If you follow my Instagram account you may remember the coffee table that I made for season 5 of the Instagram Builders Challenge.  It may be 5+ months since I built the coffee table but I’m here to share the coffee table build plans with you anyways! 

Better late than never right 😉

The design that I came up with incorporates a double X design on the legs.  I also did two X’s on the top to tie it all together. 

I absolutely love this coffee table and I know that a few others do as well because I’ve been asked to share plans by some folks.

The dimensions of this coffee table are 24.5″ wide by 45.5″ long x 19″ tall as shown below.

I had so much fun participating in the Instagram Builders Challenge and making this coffee table.  The next challenge starts on October 6th and builders will have 3 weeks to complete the challenge.  I’m excited to participate again and anxious to see what piece of furniture we will be challenged with this time. 

Here are some photos of the coffee table in my living room.  As you can see, I have a thing for X designs on furniture 😉

HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE COFFEE TABLE PLANS

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How to Build a Coffee Table – Double X Design

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TOOLS

Miter Saw 

Table Saw

Pocket hole jig 

Drill

Brad Nailer 

Circular Saw

Clamps

Tape Measure

Pencil

Ear Protection

Eye Protection

MATERIALS

(8) 2.5″ pocket hole screws

(63) 2″ screws

2″ Brad nails

Wood glue

Wood filler

Stain

Polyurethane

Paint

CUT LIST

DIRECTIONS

****Don’t forget to use glue on all of your joints!

****** For steps 1-8 be sure to make two.  The directions show steps for one of the legs but you’ll need two legs to complete the coffee table. 

Base of Coffee Table

STEP 1

First, cut a 45 degree angle on both sides of the top and bottom supports. 

Then use wood glue and 2″ screws to attach the top and bottom to the center support.

STEP 2

Use a miter saw to cut the angles on the long x brace pieces.

STEP 3

Use wood glue and 2″ screws to attach the long x braces to the top and bottom supports.

STEP 4

Use a miter saw to cut the angles on the first set of short pieces for the X braces.

STEP 5

Use wood glue and 2″ screws to attach the short x braces to the top support.

STEP 6

Use a miter saw to cut the angles on the other short X brace pieces.

STEP 7

Use wood glue and 2″ screws to attach the remaining short x braces to the bottom supports.

STEP 8

Use wood glue and 2″ screws to attach the feet to the bottom support.

STEP 9

Use a pocket hole jig to drill two pocket holes into each side of the 2×4 x 36″ top support.

Then, attach the top support bar to the legs.

STEP 10

Use a pocket hole jig to drill two pocket holes into each side of the lower support bar.

Then, attach the lower support bar to the two sides.

Top of Coffee Table

Step 11

*** For the top I will show you my process however, I did not dimension the individual pieces intentionally.  When doing a patterned top like this, it’s best to measure and cut every piece as you go to ensure the best fit.

Start by marking the center line on the plywood sheet.

Step 12

I used full width 1×4 boards to make two x’s on the top and aligned the center line of the boards with the center line of the plywood sheet.  Be sure to extend the boards past the plywood sheet.  You will cut these off with your circular saw after you finish the pattern.  Use wood glue to attach all boards to the plywood sheet.

Step 13

I then used the 1/2 width 1×4 boards that I ripped down to create a pattern in each of the triangles and the center diamond.  You may need to use the full 1×4 boards for the final pieces if the width is slightly above the 1/2 width boards like mine were.

Step 14

After the pattern is complete, trim up the edges with a circular saw to match the 21″ x 42″ plywood board.

Step 15

Use a miter saw to cut a 45 degree angle on both sides of the long top trim pieces.

Do the same on the short top trim pieces.

Step 16

Use wood glue and a nail gun to attach the trim pieces to the decorative top.

Step 17

Flip the top and base upside down and attach the base to the top using 2″ screws.

Information on the Finish that I used

You can get creative with the finish for this build.  Stain, paint, whitewash, leave it bare wood, the possibilities are endless.  If you would like to apply a similar finish to mine, here is what I did.

1. First, stain everything with Jacobean stain by Minwax
2. Mix 1 part white paint with 2 parts water to make a white wash mixture
3. Brush on the whitewash to the base only
4. Then, immediately wipe the white wash off until you have the desired amount left behind on the base
5. Last, apply a polyurethane to the top

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Are you also looking forward to seeing what the amazing maker community will create with the next Instagram Builders Challenge?