Extremely sturdy rustic farmhouse table that is easy to build!
Special thanks to Jackie, one of our readers for the photo.

image from Country Living Magazine/photo by Lucas Allen

This table was also featured in Country Living Magazine! Built by Michael and Emily Knotts!

We use our table now as my main work table in the garage. Hundreds of projects later, she's still going!!! We ended up putting more stretcher boards down for a lower shelf, and hundreds of pounds of screws are now stored there. Super strong!

Handmade from this plan >>

Projects built from this plan. Thank you for submitting brag posts, it's appreciated by all!

Handmade by: Falafel and the Bee
Handmade by: macydawn
Handmade by: beingbrook

Dimensions

Dimensions:

30″ High x 38 1/2″ Wide x 96″ Long

Materials and Tools

Shopping List:

Weathered Stain
Varnish or Finish Oil
8 – 2x4s (should be about $2 a stick)
6 – 2x2s (should be about $1 a stick)
1 - 2×8 (should be about $6)
7 – 2x6s (should be about $2.50 each)
2 3/4″ Screws (About 100)
4″ Screws (About 20)

wood glue

wood filler

120 grit sandpaper

primer

paint brush

Tools:

measuring tape

square

hammer

safety glasses

hearing protection

drill

circular saw

nailer

sander

Cut List

Cut List:

A) 4 - 2×4 @ 28 1/2″ (Outside Legs)
B) 4 – 2×4 @ 28 1/2″ (Inside Legs)
C) 2 -2×4 @ 34 1/2″ (Bottom End Supports for the Stretcher)
D) 1 – 2×4 @ 81″ (Stretcher)
E) 2 – 2×4 @ 81″ (Side Aprons)
F) 2 – 2×4 @ 28 1/2″ (End Aprons)
G) 2 – 2×2 @ 28 1/2″ (Overhang Supports, Ends)
H) 2 – 2×2 @ 78″ (Overhang Supports, Sides)
I) 10 – 2×2 @ 28 1/2″ (Under Tabletop Supports)
J) 2 – 2×8 @ 38 1/2″ (Breadboard Ends)
K) 7 – 2×6 @ 81″ (Tabletop Pieces)

Cutting Instructions:

Start by cutting all your boards.

General Instructions

Always use glue. Use the longest possible screws, and predrill with a countersink bit to hide the screw heads.

Step 1

Notch out boards A, the Outside Legs, as shown above. If you do not know how to notch out boards, watch me notch the boards out for my table in my HOW-TO section.

Step 2

Notch out the inside leg as shown above. Make sure you notch both the top and the bottom as shown above. Use the measurements from step 2 to notch the bottom. See the below diagram for a closeup on notching the top.

Step 3

The above diagram show you how to notch out the top of the inside legs.

Step 4

Now screw an inside leg to an outside leg, using glue and 2 3/4″ screws. Be aware of where each leg is placed – it does matter on what sides the inside leg sits. Also, screw through the inside leg into the outside leg to keep your screw holes on the inside.

Step 5

Now notch out board C, the end support for the stretcher, as shown above in green. This notch is 1″ deep.

Step 6

Screw the support, C, into the legs, as shown above. Make sure you use 2 screws on the inside leg and 2 screws on the outside legs per side of the end supports.
NOTE: If you would like the support to be on the outside, rotate the legs, keeping the inside legs on the inside, and add 4″ to your stretcher, D. This will reduce your leg room for end chairs, but the notch out will be more visible, like my table and the Restoration Hardware table.

Step 7

Put your stretcher in place and screw down.

Step 8

Build your apron on a level surface as shown above, using side apron boards E and end apron boards F.

Step 9

Fit the apron frame into the base of the table as shown above. Use the long screws to screw at an angle through the apron into the legs. Use 3 screws per leg on all legs. Lots of glue here.
Now is a good time to check your table for square. Visit the HOW-TO section if you do not know how to check for square.

Step 10

Mark the side apron every 5 3/4″ and place the 2×2 supports, I, as shown above. Remember that a 2×2 is 1 1/2″ wide. This does not have to be exact and the last support will not be exactly 5 3/4″ from the end. Use the 2 3/4″ screws here.

Step 11

Add the overhang supports, G and H, as shown above. Keep the top edges flush, use the 2 3/4″ screws. Make sure you screw these in good.

