C-Shaped Sofa Side Table

Cut list

Board layout. Each row is one board, cut left to right, with the remainder hatched. Dark lines are saw cuts, about ⅛″ wide.

Build it

1. 
   01

   Cut the pieces

   All three plywood panels come from one 2 × 4 ft panel. With a circular saw and a straight guide, cut the base off one end first, then rip what's left into two strips for the upright and the top, and cut them to length. Cut the two cleats from the 2x2:

   • A Base, one at 16″ × 18″
   • B Upright, one at 11¾″ × 23½″
   • C Top, one at 11¾″ × 15″
   • D Cleats, two at 11¾″

   TipCheck each panel is square by measuring corner to corner both ways. A C-table shows every crooked cut.
2. 
   02

   Band the edges

   This step is optional, but it makes plywood look like solid wood. Iron edge banding onto every edge that shows: all four edges of the top (C), both long edges of the upright (B), and the front and side edges of the base (A). Trim the overhang flush with a sharp utility knife and sand the corners smooth.

3. 
   03

   Fix the cleats to the upright

   Lay the upright (B) good face down. Glue a cleat (D) across the back face at each end, flush with the end and both long edges. Pre-drill and countersink three holes in each cleat and drive 2″ screws through the cleat into the upright.

   Watch outThe upright is only ¾″ thick. Use 2″ screws, no longer, so the tips stop inside it.
4. 
   04

   Add the base

   Spread glue on the bottom end of the upright (B) and the bottom face of the lower cleat (D). Stand them on the base (A), flush with its front edge and 2⅛″ in from each side, with the cleat on the inside of the C. Clamp them down.

   Tip the whole thing on its side. Pre-drill and drive 1½″ screws up through the base: three into the end of the upright and three into the cleat.

5. 
   05

   Add the top

   Spread glue on the top end of the upright (B) and the top face of the upper cleat (D). Set the top (C) on them, flush with the front and both sides, and clamp it. Drive three 2″ screws up through the cleat into the top. Check the top is square to the upright before the glue sets.

6. 
   06

   Sand and finish

   Fill the screw holes under the base, sand everything with 120 then 180 grit and ease every edge. Paint it, or stain it and give it three coats of polyurethane for a top that wipes clean.

7. 
   07

   Fit it to the sofa

   Stick a felt pad under each corner of the base so it slides without scratching the floor. Slide the base under the front of your sofa until the upright touches it, and the top sits over the seat.

   Your sofa needs 2½″ of space under its front edge for the base and the lower cleat, and a seat no higher than about 22″ so the top clears it.

   Watch outThe top hangs out over the seat. It's made for a laptop, a plate or a drink, not for sitting or leaning your weight on the far end. Keep kids from climbing on it.