The beauty of a plywood coffee table is its simplicity, clean lines, and flexibility—it enhances any interior design. And the fact that you made it yourself means you can customize the size and design to meet your needs. This easy guide will help you build a plywood minimalist coffee table!
What You Will Need:
Plywood (Usually 1 sheet of 3/4 inch thick plywood will be required for a small coffee table)
Saw (For cutting the plywood: circular saw, a jigsaw, or table saw)
Measuring tape or ruler
Pencil for marking
Wood glue
Screws (For holding pieces together)
Screwdriver
Sandpaper (An electrical sander will work faster)
Wood stains/paint (For finishing)
Legs (hairpin legs in metal or wooden legs, depending on your style)
Drill (Optional for pre-drilling holes for screws)
Clamps (Optional, to hold together the pieces while glue dries)
Brush or rag (For applying stain or paint)
Step 1. Plan and Measure Your Design
Before cutting anything, take a minute to choose the intended size of the coffee table. The dimensions most commonly used for a minimalist coffee table would be around these measurements:
Length: 40–50 inches
Width: 20–30 inches
Height: 15–20 inches (change height according to the seating height)
Following the decision regarding the size, use the measuring tape to mark cuts on the plywood. Your needs would be:
1 tabletop piece (the main surface)
4 side pieces (for the frame or edges around the table)
One might want to assume that if going with the light, open-frame look, one must have just the tabletop and 4 legs; however, if you would like the table to possess a lower shelf, you would also need to measure and cut a second piece for the shelf.
Step 2. Cut the Pieces from Plywood
With measurements marked, it is now time for plywood cutting, Using a circular saw, jigsaw, or table saw, cut the plywood to the appropriate sizes:
Cut the tabletop: Cut the plywood to the desired size for the table, for instance, 40 x 24 inches.
Cut for the sides (if desired): If putting sides/frames on: Cut four pieces of plywood to encase the edgers of the tabletop.
Cut for the shelf (if desired): If installing a lower shelf: Cut for a piece of plywood that fits underneath the tabletop.
Just remember: these cuts should be well-thought-out; take your good time to stabilize the cut lines to ensure a straight and clean cut!
Step 3. Sand the Edges and Surfaces
Sand all edges and surfaces of the plywood after all pieces are cut. Start with a very rough grit, say 80-grit, to ease up the cuts, then slowly go through finer grits, say 120 or 220, until you achieve a nice luster on the table.
Sanding is an important consideration to make the table look polished and smooth in touch, especially on the edges where the plywood layers are exposed.
Step 5: Attach the Legs
This is where you will attach the legs. While metal hairpin legs project a modern and minimalist feel, wooden legs can also work just fine!
Position the legs: Mark the area where you want to attach the legs (which is sometimes at all corners or evenly spaced around the edge).
Pre-drill holes: Death any small holes into the corners of the table-top where the legs will attach.
Attach the legs: Screw the legs into position. The hairpin legs usually attach by mounting brackets that screw into the tabletop. Wooden legs will be securely fastened into place by screws.
Step 6: Finish the Table
Now that the table is assembled, it is time to put a finish on it, to protect the wood, and, of course, for looks.
Stain or paint the table: Select either a wood stain or paint color to suit your decorating style. Apply the stain or paint with either a brush or rag and allow to dry according to the instructions. You can apply additional coats for a richer color or more protection.
Topcoat: A clear polyurethane topcoat is a good choice to protect the wood and add sheen. This item is especially good if you expect to use the table often. Do not use until the finish is completely dry.
Step 7: Enjoy Your New Minimalist Coffee Table!
Now that the table is done and dry, you can carry it inside and decorate it. Position your new minimalist coffee table in the living room and beautify it with a few decorative items-a vase, a couple of books, perhaps some candles. The simple design of the coffee table will complement any decor, thus making it an ideal component of your home.
Tips for a Pro Finish:
Use quality plywood: For that clean modern look, use a high-quality plywood with a smooth face, such as birch or maple.
Accuracy: Measure twice if necessary, time wasted, cut once! Accurate cuts mean your table pieces will fit together nicely and this, afterwards, projects an overall professional finish.
Don’t Stick to the Original: Rather, you can create a scandal by switching the legs with any other legs that you have—hairpins, wood, maybe even mid-century-style legs? Match those with your home décor.
Personal Touch: Of course, go ahead and paint the legs a contrasting color (think black legs with a light wood top), paint geometric patterns on it for a new-age look, and so much more!
Conclusion
This is a very easy and exciting project to do for making a plywood coffee table that creates a personal touch in your home. With a dash of creative thinking, some tools, and a little patience, you would have just successfully made an awesome, usable coffee table that speaks your style and goes easy on your budget. So go gather your supplies and wish it luck as you embark on this DIY project today!
Happy building! 🛠️