How to Build a Simple Coffee Table

Contributor

By Andrea Hermitt
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating: (6 Ratings)

Build a Simple Coffee Table

If you have been looking for a coffee table for your living room or family room and can’t seem to find one that interests you, you may want to consider making one yourself. You can build a simple coffee table much more easily than you may think, and it does not even have to look homemade.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Plywood
Pre-made legs and leg plates
Stain or other finish

Step 1

The first thing you need to do is decide the size and shape of your coffee table. It can be round, rectangular, square, or a free-form organic shape. Remember, it is your coffee table, so you don’t have to follow and hard set rules on the dimensions -- as long as it fits your living room.
Step 2

Purchase plywood to make the top of your coffee table. A good variety to use is 2/4 plywood or MDF. Oak or birch are also excellent choices, but a little more costly. If you are making simple square or rectangle coffee table, you may be able to get the attendant at the hardware store cut it for you.
Step 3

Cut your plywood with a circular saw if you are experienced in using one and want to make your coffee table in a non-standard size and shape.
Step 4

Sand the top of your coffee table until it is smooth to the touch when you run your hand across it. This will probably take the most time, but careful sanding will make your table look more professional.
Step 5

Use iron-on edge banding if you use MDF to make your tabletop. You can also choose to laminate the top of the table.
Step 6

Purchase a ready-made leg set. They are sold at hardware stores, places like Ikea, and you can also order them online. The legs may be carved wood or metal, and they will have a bolt screw sticking out of the end. The legs are to be screwed into a leg base which you can purchase along with the legs. To install the legs, turn over the table top and position the leg bases on the underside of the table near each corner. Then screw them in using the hardware provided. They should be about 1 inch from the edges. See the resource section for one of the many websites you can use to purchase legs for your coffee table.
Step 7

Paint or stain your coffee table in either a simple or ornate style. Then, put a protective coat of varnish on it.