Outdoor Coffee Table with 4 Hidden Side Tables

By Scott @ Saws on Skates

Who couldn't use more space when entertaining outdoors? This stylish outdoor coffee table features 4 hidden side tables. The side tables store neatly under the coffee table when not in use, then can be pulled out and placed next to chairs where guests can have their drinks and snacks easily at hand.

Difficulty moderate

Tools

Kreg Tools

Kreg® Pocket-Hole Jig 720

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Other Tools

Miter Saw
Tape Measure
Drill (cordless)
Sander

Materials

Wood Products

4 Board , 1x2 , 96"
9 Board , 1x3 , 96"
4 Board , 1x4 , 96"

Hardware & Supplies

350 1-1/4" exterior pocket screws
1 Exterior wood glue

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Cut List & Parts

2 Top Long Sides , 3/4" x 3-1/2" x 29-1/2"
3 Top Short Sides and Middle , 3/4" x 3-1/2" x 22-1/2"
2 Short Top Middle Pieces , 3/4" x 3-1/2" x 9-1/2"
12 Top Quadrant Pieces , 3/4" x 2-1/2" x 9-1/2"
4 Coffee Table Legs , 3/4" x 2-1/2" x 17-1/2"
2 Coffee Table Long Stretchers , 3/4" x 2-1/2" x 23"
4 Coffee Table Short Stretchers , 3/4" x 2-1/2" x 11-1/8"
8 Side Table Long Top Pieces , 3/4" x 3-1/2" x 13-1/2"
8 Side Table Short Top Pieces , 3/4" x 3-1/2" x 6-1/4"
24 Side Table Middle Top Pieces , 3/4" x 2-1/2" x 6-1/4"
16 Side Table Wide Legs , 3/4" x 2-1/2" x 16-1/4"
16 Side Table Wide Rails , 3/4" x 2-1/2" x 7-1/2"
16 Side Table Narrow Legs , 3/4" x 1-1/2" x 16-1/4"
16 Side Table Narrow Rails , 3/4" x 2-1/2" x 7-3/4"

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Directions

Cut the Top Long Sides

Cut 2 pieces of 1x4 to 29-1/2".
Cut Top Short Sides & Middle Pieces

Cut 3 pieces of 1x4 to 22-1/2" and drill pocket holes in each end.
Assemble the Top

Place the top long sides on your workbench. Apply glue to the top short sides and middle (center the middle on the long sides). Clamp and attach using 1-1/4" pocket screws.
Attach the Short Top Middle Pieces

The top middle pieces are made with 1x4's and should measure 9-1/2". Double check the dimension on either side of the long middle piece, cut 2 short top middle pieces to your dimensions and test fit. We want the fit to be snug. Once you're pleased with the fit, drill pocket holes on each end. Apply glue to each end, center on the side/long middle, clamp and attach using 1-1/4". Repeat for the other piece.
Cut and Attach the Quadrant Pieces

The top now has four quadrants and for the best fit, it's a good idea to install the remaining pieces, quadrant by quadrant. Each quadrant contains 3 pieces. The pieces are made with 1x3's and should measure 9-1/2". Double check the dimension in one quadrant, cut the pieces to your dimensions and test fit. We want the fit to be snug. Drill pocket holes on each end. The spacing between the pieces is 1/2". I used some scrap 1/2" plywood to help position the pieces. Place some 1/2" plywood, apply glue to each end and place against the plywood. Place more 1/2" plywood, apply glue to each end and place against the plywood. Continue until the quadrant is filled. Clamp and attach using 1-1/4". Repeat for the other quadrants.
Cut the Coffee Table Legs

Cut 4 pieces of 1x3 to 17-1/2" and drill two pocket holes in one end. These pocket holes will be used to attach the leg to the top.
Cut Coffee Table Long Stretchers

Cut 2 pieces of 1x3 to 23" and drill pocket holes in each end.
Cut the Short Stretchers

Cut 4 pieces of 1x3 to 11-1/8" and drill two pocket holes in one end.
Attach Legs to Long Stretchers

The long stretchers set down from the top of the legs 2-1/2" and up from the bottom 2". To help position the stretchers I used some scrap wood cut to 2-1/2" and 2". Place two legs on your workbench making sure the pocket holes are facing up. Clamp a piece of 2-1/2" scrap at the top of the legs and 2" scrap at the bottom of the legs. Apply glue to the ends of the long stretchers, clamp in position and attach using 1-1/4" pocket screws.
Attach Legs to Short Stretchers

