DIY Restoration Hardware Balustrade Coffee Table

I have been fascinated by Restoration Hardware with their design and products. They have a Balustrade Coffee Table that is rustic and simply beautiful. Luckily, I was able to find DIY instructions online and made my version of the coffee table!

DIY Restoration Hardware Balustrade Coffee Table

Lumber Buy List:
2x6x8 (13) SPF (Spruce/Pine/Fir)
2x4x8 (9) SPF
1x6x6 (11) (Pine or Whiteboard) *Spend time looking for the straightest and least warped boards*

You should be able to find all of this lumber at your local hardware store or lumber yard.

Cut List:
2×6 (60.5 inches (2))
2×6 (49.5 inches (11))
2×4 (Cut to fit while building for bottom shelf framing and table top support framing)
1×6 (60.5 inches (11))
2×6 (5.5 inches (8))
1×6 (Cut to 3.5 x 3.5 inches (4)) *recommend using left over 1×6 scraps to make these*

Tools & Supplies 

*These Amazon Links are affiliate links that help support this Blog and YouTube Channel. It does not cost you anything, but if you do buy anything from Amazon it helps support my DIY Tutorials. Thank you.

• Mitre Saw: http://amzn.to/2FWL9mW
• Planer: http://amzn.to/2FHhgnn
  • Belt Sander: http://amzn.to/2FBdQ9C (If you want to thin out your 2×6 and 2×4 boards) I thinned mine out to 1.25 inch thickness for table top & the 5.5×5.5 inch squares
• Drill: http://amzn.to/2FJC5yG
• Clamps: http://amzn.to/2FM4V15
• Kreg Jig: http://amzn.to/2FKdrhk
• 2.5 inch Kreg Screws: http://amzn.to/2HDhvk6
• 1.25 inch Kreg Screws: http://amzn.to/2DtHtDU
• Wood Glue: http://amzn.to/2GsoxIM
• Stainable Wood Filler: http://amzn.to/2GurTuO
• Pre-wood Conditioner: http://amzn.to/2tOzRwf
• Minwax Classic Grey: http://amzn.to/2pcpBZX
• Orbital Sander: http://amzn.to/2tON8Fc
• 120 Grit Sandpaper: http://amzn.to/2FXFjBY
• 240 Grit Sandpaper: http://amzn.to/2FXFjBY
• 2 inch Wood Screws: http://amzn.to/2tSpIyG
• 2.5 inch wood screws: http://amzn.to/2FXFmOa
• 1.25 inch wood screws: http://amzn.to/2FD2QJ4
• Safety Glasses: http://amzn.to/2FR02HD
• Ear / Sound Protection: http://amzn.to/2FUgW85
• Disposable Gloves for staining: http://amzn.to/2pdZYIt
• Respirator Mask: http://amzn.to/2pde4tr

Step 1: Measure, Buy Supplies, Planning

Figure out the size Coffee Table you want to make for your space. Calculate how much lumber you need to buy and then start measuring and cutting. My living room is fairly large so I decided to make a monster size coffee table at 60.5 x 60.5 inches.

• Table Top: 2x6x8 lumber is used for the table top (actual measurements 1.5 x 5.5 x 96 inches)
  • Cut (9) 49.5″ length and (2) 60.5″ length
  • Use left over scraps to create (8) 5.5 x 5.5″ Squares for the coffee table legs
  • Table Top Framing: Cut to fit once everything is assembled
• Bottom Shelf Framing: 2x4x8 lumber will be used for the bottom framing to hold up the 1×6 boards (actual measurements 1.5 x 3.5 x 96 inches)
• Bottom Shelf: 1x6x6 lumber will be used for the bottom shelf of the coffee table. (actual measurements 0.75 x 5.5 x 72 inches)
  • Cut (11) at 60.5″ length
• Use left over scraps from the 1×6 boards to make your 3.5×3.5″ sqares for the feet of the coffee table

Table Top: Use 1.5 Inch Pocket Holes to attach boards together. (** Pocket Holes are not the best method to hold together table tops, it is best to use dowels, biscuits, or just joint the wood pieces together with wood glue and clamps**)

Bottom Shelf: Use 0.75 Inch Pocket Holes to attach together.

Bottom Shelf Framing: Use 1.5 Inch Pocket Holes

Feet: 3.5 x 3.5 Inch, pre-drill holes before attaching with wood screw.

