I have always been a huge fan of those trendy side tables that let you pull your things at a bit closer while lounging on the sofa. It has just always sounded so convenient to me to have my own coffee directly within my lap and also a place to place my pens and other small things so the cats wouldn’t treat them like their prized loot. The one 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 that I could readily make and also customize for less, so I went to the hardware shop to collect my supplies. $30 and a few of hours later, I had a new favorite piece of furniture. Here is how I did it

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Erin Lang Norris

The best part about DIY jobs is that you’re able to take a general notion and run in any direction you want. I chose to make my table top out of wood that I cut, sanded and painted black. For added visual interest, I glued scraps from an old book to the surface.

Materials and provides
7/8″ diameter 48″ hardwood dowels (4)3/4″ 90 degree copper elbows (8)3/4″ copper pipe straps (4)PaintSpray paintPages via an old bookGlueGorilla gluePaint brushesProtective finish (I used a tiny bottle of clear coating )

Erin Lang Norris

Spray painting demands multiple coatings, so I started with this task . Basically you only 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 I had and cut it to approximately 10″ x 21″.

Erin Lang Norris

Once my dowels were dry, I cut them all to size. This endeavor is easiest if you have a clamp you can work with. I was not very picky with being specific on dimensions; I just needed all the bits to fit length. I found the easiest way to do this was to measure my very first piece, cut it, and then hold it to my second bit whilst marking with a saw. This is much faster and simpler than measuring everything out.

As an example, I cut:
2 bits about 20″ long2 bits 7.5″ long4 bits 18″ longBe sure everything will be hidden beneath the wood and it will work with your sofa, so adjust your measurements so.

Erin Lang Norris

This is what I ended up with. I gave them another coat of paint after this and let them dry.

Erin Lang Norris

While I was waiting for my dowels to finish, I cut on paper rectangles in various sizes from webpages of an old book I’d. I used clear craft glue that I diluted slightly with water to make it easier to work with.

Erin Lang Norris

I love to scatter the bits and build up the layers of paper while I work, beginning with my large scraps first and finishing up with all the smaller ones.

Once this was finished, I gave it 3 coats of a clear conclusion.

Erin Lang Norris

This is exactly what the completed table top looks like. I thought the chapter indicator”14″ was cool so I decided to keep it visible.

Erin Lang Norris

With this time my dowels and copper elbows were dry. I assembled them to make sure everything will fit square. I then took everything apart and used gorilla glue to combine them . I found that everything sat straight again and let it dry for a few days.

When you do this, be sure to lie the foundation on its side with both long parts on the floor so that it does not bend as it dries.

Erin Lang Norris

Once everything was dry, I used screws attach my tube straps to the underside of my desk top to keep it from going.

Erin Lang Norris

And after a few hours complete, this is what I ended up with. Although I can not speak for the maximum weight it could hold, but it retains my coffee and publication nicely.

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