x 24" pine project panel, 4 ftTop and one leg blank. | 2 each |
| 3/4" x 24" pine project panel, 3 ftCut down for the second leg and the shelf panel. | 1 each |
| Pine, 1x12, 6 ftCenter support and dividers. | 1 each |
| Pine, 1x3, 8 ftBottom supports. | 1 each |
| Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4" | 1 box |
| Wood glue | 4 oz |
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.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| TopPine project panel | 1 | 3/4" × 24" × 48" |
| LegsPine project panel | 2 | 3/4" × 24" × 16 1/2" |
| Center supportPine 1x12 | 1 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 46 1/2" |
| Shelf dividersPine 1x12Measure and cut to fit — spaced for a roughly 2/3 : 1/3 split of the shelf, about 15" for the smaller opening. | 2 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 11 1/2" |
| ShelfPine project panel | 1 | 3/4" × 24" × 46 1/2" |
| Bottom supportsPine 1x3 | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 46 1/2" |
Buy 4 boards at 8 ft.
2 boards
1 board
1 board
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 →
Drill 3/4" pocket holes on the top edges of the two leg panels and attach them to the underside of the top with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws. Brad nails and glue or straight 2" screws work too, but you'll need to hide those fastener holes on the visible faces.
Measure and cut the center divider to fit snugly between the legs, then attach it with pocket holes, or with glue and 1-1/4" brad nails.
Position the two smaller dividers as desired — a 2/3 : 1/3 split (about 15" for the smaller opening) reads well, but this is the one place to trust your eye over an exact number.
Drill pocket holes in the bottom edge of the shelf panel first if you're using them. Apply glue to the top edges of the 1x12 dividers and the end edges of the shelf, set the shelf panel down on the dividers, and attach it with nails or pocket screws.
Attach the 1x3 bottom supports along the underside, best done with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws so the fasteners stay hidden on the inside. Brad nails or 2" self-tapping screws are the fallback option.
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