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DIY Console Table with Shelves

Plans to build your own DIY console table with shelves to store books, movies, decor, etc.

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Believe it or not, this was my very first on-site project! I’m a little behind on plans, so I actually built this back at the beginning of September when we were visiting my parents. Their cabin was in desperate need of a console table to hold the TV, movies, books, magazines, etc. and I thought it’d be fun to knock it out for them while we were there! I was so nervous working in someone else’s shop, but I didn’t break anything or make too big of a mess. So, overall, I’d call it a success 😉

This is a pretty straightforward project, so let’s get right to it!

Enjoy the plans!

  • The lumber and cut lists for this DIY console table are available for purchase. Your purchase also includes a downloadable PDF of the plans. If you prefer, the plans are available for free in the post below – you simply have to calculate the lumber and cut lists yourself.

**If you find any errors in the plans, please let me know and I’ll update them accordingly. I do my best to get everything correct, but it’s just me back here behind the screen checking my own work.

Step 1.

Assemble two side frames as shown above with wood glue and pocket hole screws. Face the pocket holes upward on the top of the frame so they’re hidden under the tabletop. Face the pocket holes toward the inside
of the console table on the bottom 2×2 so it’s hidden by the bottom shelf.

Build two frames.

Step 2.

To build the bottom shelf, position the 2x2s square with the 1×10. It’s easiest to build this upside down and use
your tabletop or work surface to make sure the 1×10 and 2x2s line up flush to give you a flat shelf. Attach the
1×10 to the 2x2s with wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Here’s a view from the bottom to show where to place the pocket holes:

Step 3.

Attach the bottom shelf to the side frames with wood glue and 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws. See step 2
for the location of the pocket holes on the bottom of those 2x2s.

You can use one or two pocket holes on each end of the 2x2s. I just used one and it’s plenty strong, but it’s
totally up to you.

Step 4.

Complete the frame by attaching the top 1x2s to the legs with wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws. Place the pocket holes upwards so the tabletop will hide them.

Step 5.

Position the 1×2 dividers and attach them to the frame. I used wood glue and drove 1 1/4″ screws through the
top 1×2 into the top ends of the 1×2 dividers and 2 1/2″ screws through the bottom of the 2×2 into the bottom
end of the dividers.

You can use pocket holes here if you prefer, but then you’ll want to fill the holes with plugs since they’ll be visible. You can’t see the screws if you drive them straight through the frame and into the dividers.

Step 6.

Cut the side detail 2x2s to fit and attach them with wood glue and screws through the top and bottom frame.

You can measure and calculate the angle for the cuts OR just hold the 2×2 up to the side of the frame and trace where to make the cuts. I like to just trace the cuts so I know I’m getting it exactly right.

Drive 1 1/4″ screws through the top frame into the top end of the 2×2 and 2 1/2″ screws through the bottom frame into the bottom end of the 2×2 to attach it (same as the dividers).

Step 7.

Build and attach the tabletop.

I used an extra piece of butcher block countertop that I had, but you could build the tabletop out of four 2x4s and end up with about the same dimensions.

To build the tabletop – use wood glue and pocket holes along the back to join the 2x4s together. Secure the tabletop to the console table frame with 1 1/4″ screws through the bottom of the frame into the bottom of the tabletop (or use corner braces or figure 8 fasteners). For more information, see my post on how to build a tabletop.

Step 8.

Put the shelves in place wherever you see fit and attach them to the frame and dividers. I centered the
shelves on the sides and put the middle one up a little higher to hold a DVD player.

Attach them with pocket holes, corner braces, or shelf pins – whichever works best for you.

Sand it down smooth and finish as desired. I used Danish oil in medium walnut for this piece.

For a two-day build, I was super excited about how this DIY console table turned out. We left before I got to take it up to the cabin, but I can’t wait to see it up there next time we get a chance to visit!

Hope you enjoyed the plans!

I’d love to see your take on this DIY console table, so definitely tag me over on Instagram @bitterrootdiy or shoot me an email at bitterroot.diy {at} gmail.com if you build it.

And, as always, please let me know if you have any questions and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

Bitterroot DIY

Don’t forget to pin it for later!

Linda Coots

Wednesday 16th of December 2020

I ordered these plans but they were not delivered with the other two projects I orderd.

tylynn_sattler

Friday 18th of December 2020

You should have received a confirmation email right away with links to download the plans. It may not have gone to your main inbox, so be sure to check all your email folders. If you still have trouble, please email me at [email protected].

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