Introduction: How to Build a Kitchen Side Table With Cabinets
This instructable will show you how to build a kitchen side table (buffet) with a small cabinet! This is a very simple project, and it should cost around $100 to build! If you have any trouble, check out my video link below to help along the way!
-DIY MAN
Supplies
2x4s 8 feet long 2 pcs
1x3s 8 feet long 2 pcs
1x12 6 feet long 1 pc
1x12 8 feet long 2 pcs
1x2s 8 feet long 2 pcs (premium boards)
2" pocket screws 50 ct
Stain (Espresso) 1 pint
White paint 1 pint
polyurethane 1 pint
Cabinet knobs 2 pcs
Hinges 4 pcs
Cabinet door catches 2 pcs
Step 1: Cut Four 2x4s 36 Inches Long
These will be the legs to your table.
Make a mark 4" down on one of the LONG sides of the 36 inch board.
Make a mark 2" across on the opposite SHORT side of the 36 inch board.
Use a straight edge to connect those two lines.
trace a round object on the inside edge of the 2" line to give the bottom of your leg a curved look.
(I used a can of spray paint)
Need help?
Watch the video...
Step 2: Cut Out Your Leg Design
Use a circular saw and a jig saw to cut out your first leg.
Use your first leg as a template, and trace the design onto your other 3 legs.
Cut those out the same way.
Now is a good time to sand the legs down, before we start to assemble the table. I used an 80 grit sandpaper for this task.
Step 3: Cut the Bracing Out for the Table
Cut two 1x3s to 20 inches. These will be the bracing for the front and back of the table.
Cut two 1x3s to19 inches. These will be the bracing for the two sides of the table.
make two pocket holes on the two short edges and two pocket holes on ONE of the long edges of all of these boards.
Step 4: Attach the Legs
Use 2 inch pocket screws and wood glue to attach the two front legs to the 20" bracing.
Use 2 inch pocket screws and wood glue to attach the two back legs to the 20" bracing.
Lay a couple 1x3s down underneath the bracing so the bracing is joined 3/4 of an inch from the outside of the legs.
NOTE: the curved edge of the legs goes on the inside bottom.
Use 2 inch pocket screws and wood glue to attach both 19 inch boards to the sides of the table legs. I also use a 1x3 for spacing to join it 3/4 inch from the outside of the legs.
Need help?
Watch the video...
Step 5: Cut Two 1x12s to 28 Inches
Use the 8 foot 1x12 when you make these cuts.
Make four pocket holes on one of the long sides of one of these boards, and join the two together with wood glue and pocket screws.
This is your table top.
There is no need to clamp the table top down, join the table top to the bracing using the two pocket holes on each bracing board.
Use wood glue and pocket screws to attach the table.
The top should have 1/2 inch overhang on the sides, and it should be flush with the back of the legs.
Step 6: Cut the Six Foot 1x12 in Half
This should give you two 36 inch boards. If it is a little smaller, that's fine, we will do something later to account for that.
These will be the sides of your cabinet.
Step 7: Cut Three 1x12s to 25.5 Inches
These will make up the top, middle, and bottom portion of the cabinet.
Cut 1/2 inch off the long side of the middle shelf. (This allow the doors to close easier)
Step 8: Assemble the Cabinet
Attach one 25.5 inch board flush with the top of both 36 inch boards.
Attach one 25.5 inch board 16.5 inches from the top of the 36 inch board.
(the 16.5 inch line will be on the top side of this board)
Attach the trimmed 25.5 inch board 9 inches down from the top of the 36 inch board.
(the 9 inch line will be on the top side of this board)
I used wood glue and a small nail gun to do this. Wood glue and small finishing nails will work too!
Drill 2 pocket holes at the bottom inside portion of the 36 inch boards (to attach it to the table)
Need help?
Watch the video...
Step 9: Cut the 1x2s
Cut 2 1x2s 36 inches long (or the length of your cabinet sides if they weren't exactly 36 inches)
Cut 2 1x2s that are 24 inches long
Cut 1 1x2 that is 15 inches long
Make 1 pocket hole on each short side of the 24" pieces
Make 2 pocket holes on each short side of the 15" piece.
Step 10: Assemble the Cabinet Face
Attach one 24" 1x2 flush with the top of the two 36 inch 1x2s with glue and pocket screws.
Attach the other 24" 1x2 16/5 inches down from the top of the 36 inch boards.
The top of the 24" board will be flush with the bottom of the 16.5 inch line.
attach the 15 inch 1x2 in the center of the two 24 inch boards with pocket screws and glue.
Step 11: Attach the Cabinet Face
Use a small nail gun and wood glue to attach the cabinet face.
You can also use finish nails and wood glue if needed.
The top and outside edge should be flush with the 1x12 portion of the cabinets.
Step 12: Attach the Cabinet to the Table
Use the four pocket holes drilled earlier to attach the cabinet top with the table.
Use pocket screws and wood glue to attach it.
the cabinet should be flush with the back of the table top and it should be 1/2 inch from each side.
You can install pocket hole plugs and sand them down to hide your pocket holes.
Step 13: Cut Two 1x12s to 15 Inches
These will be the doors to your cabinet.
These should fit very well, but you may need to trim them a little so they fit perfectly.
Step 14: Assemble the Cabinet Doors
Trim eight 1/4 inch slivers off of your leftover 2x4s with a table saw.
I used a 1x10 I had laying around to make these pieces so I could use my miter saw to safely make these cuts.
After you make these 1/4" x 1.5" slivers, cut four of them to 15 inches and four of them to 8.5 inches.
Use wood glue and small nails to attach the 15 inch pieces to the FRONT left and right sides of your 15" 1x12s
Attach the 8.5 inch pieces to the FRONT on the top and bottom between the 15" boards.
Need help?
Watch the video...
Step 15: Attach Your Hardward
Attach your cabinet knobs and your hinges to the doors.
Then attach your cabinet doors to the cabinet to make sure it fits.
You will want to remove these before you finish the cabinet.
Step 16: Cut Two 1x3s to 25.5 Inches
Attach these on the back of the shelves to keep items from falling out of your cabinet.
Step 17: Cut Two 1x2s to 19 Inches
drill one pocket hole on both of the short sides.
(I drilled mine on the 1" side (3/4" actual)
Attach these 16" down from the table top with pocket screws and wood glue.
These just add some additional bracing to the table.
Need help?
Watch the video...
Step 18: Finish Your Table As Desired
I used an "Espresso" colored Minwax stain to stain this piece.
Then I painted the top of the table white.
I chose a polyurethane to seal my stain for a final finish.
Step 19: Reattach All Your Hardware
Reinstall your cabinet knobs.
Reinstall your hinges
Install your door catches. These will keep your doors from opening AND will keep the doors from closing too far.
Step 20: Enjoy Your NEW Furniture!
Enjoy your new cabinet storage and table space!
This piece makes a great addition to any kitchen or dining area. Watch the video for clarification on any areas you may have trouble with!