How to Make a Farmhouse Side Table
Having a custom-built farmhouse side table in your living room is easier and more affordable than you think. To make this DIY side table, we built a base, installed a top, and gave it a paint job—it was a beginner-level project that came together quickly. It works perfectly with small living room furniture and can easily be finished in a weekend! Place the table next to your sofa and add a woven basket below for extra style and storage. Follow along—we'll show you how to make one in a few simple steps. Our table is 22 inches tall and 18 inches wide, but feel free to customize the scale and color to make it fit your space.
- Working Time 4 Hours
- Start to Finish 2 Days
- Difficulty Projects Kind of Easy
- Involves Drilling, Sawing, Staining, Painting
What you need
Tools
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Table saw
- Clamps
- Drill
- Putty knife
- Tack cloth
- Paintbrush
- Rubber gloves
Materials
- 2X2X36-inch poplar board (x8)
- 2X6X96-inch pine board (x1)
- Wood glue
- 2-1/2-inch screws
- Wood putty
- Sandpaper
- Painters tape
- White paint
- Wood stain
- Paper towels or rags
Cuts
Long Table Base (x4)
2x2x22-inches
Short Table Base (x4)
2x2x14-1/2-inches
Table Legs (x4)
2x2x18-3/4-inches
Table Top (x3)
2x6x22-inches
How to do it
Step 1 Measure and Cut Wood
First, measure and cut the lumber to size. Cut on your own using a table saw, or ask an associate at the hardware store to cut them to size before you purchase the wood. The 2x2 wood will be used as the table base, and the 2x6-inch boards make up the table top.
Step 2 Assemble Table Bases
Once the wood is cut to size, you first need to assemble the base. To do this, shape two of the 22-inch boards and two 14-1/2-inch boards into a rectangle. Dab wood glue on the areas where the boards meet and press together. Hold tight with clamps until the glue dries. Remove the clamps, then secure with 2-1/2-inch screws in each corner. Make a second rectangle with the remaining 22- and 14-1/2-inch boards and set aside for later.
Step 3 Attach Table Legs
Next, attach the table legs to the base. Place one leg on the corner, and drill a 2-1/2-inch screw up from the bottom of the base. Repeat with all four legs.
Attach the top table base once you have the legs secured. Find the second rectangle you made previously, and set it on top of the legs. Make sure all edges are flush with each other. Drill down from the top table base and into the legs.
Step 4 Prep, Paint, and Stain Pieces
Cover any nail holes or imperfections with wood putty. Let dry and sand the table base and wood pieces for the top. Wipe dust away with a tack cloth.
Use a paintbrush to paint the base of the table your desired color (we love the look of bright white) and let dry. Apply a second coat if needed.
Stain the wood for the tabletop with a gray color. While completing this step, work in a well-ventilated area or outside and wear gloves to avoid staining your hands. Let dry completely before assembling.
Step 5 Install Tabletop
To finish building, install the tabletop made from the three 2x6x22-inch boards. Set the three boards together on your workspace making sure all edges are aligned. Flip the table base upside-down and place it on top of the three boards. With everything in place, begin drilling down through the 2x2-inch boards and into the planks, making sure your screws aren’t hitting in-between the tabletop boards. Once all boards are secured, flip the table back over and put it in place.
Similar Projects
There are no results that match your search.
Comments
Be the first to comment!