Build: diy coffee table with drawer
I made this coffee table at a friend’s request.
She wanted a planked top, traditional farmhouse legs, one small drawer and a really chippy, distressed paint on the base.
I decided on 2x6s for the table top, it gives the planked feel a real chunkiness.
My friend picked the green paint color to coordinate with her other pieces.
It’s Benjamin Moore cedar green.
The drawer is slim – made from 1x2s – but deep enough for remote controls and magazines.
I sketched up this build based on my friend’s size requests.
How to build a coffee table with a drawer:
Finished size: 46″l x 22″w x 19 1/2″h
Lumber:
4 – 2×6 @ 46″ (top)
4 – 18″ wood legs
2 – 1×5 @ 38 1/2″ (apron front & back)
2 – 1×5 @ 14 3/4″ (apron sides)
1 – 1×3 @ 18″ (drawer face)
2 – 1×2 @ 17″ (drawer front & back)
2 – 1×2 @ 15 1/2″ (drawer sides)
1/4″ ply 17″x 17″ (drawer base)
4 – 1×2 @ 16″ (drawer glides) *cut to fit
Step 1: Construct table top using Kreg jig pocket holes.
Step 2: Secure legs, side aprons and back apron to table top again using pocket holes.
Legs are inset from table edge.
Apron is inset 1/2″ from outer leg edges.
Step 3: Mark center front apron for drawer face opening (18 1/2″l x 2 3/4″h) and cut out using jig saw.
Then attach front apron to table top.
Step 4: Build drawer.
Step 5: Attach drawer glides. (I choose to use only wood supports for this drawer, it’s so little and thin but you could easily use hardware drawer glides too.)
Step 5 continued: One 1×2 runs flush to base of apron front opening. The other 1×2 sits perpendicular 1/4″ inside the opening (acts as a stop for drawer face).
Step 6: Paint base Benjamin Moore cedar green. I used the Vaseline method to get the chippy distressed look.
Stain the top and base Minwax early american.
Seal everything 3 coats Minwax polyureathane clear satin.
Another beautiful project, Jaime! Fun color.
I love this project! The green is a great color choice for the base. And the drawer is so handy.
Beautiful work! Can you describe how you attached the legs to the table top? Thanks.
Jaime, I love it!