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Build a DIY Mid-Century Modern Side Table and Magazine Holder

Written by Amy Baesler

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Hi, it’s Amy from Hertoolbelt back with another DIY build for your home.  I do love unexpected design details in furniture and this project has just that with only 2 ‘legs’.  Along with the unexpected leg design, it is great for holding your favorite magazine! This side table is inspired by the Moda Reader Side Table previously sold by Urban Outfitters. I changed a few things with the design and made it easier to assemble, only needing a pocket hole jig and it only requires 1 board to build it!

I love unexpected design features! Free plans to build a Mid-Century Modern side table with convenient magazine or book holder. Build this side table with only 1 board!

A little disclaimer, the side table is quite sturdy on flat surfaces, but on fluffy carpet it is not as sturdy.  Avoid putting anything breakable on it, just in case.

Get the building plan below, and then follow the video tutorial on our YouTube channel and/or the written instructions below.

How to Build a Mid-Century Modern Side Table & Magazine Holder

Click here to get a free printable version of this building plan

*All Remodelaholic building plans and tutorials are for personal, non-commercial use only. Use this printable plan as you build, but don’t sell the PDF plan or otherwise distribute the file. (Items built following this tutorial may be sold, but the instructions and PDF file may not.) Thanks!

I love unexpected design features! Free plans to build a Mid-Century Modern side table with convenient magazine or book holder. Build this side table with only 1 board!

Materials

  • 1 – 1 x 10 x 8′ board (I used pine, actual size 3/4″ x 9 1/4″)
  • 10 – 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws
  • 1 1/4″ brad nails (1 1/2″ or 2″ would be better)
  • wood glue
  • wood filler
  • sandpaper
  • stain/top coat
  • Kreg jig for pocket holes
  • jig saw
  • drill
    • Approximate lumber cost – $14

Cut Diagram

I love unexpected design features! Free plans to build a Mid-Century Modern side table with convenient magazine or book holder. Build this side table with only 1 board!

Cut List

  • 2 – 3/4″ x 8″ x 22″ – top
  • 1 – 3/4″ x 9 1/4″ x 2 1/2″ – magazine front
  • 1 – 3/4″ x 9 1/4″ x 2 1/2″ with a 15 deg bevel cut on one side – magazine ledge
  • 1 – 3/4″ x 9 1/4″ x 19″ with 15 deg bevel cuts on both ends (going same direction) – front leg
  • 2 – 3/4″ x 2 1/2″ x 9″ with a 15 deg miter end and 20 deg miter other end – leg supports
  • 1 – 3/4″ x (see cut diagram) x 18 3/8″ with 20 deg miters on each end (going same direction)

Step 1 – Assemble Top

Cut the pieces for the side table from the cut diagram/list.  Note: I used a jig saw to cut the long side of the back leg.

Join together the two top pieces by drilling 4 pocket holes for 3/4″ material in one of the boards (leave space for the magazine holder cut out).  Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws to secure the boards together and remove excess glue. Mark the 4″ x 9 1/4″ location for the magazine holder/leg slot, I would cut it a hair larger than 9 1/4″.  Use a jig saw to cut out the magazine holder/front leg slot. Dry fit the front leg to make sure the slot is wide enough.

I love unexpected design features! Free plans to build a Mid-Century Modern side table with convenient magazine or book holder. Build this side table with only 1 board!

Once the glue has dried, sand the top piece.  It may be helpful to use an oscillating tool to sand the magazine slot.

I love unexpected design features! Free plans to build a Mid-Century Modern side table with convenient magazine or book holder. Build this side table with only 1 board!

Note: I usually sand all of the boards at this point before assembly.

Step 2 – Assemble Front Leg

Attach the magazine front (2 1/2″ piece) to the straight cut of the magazine ledge piece with wood glue and 1 1/4″ minimum brad nails in 4 or 5 places. (Orient the magazine ledge like shown in the diagram.)

Measure down the front leg and mark at about 9 3/8″.  Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ minimum brad nails to attach the magazine ledge to the front leg.

I love unexpected design features! Free plans to build a Mid-Century Modern side table with convenient magazine or book holder. Build this side table with only 1 board!

Step 3 – Assemble Back Leg

Drill pocket holes for 3/4″ material on the inside faces of the leg supports.

I love unexpected design features! Free plans to build a Mid-Century Modern side table with convenient magazine or book holder. Build this side table with only 1 board!

Sandwich the back leg between the leg supports on the 20 deg miter side.  Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ minimum brad nails to secure the back leg in place, keeping the bottom and side flush with the leg supports.

I love unexpected design features! Free plans to build a Mid-Century Modern side table with convenient magazine or book holder. Build this side table with only 1 board!

Line up the back leg assembly with the centerline of the top boards and overhand the leg supports about 1/4″ into the magazine slot. Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws to attach the leg supports to the top.

I love unexpected design features! Free plans to build a Mid-Century Modern side table with convenient magazine or book holder. Build this side table with only 1 board!

Step 4 – Attach front leg

Turn the table over and place the back and front legs so they are both flush on a flat surface.  Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws to secure the leg supports to the front leg.  If needed use brad nails from the front leg into the leg supports.

I love unexpected design features! Free plans to build a Mid-Century Modern side table with convenient magazine or book holder. Build this side table with only 1 board!

Step 5 – Finish

Fill any cracks, blemishes or nail holes with wood filler and allow to dry.  Sand the side table until it is smooth, finishing with 120-150 grit sandpaper and sanding in the direction of the wood grain.  I stained the side table with Varathane Kona and after the stain dried, applied a top coat for protection.

Side Table 4I love unexpected design features! Free plans to build a Mid-Century Modern side table with convenient magazine or book holder. Build this side table with only 1 board!

I love unexpected design features! Free plans to build a Mid-Century Modern side table with convenient magazine or book holder. Build this side table with only 1 board!

 

For more build plans check out Hertoolbelt:

yellow console table sq console table with scroll legs sq Narrow Sofa Table plans iso

Grand Island Console Table // Scroll Console Table // Narrow Sofa Table

Build A DIY Mid Century Modern Side Table With Magazine Holder Using From Just One Board @Remodelaholic


More DIY side table building plans:

Moroccan style hexagon side tablebuild your own hexagon Moroccan side table, Remodelaholic

Rustic square side tableDIY Simple Square Bedside Table Plans - Rogue EngineerEasy modern side tablePedestal side table

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Published: July 22, 2017Filed Under: Contributor, Contributors, DIY, DIY Project Plans, Sketches/Renderings, Tables, Tutorials Tagged: building plans, mid-century, Side Table

About Amy Baesler

Amy is the tool lover at Hertoolbelt. On Hertoolbelt, Amy shares DIY furniture plans, handyman tutorials, and craft patterns. She has two pint sized 'helpers' that help fix things around the house and build fun projects.


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Comments

  1. Patti McGarry says

    July 23, 2017 at 6:25 am

    I love this table, mid-century modern is my favorite style!
    I have a problem that I’m sure someone else has to have- many of the tables and benches that I love need to be put against a wall, think entryway or desk. I have baseboard heat and nothing goes flush against a wall, there is always a gap at the back. This makes purchasing a ready made product difficult. Can you come up with some ideas so that we can work around those necessary heaters? Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Rosa Swan says

    July 26, 2017 at 4:02 am

    So unique and side table and magazine holder.
    Its looks so pretty.

    Reply

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