In the era of electronic media, few bother to read printed publications. Despite this, coffee tables still occupy a place of honor in every home.
In addition to their direct purpose, they can be used for other useful things: serving a light breakfast or dinner, minor repairs and home creativity.
Simplicity of construction, a variety of shapes and designs, a minimum of tools - all these advantages of coffee tables attract the attention of home craftsmen. In our article, we will make a detailed review of popular homemade products and give practical advice on how to make them.
Design options for coffee tables
The easiest way is to make a coffee table with your own hands, using edged boards, veneered chipboard or MDF.
In order to hide the connection points of the plates, the classic method is used - assembly on round wooden spikes (dowels). All that is required from the home master in this case is to accurately mark the installation locations of the spikes on the ends of the sidewalls and drill the mounting holes for them in the bottom and top covers.
The simplest coffee table made of MDF board
To increase the rigidity of the structure between its side walls, you need to install a vertical cross member. A small niche for storing magazines and other little things will not be superfluous here. It can be made from a plate left after cutting the covers and sidewalls.
Mobility is a useful option of the table. It is implemented by installing furniture wheels on the bottom. Compact transport wheels can be hidden, or you can buy larger ones and deliberately highlight them. So we get an original table on wheels from polished bars supporting a massive wooden table top.
For those to whom mobility does not play a big role, and who want to see a solid rustic-style table in their home, we can offer a variant of powerful boards. Such a table will undoubtedly become one of the main decorations in the living room of any country house.
Reasonable laziness, combined with a thirst for creativity, often leads to interesting discoveries. One of them is a table made from an old tire.
It's very easy to assemble:
- Two circles with a diameter of 3-4 cm less than the outer size of the tire are cut out in the chipboard plate.
- Four metal legs are screwed to the first circle.
- The bottom and the cover are fixed with self-tapping screws to the sides of the wheel.
- The jute rope is used to decorate the sidewalls and the lid.
Homemade design from an old tire looks great
So it turns out an unusual coffee table, which, if necessary, can be used as a banquette.
The idea of using "random" items to create home furnishings proved to be extremely productive. She gave life to numerous homemade products from boxes and pallets. A little imagination and a minimum of expenses are required in order to assemble a coffee table made of wood based on four standard drawers.
The assembly algorithm looks like this: the boxes are placed on edge, placing them in a circle one after the other. Having connected the structure with the help of self-tapping screws, a shelf is made in its center. Here you can put a flower vase or pour decor from river pebbles or shells. The woodworking is completed with sandpaper, stain and varnish.
Natural wood does not need sophisticated decor. Using it for interior decoration, complement the decor with a simple table. To assemble it, you will need several planed bars and slats of a picket fence.
The frame of the base will look solid and massive when using a contrasting color combination with the top. To do this, the bars need to be tinted with a dark stain, leaving the cover in the natural color of the pine sawlog.
Wood in furniture goes well with metal. You can verify this by making a loft-style coffee table on metal legs. Its cover is assembled from three pieces of tongue-and-groove board "forty" and framed with a cornice plank.
To make the legs, you will need a welding machine, a piece of steel plate 1.5-2.0 mm thick and several scraps of smooth reinforcing steel with a diameter of 10-14 mm.
Having bent four rods according to the template, square pieces of plates (or thick carpentry corners as in the photo) are welded to them and alternately attached to a tabletop assembled from a grooved board. For final finishing, you need to grind, toned and varnish the lid, sides and paint the legs.
Instead of a bar for the manufacture of the base, you can use a rectangular profile pipe. Having welded two rectangles from it, cleaned the seams and covered the metal with silver paint, we will get reliable supports for the tabletop, assembled from thick oak boards.
To increase stability, the metal sidewalls under the cover are connected with a piece of a profile pipe.
Coffee tables with sawn wood tops look very impressive. Finding this basic element is easy. At any sawmill you will be offered a "semi-finished product" of the right size. An electric planer and a belt grinder will help you bring it to condition.
The legs of the table can be made from thick bars or a rebar can be used for them. The contrast between the massive top and the light metal base gives the structure a touch of exclusive design.
Another interesting option for combining materials is wood and glass. The tabletop can be oval or round, resting on a cruciform base of two bar frames.
Crafted from a wooden pallet and covered with square glass, this movable coffee table looks stylish and modern.
The glass gives a rich look to the entire structure and closes the gaps between the pallet slats through which small objects can fall onto the floor.
