So up until now I have made a corner shelf, a vanity and a wall shelf for my bedroom. What else could I possible fit in my tiny bedroom? Well I had just enough space left for a DIY Modern Side Table. And that is exactly what I am going to show you today.
This DIY Modern Side Table was my most expensive build because of the cost of the legs, and purchasing the drawer sliders. But compared to ones on the market it is still a very inexpensive piece of furniture to DIY. Not only is it fairly inexpensive but it is quality. Got to love that!
I built my DIY Modern Side Table a bit shorter than usual side tables or night stands because , do to it already being a small room, I did not want to feel so boxed in when sleeping. But you can build this to whatever dimensions fit your needs.
Supplies:
- 1×12 @ 6ft – Pine Board
- 1×4 @ 6ft – Pine Board
- Wood Glue
- 1 1/4″ Kjeg Screws
- 2″ Wood Screws
- Lint Free Rag
- 1″ Brad Nails
- Wooden Table Legs
- Mounting Brackets
- Drawer Slider Brackets
Tools:
- Ryobi P506 One+ Lithium Ion 18V 5 1/2 Inch 4,700 RPM Cordless Circular Saw with Laser Guide and Carbide-Tipped Blade (Battery Not Included, Power Tool Only) green full size
‘> Circular Saw
- Kreg Jeg
- Corner Clamp
- Screw Driver
- Jig Saw
- Brad Nailer
‘> Circular SawThe Frame
The first thing was to cut my pieces for my DIY Modern Side Table, using my miter saw. I cut 4 pieces out from my 1×12 pine board. This consisted of two pieces @ 14” for my sides and two pieces at 16 ½” for my top and bottom. After these were cut I sanded them down with an electrical sander. You can do this by hand but it requires a bit more time and muscle.
Next I used my Kjeg to create 4 pocket holes on the top of each of my side pieces. This will allow the top to be attached from inside the frame which will be hidden by our drawer.
Assembling The Frame
Then it was time to attach the frame. I first attached the top to the sides. I placed a bead of wood glue and used my finger to smear it on to the board. This helps to get full coverage on the seam. I like to use corner clamps when attaching pieces like this. It assists in keeping everything square and tight. Using my electric drill I screwed the pieces together.
Once I had both sides attached to the top it was time to attach the bottom. A bead of wood glue and then the clamps went on. I always have a wet rag available when using wood glue, so I can clean off any extra glue that may seep out of the seam. If you don’t clean up the glue it can become a problem when painting or staining. It does not allow the product to attach/seep onto the wood properly.
Once the bottom was lined up perfectly and my wood clamps where attached I pre drilled holes and then screwed in 2” screws to attach the bottom. Since these are on the bottom of the Side Table they will not be visible.
The Drawer
Once again I started by cutting out my frame for my drawer. I cut 4 pieces of wood from my 1×4 pine board, two pieces at 10 ¼” for the sides and two pieces at 12 ½” for the front and back. Then I took my kjeg and created 6 pocket holes on each of the front and back pieces, three at each end. The frame will be attached with the pocket holes on the outside. Don’t worry the pocket holes on the back will be facing the wall and the front pocket holes will be covered.
If the back of your side table will be visible you can us pocket hole fillers to fill in the holes.
Note that the overall width of my drawer is 1” shorter than the inside width of my side table. This will allow a half inch on both sides of the drawer for the sliding bracket.
Assembling the drawer frame
I assembled the drawer frame basically the same way I assembled the frame of the side table. I used my corner clamps and wood glue and attached the sides to the front piece. Then I attached the back piece.
Now I grabbed my piece of mdf to create the bottom of my drawer. I used my drawer frame as a template, and used a jigsaw to cut out my piece. You could also use a circular saw. After I cut out my bottom piece I attached it to the drawer frame using brad nails and wood glue.
The Drawer Front
My drawer front is made from a piece of reclaimed cedar. My brother saved a whole pile full for me and I plan on utilizing it to make the top of my office desk one of these days but I couldn’t help but to grab one of the smaller pieces for this project. (Thanks Brother!) I told you my family was awesome!
The reclaimed piece of cedar was the perfect front for this drawer. It was 4 ½” wide and the 1×4 used for the drawer front was only 3 1/2 “ wide so it gave me a ½” over hang on top and bottom. I cut the length of my cedar down to 14 7/8”. With the inside of my frame being 15”, this allows a 1/16 clearance for the drawer to slide easily into the side table. Once my cedar was cut to the necessary dimensions I gave it a quick sanding.
Time To Paint And Stain.
Now that I had everything assembled and ready to go, it was time to paint and stain. The side table frame and drawer got a couple coats of white paint. And while that was drying I worked on my drawer front and legs of my side table.
I love these legs that I picked out for this table but did not like the shiny silver metal on them and on the brackets. So I decided to spray paint them with the same spray paint I used on my chandelier project and the brackets for my vanity. It only took a couple of light coats to cover the metal. Once I had that finished I moved on to staining.
For the both the drawer front and the table legs I used the same technique I used for my corner book case. I first applied an application of Varathane wood stain in Light Cherry. Then an application of Minwax wood stain in classic grey. And last one more application of the Varathane Light Cherry.
To apply the application of stain, you want to take a lint free rag and dip it in the stain. Then rub it on to the wood following the grain lines. Once you have it applied to the entire surface let it sit for 1-2 minutes. Then wipe off any excess product. Continue to do this until you have achieved your desired look.
After the stained had completely dried on both the drawer front and table legs, I applied two coats of Varathane’s oil-based Spare-Urethane, lightly sanding & wiping clean between coats.
Adding the finishing touches
I waited a couple of days to allow the paint, stain and urethane to cure. Then I added the finishing touches.
First I added the legs to the side table. I lined up my brackets exactly where I wanted them to be and then took my pen (yes I said pen, I prefer it over a pencil, not sure why but I do. Lol) and marked where the screw holes would be. Next I removed a bracket and predrilled all my holes. Then replaced my bracket and screwed it down. I repeated this with all four brackets. And then I screwed in the legs.
After I finished the legs I moved on to my drawer. I first attached the drawer front using wood glue. I placed plenty of wood glue on to the back of my front drawer and then lined up my drawer on top, making sure to have it precisely in the middle. Then I clamped them together.
Once the clamps where nice and tight I flipped over my drawer and worked on attaching the handle. I used the handle as a guide on where my screws would go, and marked them with a pen. Then I pre-drilled holes for them.
Once my holes were predrilled it was time to screw the handle on. The screws that came with the handle where to short so I had to make a quick trip to Ace. I have to say Menards is my favorite construction store, but when I only need 1-2 screws of a particular kind. I run right down the road to Ace. I made sure to bring my drawer and the handle. This gave me the opportunity to make sure the screws where in fact long enough and the where the right size to screw into the handle. They landed up being 1 ¾” long screws.
Once back home I screwed the handle on and started working on my slider bracket. Now there is an array of drawer slider brackets that you can purchase. And they all have their own directions for assembly. So you would want to follow the directions that come with yours to verify it gets attached correctly.
Once you have your drawer sliders attached the last thing to do is insert your drawer and admire your beautiful and Chíc Side Table!
Let Me Know!
How do you feel about this project? What room would you put it in? What would you change about it? Let me know in the comments, I love to hear your opinions!
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With Love,
Melissa
P.S.
Melissa
P.S.
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