How to Build a Tabletop

Hey all, thanks for stopping by Bitterroot DIY!

For more project ideas, you can find me on Pinterest. And to stay up to date with the latest shenanigans, follow me on Instagram.

A good portion of furniture builds include some sort of tabletop. There are a variety of ways to build them, but this is one of the simplest methods.

No fancy tools. No fancy assembly. No fancy pants.

Just a good ol’ tabletop doing what tabletops do best.

As you can see, this is a pretty small tabletop. But no matter: I use the same build and jointing for all my basic tabletops. You can see more examples of it on the blanket chest, this coffee table, and my nightstands.

This post contains affiliate links. See my full disclosure here.

Tools & Supplies:

Miter Saw
Drill
Kreg Pocket Hole Jig
Pocket Hole Screws (size depending on board thickness)
Tape Measure
Square
Clamps
Wood Glue
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Ear Protection

Step 1.

Cut boards to length for your project.

Step 2.

Stagger pocket holes on the bottom side of the tabletop boards.

Depending on the length of your tabletop, add more pocket holes as necessary for strong joints along the length of the boards.

Step 3.

Run a bead of wood glue along the long edge of the first board.

Align the boards so the ends are flush, clamp in place, and attach with pocket hole screws.

Repeat for each board.

If you have pipe clamps, you can apply glue to all the boards, line them up, clamp, and then attach with pocket hole screws.

If you do not own clamps large enough to span a whole tabletop, work with one board at a time. I typically apply glue to one edge, align, and clamp along the joint between the two boards. That holds it well enough to drill the pocket hole screws into place.