Build a Custom DIY Dark Walnut Twin Console Tables
Imagining the Custom DIY Dark Walnut Twin Console Tables
If you're a woodworking enthusiast looking for an easy, inexpensive project to tackle, a DIY console table may be just the thing. I'll walk you through the steps I used to build a set of console tables that work behind a couch, along a hallway, or anywhere else you need a bit of extra surface space. It's a practical build, and it's also a great opportunity to hone your woodworking skills. Plus, since you're building it yourself, you can customize the length, height, and finish to fit your own space and style.
For a few years my mom would buy herself her own birthday gifts and simply let me and my brothers know how much money we owed her. She doesn't spend a lot on herself, so this was the convenient arrangement she'd talked us into. One year, a couple weeks before her birthday, out of curiosity I asked what she actually wanted. Expecting her to just tell me how much I'd owe her, she instead asked for a set of custom DIY console tables to put behind the couch in her living room. I agreed to make them, of course, though I probably should have kept my mouth shut.
The project turned out to be a straightforward build and not too expensive. I used common pine lumber from Home Depot and finished it with a stain to match her preference, you can do the same and dial in the wood species and stain to match yours.
Prefer to skip the sawdust?
Materials & Tools Needed
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Tools
Miter saw or circular saw — for cutting boards to length
Drill/driver — for pilot holes and driving screws
Pocket hole jig (optional, for cleaner joinery)
Wood clamps — at least 4, for holding leg assemblies square while gluing
Foam brush or clean cloth for stain and poly application
Safety glasses, ear protection, and a dust mask
Materials
Pine boards for the tabletop and bottom shelf — dimensions depend on your desired table size; standard 1x board stock works well
Pine boards for the legs — cut to your desired table height
Pine boards for the skirt/braces on the long and short ends
Wood screws, appropriate length for your board thickness]
Sandpaper — 80, 120, and 220 grit
Since these are custom-built, I can make this table in any size or length to fit your space — request a custom order if you'd rather skip building your own tools and materials list.
Step 1: Cut the Wood to Length
The first step in building your DIY console table is cutting the wood to your desired length. This includes the legs, the top and bottom table surfaces, and the pieces needed for the skirt/braces. I used common pine lumber to keep costs low, you can size this project up or down and adjust every dimension to fit your own space.
Step 2: Build the Legs
Once your wood is cut to size, it's time to build the legs. Glue and screw two short skirt/brace pieces at either end of two longer leg pieces. This creates a hollow rectangle that becomes the leg assembly and gives the table a sturdy base.
Step 3: Attach the Skirt/Brace to the Table Top and Bottom
Next, attach the long skirt/brace piece to the underside of both the table top and bottom shelf. This adds stability and strength, and helps prevent the surfaces from bending or sagging over time.
Step 4: Attach the Legs to the Table Top
With the skirt/brace attached, it's time to attach the legs. Glue and screw the legs to each end of the table top, securing them to both the underside of the tabletop and the long skirt/brace for added stability.
Step 5: Fit the Table Bottom Shelf
The bottom shelf needs to slide in between the table legs, so it won't be a full rectangle like the top. Measure how much space is needed at each corner and cut those corners out of the bottom shelf so it slides in and sits snugly against each leg. Secure it to the legs, and secure the legs to the skirt with glue and screws.
Step 6: Sand, Stain, and Finish
I don't love sanding, but it's a necessary step to really make a woodworking project come together. For a table like this, I sand first with 80 grit, then 120 grit, and finish with 220 grit sandpaper. After sanding, I applied a dark walnut stain, following the manufacturer's instructions. Once it dried, I finished the table with a coat of polyurethane to protect the wood.
Standard safety notes: Wear safety glasses and ear protection when cutting, and a dust mask when sanding. Keep hands clear of blade paths, use push sticks or a miter saw fence rather than free-handing cuts, and make sure leg assemblies are clamped securely before gluing or screwing to avoid shifting. Work stains and finishes in a well-ventilated area, away from open flame, and let each coat cure fully before handling.
I delivered the tables to my mother in time for her birthday, and she loved them. They made a great addition to her living room and are still standing in place today.
Building your own DIY console table is a fun, approachable woodworking project, and since it's built from scratch, you can make it any size or length to fit your own space — whether that's behind a couch, in an entryway, or along a hallway.
Buy the Finished Console Table
Want this table without building it yourself?
Want a size that fits your exact space? Request a Custom Order — email LumberJim.EP@gmail.com and I'll build it to your dimensions and finish preference.
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