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Farmhouse Coffee Table [Beginner/Under $40]

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Submitted by Ana White on Sun, 11/10/2019 - 10:27
Difficulty
Beginner
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Build the farmhouse coffee table for under $40 with just a drill and a saw!  This is a beginner friendly DIY project that should only take a couple hours to complete.

You'll love the results - an absolutely gorgeous farmhouse coffee table made from solid wood, perfectly proportioned, with a large bottom storage shelf.  

Our free plans make it easy!  Step by step diagrams, shopping and cut list from Ana-White.com

farmhouse coffee table plans
farmhouse coffee table
farmhouse coffee table
farmhouse coffee table

Dream of a gorgeous farmhouse coffee table, but don't want to spend hundreds of dollars?

YOU can build THIS coffee table for under $40!

farmhouse coffee table

Farmhouse Coffee Table Features

  • Solid wood design accepts stain with dimension and character
  • Perfectly sized, beautifully proportioned
  • Large bottom shelf for baskets and blankets
  • QUICK and EASY to build with our simple plans
  • Just screwed together - no nails, no pocket holes
  • All materials available at Home Depot or Lowes
  • Years later, this coffee table can be refinished and repaired (if needed) since it's solid wood

How is this Plan Different from the Rustic X Collection?

Our most popular coffee table is the Rustic X Coffee table.  This coffee table is very similar in design.  The big difference is HOW it's built and the tools required.  The Rustic X Coffee table requires a Kreg Jig.  The Rustic X Coffee table is slightly larger in size.  It also has a solid bottom shelf (instead of the slatted design of the Farmhouse Coffee Table).

Are There Plans for the Matching Console Table and End Table?

Yes!  We just added the matching Farmhouse Console Table plans and teh matching Farmhouse Side Tables plans (in two size options) here.

Video Tutorial

HOW this coffee table is built is everything.  Watch me build it in our Farmhouse Coffee Table video tutorial:

Farmhouse Coffee Table Plans

The plans for this coffee table follow.  Please share a photo when you are done building, we love seeing your projects!  Can't wait to hear how yours turns out.

Dimensions
farmhouse coffee table dimensions
Farmhouse Coffee Table Dimensions shown in diagram

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 4 - 2x6 - stud length or 8 feet
  • 1 - 2x4 - stud length or 8 feet
  • 3 - 2x2 furring strips, 8 feet long
  • 100-  2-1/2" long self tapping screws (I used these from Home Depot)
  • Wood glue
  • Optional corner braces (I used these from Home Depot)
Cut List
  • 4 - 2x6 @ 46" - tabletop boards 
  • 4 - 2x4 @ 16-1/2" - legs
  • 10 - 2x6 @ 18" - shelf/ends
  • 4 - 2x2 @ 37" - aprons/shelf sides
  • 4 - 2x2 @ 19-1/2" - both ends cut at 52 degrees off square - ends ARE parallel - long point to short point measurement*

*The 2x2 X pieces can be scribe cut to fit as done in the video.  

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Miter Saw
Power Sander

Instructions

Step 1

Attach legs to two of the 2x6 @ 18" with two screws per joint.

Use glue at all joints.

Build two.

Step 2

Set the two leg sets on a level surface.

Attach two leg sets together with 2x2s, two screws per joint and ample wood glue.

If your 2x2 is splitting, predrill holes first, then attach with screws.

TIP: Screws attached at a slight angle will help strengthen this joint.

Step 3

Place first long X piece in the coffee table end and attach with glue and screw from top and bottom.

Set second X piece along side first, and mark where the two pieces cross.

Cut the second piece along the marked lines.

Place two cut pieces inside the coffee table and attach from top and bottom and middle.

The second piece should be attached as shown from top.

This is all shown in the video tutorial.

Step 4

Attach one of the 2x6 @ 18" in about the center of the coffee table with two screws per joint and glue.

Step 5

Lay out the 2x6 tabletop boards on a flat, level surface, with best side of tabletop boards face down.

Apply glue to top edges of coffee table frame, and place coffee table frame upside down on the tabletop boards.

Screw the base to the underside of the tabletop boards.  Use ample screws but reserve enough to complete the next step.

Step 6

Position the middle shelf slat centered on the coffee table bottom shelf. 

Attach with 2 screws per joint.

Place remaining slats inside the frame and attach with 2 screws per joint.  The gap is about 1" in between (slightly less).

TIP: If heavy loads are expected on the bottom shelf of the coffee table, place a 1x2 scrap about 20" long, underneath the shelf, centered and running lengthwise to the coffee table.  This will act as a center "leg" for the shelf and considerably increase the strength of the bottom shelf.

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Stained Finish: For my stained finish, I simply sanded the entire coffee table with 120 grit sandpaper. I did NOT fill any holes (you can see the screw holes in the photos). We all agreed that the holes helped give the coffee table character. If the screw holes bother you, fill with color matched wood filler.

Painted Finish: Fill holes with wood filler and let dry. Sand with 80-120 grit sandpaper. Remove all sanding residue with a vacuum. Prime and paint.
Finish Used
I used one coat of Varathane Golden Oak, applied with a disposable shop towel.
Help Improve This Plan

We apologize if there was an error in this plan. Please help us out and report any errors here.

Project Type
Coffee Tables
Room
living room
Style
Farmhouse Furniture

Comments

Ray_B

Thu, 11/14/2019 - 07:48

This is IT! This will be my very first project ever that I'm going to build!

I like that I will not need use a pocket hole job from Kreg Jig (although this will be one of first purchases!). Simply awesome plans!

I will likely build at least two more night stand and/or end table versions of this plan. Will you please put in my vote for an "end table size version" of this "Farmhouse Coffee Table"? I'm very excited about building some for my family!

Thank you very much, Ana!

rbernier09

Tue, 11/26/2019 - 09:08

Ana, what type of wood would you use? Would you ever build this with all spruce? Knotty pine 2" board has a hefty price where I live. Thanks in advance!

SuperGeorge

Mon, 12/30/2019 - 11:59

I attempted this as my first wood work project (aside from the work bench) and it wasn't bad. Learnt one or two things that should will be helpful going forward. I was afraid of the "X" so I went with a simple "--" instead.

mrphyjammusashi

Tue, 12/31/2019 - 08:18

Hey Ana, my wife and I just found your site, and what a great one it is for novice woodworkers like us.  We just built a farmhouse kitchen table, and we are excited about making this farmhouse coffee table.  Thank you for all you are sharing--it is a lot of fun, and gives a great feeling of accomplishment to the beginner.  My wife is a Filipina from Mindanao and was wondering if you had Filipino ancestry?  Thanks again, Cynthia and John