beginner diy coffee table | desert inspired + budget-friendly

Skip to 3:47 for the start of the tutorial 🌵
The first furniture piece I've ever made from scratch! It's not perfect but it was such a great learning experience + I hope you make one too!
A big thank you to my friend Sonely for all her help and inspiration with this build! Follow Sonely on Instagram here: / sonelymateo
My original Reel/coffee table debut: / cxzdpemiteo
NOTE + BUDGET-FRIENDLY TIP:
I got everything (except the 1" x 3") pre-cut at Home Depot-- at my local HD, the first three cuts are free and additional cuts are $0.25 ea. This is a great way to save money if you don't have an electric saw, or the space for one!
CUT LIST:
- 3 x (2" x 10" x 54") douglas fir
- 8 x (2" x 10" x 13.75") douglas fir
- 4 x (1" x 3" x 22") pine/common board
FULL SUPPLY LIST:
- 3 x (2" x 2" x 10) douglas fir wood
- 1 x (1" x 3" x 8") pine/common board
- 1 x Titebond II Premium Wood Glue: rstyle.me/+WMQZo5vGMZ4x6Fg-nS...
- 1 x Original Gorilla Glue: rstyle.me/+MIHfpOTweIehJ7W-At...
- 1 x Shockwave 1/2" Titanium Twist Drill Bit: rstyle.me/+qxbFt0IywKnhYE_wcR...
- 1 x 20 ct 1/2" General Tools Fluted Dowel Pins (the video has an error in the cost breakdown, they should be 1/2" diameter and 1.5" length!)
- 1 x Deckmate 2-1/2" Screws (1 lb)
- 1 x Deckmate 1-5/8" Screws (1 lb)
- 1 x Varathane Early American Interior Stain (1 qt): rstyle.me/+NqEoQPtbZqT0p0T9bC...
- 1 x Minwax Simply White Penetrating Stain (1 qt): rstyle.me/+LOM-1lU5cCbGPjlEkK...
- forgot to mention this! 1 x Clear Matte Water-Based Interior Polyurethane (8 oz): rstyle.me/+JKEVo9ET9XOix8rLAU...
- Ryobi Orbital Sander: rstyle.me/+sPeGRhGUoWO-BywJDH...
- Black and Decker Drill Set: rstyle.me/+7_ZN8tEVdGip2eJFYF...
〰️ IN THIS VIDEO
linen top (in color ivory): rstyle.me/+Ol6_YTwI81seUSeb0E...
earrings from Café Con Clay: / cafeconclay
▽ LET'S BE FRIENDS!
instagram: / rachlvalente
tiktok: / rachlvalente
pinterest: / rachlvalente
blog: withrachlv.com/
design consultations (not currently accepting new clients): apricot.chat/designers/rachlv...
⌓ SHOP | my fav affiliate links + promo codes
vitruvi | RACH20 for 20% off: shop.vitruvi.com/rachlvalente
harmati home | RACH15 for 15% off: www.harmati.com
APOTHEKE Co. | RACH15 for 15% off: apothekeco.com/discount/RACH15
Lara & Lou | RACHEL20 for 20% off: www.laraandlou.com/
Rugs USA | 10% off: www.rugsusa.com/rachlvalente
Amazon Storefront: www.amazon.com/shop/rachlvalente
shop my home (LTKit): www.shopltk.com/explore/rachl...
intro song credit:
Music: Moon
Musician: Carl Storm
background song credit:
Music: Aero
Musician: Gabriel
Site: icons8.com/music/
reveal song credit:
Music: She's The Moon
Musician: Carl Storm
outro song credit:
Music: You Were Mine
Musician: Carl Storm
FTC: This video is NOT sponsored. Some links may be affiliate links which will give me a commission on sales (with no extra expense to you!). Thank you for your support! All opinions are my own.

