Weekend Project: DIY Side Table With a Novel Twist
See how to make this clever $30 over-the-sofa table for your coffee and book
I've always been a big fan of those cool side tables that let you pull your things in a little closer while lounging on the couch. It has just always seemed so convenient to me to have my coffee right over my lap and a place to set my pens and other small things so the cats wouldn't treat them like their precious loot. The only problem with these tables I thought so highly of was the price tag. I really couldn't justify spending more than $100 on a piece of furniture I could easily make and even customize for much much less, so off I went to the hardware store to gather my supplies. $30 and a couple hours later, I had a new favorite piece of furniture. Here's how I did it:
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Spray painting requires multiple coats, so I started with this task first. Basically you just have to paint the copper elbows, tube straps and dowels.
I used my time between coats to cut, sand and paint my wood. I ended up using a piece of birch that I already had and cut it to about 10" x 21".
I used my time between coats to cut, sand and paint my wood. I ended up using a piece of birch that I already had and cut it to about 10" x 21".
Once my dowels were dry, I cut them all to size. This task is easiest if you have a clamp you can work with. I wasn't very picky with being specific on dimensions; I just wanted all the pieces to match in length. I found that the easiest way to do this was to measure my first piece, cut it, and then hold it to my next piece while marking with a saw. This is much quicker and easier than measuring everything out.
For reference, I cut:
For reference, I cut:
- 2 pieces about 20" long
- 2 pieces 7.5" long
- 4 pieces 18" long
This is what I ended up with. I gave them another coat of paint after this and allowed them to dry.
While I was waiting for my dowels to finish, I cut paper rectangles in various sizes from pages of an old novel I had. I used clear craft glue that I diluted slightly with water to make it easier to work with.
I like to scatter the pieces and build up the layers of paper while I work, starting with my large scraps first and finishing up with the smaller ones.
Once this was finished, I gave it 3 coats of a clear finish.
Once this was finished, I gave it 3 coats of a clear finish.
This is what the completed table top looks like. I thought the chapter indicator "14" was cool so I decided to keep it visible.
By this time my dowels and copper elbows were dry. I assembled them to make sure everything would fit square. Then I took everything apart and used gorilla glue to join them again. I saw that everything sat square again and let it dry for a couple days.
When you do this, be sure to lie the base on its side with the 2 long parts on the ground so it doesn't bend as it dries.
When you do this, be sure to lie the base on its side with the 2 long parts on the ground so it doesn't bend as it dries.
Once everything was dry, I used screws to attach my tube straps to the underside of my table top to keep it from moving.
And after a couple hours total, this is what I ended up with. Although I can't speak for the maximum weight it can hold, but it holds my coffee and book nicely.
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More: DIY home projects
Materials and supplies