Plans

Free DIY Plans to Build a Coffee Table Serving Tray With Drawer

10.03.13 By //
Project Image

I partnered with my friend Beckie from Infarrantly Creative to bring you plans for building this fun and fabulous Coffee Table Serving Tray! She did such an amazing job building and finishing this, it looks absolutely gorgeous and now I want one, don't you? This will be a pretty fast build for many of you and super duper easy on the budget, so go forth my friends and let some sawdust fly! Xx…Rayan

Estimated Cost 

Under $25 -$50

Dimensions 
Dimensions for This Project

Tools 
  • Square
  • Sander
  • Drill (with countersink bit if not using a Kreg Jig or Nail Gun)
  • Saw
  • Nail Gun – optional
  • Kreg Jig – optional
Lumber 
  • 1 – 1×2 at 6'
  • 1 – 1×3 at 6'
  • 1 – 1×4 at 6'
  • 1 – 1×6 at 6'
  • Quarter sheet of 1/2″ plywood
Materials 
  • Tape Measure
  • 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws (if using Kreg Jig)
  • 1″ Pocket Holes Screws (if using Kreg Jig)
  • 1 1/4″ Wood Screws (If not using Kreg Jig)
  • 1 1/4″ Finish Nails (if using Nail Gun)
  • 3 Drawer Pulls (you can choose 3 of the same or 2 that match and one that accents)
  • Wood Glue
  • Wood Filler
  • Sanding Supplies
  • Finishing Supplies
Cut List 
  • 1 – 1×6 at 18″ back 
  • 2 – 1×6 at 11 1/4″ sides
  • 1 – 1×2 at 18″ front trim
  • 1 – 1×3 at 16″ drawer back
  • 2 – 1×3 at 10 1/2″ drawer sides​
  • 1 – 1×4 at 18″ drawer front
  • 2 – 1/2″ plywood at 11 1/4″ x 16″ tray bases
  • 1 – 1/2″ plywood at 10 1/2″ x 14 1/2″ drawer bottom
Instructions 

Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

Step 1 

Build your frame: Use your 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and glue, if you are using a Kreg Jig (with your Jig set for 3/4″ material), otherwise you will countersink your 1 1/4″ wood screws and glue. 

Step 2 

Attach both plywood bases using either your 1″ pocket hole screws and glue (with your Kreg Jig set for 1/2″ material) or your 1 1/4″ wood screws with your countersink bit and glue. 

Step 3 

Tack on Your Front Trim: You can nail this in place with your 1 1/4″ finish nails and glue, or for a more rustic look, use screws and let them show.

Step 4 

Construct your Drawer: Using your Kreg Jig set for 3/4″ material and your 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws, attach the drawer back to the sides. Then using your Kreg Jig set for 1/2″ material and your 1″ pocket hole screws, attach the drawer bottom to the sides and back. If you aren't using a Kreg Jig, use your countersink bit and 1 1/4″ wood screws and glue.

** You will want to add pocket holes in this step to secure the drawer front in the next step if you are choosing to use a Kreg Jig for your build. Place them near the front of the drawer sides as well as in the drawer bottom if you like. 

Step 5 

Add the Drawer Face: Tack on the drawer face using either your Kreg Jig set for 3/4″ material and your 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and glue to secure the front to the sides. You will place your pocket holes in the drawer sides for this step. You can also use wood screws and glue with your countersink bit or your finish nails for this step.

Add drawer handles to the sides for carrying and a drawer pull to the drawer for easy access. 

Finishing Instructions 

Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School

**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you ONLY use 1 image and provide an ADEQUATE link back to the original source and appropriate plan! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.

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