[@WmNatali-md1if]

This table arrived well packaged and on time. kzbin.infoUgkxn94T8Mu1iMnsLCMNOI9srXSsLkI4JXKW Like another reviewer advised, I pulled everything out and made sure everything was included (everything was!). I built it alone and it took me about an hour. The color is great and for the price the lift part works well. As others have mentioned, it’s not the smoothest opening/closing, but it works. The screws do show, but I plan to order white sticker covers if that bothers us too much. Really happy with this table! UPDATE: it’s been over a year since we got this coffee table and we still love it! It gets HEAVY use as our dining table, foot rest, and school desk. Over time, the opening and closing mechanism has gotten smoother. I added a new photo with the white screw cover stickers. They blend in perfectly and make it look a little cleaner. 100% recommend!!!

[@mcquoidd6917]

When u drill those holes. Put a bit of tape around the drill bit. So when u doing multiple holes you go the same dept everytime. ! Awesome

[@rachlvalentehome]

great tip, thank you so much!!

[@theprototype1]

The table turned out beautifully. Your living room is gorgeous!

[@CassCass316]

You got this girl! Getting started with building furniture is so exciting because you learn so much with each project and with time, they just get better and better. I built a coffee table that is super wobbly, but it was my first wood project ever and it taught me so much. Keep going! :)

[@rachlvalentehome]

Thanks so much Cassie!! It’s definitely a huge learning curve for me but I’m so excited to learn more. this is absolutely not a perfect project by any means, and it’s encouraging to hear that you get better with experience ☺️ thanks for stopping by! 🤍

[@kellykeegan111]

It looks gorgeous! So inspired and can’t wait to make my own, thank you for sharing 😊

[@rachlvalentehome]

Thank you for watching, Kelly!! Can’t wait to see the one you make! ☺️❤️

[@cristalacosta5235]

This video is just what I was looking for thank you so much! And the editing was amazing, I was shocked to hear it was only your second ever!

[@rachlvalentehome]

Aw thanks so much Cristal, that means a lot! Thank you for watching! ❤️☺️

[@SivanIlan]

Wow beautiful! So much can be done in a small space ✨ inspiring!!

[@rachlvalentehome]

Thank you for watching, Sivan!! and yes! Love that we can still do so much in rentals and small spaces ☺

[@sonelymateo9408]

You’re the best! Your coffee table turned out amazing! 😘

[@rachlvalentehome]

thank you for all your help + your inspo, sweet friend!! ❤️

[@sowanderlost]

Its gorgeous !!!

[@janetwilliams9575]

Omg! This is beautiful, you did a awesome job! I can't wait to try. I'm a newbie haven't made anything yet, just researching. And I'm so inspired to do this table Thanks to your video. Thank you so much for this 😊

[@malissadoesitall5785]

Great job, it looks beautiful! Love your editing!

[@rachlvalentehome]

thank you so much!! ❤❤

[@nobodymatters3294]

Built in spot! I love it

[@JocelynChristina]

You did a great job! I’m excited to try this myself! Thanks for sharing! ❤️

[@rachlvalentehome]

Thank you Jocelyn!! I can't wait for you to try it, too! ❤

[@vanessatafoya2545]

It came out beautifully. Don't underestimate yourself.

[@aunygomez2529]

this is like the 3rd video when I search diy coffee table. Will be attempting to make this soon! thank you

[@rachlvalentehome]

excited for you to try it! thank you for watching 🥰

[@SeetalMD]

Love this project. I think I’ll do the same. I love the wabi sabi look. Been trying to find an old coffee table that I could use but everything just looks so modern. Also clever use of your jigsaw there!

[@rachlvalentehome]

thank you!! I've learned a lot since this tutorial hahah but it was a good starting project and I love how customizable it was!

[@kimberlyeppler1177]

you go girl!!!

[@rachlvalentehome]

hi Kimberly!! thank you so much! 🥰

[@maricurras55]

Thanks for being honest!

[@EthiopianBeauty0506]

It looks good

[@janellelopez8100]

Beautiful!!!

