How to Build a Matching DIY Outdoor Coffee Table & Side Table

Hey friends! After sharing the outdoor sofa and chair projects, I was surprised with the number of requests I got for a matching loveseat, coffee table and side table.
I put together the building plans for a matching loveseat (basically a 2 seater sofa), but since the only difference between it and the chair was that the slats were a different length, I didn't make a separate video for it.
However, in this video, I'm sharing how to build the HIGHLY REQUESTED matching coffee and side tables, so I hope you enjoy watching them come together! This simple design is SUPER easy to customize to whatever size you'd like.
For tips on customizing the size, additional info on material options, and more guidance on the builds, check out these posts:
Coffee Table: www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-c...
Side Table: www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-o...
Grab the printable building plans for all the pieces in this matching set here:
Coffee Table: woodshop-diaries.myshopify.co...
Side Table: woodshop-diaries.myshopify.co...
Loveseat: woodshop-diaries.myshopify.co...
Sofa: woodshop-diaries.myshopify.co...
Chair: woodshop-diaries.myshopify.co...
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Website: www.woodshopdiaries.com/
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SHOP NEW WOODWORKING TEES AND BUILDING PLANS HERE:
woodshop-diaries.myshopify.com/
Helpful resources for this project:
How to use a pocket hole jig: www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-t...
How to choose and buy lumber for your projects: www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-t...
Tools & Materials:
*affiliate links below
Tools:
Miter Saw: homedepot.sjv.io/b3DkDx
Drill/Driver: homedepot.sjv.io/Aoo6Ya
Pocket Hole Jig: amzn.to/32eoPBY
Sander
Brad Nailer (optional)
Materials:
4x4x8 post
2x2x8 board
1x2x8 board
2x4x8 boards
1x6x8 board (or a 1x6x6 fence picket)
1 ¼″ exterior wood screws or brad nails
2 ½” exterior wood screws
2 ½” exterior pocket hole screws: amzn.to/3N2hsSd
Wood Glue (exterior rated)
Exterior wood finish: amzn.to/3YuRRGz
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:50 Design and Material Choices
01:34 Assembling Coffee Table Base
03:45 Attaching Coffee Table Top
06:30 Side Table Design Discussion
07:24 Assembling Side Table Base
09:58 Attaching Side Table Top
11:09 Finishing Touches
12:26 FINAL REVEAL

[@JayBergCustoms]

That set looks amazing! Lucy was like.....could you please just let me sleep here?!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

That’s Lucy’s whole personality 🤣 She’s so chill and just wants to hang out in the comfiest spots haha. She’s Spoiled! Thanks so much for watching and I hope you have a great weekend!

[@cswatson4823]

Love it. Once again young lady you need your own tv show. I am taking your table plan and retrofitting a plastic tub in it, fill it with ice. Instant cooler for drinks. Just got to change some dimensions to fit the cooler in the table. M wife wants me to inset cup holders into the side tables somehow.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

That’s such a great idea!! I’d love to see it when you’re done. Thanks so much for watching and have a great weekend!

[@johnkelley9877]

The coffee table and side table look great! I think replacing the 2x4 legs on the side table was a good idea and now all of the pieces have a nice symmetry to them. Thanks for sharing this.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! After making all three with different leg sizes, I’m definitely convinced the larger legs looked best. I’m glad I tried them all though just to be sure ha 🤣 I appreciate you watching and hope you have a wonderful weekend!

[@joelcopeland3018]

I really like this build and I don't think the side table looks too chunky. I think all the pieces flow together. Well done and build on... God Bless...

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! I’m glad I decided to go with the 4x4 legs…it just took a few tries to get it right haha. I appreciate you watching and hope you have a wonderful weekend. God bless!

[@BigMikeDaGr8]

I have searched up and down KZbin for a sofa and a coffee table to build, this is the one. I will be building these to use for Fourth of July. This entire outdoor set, including the recent chaise, feels like a truly inspired design, congratulations! I'll be buying the plans also.

[@christophermckinney984]

Just so you know, you had me giggling at the beginning of the video, with your Vannah White impressions while you pointed out the previous build 😂😊. I do agree with you about the side table. It just didn’t seem to have a good enough balance in regards to the other pieces.

