Your fantasy: An antique farmhouse on several leafy acres. Your reality: Well, let’s just say it’s not that. Don’t despair: You can absolutely rock the farmhouse style on a micro scale with a handmade focal piece—namely, this coffee table. Instead of shelling out your hard-earned cash on expensive furniture, we teamed up with Ford to show you how to create one yourself with an assist from the features on the 2021 Ford F-150.
For starters, the available Tailgate Work Surface gives you more space, making this great for those who don’t have a ton of room. It’s also available with Pro Power Onboard, meaning you can charge up all your tools using the mobile generator and complete the project anywhere—not just near a garage. See the full instructions below. For even more inspiration, check out our full list of summer projects here.
How to Build a Farmhouse Table
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
- (4) 2” x 6” x 8” common boards
- (2) 2” x 4” x 8” pine studs
- (3) 2” x 2” x 8’ select pine
- (1pt) wood glue
- (250) 3” wood screws
- 1 pt. beeswax or another oil
- Power drill
- Power sander
- Chop saw
- T-shirt rags
- Angle finder
- Speed square
Step 2: Cut Wood to Size
Pro tip: Sanding boards prior to assembly will be easier than upon completion.
- Ten (10) 2x6 @ 18 inches (tabletop)
- Four (4) 2x4 @ 16 ½ inches (legs)
- Four (4) 2x2 @ 37 inches (shelf and ends)
- Four (4) 2x6 @ 46 inches (aprons and shelf sides)
- Four (4) 2x2 @ 19 ½ inches (X braces)
Step 2: Assemble Legs
Sandwich two 18-inch long 2x6 boards on top and bottom of two 16 ½-inch long 2x4 boards. Inset 2x6 1 inch on one end for each side. Glue the joints. Repeat to create a pair of legs.
Step 3: Connect Legs
Attach legs to each other using four 37-inch long 2x2s.
Step 4: Assemble Base of Table
Turn the structure upside down. Space five 18-inch long 2x6 shelf boards evenly across bottom, perpendicular to tabletop. To create the X brace, place one 19 ½-inch long 2x2 diagonally from top of bottom shelf to bottom of tabletop support. Scribe 2x2 where it meets the horizontal axis on either end. These are your cut marks for one line of the X. Put into place after cut. Place another 2x2 crossing the first one and make the same marks, plus a mark where the first 2x2 is bisected. This part of the X will be in two pieces. Do this on both sides of the table. Inset X assembly ½ inch to 1inch when screwing it into the table.
Step 5: Attach Tabletop
Place four 46-inch long 2x6 tabletop boards evenly beneath table frame and attach with screws from the "underside" of the table.
Step 6: Seal Wood to Finish
We used one heavy coat of beeswax mixed with linseed oil and let dry overnight. Use a brush or cloth to apply finish. Apply as many coats as desired until the color you want is reached. Pro tip: Test out your finish on a piece of scrap wood before applying to furniture.
