How to design DIY coffee tables in 3D?

Create the DIY coffee tables of your dreams with our 3D design solution

Whether you’re fully renovating your living room or simply changing up the interior design, a coffee table can be the final touch that pulls the whole room together. However, it can be difficult to find one that perfectly fits the proportions of the room and your design style. So why not let your creative side take over and try designing and building a coffee table yourself?

Creating your own unique DIY coffee tables using a 3D design tool like MakeByMe means you’ll save time and money, and the final result will be a custom-made piece of furniture. Does that sound exciting? Then take a look at the steps below to find out how!

1. Decide on your space – indoor or outdoor coffee table DIY plans

Stylish coffee tables provide a focal point where you can display your favorite books, flowers or ornaments and express a bit of your personality. You might want to use one to transform your living room into a cozy sitting area, or to add a sleek design touch. Interested in the Shaker style? With MakeByMe, you can design your own Shaker-inspired coffee table with its distinctive clean lines and asymmetrical drawers.

But coffee tables don’t always have to be indoors! DIY coffee tables can also be the perfect way to add a touch of comfort to your outdoor living space. A chic outdoor coffee table DIY project will offer you a place to relax with a coffee, a glass of wine, your breakfast or lunch. What’s more, an outdoor coffee table can add visual interest to an area of the house that is often overlooked. Start by browsing ideas on HomeByMe, and then design your own outdoor coffee table. In the mood for a modern look? Try cross legs, maybe with a round glass top big enough to hold drinks for you and a few friends.

With the MakeByMe design solution, you can create a virtual 3D plan of your indoor or outdoor area as you decide where to place your DIY coffee tables.

2. Gather inspiration – from a traditional DIY farmhouse coffee table to modern designs

There are plentiful sources of inspiration for coffee table ideas out there. Browse Pinterest, take a look at coffee table plans on websites like Shanty 2 Chic, or even be inspired by projects made by other DIY enthusiasts in the MakeByMe and HomeByMe community.

If you want a more traditional look, then a DIY farmhouse coffee table is always a reliable solution. For a vintage touch, then a rustic coffee table may be perfect, or you can consider mid-century DIY coffee tables for that stylish retro aesthetic. Those who prefer a minimalist design will find the perfect solution in an industrial coffee table. One industrial option, mixing materials, is to start with a boxy wooden frame and add a solid, rectangular top (nothing delicate or rounded here). You can even add a shelf on the bottom that mirrors the top, or wheels for extra flexibility. The options really are endless!

Thanks to our 3D modeling solution, you don’t have to worry about the style you choose not fitting in your space. You can insert coffee tables of various styles – either from a catalog of branded products, designed by other users, or designed by you – into your room in virtual reality to quickly check what works and what doesn’t!

3. Create a design for any style of homemade coffee tables

Once you have some DIY coffee tables in mind, you can set about making it reality with the MakeByMe 3D design solution. This tool simplifies the design process by allowing you to select from real-life materials and hardware to create a piece that can be inserted into your HomeByMe design plans. You simply drag and drop components to add to your DIY coffee table design. Imagine you are in desperate need of storage space: combine two spacious drawer units, add a polished wood tabletop, four smoothly tapered legs, and you have a practical mid-century DIY coffee table!

And the best part? You can adjust the design with just a few clicks at any stage, meaning you can ensure it is perfect before spending a single cent. As you build and adjust, instructions will be produced and modified so that what you build later looks identical to your virtual design. Homemade coffee tables have never been easier!

4. Think sustainably with a pallet coffee table

After you’ve created your design in MakeByMe, you’ll receive a material list and a cut list so you can buy and prepare the materials you need for your DIY coffee tables. We can all agree that a wooden coffee table is a timeless choice, but what type of wood should you go for?

Sustainable design is all the rage at the moment, so think about how you can upcycle and reuse. Styles such as a pallet coffee table are right on trend.
If pallets aren’t your aesthetic, then think about a reclaimed wood coffee table or distressed wood DIY coffee tables for pieces that tell a story. Alternatively, you could opt for pine and create a farmhouse coffee table, with its chunky, rustic feel that beautifully offsets a farmhouse-style living room. Or else, if you want more of a classic feel, choose maple or oak for a timeless, solid table that you can pass down to your kids.

Once you’ve got your materials, it’s simply a case of following the instructions created when you designed your table using the MakeByMe tool and your DIY masterpiece is complete. We can’t wait for you to get started!