This DIY Farmhouse Sofa Table project is a great way to get the perfect custom size table without the expense! We needed a long sofa table that I just couldn’t find on the market, so we decided to build our own! This basic frame is easy to build and will give you a great decorative space that is also inexpensive and functional. Let’s get to it!
Supplies for Your DIY Sofa Table
- 2×12″ board (in the length you need)
- 2×2″ boards
- Screw (3 inch)
- Brackets
- Saw
- Drill
- Sandpaper/Wood Filler
- Wood Glue
- Wood Stain (stain + polyeuthane)
- Paint Brush
How To Start Your DIY Farmhouse Sofa Table:
#1 Take Your Measurements
The first step to starting your diy sofa table, is to decide how long you want your table. Our table needed to fill in the entire space in between the sectional and the wall. We weren’t able to find any sofa tables that were this length, which made this the perfect project! The 2×12 board we purchased needed to be 7.5 ft, so the 8 ft pine board in stock was perfect. Next you want to decide and measure the height of your table.
*Builder Tip #1: We originally had the table height measured to the back of the couch frame. When we first put the table in place and decorated it – all the items were below the couch eye line because it was too low! I recommend measuring the height of table to 2-4 inches below the top of the cushions. This will enable you to be able to see the table and all the decorative items behind the couch. Once you decide on the height of the table, that measurement will be the height of your 6 vertical 2×2 boards.
Builder Tip #2: If you decide your table is too short (uh oh!) – you can easily add a 1×2 board or 2×2 board to each end/middle section to get your desired height. This project is forgiving if you are using the table between the wall and sofa, because any imperfections are difficult to see!
#2 Time to Build the Frame for Your New Behind the Sofa Table:
Cut Sizes:
8 long horizontal pieces (4 each side, top & bottom), 6 small horizontal pieces, 6 vertical pieces
Your horizontal cuts will be the length of your table top minus the 2 inch box frame on each side & middle. (Our Example: 90 inch length minus (2×3) = 84/2 = 42 inches each horizontal long piece).
Your vertical cuts will be the height you want the table minus 2 inches for to accommodate the 2×12 board.
Start Building Your 3 Vertical Boxes First
For the behind the soft table diy you’ll need to take two long vertical boards, lie them flat and place your small horizontal pieces in between the two at the top and the bottom. After you predrill the holes, use your 3 inch screw to secure the boards into place.
*TIP: Predrill the holes slightly towards the top of the board edge. You will need another screw to fit on the other side below it to secure the horizontal pieces. There needs to be room for 2 screws in that 2 inch area.
Repeat the above building step for the middle and other frame end.
Once all 3 vertical boxes are made, you will connect them using the long horizontal pieces. It is easiest to screw into place the two bottom horizontal pieces first to the outside box frame. Then the two upper long horizontal pieces into the outside box frame. Next you will use your brackets to attach the long horizontal pieces to the middle box. Repeat for the opposite end box and attach the long horizontal pieces to the middle box frame using the brackets as well.
#3 Attach the Top of Your Farmhouse Sofa Table
Once your frame is complete, you will decide which 2×12 side you want to be the top of your table. We chose the side with less knots and only filled them in slightly with the wood filler for a more rustic looking table. Once you have the top of your table, flip in over so it is facing the ground. Next use your wood glue around the border of the 2×12 to help secure the frame. After you apply the wood glue, lift the frame onto the table top (it will all be upside down) and secure it with your 3 inch nails. We used 6 screws along each of the long sides and two on each end.
#4 Wood Filler & Sanding
Use the wood filler and sand paper to fill in any screw holes, gaps, or wood knots to give you the final appearance that you want for you table. We only filled in a few wood knots on the top, just for a smoother finish but rustic look.
#5 Apply Wood Stain
This smelly step is the final step to completing your beautiful table! Apply the wood stain finish to the table using your paint brush. We used a dark walnut color stain and applied the finish a total of 3 times to get the tone we wanted. It is helpful to get a stain + polyeuthane mix to seal the table. The strong smell of the stain requires the table to air out for several days in the garage or outdoors.
Our farmhouse sofa table is one of my favorite pieces in our living room. It’s perfect to add lighting, decor items, and even my coffee when I’m curled up reading my book. This easy design is a great way to add a custom piece to your living room, for such a low cost! Hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine!
Want to see more of our living room decor and how to design your living room – check out How To Design Your Living Room
For other great living room ideas, see how we updated our old red brick fireplace to give it a gorgeous new look – How To Get Your Perfect Rustic Whitewash Fireplace & Easy DIY Fireplace Makeover – In One Day!
