Dark Walnut Twin Console Table
Read below to see how we made Dark Walnut Twin Console Tables out of common lumber. It was a birthday present for my mom that she loved. You can also see our other woodworking collections and get plans to craft items yourself or contact us at [email protected] for custom orders.
- Author: Jim Ramos, Ph.D.
- Photography and photo editing by: Jim Ramos, Ph.D.
- Published: 5/22/2023
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Imagining the Dark Walnut Twin Console Tables
If you’re a woodworking enthusiast looking for an easy, inexpensive project to tackle, a DIY console table may be just the thing. We’ll walk you through the steps to create a set of tables that can be used behind a couch in a living room or anywhere else you need a bit of extra surface space. Not only is this project practical, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to hone your woodworking skills. Plus, by doing it yourself, you can customize the table to fit your personal style and preferences.
For a few years my mom would buy herself her birthday gifts and simply let me and my brothers know how much money we owed her. She does not spend a whole lot on herself, so this was a convenient arrangement she had forced us in. One year, a couple weeks before her birthday, out of curiosity I asked her what she wanted for her birthday. Expecting her to tell me how much I would owe her, she instead asked for a set of table that she could put behind the couch in her living room. I agreed to make it of course, though I should have probably kept my mouth shut.
The project was a very straightforward build and not too expensive. You can use common lumber and plus it up with a stain that meets your preference. I got all the wood I would need started.
Quick Steps
- Cut wood to desired length
- Legs
- Top and bottom table surfaces
- Skirt/braces for long end of top and bottom surfaces
- Skirt/braces for short end of top and bottom surfaces
- Make the legs
- Glue and screw two short skirt/brae pieces at either end of a longer leg piece
- Attach log end of skirt/brace to table top and table bottom
- Attach legs to table top
- Glue and screw the legs to the end of the table top and bottom and attache to the long skirt/brace
- Cut the corners of the table bottom as needed to fit into the premade legs
- Sand, Stain, and finish
Cut the Wood to Desired Length
The first step in creating your DIY table is to cut the wood to your desired length. This includes cutting the legs, top and bottom table surfaces, as well as the pieces needed for the skirt/braces of the table. Feel free to use common lumber to keep costs low. You can then customize the table’s appearance with the stain of your choice.
Make the Legs
After you’ve cut the wood to size, it’s time to make the legs. Start by gluing and screwing two short skirt/brace pieces at either end of a two longer leg pieces. This will make a hollow rectangle that will be used for the legs and provide a sturdy base for your table.
Attach Long End of Skirt/Brace to Table Top and Bottom
Next, attach the long end of the skirt/brace to the bottom side of the table’s upper and lower shelves. This will add extra stability and strength to your table and help prevent it from bending.
Attach Legs to Table Top
After attaching the skirt/brace to the bottom side of the table top, it’s time to attach the legs. Attach the legs to either end of the table top by gluing and screwing the legs to the end of the table top. Secure them to the bottom of the table top as well as to the skirt/brace for added stability.
Cut Corners of Table Bottom as Needed
It will be necessary to slide the bottom shelf of the table in between the table legs. To ensure it fits, measure out how much space is needed at each corner and remove the corners of the table bottom shelf. This will allow then to slide in and fit snuggly up against the table leg. You can then secure it to the legs and secure the legs to the skirt through glue and screws.
Sand and Finish
While I don’t enjoy sanding it is a necessary step to really make your woodworking projects come to life. For a table like this I will sand it first with 80 grit, then 120 grit, and finally 220 grit sandpaper. After sanding I applied the dark walnut stain, following the manufactures instructions. Once dried I then finished the table with some polyurethane to protect it.
I delivered the tables to my mother in time for her birthday and she loved them. They made a great addition to her living room and are still standing in place today.
Creating your own DIY table is a fun, easy, and practical woodworking project that anyone can tackle. By following these steps, you can create a console table that will look stunning in any room of your home.
Other work
Click on the links below to read more about the functional art, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok to see what we are working on. Or you can message us at [email protected] to commission custom pieces from the wood in your yard.
You spent time in its shade. We’ll make sure its memories never fade
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