How to Build a Small Shaker Style Table: Step-by-Step Plans and Tips

Now, if you’re lookin’ to build yourself a small shaker-style table, well, you’ve come to the right place. I’m here to tell you just how to go about it, and don’t worry, I won’t make it all fancy-like or too technical. Just simple, straight talk—like I would if I was sittin’ on the porch, tellin’ you what I know.

So, this little table we’re gonna make is somethin’ that’s been around for a long time. Shaker-style furniture, you see, is simple and sturdy. Ain’t no extra nonsense in it. Just good, solid work. Now, you might’ve heard folks talk about the “Shaker style” before. Well, it’s a way of buildin’ furniture that comes from the Shakers—folks who believed in simplicity, clean lines, and function over frills.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Before you start, you gotta make sure you’ve got everything you need. You can’t be runnin’ around town halfway through the project. So, first thing’s first, you need some good wood. Now, don’t go for just any ol’ wood. Look for somethin’ sturdy, like pine or oak. That’s the kind of wood that’s gonna hold up well and give you that nice, solid feel. You’re gonna need some for the top, legs, and the aprons, which are the pieces that go under the tabletop and hold everything together.

Next, get yourself some screws, wood glue, and a few nails. A hammer will be your best friend in this project. You’ll also need some sandpaper to smooth out the rough edges once you’re done. And if you got yourself a saw, well, you’re halfway there already.

Step 2: Cutting the Wood

Now, when it comes to cutting the wood, don’t you be worried about fancy measurements and all that. Just take your time, measure twice, cut once. For the top of the table, you’ll want a nice flat piece, about 18 inches wide and 30 inches long. That’s a good size for a small table, don’t you think? You don’t need to overdo it.

For the legs, you’re gonna need four pieces. Shaker tables usually have straight legs, no fancy curves. You want them to be about 28 inches tall, give or take a bit, depending on how tall you want the table to be. And don’t forget, those aprons, you’ll need four of those too—two on the sides and two on the ends. These help hold the legs in place, keep everything from wobblin’ around.

Step 3: Assembling the Table

Once you’ve got all your pieces cut, it’s time to put ‘em together. Start with the aprons first. Take the two end pieces and screw ‘em into the longer side pieces. Make sure they’re nice and tight. You don’t want any wobble in this table! After that, you can start puttin’ on the legs. Now, there’s a little trick I learned from my own experience—when you screw those legs in, make sure the joints are nice and snug. You can use wood glue to help keep everything in place too.

Once the legs are on, take your tabletop and set it on top. You want the tabletop to sit right on those aprons, but not too tight—give it a little wiggle room. Screw it in place, and there you have it. A nice, sturdy table, just like the Shakers used to make.

Step 4: Sanding and Finishing

Now, you ain’t done yet. The table’s gotta be smooth, real smooth. Take some sandpaper and rub down every edge, every corner, and every flat surface until it feels nice and soft. You don’t want no splinters when you’re usin’ the table. When you’re done sanding, it’s time to finish it. You can either stain it or just leave it natural. If you want it to look a little fancier, you can add a coat of varnish to make it shine. But don’t go overboard, keepin’ it simple is the Shaker way, after all.

Step 5: Enjoy Your Table

There ya go! Now, all that’s left is to find a good spot for it. Maybe in the corner of your kitchen, or as a side table by the couch. Wherever you put it, you can be proud of what you built with your own two hands. It’s simple, it’s sturdy, and it’ll last you a long time. Just like the Shaker folks intended.

Final Thoughts

See, building a small Shaker-style table ain’t too hard, is it? If you take your time, follow the steps, and keep it simple, you’ll have yourself a piece of furniture that’ll last a lifetime. And that’s the beauty of Shaker style—it’s about good, honest work, and not makin’ a fuss over things that don’t matter. So, grab your tools, get to work, and make yourself a table you can be proud of.

Tags：[small shaker style table, shaker table plans, woodworking projects, diy shaker table, simple shaker style table, making furniture, woodworking tips]