[@jeanloreaud9282]

L’ensemble est très joli,moi j’aime beaucoup,à bientôt salut Jeannot ⚒😉

[@WillysPerformanceCycleCtr]

A beautiful set of outdoor furniture! I like your 10 degree angle on the legs. Looks perfect! Lucy sure is adorable. Glad she made an appearance! Have a great weekend and keep on building. 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! I almost made this with straight legs but I’m glad I went ahead with the angles. It adds something (I’m not sure what haha) to the design I think. I’m always happy when Lou is hanging with me in the shop. She’s the best 💕 have a wonderful weekend as well and thanks so much for watching!

[@WillysPerformanceCycleCtr]

@@WoodshopDiaries …… The furniture and other things you design and build are always phenomenal Shara! I really enjoy your videos and all the great ideas you share. Bubba and Lou always make a great appearance too!

[@hotflippinmess9178]

I love EVERYTHING!!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! I love that you love it!

[@paulwhite8381]

Sweetie that’s so beautiful !! The table had to have the 4x4 legs though. I’d kill for a woman that could and would do woodworking with me !!! You are so beautiful!! Just sayn’.

[@DeluxeDart]

I'm a bit late to the game on this one, but I definitely like the larger legs for the side table. It fits the theme with everything else and makes it looks more solid in my opinion. It all looks great nonetheless!

[@nobuckle40]

Beautifully rustic. If the side table was a stand alone piece, the legs would look really chunky. But, it blends well with the loveseat and coffee table.

[@Lutzboater]

The perfect out door set for your lifestyle and country setting. The use of the inexpensive fence pickets were the right choice for the table tops, IMHO. Well done!!

[@markgottsberger2872]

I love the size of your worktable. Everyone says to build it where you can reach across it, but I built mine big. I wanted it to be able to work on projects and I love it. So, thanks so showing us your worktable.

[@danielhanawalt4998]

Very nice set. Matches perfectly.

[@serendipityguy]

Beautiful Work, Clever Design and Great Content Sara!!!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for watching!

[@nathaliecreatescrafts8118]

Hi Shara! I've been watching your content and being a wood worker myself....I just love what you make! I got one question, how are you able to secure pocket holes like you do by just holding your material and not use clamps?! Please share, I need to master that, for real! 🤣

[@polgartibor1958]

Shara thank you for video !!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you for watching! Have a great weekend!

[@jessek-9scentdetectiontrai10]

Nice friend 👍🏼

[@MCsCreations]

Amazing work, Shara! They look beautiful!!! 😃 I'd say they are chunky enough! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@bumblebeebob]

That's a great looking set! I was thinking maybe rip the 4x4 legs down to 3x3's. Would give the square blocky look without the over-chonkiness of the 4x4's. It would look more proportional to the small size of the end table, I'm sure.

[@dsny0608]

Dad bod here…chunky is preferred LOL….definitely like the chunky better!

[@lovejones7545]

Shara you're too dope! That's some high class stuff right their! Very cool set🤙🏾💯

[@JamesDeese]

It looks fine. It is a part of a set.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@Ngry_W]

New to the channel and loving the videos, great work

[@robertm348]

Great design, and I am so happy that you utilized cutoffs from previous projects!

[@AlaskaWild]

It would be really cool to see you build something out of logs. Like a coffee table out of logs.

[@emmanuelbinfel5813]

You are really good in your work, I can even went to end the video lovely designed ma

[@DrunkInPublic]

Mannn all that cedar in the air you know it smells soooo good in that shop even after you're done 🎉🎉🎉

[@espnmk]

Chunkie is best it should just match the rest of the outdoor furniture and having an odd ball piece would just throw it off, or it can be a conversation piece once people start noticing, so you don't say anything till they bring it up, lol. maybe if they were indoors or in close quarters then maybe the chunkiness would be too much but outside where there can be some space separation furniture will look good. Thanks for sharing the beautiful work.

[@heimwerkerzeit]

Very cozy 😀👍

[@vs77mail]

They all look like a family. Great job, and thanks for sharing.

[@johannesputter8455]

Definitely massive!😉👍

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Haha thanks so much for watching!

