How do I Build a Display Coffee Table?

Display coffee tables serve both a practical and decorative function in your living space. Along with the practical aspects of a coffee table, display tables are like shadow boxes where you can house collectibles, photos and other memorabilia. You only need a few building skills to construct your own display coffee table; have the wood parts cut to size at the lumber store and you can assemble the table in a few hours. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Select a window with a wooden frame for the top of your display coffee table. You can find old windows with charming mullions at architectural salvage stores, or purchase a new window in a style that suits your home dcor.

2

Measure the outside dimensions of the window frame. Cut a 3/4-inch-thick hardwood panel to match the perimeter dimensions, less 1 1/2 inches on the width and length. The 1 1/2 inches are to accommodate the thickness of the side wood strips. For example, if the window frame dimensions are 24 inches wide by 30 inches long, cut the wood panel to measure 22 1/2 inches wide by 28 1/2 inches long.

3

Cut two 3/4-inch-thick by 4-inch-wide wood strips to match the length of the window frame. Cut two 3/4-inch-thick by 4-inch-wide wood strips to match the width of the window frame, less 1-1/2 inches. For example, if the width of the window frame is 15 inches, cut two wood strips to measure 13 1/2 inches long.

4

Attach the two wood strips cut for width perpendicular to the ends of the wood panel with a bead of wood glue followed by wood screws. They will sit against the end of the wood panel, not on top of it, and the bottom and end edges should be flush. Attach the wood strips cut for length perpendicular to the front and back of the wood panel. The ends should be flush with the outside of the side pieces and the bottom of the bottom panel. This forms the box for the coffee table's display area.

5

Attach two 3- to 4-inch-long hinges or one piano hinge to one side of the window frame. Position the window frame on top of the box body of the display coffee table. Attach the hinges to the inside of the back piece on the box.

6

Glue/screw a decorative table leg into each corner of the display box body.