Wood Parsons Table Set (Dining, Coffee, Console, End Tables)

by wood work | May 28, 2021 | General

Parson’s tables are a classic in modern design.  I especially love them in stained wood – because it brings texture to your space, without visually cluttering.  

The simple clean lines are not just appealing to the eye.  They are comfortable, with no hard corners to subconsiously be aware of and avoid.  This makes parson tables a great choice for small spaces and homes with active children.

We choose this collection of occasional tables for our Cabin House Build for these reasons – and because they are easy and quick to build.  It’s a great option for staging homes too!

Here’s how I built the coffee table

The other tables are built in the same method – you can opt to use the 1×4 method as outlined in the plans below – but just changing up your cut lengths.  Here’s a few standard sizes to make your life easier.

Rectangle Coffee Table

Here’s the rectangle coffee table that I built, it’s a pretty standard size and works with most standard sofas.  It’s on the shorter side, so if you want to add a bottom shelf I’d increase the leg length to 18″.  Notice in this design I used the 1x4s – you can also jigsaw out if you have the tools – the plan will work either way.

Cut list for rectangle coffee table as shown:

• 4 – 4×4 @ 16″
• 3 – 1×6 @ 48″
• 2 – 1×4 @ 41″
• 2 – 1×3 @ 41″
• 2 – 1×3 @ 16-1/2″

Square Coffee Table

The square version is great for sectionals and larger living rooms with seating on multiple sides.  

Here’s the cut list as shown for the square coffee table:

• 4 – 4×4 @ 16″
• 6 – 1×6 @ 40″
• 2 – 1×4 @ 33″
• 4 – 1×3 @ 33″

End Table with Bottom Shelf – Also Nightstand

End tables are a little taller, so a bottom shelf will create more function and also support the legs at the base. But the bottom shelf is completely optional.

Here’s this end table cut list as shown:

• 4 – 4×4 @ 24″
• 6 – 1×6 @ 24″
• 4 – 1×4 @ 17″
• 4 – 1×3 @ 17″
• 4 – 1×3 @ 16-1/2″

Console Table with Bottom Shelf – Also Media Center, Sideboard, or Bath Vanity

The parsons console table is also ideal for a bottom shelf.  I’d love to see it with baskets of shoes, or pillows in blankets in a living room media console setting.

Here’s the cut list for the console as shown:

• 4 – 4×4 @ 30″
• 4 – 1×6 @ 72″
• 4 – 1×4 @ 65″
• 4 – 1×3 @ 65″
• 2 – 1×3 @ 11″

Dining Table

And finally, the dining table!  One change is I did use 2x3s for the dining table aprons instead of the 1x3s, to increase support.  Also I did 45 supports under the tabletop from apron to apron, also screwing into the legs (this is shown in step 4 of the plans).

This is a good sized table that will easily seat 6.  But it feels perfect in a small dining room.  

Here’s the cut list for this dining table as shown:

• 4 – 4×4 @ 30″
• 5 – 1×6 @ 72″
• 2 – 1×4 @ 65″
• 2 – 2×3 @ 65″
• 2 – 2×3 @ 27-1/2″
• 4 – 2×3 @ about 9″ (depending on apron thickness and placement) with ends cut at 45 degrees, perpendicular, for the cross supports

FAQ: Are There Plans for the Barn Door Media Center?

Yes!  Here are the plans for the Barn Door Media Center.

Parson’s Style Table Build Steps

Here’s the basic steps for building these parson’s tables:

Simple Sideboard with Open Shelves and Drawers

by wood work | May 18, 2021 | General

My teenage daughter Grace has been asking for more storage in her bathroom for a couple years now.  If you wait long enough, the get old enough, and smart enough, to design it themselves …. yes, she did.  She went on Shelf Help, designed what she wanted, the pieces showed up in my shop, and then I built it:

It took me a day, working a few hours in the morning and most of the afternoon, to finish this project. It is quite big, and there’s alot of drawers – which aren’t hard, but do take time.

Where to Use This Sideboard

We used this project for storage in a bathroom, but it could be used in many different rooms in the home:

• Sideboard in a dining room, store wine glasses, decorative serving ware, or baskets with dining linens
• Entryway Console dropzone, empty shelves could hold shoes or baskets with accessories
• Media Console in the living room to support a TV system
• Dresser in a bedroom or closet, the open shelves could be used for folded clothing or shoes

Free Plans for this Sideboard

The plans for this sideboard follow.  Of course, this is easy to adjust in size, should you need a custom piece.  Please share photos if you build!

Craftsman Style Playhouse

by wood work | May 17, 2021 | General

We love this playhouse because it is tall inside, so big kids and Mom’s under 6 feet can play too.  

We love that the windows add natural light.  

We love that both doors open up and it feels so giant in there!

And we love how simple this playhouse was to build.  Read on – once you get the four walls built on the ground, you just stand them, tie in with some roof rafters, and put plywood on top.  It really is pretty simple!

PS – The deck plans are here.

Octagon Picnic Table with Open Seats

by wood work | May 5, 2021 | General

Classic 8 seat octagon picnic table seats eight adults.

This is a more complicated plan, that does use more materials, but it is worth the investment for the comfort and coziness it provides.

Video tutorial coming soon.