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Having trouble finding the perfect coffee table for your living space? Or maybe the one you fell in love with is just way too expensive for your budget? No worries! We've got you covered with DIY coffee tables that you can make at home, with little to no building experience. Building your own coffee table is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your space with a custom piece of furniture.
6 Coffee Table Plans That You Can Build Today
From a chunky farmhouse style coffee table to a round, modern coffee table this list includes easy coffee table tutorials for any style and skill level!
Fluted Round Coffee Table
Cost: $75 +/-
Time Required: 1-2 days
Skill Level: Beginner
Materials Needed: Round table top (material of your choice),24" wooden rounds, wooden dowels
Fluted furniture is trending right now, and I will be honest, I hope it is here to stay for awhile. Its so fun and a bit eclectic. It is also EASY to DIY. You can add fluting to just about any piece of furniture, just like the author of this tutorial has. You can paint it a fun color to make it boho, or a neutral color for more modern touch. This tutorial uses a marble table top from an old table to create this look. You can thrift something similar for your project or you can make a table top out of different material. The cost of this diy coffee table project can add up depending on your choice of materials, but DIY-ing this style of coffee table will still save money in the long run.
PROS
- Fun + unique design
- Simple to assemble
CONS
- Can become expensive depending on size and choice of material
Nesting Coffee Tables
Cost: Under $200
Time Required: 3-4 days to build and allow paint/finishes to dry properly
Skill Level: Beginner
Materials Needed: Wood, Stone texture spray paint
Nesting coffee tables are a great way to save space because they can be easily rearranged. These in particular are a fun focal piece to add to any living room furniture collection. I really love the slat detail on the base of these tables and the faux stone finish from using Rustoleum's stone textured spray paint. However, since these are wood you could use any finish that you'd like. This design is actually a dupe for more expensive tables that cost around $300 per table. Erika from Peony + Honey built this entire set for under $200!
PROS
- Easy for beginners
- Faux stone finish hides small imperfections
- Space saver design
CONS
- You have to build two separate tables
- The base must be stable enough to support the table top
Chunky Square Coffee Table
Cost: Around $100
Time Required: 1-3 days
Skill Level: Beginner
Materials Needed: Wood and choice of finishing stain
This DIY coffee table is marketed as a beginners project thanks to how squared off everything is. The coffee table plans from Shanty 2 Chic are detailed and easy to follow and include a video. I love that the chunky nature of this piece makes an inexpensive DIY look like a high end coffee table. It is the perfect addition to any living room space.
PROS
- Goes with many living room styles
- Inexpensive
CONS
- The apron trim on the table top may be more difficult than it looks to assemble
- Uses a lot of pocket holes which may be difficult to figure out at first.
- These plans use a table saw to rip a 2x4 down to size, if you are not able to do this you may have to make adjustments to this part of the DIY coffee table plans.
Modern Concrete Coffee Table
Cost: Under $200
Time: 5-6 weeks (concrete takes time to cure)
Skill Level: Beginner
Materials Needed: Wood, chicken wire, concrete mix, concrete tools and a sealant
This take on a modern coffee table is such a cool idea! Not only is it a lot of bang for your buck, it is super simple to make. However, it will take a bit of patience since concrete needs time to cure between each step. I love that it is not your traditional wooden coffee table. It has a concrete top AND concrete sides. You can also easily adjust the size of the frame if you do not have enough space for such a large coffee table. If you have the time to spare between each step and want a dreamy, modern, industrial coffee table then this DIY project is for you.
PROS
- Unique
- Simple
- Inexpensive
CONS
- Will be very heavy when finished
- The process will be messy and require some prep
- Takes more time than an average DIY table
Chevron Outdoor Coffee Table
Cost: Under $200
Time: 2-3 days
Skill Level: Beginner
Materials Needed: Wood, torch, propane, heat resistant gloves, wire brush
This modern, boho design is the perfect addition to an outdoor space. My favorite part of this is that the finish of the base is actually torched (burnt) wood. Torching wood creates a beautiful dark patina that will stand the test of time. Of course, this fun outdoor table can be used inside as well- but this tutorial gives specific tips for building an outdoor coffee table.
PROS
- Built to last outdoors
- The torched finish will last longer than any stain or paint.
- Can also be used inside
CONS
- The chevron pattern uses more wood.
- The chevron pieces need to be cut to size as you work to insure a better fit.
