DIY Outdoor Console Table

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Console tables are among the versatile pieces of furniture that you can easily move around, repurpose, and set up in various spaces around your home or patio. They are typically used in entryways and hallways, though they also make excellent additions to your office or living room spaces.

But, of course, you can never go wrong when designing console tables, and for this, they make for unique DIY projects. If you are interested in design ideas, the following tutorial will be an excellent starting point for your research. Follow along.

Before Getting Started

Let us first discuss wood. If you are to expose your outdoor console to weather elements, you should go for hardwoods or pressure-treated lumber. If your DIY console table goes on a covered porch, you can use regular pine. Ensure you choose a choice of material that best meets your needs.

There is more than one way you can use to assemble a DIY console table. However, as you begin the assembly, it is good to have a step-by-step plan to ensure you do not miss a step. 

For your construction, you can choose to use scrap wood lying around in your garage primarily. Is this your first time designing an outdoor console table? Follow along as we guide you on making a cement tabletop outdoor console table.

Before getting started with the project, it is crucial to ensure that you prep your wood. Then, before the assembly, you can use a table saw to square the edges before sanding it. By doing this, the resulting piece of furniture will have a more professional look and be more finished.

The Building Process

Once you are ready to get started, take a look at the items you will need and the step-by-step process to build your outdoor console table. Let us start the building process:

Lumber

3 – 2×4 by 8 inches

2 – 2×3 by 8 inches

1 – 2×2 by 8 inches

1 – 1×4 by 10 inches (for your slats)

Required Tools

  • Kreg jig
  • Miter saw (or other saws that can cut straight)
  • Brad nail gun
  • Right-angled clamp
  • Speed square
  • Level

Materials Needed

  • 2 ½-inch screws
  • 1 ½-inch brad nails
  • 2 ½-inch pocket hole screws

Steps

  1. Take a pair of 2x4s at 27 inches and another 2x4s at 46 ½ inches and, on the side of the legs, use the Kreg jig to make pockets holes. Then, link it to the 2 ½ pocket hole screws.
  2. Repeat the above procedure an extra time to create a different console table side. Again, ensure to use the speed square to guarantee it is all square and level.
  3. At 13 inches, cut a pair of 2x4s and attach them to the console table’s sides. You could use the Kreg Jig or opt to use ordinary screws. Choosing the ordinary screws means the screws can be seen from the outside. Therefore it is better to use the Kreg jig. Use a right-angle clamp to ensure that you get a seamless connection and you will appreciate the result and wish you could do all your home projects using it.
  4. Next, you will need to design a bottom shelf. Cut a pair of 2x3s at 43 ½ inches and another pair of 2x3s at 13 inches. From the bottom, measure 6 inches and link it to the limbs. You can also use the Kreg jig for this. 
  5. Make four 2×4 inch cuts at 13 inches for your tabletop support and attach them at the bottom. Ensure that you include the cement tabletop measurement. For instance, you could have a 1-inch tabletop thickness and attach 1-inch supports under the surface. 
  6. Cut a pair of 2x2s at 42 inches and link them to the base, creating a support for the shelf slats. Use wood glue and 2-inch screws to attach it. Ensure not to forget wood glue because it forms an even stronger bond compared to the screws. Next, ensure they are placed ¾ inches under the board top. By doing this, it becomes flush on putting the slats. 
  7. At 10 inches, make 12 1×4 inches slats and attach the slats to the base. Again, you can use the brad nail gun to facilitate an easier assembly. Now, calculate the gap size and ensure that the slat spacing is even using shims.
  8. Support the cement tabletop. 

Possible Mistakes in the Project

You might realize it does not fit as you take out the cement table to fit it on your console table. This could happen due to one of the console table boards being too warped; hence the cement tabletop becomes unable to fit on one of the sides. 

If this happens, you will need to shave off some part of your tabletop in order for it to fit well. Although this might take some extra time, it is still a better alternative to having to redo your mold and begin the entire process afresh. 

Now you see how DIY is so handy – It creates solutions for most kinds of problems you encounter.

It would be best to make a ¼-inch narrower tabletop to cater to possible wood warping. However, the ideal solution is to get straight wood.

Although you can use any wood that might be present in your garage, it is important to note that wood can be warped if it has been left lying in your garage for too long. 

It will take about half an hour of intense work to shave off your cement tabletop for it to fit perfectly. If you do it correctly, the results will make you appreciate your DIY outdoor console table more and be glad you took a risk and stepped out of your comfort zone. 

By the end of this project, you will have a lovely console table that can fit into various spaces around your home, even awkward and narrow spaces. Moreover, outdoor console tables add a more aesthetic appeal in addition to being functional. 

woman with ruler measuring old wooden table for renovation

What Are Some of the Uses of Console Tables?

A console table is essentially a skinny table that can fit any narrow spaces you might have. Some of the spots you might consider putting up your console table are:

  • On your patio
  • In the yard
  • In an expansive hallway
  • As entryway table
  • At the gateway for holding keys
  • Under your television
  • Behind the couch or sofa table
  • In the bathroom for holding towels or toilet paper
  • At the dining table in the place of the buffet table
  • Atop your staircase

How Big Is an Average Console Table?

The most fantastic aspect of designing DIY console tables is the possible customization of the design to fit your particular space and individualized needs. A typical console table is often between two to four feet long, two to three feet tall, and has a depth of up to 18 inches. 

The bigger your space, the bigger you can make your console table. If your space is a slim hallway, create a narrow table. If an extra surface area is required, you could include a lower storage shelf. A console table under the TV should typically be 12 inches broader than the television.

Conclusion

Are you looking for the perfect outdoor console table for your outdoor spaces? Then, think about customizing a console table to meet your particular requirements. A DIY outdoor console table allows easy customization, is easy and simple to set up, and gives you the joy of doing it yourself. In addition, you could add a cement tabletop to your console table to make it more aesthetic and practical. Therefore, spare some time and try out this engaging project. 

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