[@jaidie3938]

4x4 definitely looks better! Outside furniture looks great! Thanks for sharing

[@JRaymer315]

Well Done!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! I hope you have a great weekend!

[@rickpouley7561]

I love the tables. Look great.

[@tomstone2322]

Looks great!

[@kenwells9238]

looks great!

[@JaskaranSingh-rn7sk]

Beautiful set, sleek design ✨💯

[@lynjermey6423]

I think the whole set is gorgeous.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! 💕 I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

[@lynjermey6423]

Thank you, I hope you do too. 🥰@@WoodshopDiaries

[@MrsHalf]

Yep, 4x4 was the way to go. Also love that you use Australian Gold to finish...I used that on my cedar gate and porch posts. Another great build!

[@eb9338]

Excellent, just what I was looking for. Thanks

[@robertevans6481]

It goes together very well. The 4x4 was a good call.

[@BobbyRichardson-cf8gi]

Looks great

[@jimrosson6702]

Tables look great they match perfectly

[@seanloughran6714]

It's not chunky, it's substantial! Great work as always!

[@LifeSurfingDude]

fantastic build! thank you for sharing!

[@mon2dan]

So beautiful!! You truly are an artist! 😍

[@bearsstuff]

Thank you for completing the set. I had to buy the bundle. Picked up a few more while I was there. Looking forward to the next one.

[@craiggoodwin9704]

Shara, it's so nice to see your beautiful smile on this Saturday morning. It seems like it's been a hectic week here (I had cataract surgery on Monday!) so you've helped bring the week to a close. PLUS, now I have an excellent idea of what to do with my SCRAP pile. I think I'll watch this one again right after I like and share. Hope you're doing well. Thanks for Sharing!🙃🙂🙂

[@bwbark]

Nice design well done

[@Brad-jv1xu]

Love it 🎶! Great ideas

[@brunnie]

Great looking furniture set. Love the simplicity of the build and choice of wood.

[@timothycreasy2161]

The side table sure looks good, and it matches with the sofa and coffee table. Thumbs up from me !! 👍

[@rubencid2966]

Great vídeo

[@csaladgaal9500]

Great job! We love you from Hungary! :)

[@CBBC435]

I like these.

[@dioniciorosado7763]

So nice and perfect desing love it

[@westtexas5754]

The proportions of the table parts look right. Great job! Thanks for sharing your thought process.

[@EllisThings]

Very cool. And yeah, chonky for the side table looks much better imo.

[@pteddie6965]

Great looking set, Shara. You did an outstanding job on the design and on the build. I think that you made the correct choice on the legs by making them match the coffee table legs. Thanks for the video.

[@NewYorkBorn]

I love that you are amazing at your craft, and absolutely gorgeous😊

[@SDMPoahway]

I love them. Chunky and all. Can’t wait to build. Thank you so much

[@WoodshopDiaries]

So happy to hear you enjoyed these projects! I appreciate you watching. Happy building!

[@susanharrell2629]

Looks great! I like the chunky legs on the side table

[@jasonthomas1760]

Oh my goodness that coffee cup is almost as big as your head... I want one lol.. awesome build Shara! Have loathe whole set

[@samme5513]

pretty nice

[@joseluisdiaz3066]

Perfecto, saludos desde Argentina

[@terrylee7390]

I think it looks great! Way better than the 2x4! I've been a "silent subscriber," ... but wanted to let you know that you're teaching me lots, I appreciate it & love your tutorials! You've inspired me to try & frame my own windows/add a crown (how I came across u, looking for how 2 tutorials ) having a problem on the little end returns tho smh got a million scraps trying to figure it out, ill get it tho...who needs a man, I got this! Lol.. Thank you!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! I’m so happy you shared this with me…I love hearing you’re enjoying the tutorials and videos! Crown molding (especially those little pieces) can be tricky, but you got this! I find it easiest to cut the angled end first, then use a piece of 1x (if that’s what you’re trimming with) to mark the back side where to cut the square end. Then I lay it flat and cut the square end. Maybe that makes sense? Don’t give up! You can do it!

