How to make a Modern Design Coffee Table

Can you believe it!? This old(ish) lady made her own coffee table! As you may know I am stubborn and also love to design! That and the fact that I wanted to update a bit brought me to my challenge; making a new addition to my living room. Follow along to see how to make a modern design coffee table.

Why did I build a table?

We did a bit of renovation replacing floors which meant that everything had to leave the room. You do not want to see what all was in there before (maybe I’ll share later) as it had become the playroom for grandson; the table was actually a play train table for a few years. Now was my chance to see things all fresh and new, so as some pieces moved out they were sold.

I generally do not replace furnishings, rather try to revamp or reuse somehow.

Where did the idea come from?

I used to teach a very technical type of drawing that also had a Industrial design component. There were projects to dream up a product (like a chair in our case) and then draft out some plans for it, as well as draw it. Trust me, it’s so much fun! Since it was a drawing course we did not actually build them though.

In my case, I saw a nice piece of plywood on the palette that the new flooring came on so I started dreaming… Oh, and yes, Pinterest came to help!

I was drawn to simple shapes and inspired by the way the Noguchi coffee table used just 2 pieces. ‘No wonder; Herman Miller Design is so famous.

Simple Design Needed:

I do not have a full shop of fancy tools so I had to take that into account. I’m not that attached to my circular saw but I do like my jigsaw. I drew inspiration from some glass top tables that have a very simple 2-part base. The charm of this design is that the 2 identical pieces pivot on each other and create the tripod base.

When you want to visualize a design the easiest way is to make a miniature, after drawing some concept sketches that is. The key is to have some idea of scale; small size – full size. Don’t worry, it is simple (I dare say) math.

I recalled that I stashed away a glass table top from a neighbour’s castoff. When people know you are ‘handy’ you tend get a lot of ‘gifts’. The glass circle is 36″ wide.

Figuring out the shape:

The piece of plywood that I had was a certain size so I wanted to use as much of it as possible. I wanted to accentuate the fact that it is plywood since I also had bought a new Eames Replica chair. It has a lot of bent plywood as part of the famous design.

I drew the placement of the shapes on the piece of plywood; requiring 4 so I could double up to make it substantial thickness.

Make a digital pattern:

The pattern was traced in Adobe illustrator from a picture of the model and then scaled to the required size.

Did you know that most print software lets you print it in pieces? Usually there is a option to poster print or tile the image. The little marks show where the overlap is and tape or glue together.

It is much easier to us a bit of digital help but feel free to sketch it out full size. This strange shape is meant to be able to be right side or upside down. The shorter side is half the height of the tall side for the pivot attaching.

Now in full size the pieces are traced onto the plywood for cutting. If I had bigger tools it may be wiser to double the pieces so the cutting could be done in only 2 pieces rather than 4. But that’s ok, I’m fine with some extra jigging… Please be safe and wear proper safety equipment like dust mask.

Just me & a jigsaw:

Here’s the single sheet of plywood. The large curves are easy to cut, especially since I know the sanding will be my ‘saving grace’. One side of this utility grade plywood is quite coarse so it will be the inner layer.

All cut out! I can still feel the vibration in my hands.

They may look a bit crude but I have faith. There’s always sanding, wood filler and paint to the rescue of needed.

Doubling up the pieces:

The smoother and less blemished sides will be on the outer side. Go find some clamps.

The Weldbond wood glue is applied and the pieces are clamped for a night.

I’m starting to see this come to full-size life, compared to the prototype model. Any voids or damage in the wood will be filled.

Let the sanding begin:

Another of my simple tools is an orbital sander. Put the mask and safety glasses on and settle in to much sanding. Note to self; what you lack in cutting accurately will take time (and more time) to fix by sanding.

There really is some beauty to those layers of wood though! Progressing from the coarse 80 grit sandpaper to 200 grit. I’m glad that I did all that sanding in the garage though. Any of the small chips were filled with wood filler and sanded.

The 2 layers give these furniture pieces some weight and a substantial presence. I am glad that I chose to double the plywood to give about 1.5″ thickness.

They come together:

Testing to see; just like the mini model, they sit just right, like magic!

The plan comes together…

Making the Pivot Point:

The 2 pieces only need some type of rod or shaft to allow the pivoting. It does not really need to be permanent, only keeping the 2 pieces vertical. If you want it permanent epoxy would set the rod in place.

Here’s a tip; when looking for some specific pipe consider using old curtain rods. This 1/2″ pipe was easily inserted after drilling carefully (1/2″ drill bit). Make sure to drill vertically.

Since the grade of plywood was not very high end I decided to paint the sides. This also matches my new clean modern decor with lots of white.

When I need a clear finish I use the Varathane Nano Defence instead of poly. Even when I paint any furniture white with a good quality Latex paint I find that the extra layer of the floor finish does much to protect the finish. It has worked very well on the sewing cabinets that I painted, which get quite the workout. I did not want to darken the wood with a stain.

Alternatively, edge banding can be bought to apply to the flat edges of plywood.

The Table Top:

The coffee table top is glass (safety) and sits quite firmly on the 3-sided base. This DIY plywood coffee table was almost free as I had most of what I needed. I am also happy there are no corners, considering that there is a ‘munchkin’ running around often.

I generally do not build furniture but this one of my easier projects, I would say that even a beginner with patience can master this.

My plan for the living room is to combine some of my heirlooms with some modern pieces. Interior design should always have some element of ‘tension’ and not be too perfectly matched. I have always been surprised at how much potential colour has to pull a space together.

What do you think? Considering that I spent a day or so cutting & sanding after initial the design process I am happy with the results. Don’t you think you could do something like this? I hope this tutorial; ‘How to make a Modern Design Coffee Table’ will inspire you!

Next; make some art for the walls, stay tuned!