Those who prioritize functionality will surely like the transforming coffee table. Through simple manipulations, it radically changes not only its height, but also its appearance.
In the assembled state, it is an ordinary stand for magazines and newspapers. By lifting the two sides with legs, we increase the height of the table and expand the surface of the tabletop to a “dinner format”.
The basis of another transforming system is two metal frame-pedestals. Each of them is hinged to the tabletop. In the assembled position, they lie horizontally, and when the lids are lifted, they turn on hinges and stand upright.
The height of the unfolded structure is 73 cm. This is quite enough to use the transformer as a computer desk.
Its cover consists of two plates that can be shifted horizontally. In this case, one plate rotates on a hinge around its axis. If necessary, such a transformer can be turned into a dining table for 4 people in a matter of seconds.
Coffee table transformer "three in one"
Someone creates folding adaptive systems, and someone successfully experiments with ordinary plywood scraps. The result of the search for new forms was such an unusual coffee table.
We can only be surprised at the scrupulous accuracy of the calculation and its talented embodiment in a visible image.
Theoretically, everything looks simple: the base is sequentially glued together from three dozen plywood frames. Each of them has a certain angle of inclination of the legs.
In practice, to calculate all the elements of a plywood stand, a three-dimensional modeling program is needed.
The plywood “pie” assembled together attracts the eye with an unusual futuristic shape. A glass lid completes this piece of innovative carpentry technology.
“We would like something simpler, but also beautiful,” the home master will say. Please, there is a table no less elegant, but more affordable to manufacture. It consists of three packs of thin planed boards.
Numerous slots in the type-setting table top can be covered with a glass cover.
A few words need to be said about the connection of glass with wood. The best solution is to use a transparent "optical" glue. It is quite difficult to drill thick glass at home without causing irreparable damage to it. So give up the idea of mechanical fixation and let modern chemistry do its best.
Self-manufacturing
Speaking about the material for the countertop, we completely forgot about the wooden lining. This is an excellent material at hand, equally suitable for creating a lid, sides and legs.
Tabletop made of eurolining - beautiful and reliable
The shape of the tabletop from the lining can be any. The lid, assembled from wooden planks, is cut with an electric jigsaw along a given contour.
To make a coffee table from a lining, we need several tools:
- screwdriver;
- jigsaw;
- belt grinder;
- hacksaw;
- roulette.
The dimensions of the finished product and the design of the docking units should be thought out in advance and entered into the draft drawing.
The finishing of the table is carried out in two stages. Before assembly, sand the surface of the lid, bottom and legs with sandpaper. After completion of the work, the wood is covered with a tinting stain and a colorless varnish.
It is even easier to make a coffee table made of chipboard. This material performs two functions at once: it forms a continuous surface and carries the load. We recommend using veneered board, as paint and varnish cannot hide the texture of wood chips on bare chipboard.
After completing the assembly, you need to close all the edges (tabletops, bottom and legs) with plastic furniture tape, warming it up with a building hair dryer before gluing.
Reading time ≈ 4 minutes
A coffee table made of wood with your own hands can become exactly that interior detail that will add completeness and atmosphere to the whole room. After all, this will not be a trivial acquisition from a furniture store, but a hand-made thing. Do not be discouraged if you do not have special knowledge in the field of carpentry. We will tell you how to make a coffee table without an expensive tool and a lot of experience in our master class.
Choice of drawing, materials and tools
For the manufacture of a table, you can use many materials: glass, metal, plywood, chipboard. We will consider a simple option with wooden beams and boards, which a person without experience can easily implement.
First you need to think over the drawings of the table, based on which the necessary materials and tools will be selected. The simplest, most convenient and versatile option is the classic model of a rectangular table with four legs. Table top and leg height can be customized to suit your needs.
Drawing of a classic coffee table.
Therefore, for the manufacture of the table you will need the following materials:
- Wooden beam 40*40 mm (total length 1.6 m).
- Board planed for tsargi 50 * 20 (total length 3 m).
- Planed board for countertop 10*20 mm (total length 3.2 m).
- Self-tapping screws.
- Putty for wood.
- Lacquer or paint for decorative finishes.
Instead of boards for the countertop, you can take a sheet of waterproof plywood and cut the countertop out of it. In this case, the manufacture of the table will be even simpler.
Master's advice: the drawer (the frame between the legs of the table, on which the tabletop rests) must be done, otherwise the structure will be unstable and deform over time.
