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2x4 Outdoor Coffee Table

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Submitted by Ana White on Sat, 03/16/2019 - 13:56
Difficulty
Beginner
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Super easy to make 2x4 outdoor table - no Kreg Jig required!  Free plans by Ana-White.com

My 2x4 outdoor sofa (plans here) and the one arm sectional piece (plans here) have been holding up well!  I did apply one coat of penetrating transulcent exterior siding and decking stain to it in a brown tone, and it really made the wood beautiful!  This is such a gorgeous and comfortable piece!

But I found as we were relaxing and using the sectional, we really needed somewhere to put drinks and snacks, somewhere to put our feet up.  We needed a coffee table to match.

So designed a coffee table to match the 2x4 sofa and sectional styling, again using all 2x4s. Again, only a drill and a saw needed - no Kreg Jig required.  Now I love my Kreg Jig to pieces.  It is an amazing tool and I believe everyone should have one.  But I like to do projects too that don't require a Kreg Jig for people just getting into woodworking, and not ready to invest in all the tools just yet.  If you have a Kreg Jig, you can certainly use it on this project to hide screws as well.

It took me about two hours, counting prestaining the previous day, to build this coffee table.

And under $20 in materials!  

It is all kinds of gorgeousness.  2x4 what?!?!

It is a very substantial coffee table, solid and heavy.  The wind isn't going to blow it away.  

So, you ready to build?   The plans are below.

Also, here's the plans for the matching sectional pieces:

 

Dimensions
Dimensions shown above

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 7 – 2x4 @ 8 feet long
  • 80 – self-tapping exterior deck screws, 2-1/2" to 3" long
  • Measuring Tape, Pencil, Eye and Ear Protection, Circular Saw or Miter Saw, Drill with bit to match screw heads, Clamps, Clean level worksurface
Cut List
  • 4 – 2x4 @ 14-1/2” – Legs
  • 2 – 2x4 @ 23-1/2” – Breadboard Ends
  • 5 – 2x4 @ 20-1/2” – End aprons, Supports
  • 8 – 2x4 @ 47” – Side Aprons, Tabletop Boards

Instructions

Step 1

Attach two legs to an apron, two deck screws per joint.  Repeat for second leg set.

Step 2

Screw a breadboard end to the top of the leg set built in previous step, attaching to both legs and apron with deck screws.  Repeat for second leg set.

Step 3

Build the table base with long aprons and remaining short aprons, attaching with deck screws.  Center the middle support on long aprons.

Step 4

Raise table support up off workbench on scrap 2x4 boards.  Attach legs to end aprons with deck screws.  Use at least six screws per side.

Step 5

Project Type
Coffee Tables
Outdoor Projects
Room
Outdoor
Style
Farmhouse Furniture
Rustic Furniture Plans
Tradditional Style Furniture Plans

Comments

godsgamepiece

Tue, 06/21/2016 - 10:27

I just love this! I'm planning to build all of this next week but I wondered if the back was comfortable with the back and arm rests being the same height. 

Albert T.

Sun, 08/21/2016 - 05:13

Ever since I bought a dark wood coffee table and kept it in attic, my wife and kids have started taking their morning coffee with me, and we enjoy watching lush green garden and listen humming of birds in our front yard. Earlier, each of us used to switch on the television while sipping coffee and none of us wanted to step out of our beds.

Rhi

Tue, 04/30/2019 - 08:07

Which penetrating transulcent exterior siding and decking stain did you use? And what color?

I made the outdoor sectional sofa last summer and did not apply any stain...and it's weathered a Michigan winter just fine. But would like to finish it now so it looks more polished (and add some protection). 

About to make this  2x4 Coffee Table to complete the set!

Aaaaand.....thinking of making the outdoor farmhouse table with built in coolers. :)

Love all your content, designs, plans and videos. Keep being awesome!

llitzenb

Fri, 05/29/2020 - 20:58

Very easy to follow plan. Love the finished product. Plan to shrink the length and make a matching end table. Would share the brag photo but I’m seeing Access Denied.

JD_2030

Fri, 07/03/2020 - 16:47

Hi Ana, we built this table to go with the sectional and we love both. However, after we put the table together all the wood warped/twisted and now one leg sits 1.5 inch in the air.

Do you have any advise on how to fix this problem? One note, we used deck stain to seal it.