These easy modern end table with drawer plans are an expansion on our previous modern end table plans, adding a single drawer for extra storage. Adding a drawer can be intimidating to some people, as there is an automatic assumption that you need to figure out drawer slides and stops, and so much more. However drawers can be quite simple. For these plans, we are building a simple drawer box and just letting the drawer slide on a single drawer support. This is a simple technique that can be used on shallow drawers that aren’t expected to carry a lot of weight.

If you have any questions about these plans, or need some tweaks for your own design, reach out to us using the comments section below. And if you use these plans to build your own end tables, show us how yours turned out.

Materials Required

• 3 – 2×4 @ 8′
• 3 – 1×4 @ 8′
• 1 – 1×2 @ 8′
• 1 – 1×6 @ 6′
• 1/8″ hardboard or plywood @ 11″ x 15 7/8″
• 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws
• 1 1/4″ interior wood screws
• Wood glue

Tools Needed

• Table saw
• Miter saw
• Pocket hole jig
• Drill / Driver combo
• Right angle clamp (recommended)
• Flush clamp for pocket hole joints (recommended)
• Biscuit joiner and biscuits (optional)
• Sander & sand paper

Step 1: Cut the legs

The legs for these easy modern end table plans are going to be cut down from standard 2x4s. Start by cutting four pieces, each 26″ long. Then you’ll need to run each piece through the table saw table saw, cutting off the rounded corners and trimming the boards down to the final dimensions of 1 1/4″ x 2 1/2″ x 26″.

Step 2: Cut and install the stretchers

Now that the legs are cut, we’re going to assemble the sides and then attach them together.

To build the sides you’ll need

• 2 – 10 1/2″ pieces of 2×4, trimmed to 1 1/4″ x 2 1/2″. Drill two pocket holes on each end
• 2 – 10 1/2″ pieces of 1×3. Drill two pocket holes on each end
• 2 – 10 1/2″ pieces of 1×6, trimmed to 5″ wide. Drill three pocket holes on each end

For the long stretchers, you will need

• 2 – 18″ pieces of 2×4, ripped to 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″. Drill two pocket holes on each end
• 4 – 18″ pieces of 1×4, ripped to 1 1/4″ wide. Drill two pocket holes on end end

Now that you have your pieces cut, start by building the sides. You’ll want the 1×6 board’s bottom edge to be 4″ from the bottom end of the legs, but you’ll need to attach the 1×3 boards first. Which means the bottom of the 1×3 boards should be 9″ from the bottom end of the legs. The 1×6 boards should also be flush to the outside edges of the legs, with the pocket holes facing in. The pocket holes on the 2×4 and 1×3 boards should be facing down.

Once the sides are assembled, use wood glue and the pocket hole screws to attach the 18″ stretchers. The bottom edge of the lowest 1×2 should be 4″ off the ground, aligned to the bottom edge of the 1×6. All of these pocket holes should be facing down.

Step 3: Install the shelf boards and drawer support

Next you’re going to install the shelves, and the bottom drawer support. The shelf pieces are all 18″ lengths of 1×4, while the drawer support is 10 1/2″. Drill 3 pocket holes on each end of all of these pieces, then use the pocket hole screws and wood glue to attach them with the top edges flush.

Optionally, you can edge glue the 1×4 boards for each shelf together before attaching. This adds a little extra rigidity to the top. If you choose to do this, you’ll want to ensure the top edges are perfectly aligned as they are glued together. A biscuit joiner is a great tool to have for helping align boards in this manner.

Step 4: Build the drawer

We’re going to build a very simple drawer for this end table. We’ll start with four pieces of 1×4, two cut to 12″ in length, and two cut to 15 3/8″ in length. We’re then going to cut a 1/8″ wide dado, 1/4″ deep, 1/8″ up from the bottom edge of each of these pieces. You should be able to cut this on a single pass on the table saw, but make certain to dry fit your drawer bottom – you may need to micro adjust your table saw fence to make the dado ever so slightly larger to accommodate the hardboard.

Once the dados are cut, you’ll want to drill 3 pocket hole screws on each end of the longer 1×4 boards. You’ll want to drill all of these pocket holes on the opposite side of the dados. This way the ones on the front board will get hidden by the drawer front, while the ones on the back won’t be visible unless you remove the drawer. Use wood glue and the pocket hole screws to assemble the drawer frame.

The final step for the drawer is adding the drawer front and hardware. The drawer front a piece of the 1×6, cut down to 4 1/8″ high by 17 7/8″ wide. This size should leave about 1/16″ gap on each end, and a 1/8″ gap about the drawer front. You’ll want the drawer front aligned flush to the bottom of the drawer, and centered left-to-right. Attach the drawer front using 1 1/4″ wood screws from inside the drawer. Then you’ll just need to install whatever hardware you choose after you’ve painted or stained the piece.

Now it is on the finishing work to complete these easy modern end table plans. Go over the entire piece with 120, 180, and then 240 grit sandpaper. Once you’ve completed sanding you can move onto staining, oiling, or painting,

Not certain what type of finish you want to add to your new piece? Check out our series on eco-friendly wood finishes. We detail options for oils, waxes, water-based finishes, shellac, milk paint, and citrus and plant based solvents. We give you all of the details you need to make an informed choice about the right type of finish to choose for your latest project.

If you have comments or question, please feel free to connect with us via the comments section below or use our Contact Form.  We love the feedback!  Also, don’t forget to check out our other free DIY furniture plans.

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Recommended Reading

Looking to dive deeper? Here are a few related projects and guides that will help you sharpen your woodworking skills, discover new techniques, and find inspiration for your next build.

• DIY X-base dining table plans
• How to choose the best wood for your project
• Five quick jigs that save your hours on your next project

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