[@hope1922]

I love your channel and the blogs on the website! Especially the getting started series! They are so helpful to a rookie like me. If you are looking for ideas what to build I think a breakfast corner bench with storage nook would be awesome!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

So happy to hear you love the content. This is an OLD post so it’s not my best work in explaining the process, but I built a breakfast nook bench several years ago here: www.woodshopdiaries.com/when-momma-aint-happy-make-built-ins/

[@barryroberts6470]

I think you did an amazing job on all this furniture they all look great so well done. If you still think the legs are too chunky you have tried everything except why not try a 3x3 🤔 it's still chunky looking and will match the rest of the furniture but it won't be too chunky if you know what i mean. Take Care and Stay Safe, Barry (UK) 👍

[@brewster3987]

I love this set. This series shows how one can take plain ol' workaday materials, add a healthy dose of design pizzazz, and turn the whole thing into elegantly simple furniture pieces. The repurposing of fence pickets resonates with me (can anyone say "trailer deck"?) but your use case is a lot better looking! For my part, the side table legs don't look too chunky - I think it would have bothered my aesthetic sense (if I have any) if the legs on all the pieces didn't match. Lucy clearly was content to hang out on the comfortable seat (although she could not be less engaged 10:35), but once she got kicked off, it was time for some payback in the form of treatos! Thanks and have a great week!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! I love finding ways to use cedar fence pickets! They’re cheap and if sanded and finished, look really nice. Not many people think to use them though because they look pretty rough at the store 🙈 I’m always happy when Lucy is around in the shop. She really enjoyed hanging on the couch 😆 thanks so much for watching and have a great weekend as well!

[@DISP-CEPTED]

Love tee at the beginning... lol

[@Joshua.zero29]

Amazing set, Shara! I've already grabbed plans and intended to start these 2 weeks ago. Other things came up, of course. But I can't wait to get started. 10/10!! 🎉 Edit: I intended to start these a month ago. I'm bad with time. 😅 And i definitely like the "beefy" legs better on the end table. 👍

[@PrettyGoodLookin]

Shara, Can you please do a video about the tools you have and which projects you used them for. Your drills, jigs, pocket hole tools, etc.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Hi! I link the tools I use in every project in the video descriptions and list them on the blog posts I link in the descriptions as well.

[@PrettyGoodLookin]

@@WoodshopDiaries ok good. ty

[@gloa6035]

These are gorgeous Shara! Have you thought about configuring an outdoor set that has storage under the seats?

[@jacobsilvens8153]

I’m loving the set. If the small table is still questionable to you, maybe tapering the legs a bit, idk.

[@jliv1895]

Just a great set all around. Out of curiosity, what stain did you use? It looks great. Thanks for all you do!

[@olboomer]

Very nice! For the side table legs, why not table saw them to 2.5”x2.5”? (If you wanted less chunky)

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Great suggestion! However since I share plans, it’s always nice to stick with standard size lumber for those who follow who don’t have a table saw to rip down custom sizes.

[@juandiaz-en1yg]

Heavy work strong woman and Beautiful 😍

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much for watching! Hope you enjoyed the video!

[@tracysimon2382]

The thick legs are durable and long-lasting!

[@andrewskitoyukak48]

😍😍😍

[@anarikilaharoa474]

Hi shara, i love your videos; I wanted to ask you, for somebody who wants to get into furniture building what are the first must have tools you recomend buying?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Hi! I’ve listed my top five picks for tools to get started here: www.woodshopdiaries.com/5-tools-need-get-started-woodworking-less-500/

[@SawdustmakerLori]

So glad you decided to use the 4 x 4's for the side table legs. Looking at the finished product, it matches the set so nice and I don't think the legs look too chunky. Lucy obviously believes you built that seat for her and she's taken a great liking to it. Missed Bubby in this video but he was probably overseeing the whole operation!

[@liltjfireworks]

😘😘

[@theadventurebegins7039]

What platform do you use to build your plans for your projects?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Are you referring to software? If so, sketchup

[@theadventurebegins7039]

@@WoodshopDiaries yes the software.

[@rockstarfan886]

Missing sam the dynamic Saturday duo

[@jenniferjoseph1511]

I love that your a blood donor

[@jackitodd4803]

Looks great!

[@liltjfireworks]

😘😘

[@liltjfireworks]

😘😘