This simple, budget friendly project is an easy weekend build. It's long and narrow so it doesn't take up too much space. It can be placed up against a wall or in the center of a room. It can be converted to a sofa table once the kids have outgrown it by replacing the legs with longer ones.
Tools
Kreg Tools
Other Tools
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Miter Saw
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Table Saw
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Tape Measure
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Clamps
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Drill (cordless)
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Router
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Sander
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Shop Vacuum
Materials
Wood Products
- 2 Pine , 2x4 , 96"
- 1 Laminated Pine Project Board , 3/4" Thick , 16" x 60"
- 2 Pine , 1x3 , 96"
Hardware & Supplies
- 28 1 1/4" Kreg Pocket Hole Screws
- 1 Wood Glue
- 1 Stain
- 1 Polyurethane (Satin Finish)
- 1 Paint
Directions
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Cut, Drill Pocket Holes & Router
Cut the wood pieces according to the diagram and drill 3/4" pocket holes to accommodate 1 1/4" pocket hole screws. Router edges indicated on the digram if desired. This just softens the edges to avoid hard corners on children's furniture.
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Glueup Legs
I wanted to create legs that matched the width of the spans/skirt around the table. Glue the faces of the the 19 1/2" 2x4's together and clamp overnight.
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Trim Legs to Size
Trim the legs using your table saw by removing 1/2" from each side of the 3 1/2" width. Then trim 1/4" from each side of the 3" width.
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Join Legs to Face Spans
Join the legs to the face spans using wood glue and four 1 1/4" pocket hole screws on each set in the diagram.
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Join Legs to Side Spans
Join the two pieces from step 4 using wood glue and 1 1/4" pocket hole screws.
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Add Mid Spans
Add supporting spans in the middle using four 1 1/4" pocket hole screws on each. The boards will be 13 3/4" apart as shown on the diagram.
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Attach Top
Attach top from the under-side along the outer perimeter and each mid-span using 1 1/4 Pocket hole screws being very careful not to over-drill the screws so they don't poke through the table top.
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Sand, Paint, Stain & Seal
Sand using 80 grit, followed by 120 and finish with 220 grit sandpaper. Paint the base of the table and stain the tabletop in your desired color. The color we used is called Golden Oak. Seal with two coats of satin polyurethane. If your toddler outgrows this, you can just create new legs to suit any height. Make it a taller desk, an entry table, a sofa table, a bench...the possibilities are endless!
