Farmhouse Coffee Table [Beginner/Under $40]

Build the indoor/outdoor farmhouse coffee table for under $40 with just a drill and a saw! This is a beginner friendly DIY project that should only take a couple hours to complete. You'll love the results - an absolutely gorgeous farmhouse coffee table made from solid wood, perfectly proportioned, with a large bottom storage shelf. Build the Entire Collection! This plan was SO popular, I went on to design an entire collection of plans to match! Here's the entire collection: Outdoor Table + Potting Bench Collection 6 matching premium plans • minimal tools • ad-free Get All 6 Plans in this Collection

Specifications

Project type	Coffee Tables
Room	living room
Style	Farmhouse Furniture
Difficulty	Beginner Projects

Dimensions

Use the size-specific shopping and cut lists below.

Farmhouse Coffee Table [Beginner/Under $40] dimension diagram 1

Shopping List

4 - 2x6 - stud length or 8 feet
1 - 2x4 - stud length or 8 feet
3 - 2x2 furring strips, 8 feet long
100- 2-1/2" long self tapping screws (I used these from Home Depot)
Wood glue
Optional corner braces (I used these from Home Depot)

Cut List

4 - 2x6 @ 46" - tabletop boards
4 - 2x4 @ 16-1/2" - legs
10 - 2x6 @ 18" - shelf/ends
4 - 2x2 @ 37" - aprons/shelf sides
4 - 2x2 @ 19-1/2" - both ends cut at 52 degrees off square - ends ARE parallel - long point to short point measurement*

*The 2x2 X pieces can be scribe cut to fit as done in the video.

Tools

measuring tape
square
pencil
safety glasses
hearing protection
drill
compound miter saw
sander

Step-by-step Instructions

Attach legs to two of the 2x6 @ 18" with two screws per joint.

Use glue at all joints. Build two.

Farmhouse Coffee Table [Beginner/Under $40] — step 1

Set the two leg sets on a level surface.

Attach two leg sets together with 2x2s, two screws per joint and ample wood glue. If your 2x2 is splitting, predrill holes first, then attach with screws. TIP: Screws attached at a slight angle will help strengthen this joint.

Farmhouse Coffee Table [Beginner/Under $40] — step 2

Place first long X piece in the coffee table end and attach with glue and screw from top and bottom.

Set second X piece along side first, and mark where the two pieces cross. Cut the second piece along the marked lines. Place two cut pieces inside the coffee table and attach from top and bottom and middle. The second piece should be attached as shown from top. This is all shown in the video tutorial.

Farmhouse Coffee Table [Beginner/Under $40] — step 3

Step 4

Attach one of the 2x6 @ 18" in about the center of the coffee table with two screws per joint and glue.

Step 5

Lay out the 2x6 tabletop boards on a flat, level surface, with best side of tabletop boards face down. Apply glue to top edges of coffee table frame, and place coffee table frame upside down on the tabletop boards. Screw the base to the underside of the tabletop boards. Use ample screws but reserve enough to complete the next step.

Position the middle shelf slat centered on the coffee table bottom shelf.

Attach with 2 screws per joint. Place remaining slats inside the frame and attach with 2 screws per joint. The gap is about 1" in between (slightly less). TIP: If heavy loads are expected on the bottom shelf of the coffee table, place a 1x2 scrap about 20" long, underneath the shelf, centered and running lengthwise to the coffee table. This will act as a center "leg" for the shelf and considerably increase the strength of the bottom shelf.

Farmhouse Coffee Table [Beginner/Under $40] — step 6

Finishing

Sand all surfaces, starting with a medium grit and finishing with fine. Wipe off the dust, fill any holes or gaps with wood filler, and sand smooth once dry. Apply primer if you're painting, then finish with your choice of paint or stain and seal with a durable clear topcoat. For outdoor projects, use exterior-rated primer, paint or stain, and sealer so the piece stands up to the weather.

Source (temporary): https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/farmhouse-coffee-table-beginnerunder-40