Free Shaker Style Coffee Table Plans: Build Your Own Classic Design

Well, if you’re thinkin’ about makin’ one of them Shaker style coffee tables, I reckon you’ve come to the right place. Now, you might be wonderin’ what’s all this fuss about Shaker style? I’ll tell ya, it’s a kind of furniture that’s simple, sturdy, and, well, it don’t have all them frilly things folks put on modern furniture these days. It’s clean, straight lines, and good ol’ reliable craftsmanship. Now, let’s talk about how you can build one yourself, and don’t worry, I’ll make it as simple as bakin’ a pie. You don’t need no fancy tools or a whole lotta know-how, just a little elbow grease.

What is Shaker Style Furniture?

Shaker style comes from them Shaker folks. You know, them folks who lived a simple life, makin’ all kinds of stuff by hand—furniture, baskets, even chairs! They didn’t go in for all that showy stuff, just what was practical and built to last. Their furniture was always real simple, with clean lines and no extra decoration, just solid wood and craftsmanship. It’s real good if you want something that’s gonna stand the test of time, just like them ol’ farmhouse tables we used to have back in the day.

What You’ll Need for This Coffee Table

Alright, before we get started, here’s what you’re gonna need to make this Shaker-style coffee table:

• Wood (3/4 inch thick works just fine, maybe even 4/4 if you want a little thicker top)
• Wood glue
• A saw (A circular saw will do, but if you’ve got a track saw, even better!)
• A drill and screws (or nails if you like to do it old school)
• A sanding block or power sander (to smooth things out so you don’t catch a splinter)
• Finish or stain to make it shine (optional, but it’ll look nice if you do)

Now, don’t go runnin’ to the store for a bunch of tools you don’t need. You can get away with just the basics, I promise. The trick is in the technique and makin’ sure them joints are sturdy.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Building Your Shaker Style Coffee Table

First thing you wanna do is figure out how big you want your table to be. You don’t want it too big or too small. A good size is around 20 inches by 42 inches, though you can adjust it if you got a bigger or smaller space to put it in. Once you got your dimensions, start cuttin’ the pieces for the table top and the legs. You’ll need four legs, and for the top, you’ll wanna glue a few boards together to make it nice and sturdy.

1. Cutting the Wood

Now, when you’re cuttin’ the boards for the top, make sure they all line up nice and neat. Use your saw to trim them down to size, then use a little wood glue to stick ’em together. You want the surface to be nice and flat, so take your time with this part. Once the glue’s dry, give it a good sanding so it’s smooth like a baby’s bottom.

2. Making the Legs

Next, you’ll need to cut the legs. Shaker-style legs are simple and square, none of them fancy turned ones you see in other styles. You can just cut ‘em to about 18 inches long, but if you want a taller table, go for 20 inches or more. Sand ‘em down after you cut ‘em so they’re smooth, just like the top.

3. Assembling the Table

Once you’ve got your top and legs all ready, it’s time to put the thing together. Lay your table top on a flat surface, then mark where you want your legs to go. You’ll want to make sure they’re evenly spaced and square. Once you’ve marked it, use a drill to put some holes for screws. You can glue the legs into place, but screws will give it extra strength. Don’t be shy with the screws—use at least four for each leg to make sure it won’t fall apart.

4. Adding the Shelf (Optional)

Now, if you want to make your table a little fancier, you can add a shelf underneath. This is a real easy step. Just cut a piece of wood to fit between the legs, then screw it in place. The shelf will give your table a little extra storage space, and it’ll make the whole thing look real nice. But if you don’t need the shelf, just leave it off and you’ll be good.

5. Finishin’ the Table

Now, once everything’s all put together, give the table a final sanding to make sure there’s no rough edges. If you like, you can stain it or paint it. Shaker furniture usually looks best with a simple, natural finish, but you can pick whatever color suits you. Just make sure to let it dry properly before you start usin’ it.

Tips and Tricks

• If you’re new to this, take your time! Don’t rush it, or you’ll end up with something crooked.
• Use clamps when you’re glueing the top together. It’ll help keep everything nice and tight.
• Measure twice, cut once. Always.
• Don’t skimp on the sanding. It’s what makes the whole thing look nice in the end.

So there you go, that’s how you make yourself a Shaker-style coffee table. It’s simple, it’s sturdy, and it’ll look good in any room of the house. Best of all, you made it with your own two hands, and there’s a certain satisfaction in that. I reckon that’s worth more than anything you could buy in a store.

Now, get out there and start buildin’ your table, and don’t forget to enjoy the process. There’s somethin’ real special about takin’ raw wood and turnin’ it into somethin’ useful. And if you mess up a little bit, don’t worry, we all do. Just fix it and keep on goin’. You’ll get it right in the end!

Tags：[Shaker Style Coffee Table, Coffee Table Plans, Free Coffee Table Plans, DIY Coffee Table, Shaker Style Furniture, Simple Coffee Table Design, Woodworking, Build Your Own Coffee Table]