Build It | Reclaimed Coffee Table

You can add character and history to your living space by building your very own coffee table from reclaimed wood. This do-it-yourself project combines the charm of wood with contemporary construction techniques for a result that will stop visitors in their tracks. Read how to build your own reclaimed coffee table in our step-by-step guide below, and watch the video above for tips from This Old House general contractor Tom Silva.

Selecting and Preparing the Wood for the Coffee Table

The first step in creating your reclaimed coffee table is to choose the right materials. Reclaimed oak is a great place to start because it’s durable and adds character to any space. Read more below.  

Choosing Reclaimed Oak

Look for the features below when you’re choosing pieces of reclaimed oak: 

• Checking (cracks in the wood)
• Evidence of powderpost beetle activity
• Old bolt or peg holes
• Live edges

These imperfections add to the unique charm of your finished piece. You can complement your existing furniture by choosing oak that goes along with your current design scheme. A mix of white and red oak can showcase the variety available in reclaimed wood, for example.

Preparing the Wood

You must properly prepare your reclaimed wood before you begin construction on your project. Follow the steps below.

1. Cut all boards to the length you want with a miter saw. Make sure they are the same length.
2. True up the edges of the 2×10 pieces using a track saw. This will give you straight, clean edges.
3. Rip the width of the boards on a table saw to keep the boards’ dimensions consistent.

Building the Coffee Tabletop

The tabletop is the centerpiece of your coffee table, you must carefully construct it to get polished, long-lasting results. Be patient and precise, and you will wind up with a piece that stands out.

Glue the Boards

Follow the steps below to create a solid tabletop:

1. Apply wood glue to the edges of three 2×10 pieces to create a strong bond.
2. Clamp the pieces together tightly, and maintain even pressure across all edges.
3. Allow the glue to set for about an hour for maximum adhesion.

Use quality wood glue and clamp tightly to prevent any gaps or weaknesses in the table. 

Square and Finish the Top

Follow the steps below once the glue has cured.

1. Remove the tabletop from the clamps.
2. Use a track saw to square up the edges.
3. Sand the surface to achieve a smooth finish.

Constructing the Base of the Coffee Table

Your table’s base makes the piece stable and adds to the rustic look of the tabletop. Be careful while you make cuts and prepare the base’s elements. 

Cut and Prepare the Legs

Follow the steps below to cut and prepare the legs:

1. Cut 4 pieces of 4×4 reclaimed oak so that they’re 18 inches long.
2. Sand the legs to remove any rough spots.

Create the Apron

The apron connects the legs and supports the tabletop. This creates a stable structural frame. Follow the steps below to create the apron:

1. Measure and cut the apron pieces so that they precisely fit between the legs.
2. Use a pocket hole jig to drill slots on both edges of all four apron pieces. This will create clean, hidden joins.
3. Attach the legs to the apron using pocket screws and wood glue. This will make your construction especially sturdy.

Assembling the Coffee Table

Assembling the table calls for expert precision. This is the step during which your coffee table will start to take shape and show the beauty of the reclaimed oak. 

Attach the Top to the Base

Follow the steps below to connect the tabletop to the base:

1. Place the leg and apron assembly on the underside of the tabletop so that they properly align.
2. Trace the edges of the legs and cut out the corners using a jigsaw.
3. Smooth the tabletop’s edges with a router and roundover bit.

Secure the Top

Follow the steps below to secure the top and accommodate wood movement due to humidity changes:

1. Use a spade bit to drill shallow recesses into the apron that will house the fasteners.
2. Install tabletop fasteners in these recesses. Secure them so that they allow slight movement.
3. Attach the tabletop to the base by driving screws through the fasteners. This will create a strong connection.

This technique prevents warping or other deformities.

Adding Character to a Coffee Table with Pegs

You can add character and elements of traditional craftsmanship to your coffee table by filling existing holes with wooden pegs.

Filling Round and Square Holes

Follow the steps below to add pegs:

1. Use wooden pegs to fill square holes. Make sure to match sizes. 
2. Use whittle square pegs to fill circular holes. 
3. Apply glue to the holes and insert the pegs. Secure each peg in place.
4. Once your work is dry, trim the excess parts of the pegs with a flush-cutting saw, and level the pegs with the table’s surface.

Finishing Touches for the Coffee Table

Finish your coffee table construction by sanding and applying finish to protect the wood and enhance its natural beauty. A good finish will allow you to use the table daily without ruining its aesthetic appeal.

Sand the Table

Follow the steps below to sand your table before you apply finish: 

1. Sand the entire table, including the top, legs, and apron. This will give you a smooth texture throughout.
2. Start sanding with a coarse grit sandpaper and gradually move to finer grits.
3. Pay special attention to any rough areas or splinters in the reclaimed wood.

Sanding allows the wood to absorb the finish evenly.  

Apply the Finish

Follow the steps below to apply the finish and protect and highlight the wood’s character. Finish also makes the wood more durable.

1. Clean the table thoroughly to remove all dust. This will provide a pristine canvas for your finish.
2. Apply a Danish oil or paste wax. Both protect the wood and enrich the oak’s wood grain. 
3. Apply the finish and let it dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.