Step 12

Now the breadboard ends, J. See the below diagram for measurements:

Step 13

Use the long screws to screw the breadboard end into the legs. Then screw from the underside of the overhang support, board G, into the underside of the breadboard end.

Step 14

First mark all the ends of the tabletop boards, K, for the screw pattern. The screw pattern I used was 1″ from the end, and 1″ from each side and one in the middle. Predrill the ends on the marked pattern, as shown above.

Step 15

Then begin adding the tabletop pieces K, starting with the center piece, as shown below. Screw the center board in place on the ends through the top, predrilled and marked in step 15. Then from the underside of the table, screw through the tabletop supports, I, into the underside of the tabletop boards, K.

Step 16

Add the next tabletop boards, K, as shown below. As you screw each board down, take special care to line up the edges with the existing boards. You do not want a gap between the boards on the tabletop. Remember to screw through the top on the ends and then screw through the bottomof the under supports to the underside of the tabletop boards.

Step 17

After all the boards are screwed in place, then use the long screws to screw through the tabletop boards into the breadboard ends, as shown above.

Step 18

Make sure you have adequately screwed your table together, as shown above.

Step 19

Here are some dimensions.

Finishing Instructions

Finish Used:

Fill screw holes with putty and sand and finish as desired. The Restoration Hardware table actually comes unfinished. I recommend using a “weathered wood” stain, hand rubbed on, and a light mineral oil sealer.

May I Suggest a Finish?

Distressed Turquoise with Chocolate Glaze

Not Much >>

What's going on up here in Alaska.

Step 17?

Hey Ana,

I'm about to build this table this weekend, and I'm confused about step 17. How do I do that? Do I screw the 4" screws from the sides of the table top pieces into the faces of the breadboards touching the table top pieces? It seems like the angle of those screws would look ugly from the outside. I could skip that step and probably be okay, but I'm pretty new at woodworking.

Also, I'm planning to add 20" removable extensions to the ends of the table to seat more people. I'm not sure if the table will be able to support them due to their length.

Thanks!
Travis

posted by Travis (not verified) | on Fri, 2012-06-29 12:22

posted by Travis (not verified) | on Fri, 2012-06-29 12:31

This is all very new to me

This is all very new to me and this article really opened my eyes.Thanks for sharing with us your wisdom.
@Hublot Classic Fusion

posted by Jerryee (not verified) | on Fri, 2012-07-20 22:35

Finish

What was the finish color used in the country living photos? When should you use wood conditioner? If you are going for a more weathered look, is it necessary if you are use pine for the table?

posted by The Allens | on Tue, 2012-07-24 17:06

Question regarding finishing

What “weathered wood” stain did you use?

posted by Kim Gaynor (not verified) | on Sat, 2012-07-28 11:36

Have a few questions before I start to build!

LOVE your website!! Wish I had found it years ago, but I'm moving this month and need a new dining table--came to you first for a plan! I'm going to start building this weekend, but I have a few questions:
First, is it just me or are there no pics step 16-end? I'm such a visual person, and your diagrams are so helpful to this feeble wannabee carpenter, so I wanted to make sure I'm not missing out.
2) Do you suggest a particular brand of stain? I've dabbled with weathered wood looks before and haven't been absolutely happy yet...
3) What kind of lumber do you suggest? I'm not trying to build something to be passed down as an heirloom, so cheap construction grade is my go-to.
4) I only need to fit 3 chairs/side, and can't really afford the extra space in my dining room. How many inches should I subtract from the length?
Thank you thank you!

posted by Rebecca Morris (not verified) | on Mon, 2012-07-30 22:54

Are pictures missing in last steps?

Planning on building this weekend, wood is being cut as we speak! I'm wondering though, are there pictures to accomany steps 16-end? Thanks for the beautiful furniture, inspiration, and motivation to do it!

posted by Rebecca Morris (not verified) | on Mon, 2012-07-30 23:07

Question on dimentions.

I have a question on the dimentions and the shopping and cut list... The photo dimentions are different that what it says the dimentions are, so is the supply and cut list for the picture dimentions or the stated dimentions?!

posted by Amber's Mom (not verified) | on Wed, 2012-08-22 09:43

Wood?

I've been scrolling through all of these posts and I was really trying to find out what kind of wood to use on this table. Help? Thanks!

posted by Deborah Monson (not verified) | on Fri, 2012-09-14 01:17

I made it!

