How to Make a Square Coffee Table With a Glass Top

Whether you have moved into a new home or just want to replace your old coffee table, make a square coffee table with a glass top. Square coffee tables do not take as much space as rectangular tables, which gives the area a more roomy feel. The transparent glass top also adds to the illusion of more space. Tempered glass with at least a 3/4-inch thickness should be used for safety. Thinner, nontempered glass can shatter and cause major injuries.

Instructions

Preparation

1

Make the legs of the table. Cut four 2-by-4 wood planks to 20-inch-lengths, using a table saw.

2

Make the front and back pieces of the frame of the table top. Cut two 2-by-2 wood planks to 25-inch lengths. Make the side pieces of the frame of the table top. Cut two 2-by-2 wood planks to 23-inch lengths.

3

Make the front and back border of the table top. Cut two 1-by-1 wood planks to 25-inch lengths. Make the side borders of the table top. Cut two 1-by-1 wood planks to 23-inch lengths.

4

Smooth the cut ends of the wood pieces to remove splinters, using rough-grit sandpaper.

Assembly

5

Position the four legs of the table vertically on a level surface. Space the legs 25 inches apart in a square shape.

6

Place the front piece horizontally over the ends of the front legs. Nail through the front piece into the ends of the front legs, using a hammer and wood nails. Place the back piece over the ends of the back legs. Nail through the back piece into the ends of the back legs. Place the side pieces horizontally between the front and back legs, respectively. Nail through the edges of the front and back pieces into the ends of the side pieces.

7

Place the front border, back border and side borders over the front piece, back piece and side pieces, respectively. Line the outer edges of the borders and the pieces. Hammer four nails through each border into the frame pieces, using a hammer and wood nails.

8

Place four rubber glass stoppers on each recessed edge of the table top. Brush rubber cement on the bottoms of the glass stoppers and attach them to the recessed edge. Space the rubber glass stoppers evenly along the recessed edge.

9

Insert a 24-by-24-inch tempered-glass top with a 3/4-inch thickness onto the recessed edge of the table.