Crafting a Small Wooden End Table

FOXY INTERIORS INCORPORATED SERVING CENTRAL FLORIDA

HOME STAGING. REDESIGN. RENOVATION

Jim, my husband, is always making something from scratch just like our Mama’s used to do at dinner time.  He does that too but this blog is about creating a small end table.  Every time I turn around, he’s building:  always working with a tool of this sort or that and materials of this or that. [Here’s the article of the foam plane he built:  Jim’s Maiden Flight with his Scratch Built Dollar Tree Foamboard Plane.]

When you place furniture into a home you want to consider how large or how small the space is and the size of the furniture you want to put there.  Small spaces command smaller furniture; larger spaces need to be zoned and use larger items in both furniture and accessories.  [To learn about zoning, read our blog What is a Zone?]

I decided to tap into Jim’s talents once again and I’ve asked him to build a couple small end tables.  What follows is the materials list and photos of the project.  [Jim also built this awesome ottoman from a wooden pallet.]  This man just exudes creativity and talent when it comes to assembly of things.  You too will agree when you see this project come alive.

Materials List

1 – 12” x 12” table top

1 – 8” x 12” bottom shelf

4 – 2” x 2”, 28” long (table legs)

4 – 1” x 2” x 8.5” long (each side at the top)

8 angle brackets (holds the table top and bottom shelf in place)

4 corner brackets (anchors the legs to the top sides which make the form for the table top)

The type of wood you use is your choice. 

Project Creation

1.     Cut and sand all pieces.

2.     Attach legs to table top using the angle brackets which attach to the side top pieces

3.     On your side top pieces, make a 1/8” cut at each end that is 3/8” deep.  This is to hold the bracket in place with the side pieces.

4.     Drill a hole diagonally in the leg 1” from the top; insert stud that is included in the corner bracket.

5.     Typically you put the corner bracket and top side pieces together simultaneously.  Make sure it is square so it will fit the table top properly.  Tighten up nut coming up from the stud through the plate.  This locks the side pieces and legs together.

6.     Place the table top on a platform and place the platform you just made on the bottom portion of the table top. Make sure everything is square and use your angle brackets to tie the base to the table top.  Your shelf will be on the inside of your legs using your four angle brackets, 1’ from bottom of table to set the shelf.

NOTE:  Make sure when you tighten down the frame that it is square so the table top and shelf will fit properly.  Gluing is not necessary; however, if you want to glue it, go for it.

Now to finish your lovely creation:  We used Minwax OneStep in Mission Oak and applied two coats, letting each one thoroughly dry in between.

So there you have it folks.  I'll be waiting on the matching second table as the Foxy Interiors' men are currently working a job installing designer tile along with repainting the interior.  Stay tuned for upcoming before/after photographs of their work.