How to Build a Square Coffee Table

Entertaining friends in your home can be a fun way to spend some quality time together, but let's face it, who doesn't like impressing them at the same time? Quality furniture can certainly help, but it is often a burdensome expense. With a little know-how, making your own coffee table can wow your friends and provide a conversation piece for your living room or den. You can customize the size to suit your needs, but for the purpose of this article, our table will measure 24 inches square on the top surface and 18 inches from the floor. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

With the table surface topside down, position and evenly center all four rail pieces in the center of the table's underside so that only the inside corners are touching. This will resemble a square with open corners that will be used for leg attachments later.

2

With the rails sitting on their 1 1/4-inch side, lay each fillet piece flush to the inside of each rail piece. Screw the fillets to the table surface, then screw the rails to the fillets. Slide the support blocks into place between each fillet corner and screw.

3

Chisel one corner off of each leg at a 45-degree angle. This helps create a firmer screw connection. Slide each leg into the corners created by the rail pieces, with the flat corner facing out.

4

Drill a hole the size of the coach bolt into the center of each support block, stopping when the bit clears the flat surface of the leg. Manually screw in each coach bolt, washer first, then fasten the wing nuts.

5

Stain, paint or clear-coat the table, if desired, and allow to dry completely. Sand when dry with find sandpaper to make sure surface is completely smooth.