1. Home
  2. Plan Catalog

Shanty Open Shelf Console

The free plans on this website are made possible with advertising and affiliate links.  Thank you for helping us keep plans free.

 

tall open shelf console table
|save this plan
Difficulty
Intermediate
| Print this plan

Free plans to build an open shelf console from Ana-White.com.  This beautiful console features two cubbies for baskets and cabinet doors to hide more storage. 

Step by step plans include shopping and cut list, diagrams, and lots of reader submitted photos.  

Why We Built this Console Table

My friend Whitney from Shanty2Chic loved the Cyndi Console Plans, but wanted something a little taller.  So she modified the plans and came up with this!  

And of course, we had to share the new plans with you!  I love this little console - it could work in any room of the home and store soooo much!  

Here's from Whitney: "I LOVE my new table! I needed a little height in this part of my kitchen and this baby fit the bill. I love DIY... I love that I don't have to shop around forever, and spend a ton of money to get a piece that fits my home. I can build it myself! Thanks so much for working with me on this one Ana!"

 

Want to build it too?  Of course, we've got the plans right below, but please, first take a second and check out tons more photos and building tips in Whitney's post over at Shanty2Chic.  

 

 

 

Dimensions
console table plans with baskets
Dimensions shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 1 sheet 3/4" plywood cut into strips 11 1/4" wide (Whitney used PureBond Formaldehyde Free Plywood) or you can use 3 - 1x12 boards @ 8 feet long
  • 1 - 1x4 @ 6 feet long
  • 2 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long
  • 2 - 1x3 @ 6 feet long
  • 1/4 plywood (Whitney used PureBond) for back and door backs
  • Recommend pocket hole construction with 1 1/4" pocket hole screws
  • 1" and 1 1/4" brad nails for attaching face frame and 1/4" plywood
Cut List
  • Sides - 2- 1x12 @ 39 1/4"
  • Top - 1- 1x12 @ 39 1/2"
  • Bottom Shelf - 1- 1x12 @ 36" (I positioned this shelf where the top of the shelf is 7 3/4" from the top of the cabinet)
  • Center Divider - 1- 1x12 @ 35 3/4"
  • Shelves under baskets - 2 - 1x12 @ 17 5/8"
  • Footer Front - 1- 1x4 @ 39"
  • Footer sides - 2 - 1x4 @ 11 1/4"
  • Front Trim - 3 - 1x2 @ 35 3/4"
  • Top front - 1- 1x2 @ 39 1/2"
  • Doors - Whitney used 1x3 for the doors.
  • Door tops - 16 1/4"
  • Door Sides - 21 1/4" 1/4"
  • PureBond for the doors at 16"x26"
  • Optional shelves on inside from scraps. If you use the 1x12 it will need to be cut down about an inch to make room for the flush doors.
  • Back - 1/4" PureBond @ 37 1/2 x 39"
Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular Saw
Miter Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander
General Instructions

 

For long term durability and more professional results, I recommend using a pocket hole joinery system for wood joints.  Here is a video with tips for using a pocket hole jig:

Instructions

Step 1

Build the box first. I recommend using 3/4" pocket holes and 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and glue.

Step 2

Attach back with glue and finish nails. Attach to center divider and all fixed shelves.

Step 3

Attach footer sides with finish nails and glue.

Step 4

I recommend building face frame first with pocket holes, then attaching completed face frame to front of cabinet with glue and finish nails.

Step 5

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.
Project Type
Console Table Plans
Buffet, Sideboard and Credenza Plans
Room
Bathroom
Bedroom
dining room
Entryway and Mudroom
Kids and Toys
living room
Nursery and Baby
office
Storage Solutions
Style
Farmhouse Furniture

Comments

lscrandall

Tue, 08/06/2013 - 20:14

This weekend I took the plans from the SHANTY OPEN SHELF CONSOLE and modified it to become a wine cabinet. This wine cabinet is being donated to a local children's charity (United Services for Children) for their big auction night on August 17th here in St Charles Missouri. We hope the piece brings their school the much needed funds. Thank you Ana for providing a plan I could modify in a weekend to get this piece completed! You are awesome!!! PS - The momplex is looking great!

cassiet717

Tue, 10/22/2013 - 13:44

Step 4 shows trim for the bottoms of the open shelves (2 - 16 1/2" pieces), but I don't see that on the cut list. Is it not supposed to be trimmed there or was it maybe left out?

SarahC

Wed, 11/18/2015 - 14:59

What kind of wood do you suggest using for the 1x2, 1x3, 1x4? Are furring strips ok or not for this kind of project? It's my first build and I plan on painting it.

Ana White Admin

Thu, 11/19/2015 - 12:23

I'd go with pine or doug fir and stir away from firring strips for this project. 

cslavinsky

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 18:46

We have a slab of granite in our garage that would make the perfect top for this cabinet.  Are there any adjustments that I would need to make in order to use the granite for the top?  It's pretty heavy.  Also, would I be able to use casters on the bottom, or should I leave it as is if I'm going to use the granite?