Farmhouse Side Table (Beginner- Indoor/Outdoor)
DIY Farmhouse Side Tables – Two Sizes Build your own beautiful and functional side tables with ease! These versatile tables work great as nightstands, end tables, or side tables—and are sturdy enough for indoor or outdoor use. Designed with beginner-friendly techniques, you’ll use simple cuts, no pocket holes, and off-the-shelf lumber. With two size options (small and large), you can build the perfect fit for your space. • Use indoors or outdoors • Works as a nightstand, side table, or end table • Two sizes available: small and large • Beginner-friendly design—no pocket holes needed • Made with standard, affordable lumber • Strong, durable, and easy to customize with stain or paint 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 | Nightstands |
|---|---|
| Room | living room |
| Style | Farmhouse Furniture |
| Difficulty | Beginner Projects |
Dimensions
Use the size-specific shopping and cut lists below.
Shopping List
Shopping List for Large Farmhouse Coffee Table
- 1 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
- 3 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long
- 3 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
- About 70 2-1/2" long self tapping wood screws
Shopping List for Small Farmhouse Coffee Table
- 1 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
- 2 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long
- 2 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
- About 60 2-1/2" long self tapping wood screws
Cut List
Cut List for Large Farmhouse Coffee Table
- 4 - 2x4 @ 22-1/2" - legs
- 6 - 2x6 @ 23-1/2" - bottom shelf and top aprons
- 4 - 2x2 @ 32" - X detailing, still needs to be cut at an angle
- 4 - 2x2 @ 18-1/2" - side aprons
- 5 - 2x6 @ 27-1/2" - tabletop boards
Cut List for Small Farmhouse Coffee Table
- 4 - 2x4 @ 20-1/2" - legs
- 5 - 2x6 @ 18" - bottom shelf and top aprons
- 4 - 2x2 @ 22" - X detailing, still needs to be cut at an angle
- 4 - 2x2 @ 12-1/2" - side aprons
- 4 - 2x6 @ 21-1/2" - tabletop
Tools
- measuring tape
- square
- pencil
- safety glasses
- hearing protection
- drill
- compound miter saw
- sander
Step-by-step Instructions
Step 1
Attach legs to two of the 2x6 shelf boards with 2-1/2" screws, edges flush on top and outside. Leave a 1-1/2" space underneath the bottom shelf (you can use a 2x board as a spacer underneath to get the height right).
Step 2
Add the X detailing to the legs. Please see this post for more information on how to do this step.
Step 3
Attach 2x2 side aprons to the leg sets with glue and 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws. Screws at an angle are best.
Step 4
Use 2-1/2" screws to attach the shelf boards to the 2x2 side trim boards.
Lay out the tabletop boards, face down, on a flat surface.
Attach with 2-1/2" screws and glue from underside to the bases.
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-side-table-beginner-indooroutdoor