Osborne Builder's Studio: Building a Mid-Century Modern End Table

Start by cutting all 5/4 Lumber boards down to be slightly over their final length. The boards making up the tabletop will be 18” wide combined, and the bottom shelf boards 15 ½" wide. Aim for about 18 ¼” and 15 ¾” respectively.

Using a planer, trim the tabletop boards down to a thickness of 1” and the bottom shelf boards down to ¾“.

For both the tabletop and bottom shelf boards, glue the three pieces together along their lengthwise ends to create the two panels. Clamp each and leave to dry.

Using a planer, trim four Square Turning Blanks down from 2 ¾” to 2 ½”. These will serve as your table legs.

For each table leg, carve out two ½“ mortises down the center of two adjacent sides. This can be done quickly on a router table.

To create skirt boards, cut the 4x1 True Stock into four 13” boards. The skirt boards will eventually measure to be 12”, as the extra inch will eventually be cut down into a ½” tenon on each side.

Next, add a ½” tenon with ¼” shoulders to the short ends of each skirt board. Consider cutting a slight amount off from one side of each tenon to ensure an easy fit.

Sand down each of the table legs and skirt boards.

Using a doweling jig, drill two holes into each table leg using a drill bit that is roughly the same size as your dowels. Keep in mind that this table will only require two parallel supports when drilling these holes.

Using more 4x1 True Stock, cut out one 12-inch board before splitting it down the middle, creating two 12” x 2” x 1” shelf supports.

Drill two dowel holes into the end of each shelf support so that they will align with the table legs.

Using wood glue and a mallet, install dowels into each table leg, inserting in each shelf support afterwards

Apply wood glue to each mortise, and install the skirt boards. Clamp and leave to dry.

Trim your dried tabletop to 18” x 18” and sand it to 150 grit.

Using a ¾” forstner bit, mill two holes in each skirt board, as well as two holes in each shelf support. Screw figure eight fasteners into each of these holes.

After carefully centering your tabletop, screw it in place through each fastener. The tabletop should be approximately 1” in thickness.

Trim your bottom shelf to 15” x 12”. Dimensions may vary, depending on the nature of your project. Sand this to 150 grit, as well.

With the end table standing up, place your shelf along the supports. Clamp in place before flipping over. Screw the bottom shelf in through the fasteners, taking extra caution to use screws that do not exceed the shelf’s thickness of ¾”.

Finally, add a finish of your choice. We recommend a warm cherry to complement the mid-century aesthetic.