It is also worth preparing the following simple tools:
- Wood saw or jigsaw.
- Electric screwdriver.
- Sandpaper (grinding nozzle for a drill / grinder).
- Level.
- Marking pencil.
Stage-by-stage production of a table
Step by step workflow:
Coffee table before painting.
Master's advice: after each layer of varnish, the product must be carefully sanded with fine-grained sandpaper (grain size 20-40 microns).
Thus, it will take you no more than a few hours to make a wooden coffee table with your own hands, as a result of which you will get a beautiful, easy-to-use product.
Video: making a coffee table from bars.
Many things can be done by hand. It is difficult in most cases, only at first glance. The new review has collected examples of unique and amazing coffee tables that craftsmen have made with their own hands.
1. Old suitcase
Old suitcases are real finds for designers and out-of-the-box thinkers. Through simple manipulations, suitcases turn into unique furniture and decor items. For example, you can turn an unnecessary suitcase into an original coffee table by simply screwing the legs to it. Such a table will add charm to both a bachelor's apartment and a family living room decorated in a classic style.
2. Boards
Instead of going to the furniture store and buying a finished product, get creative and go to the hardware store for wooden blocks and metal legs. Next, you should connect the boards to each other and screw the boards to them. A handmade table is a unique and versatile thing, as wooden furniture fits perfectly into any interior.
3. Battery
Got new batteries? However, do not rush to throw away the old cast iron radiator. Buy a piece of glass and turn an old battery into an original coffee table that you definitely won't see in the store or your friends.
4. Framed window
An old framed window is a wonderful material for creating a charming living room coffee table. Screw the legs wrapped with coarse ropes to the frame and decorate the surface of the table with beads and shells.
5. Logs
A stunning low table can be made from small logs. First you need to assemble the base of the table from plywood, glue wooden bars around the perimeter, and close the middle with a plywood lid. Next, you need to glue thin wooden cuts on the plywood cover so that it seems as if the table is made entirely of logs, screw the legs and carefully cover all the cracks.
6. Wooden cuts
Large wooden saw cuts are an amazing material for creating a beautiful and original table that will become a real highlight of the living room and will last for many years. Making such a table is easy. It is necessary to carefully process the wood and fasten the two saw cuts together, glue a wide wooden leg bar in the center and open the surface with varnish.
7. Pallet
Wooden pallets are an excellent material for creating a wide variety of furniture: sofas, beds, chairs and of course tables. First, you should get a pallet, carefully clean it and paint it in the desired color. There is nothing left to do - screw the legs and put the glass tabletop on top.
8. Wire reel
A large wooden reel for wires is a practical ready-made coffee table. Of course, getting it is not so easy, but if you are lucky, you know what to do with it.
9. Tire
There are many ideas for creating original furniture from waste car tires. For example, you can make a charming table out of a tire, a piece of plywood, a few pieces of wood, and coarse rope.
10. Glass
A budget and very original table for a modern living room, to create which you will need square-shaped glass and low castor legs.
11. Glass and books
The original idea of recycling unwanted books. Of course, this is not about fiction and the works of the classics, but about old textbooks that are gathering dust on the shelves. In addition to books, you will also need a small piece of glass and a frame. Insert the glass into a pre-painted frame and attach the finished structure to the book columns.
12. Chest
Wooden table and bowl.
Sometimes, even a broken trough can do a good job. For example, it is useful for creating a coffee table. In addition to a metal bowl that acts as a leg, you will also need a round countertop made of chipboard or wood.
15. Old table
An old coffee table can be an excellent material for creating a new table. You just need to paint the legs and cover the table with a fabric of the desired color.
Choosing a coffee table. Advantages and disadvantages of each material. Which table to choose for your interior? Do you need shelves and drawers in a coffee table? Photo ideas for inspiration: a transforming table. We make a coffee table with our own hands.
