How to Build a Storage Coffee Table

Coffee tables are as integral to any comfortable living room as chairs and lamps. Their flat surfaces easily hold food and beverages during movie nights or sporting events, as well as board games to play with the family. And, of course, they’re a comfortable place for your cup of Joe in the morning as you welcome the new day.

This project focuses on creating a simple yet elegant coffee table with storage space to get stuff out of the way.

Cutting List

3/4″  Plywood

KEY	QTY.	DIMENSIONS
A – Top	1	48″ x 24″
B – Casework Sides	2	22-1/8″ x 13″
C – Casework Top / Bottom	2	46-3/4″ x 22-1/8″
D – Casework Dividers	2	22-1/8″ x  11-1/4″

Solid Wood

KEY	QTY.	DIMENSIONS	THICKNESS
E – Top Edge (Short)**	2	25-1/2″ x 1-1/2″	3/4″
F – Top Edge (Long)**	2	49-1/2″ x 1-1/2″	3/4″
G – Face Frame Stiles	4	13″ x 1-1/2″	3/4″
H – Face Frame Rails	4	43-3/4″ x 1-1/2″	3/4″
J – Face Frame Mullions	4	10″ x 1-1/2″	3/4″
K – Base Sides (Short)	2	19″ x  2″	3/4″
L – Base Sides (Long)	2	43″ x  2″	3/4″
M – Braces**	4	13-1/2″ x 1-1/2″	3/4″
N – Legs	4	5″ x 1-1/2″	1-1/2″
** – Miters Required

Cut the Parts

Once you’ve selected a wood species, cut the parts above from a sheet of 3/4-inch plywood and solid lumber. Notice that parts E, F, and M require mitered ends, which I suggest cutting while dry-fitting them to their surrounding components.

For this project, the base, casework and top should be constructed separately, then assembled. Let’s start from the base and work our way up.

Article source here: How to Build a Storage Coffee Table