DIY 3-in-1 Coffee Table

DIY Coffee Table
Disclaimer: This post is brought to you in partnership with 3MDIY.com. All the ideas are mine and the content is still just as awesome as ever :)...or so I would like to think lol.

 Alright. I've been on a crazy building binge the past few weeks. I might say in a way its therapeutic. Therapeutic for what, I have no idea. lol. Maybe therapeutic for my ever changing mind??? Well, today I'm going to show you how to make an awesome 3-in-1 coffee table. It can probably even be changed to a 4-in-1 coffee table plus side tables if you want to separate them. I've been wanting to make this design for the longest time. It popped up in my head a year or so again but I had no reason to make it. I simply love my tree stump tables, and adore my tufted ottoman that I have in the front room. I spent years looking for the perfect (and cheap) ottoman. So, it's kinda hard to say goodbye. But now that its been a good year or so. I figure it may be time for change, so why not give it a whirl, right? lol. Right.

Okay. So first is to get measuring. But...luckily I already did that for you :) Here are your cuts:
For the biggest table:
Four 1x6: Cut at 25"
Eight 2x6: Cut at 19.5"
Two 1x2: Cut at 21.75"

For the smaller tables (times this by two to get two tables, the amount of cuts below are for one table)
Three 1x6: Cut at 21.5"
Eight 2x6: Cut at 15.5"
Two 1x2: Cut at 16.5"

First Step is cutting all your wood. There's a lot of pieces so have fun :) Make sure to use all proper safety precautions like putting on your eyewear and respiratory protectors, 3M TEKK Protection
makes great products for these :) You may look like a goof, but look...I'm totally rockin' it. lol. ...oh and probably don't cut on the ground like I do...but to my defense, it was only there for a minute ;)
 Step 2: Secure each 1x6 to two 2x6 pieces. Having the 1x6 layover the top edges of the 2x6.
 Since you are drilling holes into the top of your table, you are going to want to make sure the screws are hidden when all is said and done. So make sure you use a countersink drill bit to drill the hole, and then screw the screw in. The head of the screw should be well beneath the wood surface now.

 Step 3: Once you have secured all the pieces of 1x6 and 2x6s together separately, its now time to put them together to make a table. I used these brackets that I found for 88 cents each and screwed them into each adjoining wood piece, as show above.
 Your table should look something like this now, maybe a little wobbly still but we'll fix that in the next step.
 Step 4: Secure the 1x2 to the bottom of each side of legs. This will give even more stability to the table, and finishes off the look beautifully. Screw one screw in per 2x6. You may find that you need to screw in 2 screws per 2x6 depending on how bad the 2x6 is bowed (watch my quick video below to see how I pick out my wood to make sure its not bowed or curved :) )

Yay! The table is done :) Now for making it pretty.
 Step 5: Get some wood filler and fill in all the holes that are left from the screws. Wait for it to expand and dry.
 Step 6: Next is to sand these babies down. I used 3M Advanced Abrasives120 grit sandpaper that's made to flatten grain. Holy smokes, it worked like a charm :) I'm not sure what kind I was using before, but this stuff rocks. lol. It proves how important it is to use the right grit of sandpaper for your project. Also, make sure to sand down the wood filler in your holes to get  a smooth finish.
 I decided to take a different route this time out of nowhere, and sand the corners of tables into a round edge. I guess I have baby proofing my house on the brain ;) Although, I'm not sure how well this will really be baby proof, but at least there are no harsh corners. To do this, just take the sander and move it around the edge, its really easy. It took maybe ten seconds on each edge to get this look.

Once you have sanded, wipe up the dust and start priming. And then....paint! I did two colors for mine. The two smaller tables are Glidden's Crisp Linen White and the large table is Behr's Chocolate Froth. Its barely a difference but it has the perfect contrast, you can see the contrast best in the last two pictures.
White Coffee Table

Nesting Coffee Table
Now for playing around with these little guys. You have a multitude of ways to display these. As you know, I have a billion pillows, so this was the perfect place to fit some more. They get used all the time when guests come over, or even when me or the hubs sit/lay on the floor. So, this first way is to display the pillows (or whatever you want underneath) outward. With the measurements I gave you, the smaller tables are the exact length of the big table when you put them this way.

DIY Coffee Table

DIY Coffee Table
 The next way is putting them facing all the same direction.  It lengthens the table a little bit but now offers a perfect place to sit on the floor and put your legs underneath it and have it act like a miniature table :) I'm doing that right now with my laptop on top. Love it.
DIY Nesting Table

nesting coffee table
The next way is to nestle them together and create a tiered look. Once again, the measurements of the smaller tables let you fit them in the bigger table perfectly. You can put them all the way in, or leave them out a little bit.

Now for a few other ideas, you can use the smaller tables as side tables and use the big table for a single coffee table. Or you can have one of the small tables on a side of the big table kitty corner to other small table to make somewhat of an L.

