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How To Build A Counter Height Table

ByBridget Jo

We have a tiny, funny-shaped room that we decided to turn into a studio, of sorts. The room needed a table but it had to be small enough to fit in and move around the tiny room. It also needed to be counter height so my son could put his laptop on it and record himself playing music (he’s in a band called Stargazy Pie). I’ve been wanting to build a counter height dining room table and figured I could practice by learning how to build a counter height table.

Small Counter Top Table On Wheels

How To Build A Counter Height Table With Wheels

To make things even more interesting, this table needed to be on wheels so it could be moved around easily. Plus, I just love the look of wheels on furniture!

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Tools Used To Build A DIY Wood Table

Supplies Used To Build A Wood Table

Cut List For DIY Table

2 x 4

2 @ 27-3/4″

2 @ 11-1/2″

The 2 x 4 is for the table apron.

2 x 8

3 @ 3 feet

This is for the top of the table.

4 x 4

4 @ 29-1/2″

This is for the legs of the table. If you choose not to add caster wheels, you will want to increase this cut to 34-1/2″ and purchase an extra 4 x 4.

2 @ 11-1/2″

This is for the base sides.

1 @ 27-3/4″ (optional)

This is the for the bar that goes across the bottom. For a table this size, a crossbar isn’t really necessary. I just like the look of it!

How To Build A Small Counter Height Table

First, make all of your cuts with the miter saw.

Then, use a table saw to cut 1/4″ off each side of the 2 x 8 pieces. Since this is rough cut lumber, this gives the pieces a nice square edge … meaning, when you attach the pieces together for the table top, there won’t be a little ridge between each piece.

Next, drill pocket holes in two of the three, 3 foot pieces. I placed 5 pocket holes on each piece, spacing them out evenly.

After the pocket holes are drilled, sand the table top pieces with 120 grit sand paper.

Table top boards with pocket holes.

Once sanding is complete, vacuum and wipe down each board with a wet rag.

Fastening table top boards with pocket hole screws.

Then, spread wood glue on the long edge of one of your pieces, making sure the pocket holes are facing the right direction.

Use the 36″ trigger clamp to press the boards together. You can also use the 6″ Kreg Clamp, between the pieces, on the ends, to make sure your boards are sitting flush.

Next, screw the 2-1/2″ Kreg Screws into the pocket holes.

Using a trigger clamp to hold table top boards together.

Now, attach the third board the same way.

It would have been beneficial to have an additional 36″ trigger clamp to place at each end. Instead, I moved the trigger clamp, as needed.

Table top assembled.

With a little finish sanding, your table top is now complete!

DIY table top.

Of course, the boards don’t come together perfectly and there will be a few spots that are a bit uneven. I’m thinking this is where a planer would come in … I haven’t looked into it much but I’m calling this pretty good without the planer.

Pocket holes in table skirt board.

Next, it’s time to work on the four 2 x 4 table apron pieces.

Drill two pocket holes, in each end, to attach to the 4 x 4 legs.

Then, drill four pocket holes, along the long edge of each long piece and two pocket holes along the long edge of the short pieces. These pocket holes will be used to attach the table base to the table top.

Table skirt 2 x 4 boards.

Sand the table apron pieces with 120 grit sandpaper and wipe with a wet rag.

Attaching table skirt to table legs.

Now, apply wood glue to each end of one of the short pieces, place it between two leg pieces with a 1 x 4 underneath, and use the 36″ trigger clamp to hold it all together. Make sure that the top pieces are even! (The 1 x 4 will offset the table apron from the table legs.) Make sure the pocket holes on the edge are facing up.

Then, adhere the short table apron piece to each leg with pocket hole screws.

One side of the table base.

Repeat this process for the other end of your table.

Using the Kreg Jig HD to drill pocket holes in a 4 x 4.

A 4 x 4 does not fit into the Kreg Jig so … I discovered the Kreg Jig HD, purchased it through Amazon Prime, and had it the next day!

Using the Kreg Jig HD for a 4 x 4.

The 6″ Kreg Clamp fits nicely and helps secure the Kreg Jig HD to the 4 x 4.

With the Kreg Jig HD, drill two pocket holes in each each of your three 4 x 4 crossbar pieces.

Attaching the base side crossbar to the table base.

Then, attach the two short pieces, flush, on each end piece using HD Pocket Hole Screws. Make sure to place the pocket hole side on the same side where you can see the table apron pocket holes.

Originally, I had thought I would place the pocket holes on the bottom, where they wouldn’t be seen. Unfortunately, this table is too small to do that with because the drill won’t fit between the legs.

Two table sides built.

Repeat this process for the second end.

Attaching the long table skirt to the two table sides.

This is where you will really start to see your table base come together!

Apply wood glue to each end of one of the long table apron pieces, place it between the two ends with a 1 x 4 underneath, and use the 36″ trigger clamp to hold it all together. Make sure that the top pieces are even! (The 1 x 4 will offset the table apron from the table legs.) Make sure the pocket holes on the edge are facing up.

Then, adhere the long table apron piece to each end with pocket hole screws.

Using the trigger clamp to attach part of the table skirt.

It’s now time to attach the last table apron piece.

For this, stand the table base up, glue each end of the final table apron piece, make sure the pocket holes on the long end are facing up, and clamp it in place using the 36″ trigger clamp. You can hold a 1 x 4 up to the edge to make sure your alignment is right.

Now, adhere the final long table apron piece to the table base with pocket hole screws.

Attaching the 4 x 4 crossbar to the table base.

A table this size doesn’t really require a crossbar but I like the look!

Measure the center point on each end of the 4 x 4 crossbar and the center of the side 4 x 4 crossbars. Place wood glue on each end of the crossbar and line your measurements up, making sure the crossbar sits flush with the side bars. Use the 36″ trigger clamp to hold everything in place, while you screw in the HD Pocket Hole Screws.

Next, lay your table top, face down, on a soft surface and place your table base (with wood glue on the top edge), upside down, on top of the table top. Make sure it is centered on the table top.

Attaching the table base to the table top.

Then, use your pocket holes to adhere the table base to the table top!

Flip your table over and give everything a good sand with 220 grit sandpaper.

Staining the counter height table with homemade stain.

Choose how you’d like to stain your table! I like to use a homemade wood stain.

Attaching caster wheels to table legs.

Finally, place your caster wheels where you’d like them to go and carefully (so you don’t split the wood) drill holes where you will place your screws.

Wheels attached to table legs.

It was hard to find chunky wheels that didn’t also have a big base plate. These base plates actually hang over the edge a bit.

Using a rag to apply wax as a table finish.

Choose a finish for your table.

I chose to use a wax finish because I don’t like the smell of polyurethane. I don’t believe wax is as durable as polyurethane though.

We are super happy with the way this small DIY counter height table turned out and can’t wait to use it in our studio room!

Now that I have a better understanding of how to build a counter-height table, I’m confident I can build a nice, counter-height dining room table too! I will use a better quality of wood that will be super durable to stand the test of time!

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