The short stretchers set down from the top of the legs 2-1/2" and up from the bottom 2". To help position the stretchers I used some scrap wood cut to 2-1/2" and 2". Place a leg on your workbench making sure the pocket holes are facing up. Clamp a piece of 2-1/2" scrap at the top of the leg and 2" scrap at the bottom of the leg. Apply glue to the ends of the short stretchers, clamp in position and attach using 1-1/4" pocket screws. Repeat for the other leg and stretchers.
Drill Short Stretcher Pocket Holes

Place the short stretcher assemblies on your workbench, so they face each other. We need to offset the pocket holes that will attach the short stretchers to the long stretchers, so the pocket screws don't run into each other. On one side, layout two pocket holes in the top stretcher and one pocket hole in the bottom stretcher. On the other side, layout one pocket hole in the top stretcher and two pocket holes in the bottom stretcher. Drill pocket holes at your layout marks.
Assemble the Legs

Apply glue to the ends of a short stretcher assembly, center on the long stetcher and clamp in position. Attach using 1-1/4" pocket screws. Repeat for the other short stretcher assembly.
Attach the Legs to the Top

Place the top on your workbench, center the legs on the top, clamp and attach using 1-1/4" pocket screws.
Cut the Side Table Long Top Pieces

Cut 8 pieces of 1x4 to 13-1/2".
Cut the Side Table Short Top Pieces

Cut 8 pieces of 1x4 to 6-1/4" and drill pocket holes in each end.
Cut Side Table Middle Top Pieces

Cut 8 pieces of 1x3 to 6-1/4" and drill pocket holes in each end.
Assemble the Side Table Tops

Place 2 long top pieces on your workbench. Then apply glue to 2 short top pieces and 2 middle pieces and place between the long top pieces. The spacing between the short top pieces and the middle pieces is 1/2", so I used some scrap 1/2" plywood to help position the pieces. Clamp in position and attach using 1-1/4" pocket screws. Repeat for the other side table tops.
Cut the Side Table Wide Legs

Cut 16 pieces of 1x3 to 16-1/4".
Cut the Side Table Wide Rails

Cut 16 pieces of 1x3 to 7-1/2" and drill pocket holes in each end.
Assemble the Side Table Wide Legs

The top rail is flush with the tops of the legs and the bottom rail sets up 2" from the bottom of the legs. To help position the bottom rail I used some scrap wood cut to 2". Place two legs on your workbench and clamp a piece of 2" scrap at the bottom of each leg. Apply glue to the ends of the rails, clamp in position and attach using 1-1/4" pocket screws. Repeat for the remaining leg assemblies.
Side Table Wide Leg Assembly

In the center of each top rail, drill a pocket hole. This pocket hole will be used to attach the leg to the top.
Cut the Side Table Narrow Legs

Cut 16 pieces of 1x2 to 16-1/4".
Cut the Side Table Narrow Rails

Cut 16 pieces of 1x3 to 7-3/4" and drill pocket holes in each end.
Assemble the Side Table Narrow Legs

The top rail is flush with the tops of the legs and the bottom rail sets up 2" from the bottom of the legs. To help position the bottom rail I used some scrap wood cut to 2". Place two legs on your workbench and clamp a piece of 2" scrap at the bottom of each leg. Apply glue to the ends of the rails, clamp in position and attach using 1-1/4" pocket screws. Repeat for the remaining leg assemblies.
Side Table Narrow Leg Assembly

In the center of each top rail, drill a pocket hole. This pocket hole will be used to attach the leg to the top. At the location of each rail, drill a pocket hole. These pocket holes will be used to attach the narrow leg assemblies to the wide leg assemblies.
Assemble Side Table Legs

Apply glue to the edges of 2 narrow leg assemblies, place between 2 wide leg assemblies and clamp. Attach using 1-1/4" pocket screws. Note: I needed to use a right angle driver on my drill to attach the pocket screws.
Attach the Side Table Tops

Place a side table top on your workbench, center a leg assembly and attach using 1-1/4" pocket screws.
Finish

Sand the coffee table and side tables. Apply a coat of primer and several coats of exterior paint or a few coats of exterior stain. Once it's dry... enjoy!