[@rachlvalentehome]

thank you Janelle!! ☺❤

[@SheClevah]

I love it! I feel like when I do DIY projects I unconsciously give myself permission to make mistakes. I’m less likely to re-stain or paint furniture I purchase that is more expensive. Thanks for sharing your method!

[@rachlvalentehome]

that makes sense! There are reasons why each of us DIY or buy, and that is completely up to you! ❤ we create for our own homes, not anyone else's, and that's the most important ☺

[@dcapifali3282]

Beautiful

[@PivotPixie]

Phenomenal Job

[@Superman_4_ever]

Great Video, thanks for sharing. I was wondering how to fix the legs on to the table top, i shall also use wooden dowels. Awesome video.

[@parisalvarado5438]

I love it!

[@rachlvalentehome]

thank you for watching, Paris! So glad you like it ☺

[@RebeccaMurray]

just come across your channel and you're so cute!! love your content & your home is amazing x

[@rachlvalentehome]

Aww you're the sweetest, thank you for being here, Rebecca! I just went through a major move to a new state but hopefully will be getting more new content up soon ☺❤

[@johanopperman6724]

Loved it

[@eunicesueanne]

Rachel!! You give me hope as a renter. Gonna take matters into my own hands learn how to use a power drill and level and stud finder!! 🤛🏻🤛🏻

[@rachlvalentehome]

Aw! I’m so happy to hear that- yes go for it! It’s so empowering when you’re able to do your own projects with confidence 🥰

[@daniel-jl5eu]

Great Job

[@angier2289]

Things you can use to get more of the distressed over time look: a hammer (this is also great for an anger outlet 😂), a large angular or jagged rock, again, good for bashing diverts in random locations, a plane (someone else mentioned this in another comment), a heavy chain, walk on the wood with old-style soccer or golf cleats, turn a nail sideways so you’re hitting the edge and hammer in and remove in various places zithers also turn into little places that hold more stain to give you more of that planned/random aged look. Hope these ideas are helpful to other DIYers out there.

[@MillerRON]

Love this project. Also where did you get your rug?

[@vincevega0]

My biggest frustration were the wooden dowels. No matter how hard I tried, the angles weren't right when drilling and the dowels were difficult to put into the holes -- this is coming from a handyman. I decided to use 2" screws at an angle instead for the rest of table. The screw heads were deepened and then covered with wood filler and sanded to hide them.

[@BrotherChancy]

Great work! What did you use to create the animations of the Cuts during the video?

[@jaredcorley1647]

Could this be done with a kreg jig instead of dowels

[@carly10347]

I am so going to try this! How long did it take you in total?

[@legrandeileen4863]

what type of wood did you use, lovely job, bravo

[@lobendinonicole]

It looks gorgeous!! Will probably do something like that too! May i ask, did you ore stain the wood, before staining it?

[@rachlvalentehome]

Thank you Nicole!! and thank you for asking! I didn't pre-stain as the HD employee didn't recommend it (I wish I could remember why hah but he said it wasn't necessary!)

[@lobendinonicole]

@@rachlvalentehome thank you! Im actually at home depot right now and ended up buying 3 pcs of douglas fir. Whats the total dimension of your coffee table?

[@sroderickhb]

This video made this look sooo much easier than it was. There are many little details that make this challenging like natural curves in the wood or slightly uneven edges from sawing. And don’t even get me started on the dowels. It also cost us about $200 and 4 or so trips to Lowes/Home Depot/Ace but we did condition, stain and seal our wood as well. We didn’t do any of the distressing because we were going for a different look. I do wish she would have shared how far into the length of the table she placed the legs. Couldn’t find direction on that anywhere. All in all, it’s an ok table that we might keep for a few years, but wood projects are very hard for perfectionists.