I modified the table size and made it with my husband. Check out my post on http://livingvintageco.com/2012/09/do-it-yourself/a-desk-made-from-recla....

posted by Kim Whitley-Gaynor (not verified) | on Sun, 2012-09-16 18:36

so awesome!! :)

I love this table. I am currently building this table and I am loving how it is turning out. I'm almost to the point of staining it!! All i need to do next is make the bench and my dining room will be complete!! Thank you for posting the plans!! :)

posted by Jaci Gray (not verified) | on Mon, 2012-09-17 13:48

clips

Missing diagrams?

Are there some diagrams missing from steps 16-19?..I also can't find a "How To" section on the site. I can always look up videos on Youtube, but that's a bit confusing.

posted by ranamae | on Wed, 2012-09-19 14:38

Farm House Table

Love this plan,Cant wait to build this!

posted by dalio1610 | on Sun, 2012-10-07 19:38

Can't believe the timing!

I was just telling my husband that I need to make the table for our new home because I want it to be long enough to seat 12, look rustically handbuilt with just the right finish to fit my vision for the room!!!! Thank you a 1,000 times over. Just a little history: My father was a cabinet maker by hobby and owned every piece of equipment to make furniture, so I grew up in love with the fragrance of fresh-cut lumber. My major at Oklahoma State was Industrial Arts until the chairman of the department recommended a different major more suitable to a woman. Ugh! I believed him and changed to ... nursing. BORING! So thank you for letting me unleash my inner carpenter once again!

posted by Celia Cawthon (not verified) | on Fri, 2012-10-12 07:58

This is amazing! My husband

This is amazing! My husband loves when I give him new crafts so I'm hoping he'll get started on this this weekend. Do you have plans for benches to go with it? Thanks so much! LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog.

posted by Maggie H. (not verified) | on Tue, 2012-10-16 11:05

Hello, this is a great plan and written with very easy to follow instructions with step by step pictures which are more help than you will ever know. I wondered if it would be possible to write a cut list for a 5 foot long table. I don't have a big enough area for this one. I would really appreciate it! I can only imagine how busy you so I understand if you don't have time! Thanks so much for all your plans and making them affordable. I also love the fact you don't have to have any fancy tools to make them!! Thanks again, Tamela

posted by tmlcole | on Wed, 2012-10-17 19:51

This post is genuinely

This post is genuinely enormous, the echo feature and the picture quality of this tape post is genuinely remarkable.Ovarian Cyst Miracle

posted by nicole1236 (not verified) | on Sun, 2012-10-21 02:00

I am John, how are you

I am John, how are you everybody? This post posted at this web page is truly fastidious.Mind Secrets Exposed

posted by nicole123 | on Tue, 2012-10-23 21:20

building

I love this table. So cool! However, I am currently building it, and have run into a big issue. It seems impossible to find regular pine boards at the lumber store that aren't warped. I am screwing them to the table, but they're warping the whole table! Is there a solution, other than having a planer?

posted by evan (not verified) | on Mon, 2012-11-12 12:21

Site

Oh my...i just stumbled onto your site by googling diy headboards and this is all stuff i love and have pictured doing in our new house! but had not found any pics to go with what i had pictured in my head and the prices and directions you have are soooo awesome! this is totally my new favorite site and i will be back to it often. gonna go get the book too! thanks soooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted by Heather Staugh (not verified) | on Mon, 2012-11-12 15:17

Steps 16-19

I am completing the base and was hoping the diagrams for steps 16-19 would be updated or fixed on the directions page by the time I got there. Any tips as to where I can find the missing information?

posted by Rockonnell (not verified) | on Wed, 2012-11-14 13:16

Thank you. My husband and I

Thank you. My husband and I used your plans to make us a 9 ft table for our dining space which worked wonderfully for our large family on thanksgiving. We made some changes as our table has a large counter top island piece for the top. I LOVE my new table. I have been doing crafting, homeschooling, and puzzles ALL OVER it.

posted by kristi gutierrez (not verified) | on Fri, 2012-11-30 13:17

Made it into a Coffee Table

To practice the notching I first used a variation of these plans and built a coffee table. Here is a link to a description and the gallery. http://www.reddit.com/r/DIY/comments/14vtrb/built_a_coffee_table/

posted by AndrewKutz (not verified) | on Sat, 2012-12-15 01:30

Step Confusion

Hello,
I have the table built and ready to be finished, I am just a little confused on step number 17 it says screw the table top boards in to the bread board ends as shown above. Are you supposed to pocket hole the tabletop boards in to the breadboard ends? Thanks

posted by JLR0331 (not verified) | on Mon, 2012-12-17 23:30

I built this table!

