Slim Sofa 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

   Pick the flattest, straightest 1x12s you can find: the top and shelf show every bow. Cut every piece:

   • A Ends, two at 29¼″
   • B Top, one at 60″
   • C Shelf, one at 58½″
   • D Divider, one at 22½″
   • E Back rails, two at 58½″
2. 
   02

   Drill the pocket holes

   With the jig set for ¾″, drill on the faces nobody sees: three holes at each end of the shelf (C) on its underside, two at each end of the back rails (E) on their backs, two at each end of the divider (D) on one face, and two near the top of each end (A) on the inside. Add four holes along the top edge of the upper back rail for the top.

3. 
   03

   Build the base

   Stand the two ends (A) up 60″ apart at the outside. Fit the shelf (C) between them with its bottom 6″ up from the floor, and the two back rails (E) flush with the back edges: one under the shelf, one flush with the tops of the ends. Glue and drive 1¼″ pocket screws.

   TipCut a 6″ scrap block and stand the shelf on it at both ends while you screw. It comes out level.
4. 
   04

   Add the divider

   Rip the divider (D) to 10½″ wide. Stand it on the shelf at the center, 29⅝″ from either end, front edge flush with the shelf and back edge against the upper back rail. Glue and pocket-screw it to the shelf.

5. 
   05

   Attach the top

   Lay the top (B) on the base, flush at the ends, front and back. Drive 1¼″ pocket screws up through the ends, the divider and the back rail into the top.

6. 
   06

   Sand and finish

   Sand with 120 then 180 grit and ease every edge. Stain and seal, or paint the base and stain the top.

   TipPush it tight against the back of the couch: the couch keeps it from being knocked over. Out in the open, a narrow table like this is easy to tip, so anchor it to the wall.