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A two-shelf 2x4-leg table built in an afternoon from three boards — works as a bedside table against a wall or a floating side table with a trimmed back edge.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legs | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 21 1/4" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Side supports | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 19" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Bottom shelf | 2 | 3/4" × 9 1/4" × 22" | 1x10 | ☐ |
| Top shelf Against a wall: back board overhangs 1/2". Fully visible placement: trim the back edge flush instead. | 2 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 22 1/2" | 1x12 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 2x4, 8 ft or stud length All four legs and side supports. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 1x10, 4 ft Bottom shelf. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1x12, 4 ft Top shelf. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Self-tapping star bit screws, 2-1/2" | 16 each | ☐ |
| Self-tapping star bit screws, 1-1/2" to 2", or brad nails and glue Screws are easier to fill under paint; brads and glue hide better under stain. | 32 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 2 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft or stud length, Self-tapping star bit screws, 2-1/2"
Attach a leg to a side support, then repeat for the other three corners, building two matching leg-and-support pairs. Two 2-1/2" screws per joint.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: 1x10, 4 ft, Self-tapping star bit screws, 1-1/2" to 2", or brad nails and glue, Wood glue
Attach the two 1x10 bottom shelf boards inside the leg sets so their outside edges sit flush with the legs. Use either 1-1/4" brad nails and glue, or the shorter star bit screws — screws are easier to fill and hide for a paint finish, nails are easier to hide for a stain finish (use a generous amount of glue either way).
Check that the legs are square to each other as you go: if the 1x10 edges don't line up flush on both sides, the legs went in slightly twisted, and it's worth correcting now.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: 1x12, 4 ft, Self-tapping star bit screws, 1-1/2" to 2", or brad nails and glue, Wood glue
Repeat the same fastening method for the top 1x12 boards. For a true bedside table where the back sits against a wall, start with the front board flush on the front and both sides, then let the back board overhang the back edge by about 1/2" — that edge is never seen. For a floating side table or an end table where every side shows, trim that back overhang flush with a circular saw instead.
Sand and finish to match the room.