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Apothecary Console Table

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console table with lots of drawers
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Difficulty
Intermediate
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Free easy DIY plans to build a Apothecary Console, featuring two doors and shelves, with apothecary style false fronts. Inspired by Pottery Barn Andover Console table, build your own with these step by step plans and save.

Photo by KNOXADAM 
 
 

Larger Version of the Apothecary Console

There are so many beautiful Apothecary Media Consoles built by our readers. Check them out.

 
 
From Sam
 
 
From Amanda
 
 
From Tyler
 
 
From Harry
 
 
From Kayleen
 
 
 
 
 
 
And from Brooke
 
 
 
 
Dimensions
dimensions for console table plans
Dimensions are shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 3 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long
  • 1 - 1x2 @ 4 feet long
  • 1 - 1x10 @ 8 feet long
  • 2 - 1x12 @ 6 feet long
  • 1 - 1x12 @ 4 feet long
  • 1 - 1/2 sheet 1/4" plywood (grab a full sheet if you use 1/4" plywood for the door faces)
  • 1 - 1/2 sheet of 1/2" thick hardwood plywood (look in hobby wood section of Lowes)
  • 12 feet of 1x6 boards, 1/4" thick stock (look in hobby section of Lowes, or you could use 1/4" plywood from the back cut into 5 1/2" widths)
  • 20 Knobs or handles
  • 2 sets Euro Style inset hinges (see last step)
Common Materials
2 inch screws
1 1/4 inch finish nails
2 inch finish nails
1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws
Elmer's Wood Glue
Elmer's Wood Filler
120 grit sandpaper
primer
wood conditioner
paint
paint brush
Cut List

Carcass

  • 2 - 1x12 @ 35 1/4" (Sides)
  • 2 - 1x12 @ 35 1/2" (Top/Bottom)
  • 1 - 1x12 @ 32 1/4" (Center)
  • 4 - 1x10 @ 17 3/8" (Shelves)
  • 1 - 1x2 @ 35 1/2" (Footer)
  • 5 - 1x3 @ 35 1/2" (Decorative Top)
  • 1 - 1/4" Plywood @ 35 1/4" x 37" (Back)

Door Faces

  • 2 - 1/2" Plywood @ 32" x 17 1/8"
  • 20 - 1/4" thick, 5 1/2" wide hobby stock boards @ 8 1/8" OR 20 pieces of 1/4" plywood (leftover from back) @ 5 1/2" x 8 1/8"
Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander
Level
Drill Bit Set
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!

Instructions

Step 1

I've included pocket holes for Kreg Jig users. But certainly, you can (and I did for many years) build with glue and screws or a finish nailer. You will want to use 2" fasteners and check for square after each step. Build the box as shown above.

Step 2

Once your box is built, add shelves as shown above. In the diagram, shelves are spaced 10" apart. You can space any distance apart to suit your needs. I recommend making one shelf set fixed, but you could use shelf pins to make one shelf adjustable.

Step 3

Now add the 1x2 footer as shown above.

Step 4

Attach back with nails and glue, making sure the box is square, and you nail into fixed shelves.

Step 5

Step 6

Carefully cut the 1/2" plywood doors and fit to the openings. There should be approximately a 1/8" gap on all sides, and the doors sit inset. Once satisfied, layout the faces and glue down. Clamp and let dry. If you have 5/8" nails, tack down as well - but remember, all those knobs aren't letting those faces go anywhere.

Step 7

The best hinges to use with these cabinet doors (and easiest to install) are these:

I find them cheaper at Lowes, but also available at the Home Depot.  Follow the instructions that come with the hinges.
Another note, before you put the back on, you could position the door (remember it sets 3/4" inset totally, to include the false fronts) in the opening and attach hinges. Mark the location of the hinges when you are happy that there is a even gap around all sides of the door, and uninstall the hinges.  That way, when you go to install the door, you have the location marked out.
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
Room
Entryway and Mudroom
living room
Style
Cottage Style Furniture Plans
Farmhouse Furniture

Comments

blessednest

Thu, 06/16/2011 - 13:00

that barnwood console table just stole my heart! I LOVE THIS! awesome plan that I will most likely end up building eventually

Jami H

Thu, 06/16/2011 - 13:09

Haha!! I JUST built this with my own plans. I modified the plans, but with 8 drawers. I'll post pics when I'm done painting it. :) Another good one, Ana.

Nancy Lewis (not verified)

Thu, 06/16/2011 - 14:07

Anna,

Love this, as I love all your stuff. Printing the plans but can only get part 1 :(. Am I doing something wrong? Am printing the printer friendly version but even on the web page only see part 1. Thank you.

waltbs

Thu, 06/16/2011 - 20:18

I just built something very similar for my wife. We needed additional storage for our daughter's toys so I built something she could slide baskets into. I just posted it so check it out. Thanks for all the great plans, I have built a handful of things and think the plans are great as a basis for even the most complicated builds.

Spring

Mon, 07/25/2011 - 15:27

I'm a furniture addict and I'm going to need a bigger house. That is all there is to it. I want one of these soooo bad I can smell the saw dust. I'm thinking what a chic looking fish tank stand thisbwould make. My tank is a monster so I would have to modify it just a bit to be able to take the weight but I'd love to look at this everyday then the ugly thing that came with the tank!

robertson411

Mon, 01/23/2012 - 16:25

I just found this and am going to start on it tomorrow..looking forward to it! I'm thinking 2 doors of 2x4 false drawer faces and 2 actual drawers of 2x1 false drawer faces above the drawers.

loveSaturday

Mon, 11/21/2016 - 07:17

The cut list for this Apothecary Console Table has an incorrect measurement.

 

5 - 1x3 @ 35 1/2" (Decorative Top) should actually be @ 37". 

 

Don't be like me, who now has 5 nice pieces that are 1.5" too short :(

 

Other than that, the instructions were great and I'm so happy with how the piece is turning out :)