DIY Console Table + Tutorial

We had this big empty wall in between our "entry way" and kitchen walk through, off of the living room. I had three maps hanging (more on that later) but it needed something else. Something to "balance" the big 'ol space below! This is what I came up with ....

Here is BEFORE:

Here is the AFTER!

 I love the rustic feel of the table and I LOVE all the space & function it added!

Space on top for photo albums & keys ...

and a lot of space below for blankets, pillows, etc.

I made this table in less than 2 hours, paint included, with scraps from my backyard! :)

 You can do this too. :)
It's easy! I promise!

Note: My table is HUGE! Long and Narrow. It's FIVE feet long. Most people probably won't need an "entry way" table that long... so you use whatever measurements work for you! Mine is also 38" tall but only 12" wide. I used 1x3's for legs and 1x6's for the sides and top. I used a Mitre Saw (but you could even use a jigsaw or circular saw or have Home Depot do all your cuts!) and a drill - and a lot of Gorilla Wood Glue!

First you'll want to build a rectangle. You'll want to make it 2-4 inches shorter and narrower than you want your final table to be, to account for overhang of the top pieces. Does that make sense?

 I added corner brackets for strength. I have rowdy boys in my house. :)

 Ok so this is where I quit taking pictures because I was building by myself and trying to finish before the boys woke up from their naps! :) But I'll try my best to explain ... and hopefully, the pictures will help! 

You'll want to attach the 1x3 legs to each end. Make sure it's flush. 

I used gorilla glue and screws, again - just to be safe!

Then you'll want to cut another 1x6 to fit the space in between the 1x3 legs. 

(5 feet table length minus the 5 inches from legs on each side)
*1x3's are really like 2.5 inches, times two = 5 inches.

See how it's now TWO 1x6's attached together? I didn't attach an extra 1x6 on the back, because no one would see it and it was plenty stable without.

Then I stained the three boards for the top!
I cut them long enough to have 2.5 inch overhang on each side and a 2 inch overhang on the front. 

and then I just screwed from the top into the base ... I didn't mind that you would see the screws, since I was going for the rustic vibe. But if you are worried about that, I'm sure you could go from underneath.

So there it is! :)
A really simple, sturdy console table!

What do you think?
Any questions? Is something unclear?
Do you think you'll give it a try??!


I'm linking up here. and here.

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