Are you struggling to decorate a large room or have extra space behind your couch that looks empty? An L shaped console table will help fill the room while giving you space to decorate and add storage.
The length and width of this L shaped sofa table can be adjusted to fit perfectly behind your own sofa.
This DIY sofa table can be built all as 1 unit or as 2 separate units butted up against each other to form an L. The great thing about building this as 2 separate units, is that it is easier to move and can be repurposed as a regular console table.
L Shaped DIY Sofa Table Measurements
This console table measures 71.5 inches long in the longest section then it measures 35.25 inches total on the L shaped side. The length and width can be altered to better fit inside your home and the L can be switched to the opposing side.
If you would rather not build the L shaped console table then here is a similar console table for under $200!
Cut List for Large Console
- Top – 1×10 cut to 71.5 inches long
- Legs: 6- 2×2’s cut to 30 inches long
- Frame Support : 9 – 2×2’s cut to 6.25 inches long
- Shelf Support: 12- 2×2’s cut to 32 inches long
- Shelves: 4- 1×10 cut to 33 inches long
Cut List for Small Console
- Top – 1×10 cut to 24 inches long
- Legs- 4 2×2’s cut to 30 inches long
- Frame Support – 6 2×2’s cut to 6.25 inches long
- Shelf Support – 6 2×2’s cut to 21 inches long
- Shelves – 2 1×10 cut to 21 inches long
Shopping List
- 8 foot 1×10 3/4″ thick: 3 boards
- 8 foot 2×2’s – 6 pieces
- Wood Screws
- Wood Glue
- Optional Kreg Jig and Kreg Screws
Making the Cuts for the Base of the Console Table
Cut 1: Cut the top for the large console from the 8 foot 1×10 at 71.5″ long. After making this cut you will be left with 24.5 inches of lumber. Cut half and inch from this piece of scrap to make a 24 inch top for the small console table. Now the tops have been cut for both console tables.
Cut 2: Next you will cut the shelves for both of the console tables from 2 1×10’s at 8 feet long. Make 2 cuts at 32 inches long in each 1×10 then you will have enough scrap to make 2 more cuts at 21 inches long.
Cut 3: Cut 12 pieces at 32″ long from 4 2×2’s measuring 8 feet long. You will not have any scrap here, so double check your measurements before cutting.
Cut 4: Cut 6 pieces at 21″ long from 2 2×2’s measuring 8 feet long. You should have about 54 inches of scrap, so save this scrap for cut 5.
Cut 5: Use the scrap 2×2’s from cut 4, to cut 8 pieces measuring 6.25″. You need a total of 15 pieces at 6.25 inches, so the remaining 8 cuts will be cut from a brand new 8 foot 2×2. You should have some scrap left over, so this will give you a little room for error.
How to Build an L Shaped Console Table Frame
After you’ve made all of your cuts listed above, it is time to put together the large console table. The wood can be attached using either a Kreg Jig and Kreg screws to create hidden pocket holes or wood screws.
Both options require wood glue, so do not skip this step. If you opt for the Kreg Jig, your screws will be hidden so you won’t have to worry about using wood putty to cover the screws.
Instead of the Kreg Jig, you can use wood screws to drill through the front of the console. The screws can be left expose for a rustic look or covered up with wood putty. If you want to cover up the screws, I suggest counter sinking the screws a bit so you can putty right over the area.
Make sure to use a wood putty that is paintable and stainable, so you can match this to your new color of choice.
Tip: Painting or Staining the Bottom of the Console
If you plan to paint or stain the bottom of the console table, you might find it easier to stain or paint it at after building the base. It will be easier to apply the color on the bottom section of the console without the shelves or top in place.
Allow the console table to completely dry before attaching the shelves and top. While the base of the console is drying, you can stain or paint the shelves and both top sections.
After everything has completely dried, you can attach the shelves and top of the console table.
Depending on how you assembled the table, you may need to go back in with wood putty and cover up the screws then paint or stain these areas.
Creating the 2×2 Frame
The first step to building a console is to attach the 2×2’s to create the frame for the ends and center support of the L shaped console table.
Items Needed: 3 – 6.25 inch 2×2’s and 2- 30 inch 2×2’s.
Step 1: Place the 30 inch 2×2’s on the floor parallel from each other then place a 6.25 inch 2×2 in between. The first 6.25 inch 2×2 will be placed at the top in between both 30 inch 2×2’s.
Make sure the 6.25 inch 2×2 feels flush, before attaching with a Kreg Jig, Kreg screws, and wood glue or use wood screws and wood screws.