We built this table! Here is the link just in case ya'll want to see. It is gorgeous and sturdy and looks like we spent a thousand dollars on it, when really all of the materials cost less then $200. Thank you Ana! http://rmhouseofnoise.blogspot.com/2012/11/our-new-kitchen-table.html

posted by Rachael McKenzie (not verified) | on Sun, 2012-12-30 10:28

Warped table

Just finished putting the base together and the table is a little warped and I can't seem to get it straight, any ideas or solutions?

posted by Donnie (not verified) | on Sun, 2012-12-30 18:09

Some extra pictures

Ana (or anyone else) - My wife loves this table, and wants me to make one for her, but after looking at the racks of lumber at Lowes and the other big box and a lumber yard, none of the 2x4s are exactly perfect, which I expected.
So as I was sitting there looking at my choices I started to worry about how a stack of 2x4 would look. So long story short, can someone send me some pictures of how the legs looked when finished?
I found a guy that was using 4x4s instead of the 2x4s, but my problem there is where do I find 4x4 legs that aren't pressure treated?

So if I can get pictures, that would be great! Thanks
C

posted by Chris P. (not verified) | on Thu, 2013-01-03 08:42

I used 4x4s from Home Depot.

I used 4x4s from Home Depot. They re untreated Douglas fir. I had them cut to length at the store since my circular saw couldn't handle 4" material. The only real hitch to this is that 1) the top notch that the 2x4 table top frame sits into at the top of the legs will need to be chiseled by hand since you can't do it with a power saw since it is on a corner. It only took about 2 hours to do this carefully for a first timer like me. Measure carefully and work slowly with a sharp chisel. Mine was 1". 2) be aware that using 4x4 stock will slightly throw off the measurements. Allow for the fact that 2 2x4s screwed together are only 3 inches wide by 3 1/2 due to actual measurements vs. labeled measurements. A 4x4 is 3 1/2 x 3 1/2. Just make this adjustment on the line drawings above. Basically it means that the finished gap on the ends of the tables between the table legs will be one inch narrower. I hope this helps.

posted by Rockonnell (not verified) | on Mon, 2013-01-07 08:17

Missing directions

Finally found the missing diagrams to go with the last few steps. http://furniturehacked.wordpress.com/category/favorites/page/2/

posted by Rockonnell (not verified) | on Fri, 2013-01-11 16:17

Missing diagrams step 17 etc

http://furniturehacked.wordpress.com/category/favorites/page/2/

posted by Rockonnell (not verified) | on Fri, 2013-01-11 16:21

LOVE THIS TABLE

Was curiuos as to about how much it costs to make this table and the benches to go with it, was thinking about making one.

posted by lincey23 | on Fri, 2013-02-22 11:41

OMG I LOVE IT!

My husband and father just built this for me and I love it! They used Cedar lumber, which did cost a little more, but just looks amazing! :)

posted by AshleyHaney | on Sat, 2013-03-02 23:37

Lengthening Table

Can anyone post these plans so that i can 5 people to each side making table longer etc

posted by magillj | on Wed, 2013-04-10 05:27

I usually have large family dinners and I am going to make this table longer. Instead of using the 7 2x6x81" boards, I am going to use 7 2x6x10' boards.
My concern is the stretcher board underneath might bow a little bit and/or if I need additional support, where would you place it. If anyone has diagrams they can share to show there lengthened table and any modifications, it would be deeply appreciated.

Thank you

posted by jc9794 | on Thu, 2013-04-18 20:15

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Storage Sofa	Storage Daybed

Give Back

Getting Started

Plan Catalog

Other Stuff >>

Farmhouse Table

Handmade from this plan >>

Dimensions

Materials and Tools

Cut List

General Instructions

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Step 10

Step 11

Step 12

Step 13

Step 14

Step 15

Step 16

Step 17

Step 18

Step 19

Finishing Instructions

May I Suggest a Finish?

Tables, Dining Tables, dining room, kitchen, Intermediate, $20 - $50, farmhouse

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