How to Build a Modern Coffee Table-Pottery Barn Dupe

As usual, when looking for a modern coffee table build, I perused Pinterest for the perfect fit. Usually when I don’t find anything that catches my eye there, I search my favorite furniture stores for ideas. My go-to’s Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, McGee & Co, Arhaus, West Elm….to name a few. When the Folsom Wood coffee table popped up on Pottery Barn’s site, I knew that was the one! I love the chunkiness of this piece. It is such a solid, modern coffee table with clean lines and the finish on it is perfect!

And that $700 price tag doesn’t discourage me…because I’m going to build mine for a LOT less. Can’t wait to share with you how to build one too. So, let’s get to it!

HOW TO BUILD A MODERN COFFEE TABLE

(Instructions are based on a 49″ long x 16 1/2″ wide; 20″ tall coffee table) If building a different size, be sure to adjust measurements accordingly).

Wood Needed for Modern Coffee Table:

2- 3/4″ 4×8 sheets of quality plywood

4- 2x4x8 pine boards

Materials Needed for Modern Coffee Table:

Kreg Jig Screws 2 1/2″

GRK Wood Screws 1 1/2″ (any brand wood screw will work; just sharing my favorite here)

Edge Banding

Finish (I.E. paint/stain/poly) (If building for an outdoor space, be sure to use exterior poly)

Here’s a list of the Finish products I used:

Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner

MinWax Tinsmith Gray Stain

MinWax Special Walnut Stain

Satin Polyurethane

Tools Needed:

Table saw (OPTIONAL)

Affiliate Links Included

NOTE: If you’ve never used a Kreg Jig, here’s a great tutorial. If you don’t have one, I highly recommend buying one. You will use it all the time in the DIY realm! And it makes builds so much easier! Amazon has a great price for them! Here’s the link!!

Step One: Make all of your cuts

Cut four 2×4’s at 13″ each

Cut four 2×4’s at 12″ each

Cut four 2×4’s at 47 1/2″ each

Step Two: Drill pocket holes

Drill 1 1/2″ pocket holes on both ends of all of your above cuts except the longer boards (47 1/2″)….

Step Three: Build sides

Attach two 13″ boards to two 47 1/2″ boards using 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws. Make sure it’s square.

Repeat these steps with your remaining 13″ and 47 1/2″ boards. You should now have your two sides…

Step Four: Add stretchers to the sides

Attach all four 12″ boards to one side, using 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws. Make sure pocket holes are facing out. This will make it easier to attach the other side….

Attach the other side to the top of the stretchers (12″ boards), using 2 12″ p.h. screws. Note: this picture shows the frame on its side. Be sure to flip it once to sit it upright, before starting next step (“Wrapping the Frame”)….

Step Five: Wrap frame with plywood

Your coffee table frame should now be in the upright position and look like this. (See picture below). Cut plywood to fit each section and attach using 1 1/2″ wood screws. I found it easiest to attach in the following order:

Ends (front and back)…

It should now look like this…

Sides of ends…

Bottom and top of long 2×4’s…

Top and bottom…

Step Six: Fill holes and sand

Fill all of the nail holes with wood filler. When wood filler dries, sand entire table using a 220 sandpaper.

Step Seven: Attach edge-banding

Using a hot iron, attach edge banding to all exposed plywood edges. This is a very simple process. Simply, cut the edge banding to fit and iron it on. Press it down for firmer grip…using a wood block, slide it up and down on the ironed-on edge banding.