Step 2: Attach 2 more 6.25 inch 2×2’s to the same frame. The bottom 6.25 inch 2×2 will be placed 1 inch from the bottom then the remaining 6.25 inch 2×2 will be placed 12.25 inches from the bottom 2×2.
Attach with a Kreg Jig, Kreg screws, and wood glue or use wood screws and wood screws.
Follow these same steps to create 3 frames for the large console and 2 frames for the smaller console table. After you have assembled a total of 5 frames for the console table it is time to create 2 console tables.
Connecting the Large Sofa Table Frames
To connect the 3 frames for the large console table, you will need 32 inch 2×2’s. These 2×2’s will be attached with wood screws in between the frames.
Follow these same steps on the other side of the frame to finish the first frame. Then repeat these steps to connect the remaining frame to create 1 long console table.
Items Needed: 4- 32 inch 2×2’s are needed to connect 2 frames.
Step 3: Place the first 32 inch 2×2 in between the frames toward the top. This should match up perfectly with the opposing 6.25 inch 2×2. Before attaching the 32 inch 2×2, make sure everything feels flush then a with a Kreg Jig, Kreg screws, and wood glue or use wood screws and wood screws.
Step 4: Place another 32 inch 2×2 in between the frame toward the bottom. Both of these pieces will be attached 1 inch from the bottom and should match up perfectly with the opposing 6.25 inch 2×2 in this section.
Attach with a Kreg Jig, Kreg screws, and wood glue or use wood screws and wood screws. Continue to follow these steps until you have created 1 large console table out of 3 frames.
Step 5: Then the remaining 32 inch 2×2 will be placed 12.25 inches from the bottom 2×2.
Step 6: Next you will attach the last frame to this large console and 4 more 32 inch 2×2 shelf supports. You might need to use a pocket holes to connect the 32 inch 2×2’s to the base built in step 5.
Connecting the Small Sofa Table Frames
To connect the remaining 2 frames for the small console table, you will need the 21 inch 2×2’s. These 2×2’s will be attached with wood screws in between the frames.
Follow these same steps on the other side of the frame to finish the first frame. Then repeat these steps to connect the remaining frame to create a small console table.
Items Needed: 4 – 21 inch 2×2’s are needed to connect the frames for the small console table.
Step 1: Place the first 21 inch 2×2 toward the top making sure it feels flush before attaching with wood glue, wood screws, or creating pocket holes and using wood glue.
Step 2: Attach another 21 inch 2×2’s toward the bottom of the frame. These pieces should be attached 1 inch from the bottom and should line up perfectly with the opposing 6.25 inch supports.
Step 3: Then attach the remaining 21 inch 2×2 will be placed 12.25 inches from the bottom 2×2.
Attaching the Shelves to the L Shaped Console Table
For the larger console table shelves, you will use the 32 inch long 1×10’s. Slide the shelves in place in the large console table making sure they all fit before snug before attaching them.
Once they have all been dry fit, use wood glue and wood screws, or pocket holes to connect all of the shelves.
The smaller console table shelves are 21 inch long 1×10’s. Follow the same steps as above to fit and attach the shelves to the smaller console table.
Cutting and Attaching the Top of the L Shaped Console Table
The larger console table top will be cut to 71.5 inches in length and the smaller console table top will be cut to 24 inches in length.
You might be wondering why the larger console table has a 71.5 inch top when the shelves are only 32 inches. That would make the length 70 inches, but there is a 1.5 inch gap in the center of the large console table because of the 2×2 frame. So, the 1.5 inch plus 70 inches in shelves adds up to a total of 71.5 inches.
Both console table tops will be attached with wood glue, wood screws, or pocket holes. Attach the 1×10 top with at 2 screws in each section to secure it in place. If needed, feel free to add more screws in each section for a stronger hold.
Attaching Both Consoles To Form an L Shaped Sofa Table
This step is optional, but you can attach both console tables together to form an L.
If you are placing the console tables behind your sofa and against a wall, you can skip this step. As the console tables will stay in place and you won’t notice they aren’t attached.
There are 2 ways to attach your DIY Sofa table.
Option 1: To attach the consoles, I recommend using dining table locking connectors. These connectors are what is most commonly used to add a leaf to a dining table to extend the table.
The locks are strong and easy to hide below the console table, if you ever decided to disconnect them and use them in a different way.
Follow the instructions provided in the dining table locking connector set then lock the 2 consoles together to form an L shaped console table.
Option 2: If you prefer a the unit to stay together then I recommend using a Kreg Jig and several pocket holes to connect the 2 consoles.
Conclusion
If you prefer more of a farmhouse style console table, you might like the look of this DIY console with an X design on the sides.
For more media console table idea, you will enjoy these creative DIY ideas.
Did you build your this DIY sofa table? We would love to see how it turned out!