[@rachlvalentehome]

Thank you for your feedback, Shae! I appreciate you telling me what was clear and what wasn’t. This was my second KZbin video so I’m still learning as I go :) I also made my own mistakes along the way and didn’t have perfect measurements for things, but I know that’s important moving forward and I can do my best to provide those in the future! Even my table isn’t perfect and I know I won’t have it forever either, but I hope you get to enjoy it for a bit ☺️ Definitely is hard for a perfectionist (I am one and I struggled with it!) and I appreciate your honesty about it ❤️

[@rachlvalentehome]

Oh! and also at around minute 6:35 I share that I put about 1/4 of the dowel length into the table underside and 3/4 into the legs, I hope that gives some direction on how I did that! I didn’t measure as I was also testing the process as I went.

[@laurynbarkley]

This may be a dumb question but what is the two wood cuts that are on the full supply list? is that just the wood not cut? thank you so much

[@jigmenorbu]

You are gorgeous ❤

[@cjabelardo]

cant help but notice the app you use for drawing the pieces. what do you call it?

[@rachelkiesser5406]

Im having such a hard time finding the perfect coffee table so I really want to make one but I don't have a balcony or a properly ventilated space to make one😭 ofherwise this was such a great tutorial! One day lol. Cuz I'd honestly rather make one then buy a mass produced one for $200 😖 Making things gives you a deeper connection to your living space. It's easy to buy things and ultimately toss it away. But if you make it you cherish it more long term and then there is less waste.

[@rachlvalentehome]

Aww! I understand, it’s tough living in a home that doesn’t give you properly ventilated space. I definitely agree making your own furniture is so special! I hope you get to try it out someday! ❤️

[@Rowanda7361]

I made it in my place with no balcony or anything. Just open some windows that should be enough

[@jfarzadkish]

Is there anyway to make it so the piece looks like 1 large slab of wood on top?

[@kellybellecaldwell5497]

Rachel I'm interested in your Rug! It's very beautiful, where'd you purchase it?

[@rachlvalentehome]

hi! It's from Rugs USA, and I also have it linked in my LTKit 🤍

[@thelmalanderos80]

I love your rug! Were you found it?

[@rachlvalentehome]

Thank you Thelma! It's from Rugs USA, it should also be linked in my LTKit as well ❤

[@tooljunkie555]

Friendly diy tip...buy a cheap hand plane (from home depot) and adjust the blade to go a lil deeper and it'll destress the wood REALY NICE. (Thts how i always do it) nice work on table hows ot holding up since the build? Has the wood movement caused any problems?+1subscriber

[@atgaming5318]

yo whats that couch link?

[@katinalam2263]

It’s look beautiful! Love your earrings!😍 Where did you get it?

[@rachlvalentehome]

thank you Katina!! my earrings are from Cafe Con Clay on Instagram (I linked their account in the description) ❤

[@katinalam2263]

@@rachlvalentehome thank you!☺️ I hope you have a great weekend.❤️

[@Makeuploveculture]

Haha your last name is my sons first name! Wow

[@amberfrazier575]

Bleach the wood. The middle of summer on a hot day is the best time.

[@rayakalla4024]

I can't convert to centimeters, can someone help me? ☺️

[@missjana8159]

-3 x (3,8 cm x 23,4 cm x 137,16 cm) -8 x (3,8 cm x 23,4 cm x 35 cm) -4 x (2,5 cm x 7,62 cm x 55,88 cm)

[@andrezzaaraujo5788]

So expensive

[@spong2514]

Very nice DIY coffee table but very very long winded talk starting fr the 1st 3 mins.

[@rachlvalentehome]

thank you for your feedback! There is an timestamp to skip the intro in the description box :) Since this tutorial initially went viral on TikTok/Instagram I wanted to address some of the comments I received, plus give credit to the original creator. You’re always welcome to skip it!

[@jaymylotto8134]

Not so great tbh.

[@rachlvalentehome]

this is the first thing I've really tried to build, so I'm still learning :) I respect your opinion

[@gyallington]

GETTING MY BOOTS ON TO GO TO HOME DEPOT! Making mine a bit less wide but none the less im gonna find you on ig and message the finished product :)