Build a Blackwell Side Table

An Easy to Build Side Table with Storage

This table can be used in any room in the house… It can be used as a nightstand or as a table next to a sofa or chair. The DIY furniture plans to build a Blackwell Side Table feature a pull-out shelf under the top, an open shelf area in the middle and a drawer on the bottom. This super-easy plan can be completed in a weekend!

Materials:

• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws (<– affiliate link!)
• 1-3/4″ brad nails
• Edge banding
• 1 set of 22″ drawer slides
• Cabinet pulls (one will be a small jewelry box pull with an attached screw)
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
• Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)
• Paste wax

Tools Needed:

• Jigsaw or bandsaw
• Table saw
• Iron for edge banding
• Drill
• Pocket hole jig
• Pneumatic brad nailer with compressor
• Sander
• Drawer slide jig (optional)

Lumber:

• 3 – 1″ square dowels at 3′
• 1 – 1×3 at 8′
• 1 – 1×4 at 8′
• 2 – 2×2 at 6′
• 1 – 2′ x 2′ sheet of 1/4″ plywood
• 1 – 2′ x 2′ sheet of 3/4″ plywood
• 1 – 4′ x 4′ sheet of 3/4″ plywood

Cut List:

• 4 – 2×2 at 26″ – Legs
• 2 – 1×4 at 20″ – Lower Sides
• 1 – 1×4 at 24″ – Lower Back
• 3 – 3/4″ plywood at 23″ x 27″ – Shelves
• 2 – 1″ dowels at 20″ – Upper Sides
• 1 – 1″ dowel at 24″ – Lower Sides
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 23″ x 27″ – Top
• 2 – 1×3 at 22″ – Drawer Box Sides
• 2 – 1×3 at 21-1/2″ – Drawer Box Front & Back
• 1 – 1/4″ plywood at 21″ x 22″ – Drawer Box Bottom
• 1 – 1×4 at 23-3/4″ – Drawer Front
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 21-1/2″ x 23-7/8″ – Pull-Out Shelf

Click on the drawings for a larger view!

Edge banding will be applied to the exposed edges of the plywood prior to assembly.

Step One

Cut the pieces for the legs as well as the lower sides and back. With the pocket hole jig set for 3/4″ material, drill pocket holes in each end of the lower sides and back. Secure the lower sides and back to the legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The back face of the lower sides and back will be flush with the inside faces of the legs.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the three shelves (lower, middle and upper). Cut the notches using a jigsaw or a bandsaw. Secure the lower shelf to the underside of the lower back and sides using glue and 1-3/4″ brad nails. Before securing the middle shelf in place, install the drawer slides on the lower sides, locating them 3/4″ back from the front face of the front legs.

Secure the middle shelf to the top of the lower sides and back using glue and 1-3/4″ brad nails.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the upper sides and back. Drill one pocket hole in each end of each piece. Before securing the pieces to the top of the legs, lay the upper shelf on top of the middle shelf. (It may be too difficult to install the upper shelf once the upper sides and back have been secured to the legs.) Secure the upper sides and back to the legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Slide the upper shelf in place under the upper sides and back securing in place using glue and 1-3/4″ brad nails.

Step Four

Cut the piece for the top. Secure the top in place using glue and 1-3/4″ brad nails.

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the drawer box sides, front, and back. Cut the groove in the bottom edge of each piece at 1/4″ wide by 1/4″ deep using a table saw or a router and a straight bit. Set the pocket hole jig for 3/4″ material and drill pocket holes in each end of the drawer box front and back pieces on the opposite side as the groove. Make sure that the pocket holes will not interfere with the groove. Secure the sides to the back using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Six

Cut the piece for the drawer bottom. Slide the bottom into the grooves in the sides and back. The piece should fit snugly but not too tight.

Step Seven

Insert the front edge of the drawer box bottom into the groove on the drawer box front. Secure the drawer box front to the drawer box sides using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Install the other half of the drawer slides according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Step Eight

Cut the piece for the drawer front. Mark the position for the drawer pulls and drill the holes. Shim the drawer front in the opening – there will be a 1/8” gap around all sides – then drive screws through the holes for the drawer pulls into the drawer box. Open the drawer, and secure the drawer front using countersunk 1-1/4” screws from the inside. Remove the screws from the holes for the drawer pull then finish drilling the holes. Install the drawer pull. Take a look at this easy tutorial on installing drawer fronts.

Step Nine

Cut the piece for the slide-out shelf. Insert into the opening under the top.

Finish as desired. Apply a coat of paste wax to the bottom of the slide-out shelf to allow the shelf to slide smoothly in the opening.

If the table is going to be stained, I would recommend cutting the drawer front, upper sides and back, and legs out of plywood so that the wood species is consistent. Have any questions about the DIY furniture plans to build a Blackwell Side Table? Leave a comment below!

Originally posted 2016-01-25 08:00:23.