Material choice, pros and cons
The coffee table is considered the most functional and versatile piece of furniture in any interior. It is present in almost every living room. Often it can be found in. The coffee table will fit even on yours if you like to sit there reading or working on the computer. With its help, the space will become more comfortable and aesthetically more beautiful. We will tell you what types of coffee tables are divided into, what materials exist for their manufacture, as well as the pros and cons of each.
| Classification: | Classification characteristic: |
|---|---|
By form; Height; According to the material from which the frame is made; According to the material from which the countertop is made; Depending on the mode of travel; Depending on the presence of a folding mechanism. | Circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, polygon, arbitrary (unusual) tabletop shape; The average height of an ordinary coffee table does not exceed 50 cm (however, there are models of lower and higher tables); Wood (snag, stump), glass, metal (forged products), plastic; Wood, chipboard (laminated), “wickerwork” (vine), fabric or leather upholstery, tempered glass (including tinted glass), plastic, veneer, metal sheets, mirror surface, stone, mosaic; On wheels (mobile) and without (stationary); Tables-transformers or ordinary. |
The coffee table is considered the most functional and versatile piece of furniture in any interior. It is present in almost every living room. Often it can be found in a spacious bedroom.
from wood
Wooden coffee tables are the most popular option that can easily fit into almost any interior. It is enough to choose a shade that will be in harmony with the rest of the furniture in this room. It is desirable that the decoration of such a table was made in the appropriate style.
From glass
Decorating their home in a modern style, people began to pay more attention to models of coffee tables made of glass. They look quite "airy" due to their transparency. Nevertheless, the most unusual materials can be selected as a support at such tables - tree snags, deer antlers, corals and others.
metal
The metal is difficult to process, which is why the models of such coffee tables are expensive. They are also heavy in weight, which makes it difficult to move them around the room. But they are durable, they are not afraid of any damage.
Choosing a coffee table depending on the overall style of the room
Look at the examples of interior design, including the presence of a coffee table, in the catalog - you can see how diverse they can be (in form, materials, decor elements and purpose):
When choosing a coffee table for the living room, clearly consider what “duties” you assign to it.
Classical
The most ordinary small coffee table made of wood will best fit into the classic interior. An exception can only be the bright decor of the base and legs of the table, matched to match all other pieces of furniture and decoration. It is very important in such situations to take into account the careful selection of wood tones so that the furniture looks like a single set.
Provence
Pastel shades of furniture are considered a feature of the Provencal style, including naturalness (unpainted wood), carved legs at tables and antique design (artificial aging) are no less popular. For example, coffee tables that are massive in size will fit better in a large living room. But for a small room, small models are ideal. If you prefer French style, then these tables are for you:
Country
Most ethnic styles (by the way, which include country music) amaze with original ideas and unusual use of the most ordinary materials. Some surprise with bamboo models, others with multi-colored complex mosaics made of small shells. Country, on the other hand, is able to accept a table made of roughly hewn wood or logs into its interior. Also in appearance, models of this style are represented by the roughness of the surface of unpolished wood. See for yourself:
Modern
Where there is truly no end to the design fantasy, it is in a modern style. Fortunately, materials for the manufacture of such coffee tables can be found everywhere - wood, stone, glass, metal, plastic. The most important thing is to observe the conciseness of forms and lines. A little creativity and a unique coffee table will appear in your interior.
Pop Art
The main task of the pop art style is to remake ordinary things into something from the realm of fantasy. By creating such “works of art”, this style allows you to transform the gray everyday life with bright decor elements. Coffee tables are no exception. Designers do not spare inspiration, I improve existing simple things.
Loft
The presence of rough metal details and rough-hewn wood, as well as the creation of a peculiar kind of "street furniture" - this is all loft style. It is original and brutal. At the same time, everyone likes it without exception. If you see a coffee table resembling a cart, know this is also a loft. Many ideas came to the minds of designers when they visited "specific" places - semi-abandoned old factories and manufactories, it was there that they drew their inspiration.
Coffee table-transformer
When choosing a coffee table for, clearly consider what “duties” you assign to it. If you need a decorative element of the interior, then take a closer look at the tables of an unusual shape, which are often offered by various designers. However, if you want to get not only a coffee table, but also a dining or computer table in one person, then you should look at folding models -. With some effort, in just one minute, you can turn your nondescript coffee table into a full-fledged dining area for several people. Isn't that what you dreamed of?! It is great if such a model is on wheels - this will facilitate the movement of the table around the room.
