How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial)

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It’s fun to build something completely from scratch. And even better when you use thrift store finds as part of the build! Follow along as I show you how to build criss cross tables for you own!

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

Hey Friends! I’m finally sharing how to build criss cross end tables.

It’s been a long time coming considering I first posted about them back in November! Oops!

Click here to read all about these tables and see the pretty styled photos of them. 

So if you’ve been waiting for this, I’ve got all the details for you today.

I’ll include affiliate links for your shopping convenience below.
I used poplar for the outer boards, you can use pine or any other you like.

M A T E R I A L S   L I S T:

Table Dimensions are  16w x 19d x 24h

We decided to make our own because number one, it’s cheaper!
Number two, I really hadn’t been able to find anything I liked for this space.
As you can see below, the space is limited and I didn’t want anything “heavy” in there.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

The criss-cross end tables are perfect, light and airy….and functional!

I decided to use poplar and stain. (my fave, Driftwood stain) UPDATE -I also love this Driftwood Stain I’ve been using a lot lately!

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

My husband used a miter saw to cut the 1 x 4 boards into 4 – 19 inch and 4 – 16 inch pieces for the box frame.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

This will create our “boxes”.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

We used a speed square, strap clamps, and wood glue for this part. (linked above in the “Materials List”)
This worked so nicely for getting a perfectly square box.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

We had considered putting a drawer in but kept it simple instead. You surely can add a drawer though.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

The legs were cut at approx 26 inches (for a 24-inch table height).
To get those angles on the leg ends, my husband used the ” 3 – 4 – 5 rule” which is a geometric equation for finding the length of the legs for a right triangle.
Which is… A squared + B squared = C squared ….. and a little (or a lot) of trial and error. ;)
Surely don’t ask me, I don’t do math!

The picture above and below shows my husband lining the legs up to mark where he will do the cut out so the legs will fit together nicely.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

He used a scrap piece of wood and clamps to hold the legs where they need to be for marking.

Once marked, he cut them out with a miter saw and used a router to cut the section out on each.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

I went ahead and used the Driftwood stain on them before we went any further.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

They were glued together using wood glue after the stain was dry.

Then attached to the wood box frame.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

My husband glued and attached a piece of wood for bracing.
It is a 1 x 3 that he cut into 15-inch sections.

He used a Kreg Jig so the screws would go where he wanted them and be secure.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

Once the screws were in where he drilled with the Kreg Jig, he also added a few wood screws through the legs for even more support.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

And also added another piece of wood bracing on each side of the inside of the box frame.
1 x 2 at 15 inches repeated with the Kreg Jig for screwing into the frame.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

So they are very sturdy now.

Now for the fun part!!  The tops…

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

I found these 2 frames at the thrift store and thought they’d be perfect.
That means less we’d have to make and also very cost-friendly.

Here they are with the plywood cut and glued to the insides already…..

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

I used E6000 glue to hold them securely in place.

I use whatever I have to weigh stuff down.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

And as you’ve probably noticed, we work all over our house, dining room, kitchen counter, island countertop, wherever!
That’s one of the reasons I’m looking forward to moving.
I can’t wait to have a dedicated craft/workspace in a spare room on the first floor…or in a big ole garage.
Ours is a one and a half car garage and is small. (or maybe just filled with too much junk!)
And who wants to carry all these projects up and down the stairs all the time?
I sure don’t!

I painted the frames Persian Blue as a first layer.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

I did this because I wanted a hint of blue to show through once finished.

Next, I added a layer of white using Chalk Paint as it’s a bit “chalky” and fairly easy to sand/wipe away to reveal the blue underneath.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

Then I used a damp rag and wiped away a bit of the white on the edges to reveal the blue.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

If you used regular paint you can use very fine sandpaper to do the same.
Just be careful to not over-sand as you will remove both layers of paint.
Not the desired effect, in this case.

I added a topcoat sealer. (also linked above)

Then I added the tile…

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

The square mosaics are pretty easy to use in this type of application because everything is square.
I used E6000 to attach the tiles.

Then I used some ready mixed grout I had in white.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

You can see two similar tiling projects here and here.

Pretty easy!

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

Once they were done, I used the E6000 once again to attach the tiled framed tops to the wood box frame of the table.
Use clamps to hold it secure.

I used the same Driftwood stain on the box as I did on the legs.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

Doesn’t it give the wood the neatest look?

Then I added these knobs I picked up at Hobby Lobby to mimic the look of a drawer.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

But since they were such an off-white, creamy color I painted them white and distressed them first.

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

And done! 

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com

Semi-easy little project.
No, I won’t be saying this one is SO easy, anyone can do it!
But anyone can do it.
It’s just not what I would call a simple “easy” project because of the angles to be cut and such.
Full disclosure here on the blog. But don’t let that deter you, as I said anyone can do it, as it’s a very doable project.
Just take your time and keep a hold on your patience.

So go ahead and PIN these directions on “How To Build Criss Cross End Tables” so you can build some too!

How To Build Criss Cross End Tables (Tutorial) artsychicksrule.com #crisscrosstables

By the way, this was a very thrifty DIY project.
We basically paid for the cost of wood (and the cheapie thrift store frames) and that’s it.
The rest of the supplies we already had on hand.

Much cheaper than store-bought!
Can’t beat that, right?

I’ll see you back here on Thursday with a brand new (re-do!) makeover on this…..

UPDATE! See it now, here!

xoxo


13 Comments

  1. What gorgeous looking end tables. Love the hardware (drawer pulls) and the tile really makes it look like a million bucks

  2. I had forgotten all about these end tables. You guys did a great job on making these. And when you got to the angle part, my brain started clouding over. I actually liked math in school, I am just no good at applying skills to real life situations.

  3. The tables are really nice and a great idea to use picture frames.
    Keep up the good work!

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