Here's a short video on some tips you can use when making this table from both me and 3MDIY.com. Don't laugh too hard :) I did this by the seat of my pants and was having a bad hair day. lol You know how it goes ;)

My only question now for you is....should I keep these tables and replace my stumps? Should I replace my ottoman? Should I just get rid of the tables all together and sell them??? lol. Decisions decisions. All I know, is that I'm really liking these tables. I think this dilemma is the exact reason why I didn't want to make them in the first place ;) Hard dilemma to have, I know.... lol


This post is brought to you in partnership with 3M DIY. Learn how to work smart and be prepared at 3MDIY.com.
3M DIY Starts Here.
 

27 comments

  1. I love how clean and bright your room looks!

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  2. Oh my goodness this is perfection! I've been actually trying to come up with a way to make those crates into a coffe table. I think you definately inspired me! Thanks!

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  3. I could highlight every. single. thing on your blog! you are amazing. Love the coffee tables (but I miss the stumps too!)

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  4. You go girl! Love this! Still trying to get my fiance sold on the monocramatic living room idea... But I'm such a fan!

    xoxo Shauna

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  5. I love this table So very cute and creative. You go girl!! This is ah-may-zing!!

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  6. OMGosh! I love that coffee table! It's so different, you really are inspiring. I haven't been able to say this to you but, congratulations on your little one, I know you are so excited.

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  7. Oh great. I love both the stump and the new set up, I can't tell which one I like more!! Seriously, just when I swore off of projects for the next little while, I now want to make the coffee tables.

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  8. Love these tables! I think I might have to do this for our game room or even at the foot of our bed. And it's funny, I looked at the difference in the 2 colors you chose and it made so much sense to make them just a tad different. It really does give it a nice contrast. Genius!

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  9. Oh this is super fab!! I'm so glad I found you on TT&J. I love to build furniture....I've been trying to figure out a coffee table to build, but was afraid I was going to half to get an ottoman. This is perfect since you can split it up and so many uses. Thanks so much!!

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  10. These tables are awesome. Perfect for storage, can be moved around as needed, and can be nesting tables too. The possibilities seem endless! Also, I always love anything painted a nice crisp white. Nice work!

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  11. I love these tables! So fun, functional and beautiful!....great job!

    Danielle - hopping over from the weekend wrap up party!
    organizationalhysteria.com

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  12. These tables are just gorgeous! You did a great job! :)

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  13. So, I showed my husband this blog entry, so that I could see what he thought of these table, and he says, "I like the antler.... I think I have one just like it somewhere." sigh* Just so you know, someone out there thinks that your antler is the best part of your living room decor lol!

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    1. lol I love it. That's my husbands contribution to the living room :) At least he can never say I don't try :)

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  14. It turned out awesome!! I love it! I've had fun looking over your blog. I would love to have you come share at my link party, as well! It's hosted every Saturday, but you can still enter. Hope to see you there! http://www.oneshetwoshe.com/2012/09/hello-weekend-50-mikarose-giveaway.html

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  15. I came back and featured this post on somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

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  16. I am needing to replace my coffee table and this might just be the ticket, just wondering if you had a cost for this project. Mainly just the wood cost as obviously paint types change price again.

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  17. These tables are soooo gorgeous!! This is such a good idea! Your house looks awesome in pictures, but I don't think pictures give it justice. If only everyone could see it in person its 10X better!!!!! Which room did you do that video in? is it in the basement? I can't wait to see your adorable nursery!! Which I will be spending a lot of time in with your little one hahahaha... can't wait!!!

    -Your FAVORITE sister-in-law :)

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  18. Those look so awesome! We'd love for you to link this up to our party! http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/2012/09/riverton-housewives-round-up-32.html

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  19. White! I am loving the white! You look awesome manning that saw, by the way! I would LOVE if you would share this at my Crazy Cute Party happening right now! I've got a totally awesome giveaway that you could win just for linking up! Come on over! ;D

    Between U & Me

    Oh! And I'm your newest follower!

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  20. Those look FAB!! You are my superhero!! A woman who makes stuff AND uses the tools herself!! I need a lesson (or 12) from you sista!!

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  21. Love this whole project idea! I fantasize about starting a small wood working project and this is the perfect one to tackle! Thanks for the inspiration and the video was great!

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  22. Bonjour, j'ai laissé 1 message sous la video (You Tube) Merci à nouveau. Vi

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  23. This is awesome! Probably not the smartest of ideas to use a chop saw bare foot, but I must admit, I do the same thing every time!

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  24. I love the way you do all these projects yourself then share exactly how to do them. The finished product is simply beautiful!

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  25. Girl, what an inspiration! Loved seeing you out there barefoot - just like me! I think I have pinned every page I have visited/ Thank you for sharing.

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happy DIYing! Alicia