DIY transformer table:
Coffee table as an element of the storage system
Its very name - "magazine" says that this table is designed to store magazines, as well as books, newspapers and other little things (remote controls, phone chargers, and the like). In order not to clutter up its surface, most models have shelves or drawers that create additional storage space for the necessary things. Such elements of the storage system will not necessarily be located outside - in front of everyone, they can also be built-in (hidden, secret), which only you will know about. Here are just a few models with original ideas:
DIY coffee table - video and drawings
| Materials and tools: | Working process: |
|---|---|
Prefabricated parts made of fiberboard or wood. 2 wheels. Special glue for wood. Drill and drill bits for it. Electric screwdriver, screwdrivers. Jigsaw, wood saw. Screws and dowels. Roulette and level. Sandpaper or grinder. Wooden hammer. | We cut out the details according to the drawing. We make holes for the tongues in a rectangular partition and in the center of the base of the countertop, at an approximate distance of 10 cm. Now, at a height of 36 and 48 cm, we make 2 holes on the partition itself for the subsequent fixing of 2 semicircular shelves on it. You can install dowels. We assemble the table, after making sure that the overall structure is even. We disassemble it again and make several holes in rectangular blanks (36, 48, 23 cm). We proceed to the final assembly. To do this, we sequentially assemble - the base, the central and lower partition, semicircular shelves, the upper partition and the tabletop itself. We assemble with a wooden hammer and tongues, planted on glue. We complete the assembly process by attaching the wheels to the screws (during the subsequent movement of the table, they should not touch the base). Everything - the table is ready! |
We invite you to watch a few videos with vivid examples of original coffee table models that you can make without leaving your home.
Coffee table - at first glance, not the most necessary furniture. Therefore, its acquisition is endlessly delayed.
But it is precisely such items that make the interior truly cozy and comfortable. Therefore, we share ideas that will tell you how to make a stylish coffee table with your own hands and not go broke.
1. Democratic and accessible
A table made of boards and boxes.
To make such a table, you will need a pair of metal or plastic boxes and two large boards. Be sure to securely fasten the structure.
2. For the smartest
Elegant mini table.
Books with beautiful covers and a small glass for the tabletop - that's all the materials for such a coffee table. Books must be glued together, and the glass can be fixed on them with silicone glue, which becomes transparent after drying.
3. Ordered chaos
Original coffee table with your own hands.
A coffee table made of flat elements fastened together in a chaotic manner is an idea that is easy to implement. Wooden saw cuts, parts of boards, large books are suitable. 
Table made of wooden saw cuts.
4. Industrial style
An industrial cable reel can become a table.
A reel for industrial cables is a thing that cannot be found on every corner. But if you are still lucky enough to become the owner of this item, you can make an excellent coffee table out of it. 
Functional coffee table.
5. Table for motorists
Reliable tire table.
A coffee table made from a car tire will last for many years. But it is desirable to use the tire without damage. It remains only to paint it, fix the countertop and legs.
6. Wooden table almost free
Making a coffee table with your own hands will turn out from a pallet.
Ordinary pallets, which can be purchased for a penny, are an excellent material for making furniture. A little imagination, and the wooden coffee table is ready.
7. The second life of old boxes
Large drawers - the basis for a coffee table.
Another way to become the owner of a coffee table made of natural wood is to use old boxes as a material for its manufacture. Four large drawers fastened together form a stylish table.
8. Extravagant chic
Asymmetrical coffee table.
Especially original, but at the same time luxurious, looks like a coffee table on asymmetrical legs. The tabletop is made of a thick board or a wooden saw cut.
9. From the cottage - to the living room
Barrel table.
A large wooden barrel easily turns into a coffee table. It must be cut into two parts, and then attach the countertop and legs to one of them.
10. Roomy and functional table out of the box
Functional table out of the box.
A household box made of plastic or wood can also be used as a coffee table. In order for the table to be mobile, you can fix small wheels on its bottom.
11. Warm table
Metal radiator furniture.
An old heating radiator is a reliable basis that will help you make a coffee table with your own hands. You just need to paint it in the desired color, attach the wheels and put thick glass on top.
12. From the interior door
An old door might come in handy too.
An interior door that has served its time becomes a material for making a coffee table with your own hands. It must be cut into several parts and fastened together.
13. If it’s a pity to quit and it’s hard to carry
Coffee table from a suitcase.
An old suitcase can become an original coffee table top. You just need to attach legs to it.
14. Brutal elegance
Original pipe legs.
An affordable option for making legs for a coffee table is ordinary plastic or metal pipes connected by fittings. Such furniture will perfectly fit into the interior in loft style.
15. From an ordinary wooden beam
Wooden table from a bar.
A wooden beam, folded in a checkerboard pattern, will become a countertop for a homemade coffee table. Legs can be made of thick metal wire.