Happier Homemaker Farmhouse Table

Difficulty

Beginner

Free plans to make a farmhouse table with just a drill, saw and countersink bit! No pocket holes required! Step by step plans from ana-white.com

Hey DIY Friends!

We have a special plan treat for you today!!!

My new friend Melissa from The Happier Homemaker and her husband liked our original Farmhouse Table plans, but wanted to make the plans their own - so this is what they built!

Aren't 2x4s just pretty?

Over at The Happier Homemaker, Melissa and her family use the table for their outdoor space. But you could also use the table indoors too!

I love how they simplified the table by placing the aprons to the outside, which also removes the need for a pocket hole jig, but made up for the simplicity with the hardware!

You'll never guess what they used for that square plate!

Melissa and her husband were kind enough to let us share plans with you - the plans follow. But please take a second to stop over and read through their building post here for lots more pictures and more details on the hardware.

Thank you Melissa!

Dimensions

Dimensions shown above. NOTE Plan base is 6" wider than shown in pictures.

Preparation

Shopping List

6 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long (cut longest boards first to conserve lumber)
3 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
5 - 2x8 @ 6 feet long
2 1/2" exterior screws (Can use interior screws for interior projects)
Exterior Wood Glue (again, can use interior wood glue for interior use)
2 1/2" pocket hole screws are optional if you have a pocket hole jig
2" or longer finish nails (galvanized for exterior) would be great as well

Cut List

4 - 2x4 @ 24 1/4" (End Stretchers)
8 - 2x4 @ 28 1/2" (Legs)
2 - 2x4 @ 30 1/4" (End Aprons)
2 - 2x4 @ 69" (Side Aprons)
7 - 2x2 @ 30 1/4" (Tabletop Supports)
5 - 2x8 @ 72" (Tabletop Boards)

Tools

General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

Start by attaching the shortest 2x4s together. This is where the nailer would come in handy because nails are so tiny and difficult to see/easy to hide. But you can use screws to - just hide on the insides.

Step 2

Now attach with screws and glue to the first set of legs.

Step 3

Then attach the second set of legs to the outsides.

Step 4

Attach short aprons on top on the outsides of the legs sets.

NOTE: Pocket hole users will want to drill 1 1/2" pocket holes facing upward on insides of aprons to attach tabletop in later steps.

Step 5

Step 6

Next, Add the 2x2 under tabletop supports. These will help you place the tabletop boards really close together.

NOTE: If you have a pocket hole jig, you can just build your tabletop as one piece, and then attach to aprons.

Step 7

Lay the boards down, and the tabletop on top. Start at the middle and work your way outward, minimizing gaps between the boards as you screw down from underside.

For exterior use, consider a 1/4" gap between boards for water drainage.

You may also wish to attach from top into end aprons in pattern.

Step 8

Add hardware to base - check out the Happier Homemaker for more details on how they did that.

Finishing Instructions

Preparation Instructions

Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.

Project Type

Dining Table Plans

Room

dining room

Style

Farmhouse Furniture

Comments

dmcarwin

Tue, 04/23/2013 - 13:08

Beautifully Done!

Great Plans! I love this table!

babysteps

Tue, 04/23/2013 - 17:02

Better than the inspiration piece!

Beautiful table, much better than the Pottery Barn version.

Chellebebuilding

Tue, 04/23/2013 - 17:36

Gorgeous

Simply gorgeous. The robust look is great for the outdoors. I may have to make one for the summer. Congrats Melissa & Hubby.

jojabis

Thu, 04/25/2013 - 17:53

the hardware

would you have to use a stretcher?? I'm just wondering since the legs seem so beefy.

Crimson0087

Fri, 06/14/2019 - 19:01

How many of your tables have…

How many of your tables have warped or cracked?

email4tina

Sun, 06/14/2020 - 17:21

Ok to make 8 feet long?

Can this table be made 8 feet long? Or would it be too heavy?

RobH2020

Fri, 08/21/2020 - 03:11

Depends what you mean by too…

Depends what you mean by too heavy. It would be pretty heavy, but two average men should be able to move it short distances.

Also depends on the wood you use. If you get mahogany it's going to be different to pine.

RobH2020

Fri, 08/21/2020 - 03:10

Thanks for these plans!!…

Thanks for these plans!! They were so incredibly helpful.

I've just finished making my own version, changing the dimensions slightly. Was 1200mm long in the end (too short in the end, should've been 1.5m but I messed up with the lumber delivery and didn't want to change it) and 820mm wide (4 x 200m boards, with 5mm gap between).

Would post a photo but not sure how!