Sofa Table/Bookcase

Room by Room : Episode RXR-2007 -- More Projects »

Save money by building your own sofa table that doubles as a bookcase.

Materials:

lumber
sliding compound miter saw (or circular saw)
nail gun (or hammer and nails)
wood screws
wood glue
jigsaw
4 small L-brackets
drill
sandpaper
tack cloth (or rags)
rope lighting
wood putty
stain (or paint)

Steps:

1. First build the main structure of the cabinet (the two sides, bottom and center shelf). Use a sliding compound miter saw to cut the two sides so that they're not taller than the sofa and cut the bottom so it's not too long for it (adjust measurements as necessary for your furniture). Once the side and bottom pieces are cut to size, use wood glue and a nail gun to secure them together.
2. Measure the distance between the sides and cut the center shelf and a 1x2 to that length. Secure the center shelf in place, and then attach the 1x2 across the top of the back for strength.

Figure A

3. Attach 1x4s to the bottom to trim the base and give it additional height (figure A). If desired, add interest to the bottom front trim piece before installing it by drawing a slight curve along it, and then cut it out with a jigsaw. Attach 1x2 pieces to cover the front of the center board and the rest of the side boards.

Figure B

4. Cut the top piece so that it's one inch longer and wider than the front and sides. Secure L-brackets to the side pieces first, and then attach the top to the structure from below (figure B).
5. Sand the entire bookcase and remove the dust. Fill the nail holes, and then stain or paint as desired.
6. Attach a string of rope lights to the 1x2s on the top and center shelves to highlight books and accessories.

Also in this Episode

Room by Room : Episode RXR-2007
•	A Family's Retreat
•	Sofa Table/Bookcase

Decorating

Sofa Table/Bookcase

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Decorating

Sofa Table/Bookcase

Tools

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