You know that moment when you’re cozied up on the couch, drink in hand, and there’s just… nowhere to put it? Me too.
After one too many close calls with my coffee, I finally decided to tackle a project I’d been putting off – creating my own sofa armrest table. Believe me, this has made such a huge difference, and I’m excited to share how you can make one too.
Materials needed
- ⬥Wood
- ⬥Wood glue (if using)
- ⬥Wood stain or paint
- ⬥Polycrylic
- ⬥Sandpaper
- ⬥Measuring tape
- ⬥Miter box and saw
- ⬥Non Slip pads
- ⬥Painters tape
The beauty of this project is its simplicity. I mean, we’re not building the Taj Mahal here. Start by measuring your couch’s armrest length and width. Add about 6-8 inches on each side for that perfect overhang.
For me, this came to around 18 inches in length. As for the width, I went with 12 inches, which gives plenty of space for a drink, phone, and even a small snack plate.
Assembly required (but easy peasy)
Now, cut your pieces: two side pieces and one for the top. To make a U-shaped table, use the miter box to make 45-degree angle cuts for two of the wood pieces.
Use blue painter’s tape to hold the wood in place, then flip the pieces over and use wood glue to attach the sides to the tabletop. If you have them, use large clamps to help ensure nothing slips out of place while drying.
Alternatively, you can assemble your armrest table using a countersink drill bit followed by a countersink snap cap to hide the screws, or, if you’re really feeling industrious, wooden dowels combined with glue can work as well!
Finishing your masterpiece
Now comes the fun part – or the therapeutic part, depending on how you look at it. Grab that sandpaper and smooth out all the edges. Don’t skip this step! Nobody wants splinters while reaching for their remote. I started with 80-grit sandpaper and worked my way up to 220-grit for that silky-smooth finish. Your fingers will thank you later.
Here’s where you can let your creative juices flow. I went with a dark walnut stain to match my living room, but you could go wild with chalk paint, leave it natural, or even add some funky designs. Protect your hard work with at least two coats of sealant, sanding between applications to ensure a smooth, glossy finish.
After the finish dries, flip your masterpiece over and attach those non-slip pads to the bottom. These are crucial unless you want your new table doing the slip-n-slide every time you reach for your drink. I put one pad in each corner and two in the middle for extra stability.
Now you’ve got yourself a custom sofa armrest table that looks like it could’ve cost a pretty penny at that fancy furniture store downtown. The best part? This whole project probably set you back less than $30-$50 bucks and took only a few hours of your weekend.
One last tip from someone who learned the hard way: consider adding a small lip around the edges if you’re particularly prone to knocking things over. It’s not necessary, but it might just save your carpet from that inevitable coffee spill.
So there you have it – a simple weekend project that’ll upgrade your couch potato game significantly. And hey, next time friends come over and admire your handiwork, you can casually mention, “Oh, this old thing? I made it myself.” Now that’s a conversation starter!
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