Keep It Simple: Simply Beautiful DIY Front Entryway Console Table

Hi Everyone!

Welcome back to my blog THE DIARIES OF DIY DANIE where I solve home decor dilemma’s with a DIY. Today’s project is all about simple builds you can DIY to create high impact design at a low cost, in your home.

Today's project is all about front entryways! I'm sharing my simple build minimal inspired front entryway console table (yes, that's a mouth full) that I am including in my simply beautiful DIY build creations. The first build was featured during the series: Buy or DIY, where I created a front entryway bench using this same technique and style. This time we are adding a little height and some added structural pieces but all in all, it's easy to create, easy on the wallet and looks smashing good in your home!

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO DIARY BELOW!

WOOD:

(1) 2x8x8 Pine board cut at: (1) 23”, (2) at 33.5"

(2) ¼” Round Finger Jointed Moulding cut at 7 ¼"

MATERIALS:

(8) 2 1/2” pocket hole screws - https://amzn.to/32WVwQ9

(8) wood plugs - https://amzn.to/2WnTHJr

Wood glue - https://amzn.to/2MXSzsS

1” brad nails - https://amzn.to/2BWyIDW

Wood Filler - https://amzn.to/2Pu3axx

Sanding Paper (80, 220, 300)

Wood stain (I used the colour early american) - https://thd.co/2PtrOhK

Cotton Rags

Plastic Gloves - https://amzn.to/2NqHAaB

Satin Finish - https://amzn.to/2MVs8nM

Synthetic Brush - https://amzn.to/2q7P5Lh

TOOLS:

(2) Clamps - https://amzn.to/31YndXe

Drill - https://amzn.to/2NzWOKv

Pocket Hole Jig - https://amzn.to/2qUJXuA

Disc Sander - https://amzn.to/2MZ3H94

Brad Nailer - https://amzn.to/34aJ0fT

*Please note these links are affiliate links!

DIY TIP: Save yourself time! Get your boards cut at the hardware store. It’s easier to transport and saves you the energy of doing it when you finally get home. Work smart, not hard - especially when you’re already working hard!

STEP 1: ASSEMBLE THE FRAME

I set my pocket hole jig to 1 ½” board thickness - because if you remember our good friend nomenclature - your boards are never what they say they are. Check to make sure your project measurements are structured around the true board size.

For example: a 2x8x8 board is really.... 1.5 x 7 ¼ x 8

Once you know the proper thickness of your board, you can set the drill guide using the number guide on the side and set your stop collar on the bit. Really simple application that becomes second nature once you get used to it.

On my two 33.5 inch boards, I drilled 4 pocket holes across the top inside edge. Again, we are keeping this project SIMPLE, no fancy waterfall edges...we are just lining our pieces up at 90 degrees.

To do that, I used my fancy corner clamps to line up my 23” board with one 33.5 inch board. You don't have to use these clamps, I just had them and when you’re only one person, they make everything a lot easier. So I added some wood glue, and secured my sides using 2 1/2” pocket hole screws. In less than 20 minutes, I had my entire entry way table. A little rough on the edges but it was a table.

NOTE: If you don't want to use pocket holes, you can easily just screw and glue this - I just suggest you pre-drill your holes first but there really is nothing to it!

Here is the worry with tall pieces like this, you’ll start to notice that the legs can begin to bow inward and that doesn’t help the integrity of the piece. So to help secure this from happening, I added a ¼” round moulding into the corner of each piece that made it feel purposeful as a design choice but it was also helping the structure. A Win/Win really.

To keep it all in place, I secured it down with wood glue and 1” brad nails. You could also just secure it with wood glue or hammer in small finishing nails and it would work all the same.

To hide the pocket holes, I filled it in with pine wood plugs. Sometimes it’s a bit tight, but if you just tap it in with a hammer and sand it down, 9/10 times you’ll get a nice flush finish.

Last, To conceal any open edges and holes, I used wood fill.

Once I was happy, I sanded my table down working through my grits - starting with an 80 and finishing with 300.

To create my curved sides, I simply roll my hand sander around the edges carefully until it’s the smooth shape I want.

Now all that's left was to add on my stain and top coat.

For this piece, I used the Varathane brand with the color choice: Early American.

And I have to say, I got really lucky with the board. It had such great detail on it that made the piece feel so much more rustic and original.

I did two coats of stain using a cotton rag and left it to dry.

Now, all I had left was to put on a polyurethane top coat. To which I did two coats, giving a light sand with a 300 paper in between these coats.

Like that… I had a beautiful minimal inspired front entry way console table ready to go for Alexandra’s Room Makeover.

My goal was to keep this minimal, simple and beautiful.

This entryway table did just the trick. It looked so sleek styled with a beautiful black mirror above it, a nice coat hanger and a small key dish.

SAFETY FIRST:

Tables like this look fab in any space but you need to be safe! Bought or DIY'd, I always suggest taking precautions to stabilize the table to the wall. You can either use a furniture anchor or for renters, you can use wall safe velcro (for smaller tables like this).

I was happy, Alexandra was happy, and Katie was happy.

Another DIY solution Completed!