I’m so excited to share this tutorial because you can use it to build a DIY custom side table with storage or you could leave out the top and use it as a cute planter. I decided to build a side table and it’s inspired by these planters and this bench, I love combining different ideas!
Here’s how I built the side table with storage:
Materials
- 1 pine board (2 in x 2 in x 6 ft) for the legs
- 1 pine board (1 in x 2 in x 8 ft) for the frame
- 1 sheet of plywood (2 ft x 2 ft) for the sides
- 1 pine board (1 in x 2 in x 8 ft) for the table top frame or the top trim of the planter
- 1 flat piece of scrap wood (14 in x 14 in)
- 1 birch board (9 in x 2 ft) for the table top (optional)
- pine boards (1 in x 1 in) for star pattern (optional)
- wood screws
- brad nails
- wood glue
- wood filler
- caulk
- paint
- stain
Tools
- circular saw or table saw
- miter saw
- drill
- pocket hole jig
- sander or sand paper
- brad nailer
- old rag
- paint brush
Step 1: Measure and cut
Here is an image with all the wood pieces (white text) and cuts (black text) that will be needed for this project:
Optional table top and optional table top frame or the top trim of the planter: length will depend on your exact table top size or planter size, I recommend waiting to cut these last to account for any slight variations in your other cuts
We won’t cut the 1 in x 1 in boards until later as those will be used for the decorative star detail.
Step 2: Drill pocket holes
Here is an image of the pocket holes needed:
Step 3: Sand
Sand all of your pieces. This is actually my least favorite part but it’s important! I like to spend some extra time on the edges to create softer corners. I did this for the entry table as well. Here’s a picture to show you the difference (the two on the left are sanded):
Step 4: Attach the first framing pieces to the legs
I attached the bottom framing pieces 13 in from the top of the leg to account for the overlap of the plywood sides (I’ll show you what I mean below).
The side with the pocket hole should be flush with the legs. You should end up with this:
Step 5: Attach plywood sides
For these first two pieces, use the 12 in x 12 in plywood sheets.
Here is the overlap I mentioned earlier. I angled my brad nailer to attach the plywood to the frame and legs.
Step 6: Attach the remaining framing pieces and plywood sheets
Next, attach the remaining four framing pieces using the pocket holes and attach the remaining plywood sheets like this:
Note that these four new framing pieces will not be flush with the legs to account for the width of the first plywood sheet (pictured in the middle). The two plywood sides on the left and right here are the 12 in x 11 3/4 in ones.
Now, you can add the remaining side and you should end up with something like this:
Step 7: Attach bottom
You can use scrap wood for this part:
I used my brad nailer to attach these scrap pieces to the bottom:
Then, I cut a flat piece of scrap wood to size (a little smaller than 14 in x 14 in) and used it for the bottom by attaching it to the four long pieces of scrap wood.
Step 8: Add star pattern (optional)
To add the star pattern, I started with a simple cross:
After that, I measured each additional piece separately and used wood glue to attach them:
Step 9 (Side table option): Build the table top
I attached the two birch wood pieces using my brad nailer and some more scrap wood:
Next, I secured them even more by attaching the frame:
This table top could also be a cute wood sign!
Step 9 (Planter option): Add top trim
A frame around the top is all that would be needed to finish building the planter:
Step 10: Caulk, stain and paint
I decided to caulk the corners of my side table for a seamless finish:
Next, I stained the table top. I used the same color combo here that I came up with for my entry table project.
The last step was paint, I highly recommend using painter’s pyramids, they’re so helpful!
Step 11: Enjoy your new side table or planter!
I’m really excited to have a matching side table AND entry table now 🙂
I hope this tutorial to build a DIY custom side table (or a planter) was helpful. Let me know if you have any questions and I would love see pictures of yours if end up building one!
Tina
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