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Perfect End Table

August 31, 2012 |
10 Comments
posted by Ana White
PDF versionPDF version

Build a perfect end table with free plans from Ana-White.com!

Perfect End Table

Handmade from this plan >>

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

About Project

Author Notes: 

Well, hello there! And Happy Friday!

I hope you've got a long weekend this weekend to enjoy with your family ... and maybe squeeze in a little DIY! Nothing like a hobby that is FUN to do ... and you get to make your life better, right?

So I'm as guilty as anyone for having a ridiculously long Pinterest "Make Me!" board. A long while back, I pinned this simple end table to inspire a build someday.

Isn't it perfect?

Storage and simplicity. What more do you need?

Well, I've been meaning to build it, especially after so many of you repinned it (Hey, Thanks! Love you!) but you know, we got so much going on, it just takes me a while to get to everything.

So when my beautiful friend Jen of the House of Wood, wrote saying she would love to build this end table for her living room, I of course said, let's do it!!!!

And this is what Jen made!!!! Isn't it the perfect end table?

Well, to be fair, Jen IS a rock star ...

But we can all build this Perfect End Table too - of course the free step by step plans follow. And please, take a second to stop over and visit Jen and see step by step how she built this end table. Thanks Jen!

Dimensions

Dimensions: 
Perfect End Table
Dimensions: 
Dimensions shown above.

Materials and Tools

Shopping List: 

3 – 2x2 @ 8 feet long
1 – 1x12 @ 8 feet long
1 – 1x3 @ 8 feet long
1 ¼” and 2 ½” PH screws
2” nails or screws for attaching shelves

Tools: 
measuring tape
square
pencil
safety glasses
hearing protection
Kreg Jig™
drill
circular saw
nailer
sander
countersink drill bit

Cut List

Cut List: 

4 – 2x2 @ 23 3/4"
4 – 2x2 @ 11 1/4" (cut these to the width of your 1x12, expected to be 11 1/4")
3 – 2x2 @ 37”
1 – 1x12 @ 40”
1 – 1x12 @ 42”
2 – 1x3 @ 42”

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!

Step 1

Perfect End Table

First build two of the legs.

Step 2

Perfect End Table

Then join the two legs up with the side aprons and bottom support. The bottom support will make sure your bottom shelf doesn't sag.

Step 3

Perfect End Table

Now add your bottom shelf - super easy - just screw through the bottom supports into underside of shelf.

Step 4

Perfect End Table

And then build your top first with 3/4" PHs (pocket holes) and 1 1/4" PH screws (pocket hole screws) and attach same as the bottom shelf. Note: Jen used 3/4" plywood for her top instead - you can do that too!

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.

May I Suggest a Finish?

Staining and Finishing Tabletops
Vintage Distressed Pink using Minwax Stain
Coffee Stained Antique White

Good luck building, have a great weekend!

Side Tables, living room, Beginner, Cottage

10 Comments

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I just found your blog this

I just found your blog this morning from The Idea Room. Already I see at least 10 projects I want to in my home. I can't wait to get your book! Thanks for the inspiration!

posted by Jennifer - Wonderfully Imperfect Life (not verified) | on Fri, 2012-08-31 16:23

This IS the perfect side

This IS the perfect side table! In fact, when I told my husband that the plans were posted today, he asked where the hidden microphones are in our house, because it is EXACTLY what we were just discussing that we wanted! THANKS

posted by Crystal Cassagne (not verified) | on Fri, 2012-08-31 21:25
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Pam the Goatherd's picture

This is exactly what my son

This is exactly what my son wants me to build for a side table to his computer desk. His desk is too small to really keep a mouse and mouse pad on, so he currently has his mouse/pad on a cardboard box next to his desk. I was going to adapt a different table to fit his need, but this one is exactly perfect, no adapting needed. And I believe I have all the wood sitting in my workshop so I don't even have to go to the lumberyard!
Thanks, Ana!

posted by Pam the Goatherd | on Sat, 2012-09-01 17:41

Kreg sale at lowes

The Kreg master system is at lowes now for $139. It includes the face clamp. For a limited time (don't know how long), you get a right angle clamp for free as an add on.

I purchased the Kreg master system and the dremel trio and some scrap wood to practice. This end table is perfect to replace the computer junk area in my living room. This will be my first project.

Any idea on if the dremel trio will be powerful enough to route the tabletop?

posted by Lynnette (not verified) | on Sun, 2012-09-02 09:58
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LuiseW's picture

That's a nice deal. In the

That's a nice deal. In the meantime, Lowes has great news for job-seekers across the country, as well as for the state of the nation's housing recovery. It will be including 45,000 seasonal workers to its payroll this spring. Another 9,000 permanent part-time associate jobs will even be added to its retail shops across the country in the coming months. Read more here.

posted by LuiseW | on Sat, 2013-01-26 00:59

OH thank you!

I was just pricing the Kreg at another store and looking at all of the add-ons... having no idea which ones or how many I would need. (they did not have the master system)! I will be at Lowes as soon as the bus picks up my son in the morning!!!!!!

posted by Sonya Daguinsin (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-09-06 17:06

I'm doing this!

Thanks for the plans Ana! I love your site and I've just started following it. I'm actually building two of these tables for my livingroom.

posted by Burt VC (not verified) | on Mon, 2012-11-05 18:22

Cost?

This is perfect! Do you have an estimated cost of materials? Just for the wood?

posted by DanielleR (not verified) | on Tue, 2012-11-06 14:57

wood costs

I would estimate the cost of the furring strips to be cheaper than my $2.25 for cedar balusters. I would say for one table you are looking at about $25. If you have a piece of plywood already for the top and shelf you can do this for about $10.

Ayisha
Visit me @ http://www.thepursuitofhandyness.com
posted by Mrs.Ajj | on Fri, 2012-12-14 21:11
clips

No Kreg?

Would it be terribly difficult to do this w/o a kreg jig? This would be project #2 (first was the spa bench) and a surprise for the husband. Had to forfeit a lot of furniture in a recent move and this piece would be perfect and the price of materials is just right! :) Would love a Kreg, but there is definitely no room in the budget for one. We have a regular drill and my dad has tons of power tools/saws, but no jig.

posted by tivaclare | on Sun, 2013-02-10 18:12

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