Column Coffee Table
Cost: Around $300
Time: 2 days
Skill Level: Beginner
Materials Needed: Round wooden top, PVC pipes, spray paint, jet black penetrating dye (in place of wood stain).
While this DIY coffee table is a bit pricier than some, it is another DUPE table that will save you tons of money. Not to mention this is a really fun idea. I love this simple table. This tutorial uses a pre-purchased 1" thick round table top that runs the cost up. There are alternative options to this that can cut the cost of this project down, but it may make the project trickier if you are not as great at wood working.
The base is made from large PVC pipes that are painted satin black, and the top is stained with a dye for an upscale wood look that matches the painted legs. You could also choose to paint the entire table (the stone texture spay paint would look awesome here), but I think the visible wood grain on the top gives it an elevated look.
PROS
- Simple and unique design
- Budget friendly DUPE
CONS
- The wood top is more expensive.
- Cutting and drilling into the PVC pipe may be challenging without proper tools.
What you want to know about making a homemade coffee table
How much does it cost to build a coffee table?
The cost will vary drastically depending size of the coffee table and materials used. Renting tools could even play a factor in the cost of building your DIY coffee table. If you flip a thrifted coffee table the cost could be under $75. If you are building a large coffee table out of premium quality wood, like oak, it could cost you $300-$500. While that sounds expensive it really is a steal if you are making a dupe for a designer table that costs $800-$1000+.
What tools are needed to build a DIY coffee table?
The tools you will need are going to vary depending on the style of table that you choose to build. However here is a list of some fairly common tools/ supplies that you will most likely use when building your DIY coffee table:
- Miter saw
- Table saw (might be able to use a circular saw if necessary)
- Brad nail gun
- Kreg jig (to drill pocket holes)
- Pocket hole screws
- Wood screw
- Drill/impact driver
- Wood glue
- Wood filler (to fill any nail holes or gaps)
- Orbital sander
- Measuring tape
- pencil
If you do not have these tools and do not want to invest in them, consider asking a friend to borrow theirs. Places like Menards and The Home Depot offer tool rental as well. Most DIY coffee table plans will give you a list of what tools they used to complete the project so you can plan ahead.
SHOP SOZY
What wood is best for a Chevron style coffee table?
You can use whatever wood you'd like. If you are on a tight budget you can have MDF/hardboard stripped down to create the top of the coffee table. Hard board will have to be painted, but it saves a lot of money. If you are on a budget and want a wood look you can have thin plywood stripped down into pieces to make the chevron pattern. I have even seen someone use PAINT STICKS to create this pattern.
More mid priced options are poplar and common board wood. These woods are considered soft, but can still be used. It really just depends on the look you are wanting and what you are comfortable spending.
What finish should I use for a DIY coffee table from old salvaged wood?
If you are using reclaimed wood to build your coffee table you can stain and seal just like any other wood. There may be extra steps for prepping reclaimed wood for stain, but it is doable. Whether you stain or not, you will want to finish the project in 3-4 coats of polyurethane, which is an oil based protectant.
What stain (if any) should I use for my DIY herringbone coffee table?
Staining is a personal preference and picking a stain color can be more daunting than picking paint. There are SO many different shades of stain. You do not have to stain your table, though there are light colored stains for those that prefer a more natural wood color.
I suggest getting some small sample jars and playing around with the stain on some scrap wood so you can see how it will look on your table first. Even something as simple as adding an extra coat can change the way the color looks. Some people enjoy mixing different shades to make a custom stain color. The most important part of finishing the table is the protective coat of polyurethane or polycrylic that would be applied after any stain.
Where can I find other free woodworking plans?
Any of the above coffee tables would make a great conversation piece for your living room and are awesome alternatives to purchasing a new coffee table.
However if you are not finding a DIY coffee table design that you love, try giving Pinterest a quick search for "DIY coffee table". You will find ample other DIY wooden coffee table designs and coffee table ideas. Some table designs that include built in storage like a lower shelf or drawer fronts require a little bit more time and skill but are doable.
You can narrow your DIY coffee table search by using some of the following key terms:
- Sawhorse coffee table
- Tree stump coffee table
- Pallet coffee table
- Old door coffee table
- Tile top coffee table
- Farmhouse style coffee table
- Hairpin leg Coffee table
- Rustic coffee table
- Distressed coffee table
Another option is to DIY your own coffee table by transforming an existing, sturdy table with a fresh coat of paint and new hardware or detailing (like the fluting above).
Tell us what you think! Will using these free coffee table plans to build your own furniture be your next DIY project?
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