Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table
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If you love the charm of rustic furniture with a story to tell, this reclaimed wood coffee table is the perfect DIY project to inspire your next weekend build. Made entirely from salvaged materials, it’s not only budget-friendly but also full of character. Whether you’re drawn to the warm tones of aged wood or the satisfaction of turning scraps into something beautiful, this project shows how easy it is to create a one-of-a-kind piece for your home.
Today’s project, a reclaimed wood coffee table, is very versatile. It can be used as a coffee table or bench indoors or out! This coffee table is easy to make, and it was relatively free for me. However, it did involve a lot of labor, hauling the reclaimed wood and building the table.
Look at all of that wonderfully weathered, beautiful, reclaimed wood! I have already made a potting bench and a craft show checkout station with some of this.
Visit the My Repurposed Life Amazon Store to shop my favorite items.
Cut List
- 4×4 16” (4) legs
- 2×4 44” (2) long skirt
- 2×4 12” (2) short skirt
- fence boards 20” (9) table top
Supplies
- Pocket Hole Screws 2 1/2” (16)
- Paint (optional)
- 36 1 5/8” screws (all weather if you plan to have this outdoors)
Tools
- Saw
- Kreg Jig (and bits)
- Drill
Simple Build Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table
I dug through the stored stock and found a couple of 2x4s and one 4×4. In all honesty, the height of my table was determined by the length of my 4×4. I divided it by 4 and got 16”. I drilled the pocket holes in each 2×4’s (skirt) end.
If you don’t have a pocket hole jig, you can use “L” brackets. However, if you do a lot of projects, I highly recommend investing in one of these jigs. For more details, see my post How To Use A Kreg Jig
Ana White has really good plans for building tables
Begin With Two Matching Sets of Legs
I attached each end of the skirt to the 4×4’s. Any table looks best with a slight inset for the table skirt.
Measure, Cut, and Attach the Side Apron
Then, I attached the longer sides using the same inset. I was so pleased with how quickly this table was coming together.
Countersink Wood Screws
The Kreg marking and measuring tool was used as a guide for drilling pilot holes for the screws to secure the planks on the tabletop. This is because I wanted the screws to look uniform along the length of the planks.
I used 1 5/8” exterior screws, countersinking them into the plank boards. Because I didn’t want to rip any plank boards, I spaced them with a slight gap across to make them come out evenly from end to end.
Easy Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table
I love it! It was the perfect fill-in project to do. I need to do some smaller side tables. I’ve been calling this a table, but you can see that it would also work perfectly as extra seating on the patio. Yep, I sat on it, and the boards are very sturdy.
Whitewash Painted Coffee Table
At the end of the next day, I only had a few minutes to kill, so I did a quick whitewash on the table/bench. It’s HEAVY and long, so lifting onto the work table was difficult.
I forgot to take other pictures because I was so busy preparing for Glendale 2016.
You can see how it turned out here. It sold very early, along with the outdoor beverage bar. It’s very versatile, and it can be indoor/outdoor seating (bench) or a coffee table for the patio.
Where would you use it?
gail
Wonderful table! All your projects are so cool, I’m going to try to copy them!
If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you a question – I have 2 old benches that have been outside for years, and the wood is very grey (love it), cracking etc. I’ve done absolutely nothing to them. Do you think I could still use the better pieces of wood to make something for indoors? I don’t think the wood is pressure treated, but if so can it be used indoors? Thank you very much for any thoughts you care to share!
Donna,
I use gray (reclaimed wood) all the time for many projects. In my opinion, even if the wood had been treated, after all the years in the weather I feel that the chemicals have dissipated or the wood wouldn’t have faded and weathered. That being said, I would NOT use it for anything that children or food may come in contact with.
happy to hear from you, I’m always here if you have questions.
gail
Thanks so much for your reply, Gail! I appreciate your taking the time to answer my question. Now I just need to narrow down my project ideas for the benches.
By the way, I really love the many cool posts you share – I’m so inspired and look forward to creating beauty in my home. Thank you again.
Donna W.
Wow really nice table, I would put it in front of my glider on the patio. . You always do such a fantastic job. Just wish I could build stuff.
Dee,
We all have to start somewhere. This one would be a great beginner project. 🙂
Great table! I would use it on a covered porch as a coffee table.
wow! that is a great coffee table! i can see why it sold early! (still loving that door bench behind it in pic!)
I seriously want to make more door benches Nova! It was fun, but this table? soooo easy and fast!
gail
Do these sort of project sell quickly? I don’t have a booth but a local shop has a free weekend for anyone to sell their wares. I’m going to take a few things to see if I get a nibble.
Terri,
This rustic coffee table sold very early in the morning. They left it for a delayed pick up and I could have sold it all day long. 🙂 Since it is so easy to build, I wish I had made more.
gail
As always, your instructions are great! I think I’d like to make one for my show in April!
Thanks Kirby! So easy and fun, and well loved and received at my show. I need to start collecting some more wood. 🙂
gail