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    Home » Woodworking » DIY Furniture Plans » Coffee and Side Table Plans

    Modern DIY C Table

    June 25, 2023 by Shara, Woodshop Diaries

    In this post, I’m sharing how to build a unique, modern DIY C-Table from just one 1x6x8 board!

    This little table is such a fun and unique design that would be the perfect side table, accent table, or even a simple plant stand.

    Simple modern C table with natural wood top and blue and green stained table base against white wall

    I played around with both design and color with this little table–as you can see. But if you like to keep things more neutral, this would also look great with a black or white base, too!

    Since it’s such a small project and it’s assembled in sections, it’s a great opportunity to get creative with it. Customize the size and color to match your own style.

    If you’re ready to see how to build it from JUST ONE BOARD, let’s dive in.

    *This post contains affiliate links. See website policies.

    What You’ll Need

    Tools:

    • Miter saw
    • Table saw (or circular saw and straight edge)
    • Jig saw
    • Drill/Driver
    • Pocket hole jig OR Dowel jig
    • Clamps

    Materials:

    • (1) 1x6x8 board
    • 1 ¼″ pocket hole screws OR 1 ½″ dowel pins
    • Wood Glue
    • Figure 8 fasteners OR 90 degree corner brackets (to attach top)

    What to know before building

    You should be able to complete this build in a few hours–most of which is spent waiting on glue to dry haha.

    This project is not difficult, but the angles may seem a big confusing. Don’t let them intimidate you!

    Close up of 10 degree miter on miter saw

    All angles in this project are mitered 10 degrees to keep things simple.

    NOTE: You’ll notice, if you watch the video below, that I mention that I beveled AND mitered some of the pieces. However, the bevel only made things more complicated but made little to no difference in the overall design.

    If I were to build this again, I wouldn’t bother with the bevels, so in the instructions below, I omitted the bevel to keep things simpler. All angles are MITERED ONLY–no bevels.

    Assemble with Pocket Holes or Dowels

    You can assemble these pieces using pocket holes or dowels. Either would work fine.

    If you use dowels, you’ll need a dowel jig and dowel pins. But if you use pocket holes, you’ll need a pocket hole jig and 1 ¼″ pocket hole screws.

    RELATED: How to use a pocket hole jig

    Overall dimensions:

    The overall dimensions of this small DIY C-Table is 16″ diameter x 20″ tall.

    C table overall dimensional diagram showing 20" tall x 16" diameter

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    How to Build a Modern C-Table

    If you prefer to watch, I’ve got a complete build video on my YouTube channel here:

    Are DIY project videos your thing? Subscribe to my YouTube channel for the latest project videos, bloopers, and behind the scenes action.

    Step 1: Cut C-Table Pieces

    First, I cut three 16″ long pieces from the 1×6 board to glue up for the table top in step 2. I set these aside for now.

    I ripped the remaining 1×6 into two 2 ½″ wide strips (which makes them 1x3s) using a table saw. If you don’t have a table saw, you can CAREFULLY use a jig saw or circular saw and straight edge to rip these instead.

    Two pieces of white oak on table saw

    From these 2 ½″ wide boards, I cut the following pieces:

    • (2) 19 ½″ with ends mitered 10 degrees
    • (1) 5 ¼″ with one end mitered 10 degrees
    • (1) 6″ with one end mitered 10 degrees
    • (1) 8 ¼″ with one end mitered 10 degrees
    • (1) 9″ with one end mitered 10 degrees
    One board cut diagram for C table pieces

    Step 2: Assemble Table Top

    To make the table top, I simple edge glued the three 16″ long pieces together to make a panel about 16″ x 16 ½″.

    Shara Woodshop Diaries gluing up table top on workbench

    You can use dowels, biscuits, or pocket holes and screws to join these boards, but just wood glue and some time in the clamps works just fine.

    RELATED: How to build a table top

    Once the glue had dried (refer to your specific glue type and environmental factors for dry times), I removed it from the clamps. You can keep this table top as a rectangle if you’d like, but I wanted mine round.

    So I found the center, drove a screw in, and used a tape measure to draw a circle with diameter about 16″ (or slightly less). Check out this post to learn how to draw a perfect circle in any size.

    Close up of jig saw cutting circle on white oak panel

    I used a jig saw to carefully cut out this circle, then sanded it well and set it aside.

    TIP: When cutting circles using a jig saw, it’s difficult to cut it PERFECT. That’s okay! I recommend cutting a little outside the line, then using a sander to smooth it out and remove the material just up to the line.