Step 2: Planing to your desired thickness

If you want a thinner profile for the tabletop and squares that attach to the balustrade coffee legs you can use a planer or belt sander. I thinned mine out to 1.25 inches thick instead of the 1.5 inch thickness.

Step 3: Putting Together Table Top

Take your 2×6 lumber and drill kreg jig holes (depending on the length of your coffee table I would use a minimum of 5 holes to attach each piece. Make sure to stagger 2-3 points on each side of the lumber you are attaching. Use wood glue and then use 2.5inch kreg screws to attach. This is where clamps really come in handy. Wipe off excess glue (dried glue will not stain).

Optional: Use kreg wood plugs to hide the kreg screw holes.

Step 4: Sanding

Next use an orbital sander with 120 grit to smooth both sides and edges. I recommend using 240 grit sand paper on the open ends of the wood. This should help close off the pores of the wood, allowing for a more even finish when stained. Another tip is to saturate the open ends with Wood Conditioner. This will help prevent too much stain being soaked up on the open ends.

Step 5:

Start the same process with the 1×6 boards for the bottom shelf of the coffee table. Attach all the boards using a kreg jig and 1.25inch kreg screws. Next use the 2×4 to frame out a square on the underside of the 1×6 boards. Following the same process sand both sides and all the edges with 120 grit sand paper, and 240 grit on the open ends of the wood. 1×6 boards may vary slightly in size thus it is best to cut the 2×4 framing to fit. Use wood glue on all attached edges and make sure to wipe off excess glue.

Step 6: Staining and Wood Conditioner

Use stainable wood filler to fill in all the cracks and imperfections on the table top if you decided to create a seamless table top.

Once all the wood pieces are sanded pre-condition all the wood with Minwax Preconditioner Stain. This will improve your stain on the finished product. Use extra preconditioner on the open ends of wood to help with a better even finish.

This coffee table had 4 different Minwax stains.

• Mixture of Pickled Oak + Classic Gray (2 Coats)
• Mixture of Weathered Oak + Special Walnut (1 Coat)
• Minwax polyurethane water based finish (3 coats)

Step 7: Putting Together Coffee Table Legs

Attach the squares (5.5 x 5.5 inches) to the Table Legs using 2.5 or 3 inch wood screws, don’t forget to use the wood glue on every attachment point when building this. Then using clamps I attached the legs to the bottom of the coffee table using wood screws. Remember to pre-drill before attaching with your wood screws.

Step 8: Attaching the Coffee Table Legs to the Bottom Shelf

Attach the table legs to the bottom shelf (1×6 boards w/ 2×4 attached) by having about a 1 inch set in from the edge. Clamp table leg into desired location. Pre-drill holes for the screws. Attach from the bottom using 2 inch wood screws on 3 corners, 1 corner will have to be a 1.25 inch screw attached (see picture).

Step 9: Attach Table Feet

Attach 3.5×3.5×1 inch squares to each corner of the bottom shelf using 1 inch or 1.25 inch screws. You can even use regular brad nails with wood glue and wipe off excess.

Step 10: Table Top Support Framing

Attach 2×4 framing to all the coffee table legs using 2.5 inch kreg screws. I attached a middle support bar for extra support given the size of this coffee table. This will have to be cut to length and fit once coffee table legs are attached to the bottom shelf of the coffee table.

Step 11: Attaching Table Top to Frame

Pre-drill holes on the 4 corners of the 5.5 x 5.5 squares. This will be used to attach the table top using 2 inch screws. Use wood glue on all contact points. Wipe off excess. If you are placing the coffee table on hardwood flooring, I would recommend placing furniture pads on the bottom. This will prevent damage to your floor. Consider moving all your pieces to desired location and then attach to frame (since this coffee table is so massive and heavy).

Next pre-drill holes and attach 2 inch wood screws around the 2×4 table top framing, I suggest using at least 3 screws per section.

Step 12: Clean everything up and enjoy

Disclaimer: Use all power tools with caution. Do not copy what you see in the video / instructions without proper safety precautions.

I am a self taught do it yourself project / woodworker. I want to demonstrate that DIY project can be doable and simple. I hope to inspire others to try to build and create new things! Subscribe to my YouTube Channel and this blog for more DIY projects! Thank you.