DIY Coffee Table--{Easy X Base Table with Round Top!!}

In this post, I’ll show you how to build this DIY X base coffee table with a round top that looks like a clock!

Round coffee table with wood X base and white round top on rug in living room in front of couch

If you know me very well, you know that I LOVE geometry and basically all things math. #nerd

So this DIY X base coffee table has been one of my absolute favorite projects of all time–not just because it looks nice, BUT because it incorporated a few angles in the process of building it 🙂

But, don’t worry! I’ve broken it all down for you in the printable plans and I promise, it’s easier than you might think. So if you’d like to build your own, I’ve got all the info below!

My friend Jamison at Rogue Engineer actually made an x base table much like this–just a little taller and skinnier and using a concrete top for an outdoor side table. So check out his plans here for those. My version below is shorter and fatter, making for a nice sized coffee table.

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For this DIY X Base Coffee Table, You Will Need:

(2) 2x4x8 boards
(2) 2x8x8 boards
2 ½″ pocket hole screws
Pocket hole plugs
Wood glue
Clamps
Miter Saw
Drill
Router OR Jig Saw
Obviously, measuring tape, pencil, and level will all come in handy as well 🙂

You can grab the printable plans here:

Step 1: Assemble Main X of Coffee Table Base

I built this entire base for this coffee table using standard 2x4s from the lumber yard.

I’ve detailed all the dimensions and cuts in the printable plans for this project here, but basically, I cut three pieces of 2×4 to assemble like shown using 1 ½″ pocket holes and 2 ½″ pocket hole screws.

Step 2: Assemble Coffee Table Base Half Xs

Then, I cut and assembled two “half Xs” using pocket holes the same way.

Diagram of half X to make coffee table base

Step 3: Assemble X Coffee Table Base

Then, I just attached the two halves to the main X using pocket holes and screws again to make the completed coffee table base.

X base coffee table base assembled with pocket holes diagram

At this point, it’s a good idea to either putty over the pocket holes OR use some wood glue and pocket hole plugs to plug all the pocket holes.

2x4 coffee table X base assembled and pocket holes plugged

Step 4: Assemble and Cut Round Table Top

I cut 5 pieces of 2×8 board to glue together to make the table top. I ran them through the table saw to get a nice square edge.

Then, I glued the boards together and made sure the top was as flat as possible. You can check out this post for how to glue up table tops.

Gluing up panel to use for coffee table top in workshop

As a side note: if you don’t have large clamps to glue up a top, you could definitely use pocket holes and screws to assemble a top. BUT…make sure not to place the pocket holes in a location where you will be cutting in this next part.

Once the glue was good and dry, I cut a 34″ diameter circle out of this panel. You can do this a few ways. You can cut this out with a simple jig saw OR a bandsaw if you have one.

But, I built a circle jig for my router and used the router with a straight bit to cut the top instead.

Using router and circle jig to cut round table top from glued up panel

RELATED: Check out this helpful router guide for more info on routers and what cool things they can do for you in the shop!

Step 5: Attach Top to Coffee Table Base

I drilled pocket holes in the top of the four legs of the base and used pocket hole screws to attach the top.

I flipped the top upside down and centered the base upside down on top of it. Once the screws were in, I used plugs to plug the holes.

Completed X base round coffee table assembled diagram

Then, it was ready to finish. I stained the entire table with Minwax Provincial stain and once it was dry, I dry brushed some white paint on the top. Once the paint was dry, I gave it a light sanding to scuff it up a little.

Completed round coffee table with X base

Step 6: Add Roman Numerals on Top (OPTIONAL)

I had seen a cute coffee table top a while back that had Roman Numerals on it to make it look like a clock. I thought that was a neat idea, so to add some extra character to the top, I did the same.

I didn’t have any stencils the right font and size, so I got on Pinterest and found this tutorial for using paper and ink to transfer the numbers. Make sure to use INK (not toner) and MIRROR your letters before printing–don’t ask me how I know 🙂

Applying Roman Numerals to Coffee Table top using ink and water

I added a coat of polycrylic on top because the ink from the letters was wiping off on my hand if I touched it. The poly sealed it in and prevents it from wiping off.

After all the work I put into getting those letters on, I wanted to make sure they were sealed in!

Overhead view of DIY X base clock coffee table

X base coffee table with round top that looks like a clock

I love a “high end looking” low budget build. Total cost: about $20-$25 in lumber (plus a little patience ha!).

So if you enjoyed this project and want to build your own, don’t forget to grab the printable plans here. And don’t forget to pin this to save it for later!