    Or, if you prefer using a router to a jig saw, you can make a circle jig for your router and cut it out that way instead.

    Step 3: Assemble Table Base

    The table base is made up of two separate pieces. One short and one long piece attach to one leg. And another short and long piece attach to the other leg.

    Shara Woodshop Diaries using rubber mallet to assemble table base with wood glue and dowels

    You can attach these pieces using pocket holes or wood glue and dowels (see notes above). I used wood glue and dowels because I didn’t want to see the pocket holes in the finished project.

    You can always plug your pocket holes if you don’t want to see them, but I didn’t have any oak plugs to match the oak I was using here.

    But it’s important to make sure that the 5 ¼″ and 8 ¼″ pieces are attached to one leg. And the 6″ x 9″ pieces should be attached to the other leg.

    Dimensional diagram showing dimensions of C table base assemblies

    Once these two assemblies were made, I attached them together to complete the table base.

    I just added a bead of wood glue and butted the short side up to the long side and clamped until dry.

    Shara Woodshop Diaries gluing up C table base on workbench

    My base seems to be holding up well with just glue. However, if you want some additional holding power besides glue alone, a couple finish nails or screws at the joint won’t hurt.

    NOTE: If you want to finish your pieces in separate colors, apply finish BEFORE attaching them together. This will make it much easier than trying to stain/paint them different colors after they’re glued up.

    I stained my table leg assemblies separately with Minwax Water Based Solid Wood Stain–one was Early Spring and the other was Royal Pine.

    Step 4: Attach Table Top to Table Base

    Once the table top and table base are both assembled, the last part is simply putting them together to complete the table!

    There are several ways to attach the top to the base. An easy option is simply using 90 degree corner brackets–attach one end to the table base and the other to the underside of the table top.

    Using figure 8 fasteners is another option and that’s what I used in this case. Figure 8 fasteners are a simple way to attach a table top to a base and still allow for wood movement.

    I used a ⅝″ forstener bit to drill two very shallow holes on the top of the table base. These should be just deep enough that the fastener sits into them and is flush across the top.

    Close up of figure 8 fasteners on table base top

    Then I chiseled out the edges a little so that the figure 8 fastener is able to swivel in these holes. I secured the fasteners to the base with two small wood screws.

    Close up of figure 8 fasteners installed with screws

    Then I flipped the table top upside down on the workbench and centered the table base upside down on it. I secured the fasteners to the top with two more small wood screws.

    Close up of Shara Woodshop Diaries using screws to attach table to to C table base

    Step 5: Finish and Enjoy

    And at that point, the assembly is complete and all that’s left is the finishing. I had already stained the base, but I applied a couple coats of Minwax Polycrylic Semi-Gloss to the top and the base to seal it and give it a little shine.

    Once this was dry, this little DIY C table was ready for use! This makes such a fun little plant stand table, side table, or even a simple minimalist nightstand.

    Modern C Table next to chair used as a side table with plant, candle and book on top

    You could even use it as a stool!

    No matter how you plan to use it, I hope you enjoyed watching how it was made!

    Blue, green, and white oak side table used as a plant stand with ZZ plant on top

    Looking for more project ideas?

    Can’t get enough scrap wood projects?? I’m teaming up with my friend, Kati, from Houseful of Handmade all month long to share some “Scrap Wood Summer” Projects!

    Check out all the projects in the series so far below. Click on an image to learn how to make each one!

    DIY Modern C Table
    DIY Entryway Shelf with Mirror
    DIY Yard Tool Organizer
    DIY Side Table with Wheels
    DIY Floating Shelves
    DIY Organizer Tray
    DIY Wooden Sunflower Art
    DIY Paper Towel Holder
    DIY Tea Pot and Mug Stand
    DIY Tortilla Press

    We will be posting new Scrap Wood Summer projects every Tuesday through the month of August (2023). Check out last years’ Scrap Wood Summer projects plus other scrap wood ideas here.

    Want to save this DIY C Table project for later? Don’t forget to pin it or share to your favorite social channel!

    Pinterest collage image showing dimensional C table diagram at top and modern side table next to chair at bottom with text "how to build a modern table from just 1 board"

    Looking for more DIY projects? Here are a few more one board builds you’ll enjoy!

    How to Build a DIY Bar Cart from One Board
    One Board Bar Cart
    One Board Shoe Bench
    DIY Wooden Centerpiece Box

    And if you’re looking for similar projects, here are few more small table projects you’ll love!

    4 Drawer End Table
    DIY Plant Stand
    Modern Round Coffee Table

    Until next time, friends, happy building!

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