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Inside Job: Kid-Friendly Table With Storage and More A table is a table. But why stop there? Here's a simple project for creating a table for a kids' play area — and with some extra functionality built in. From "The Inside Job" episode DISJ-106

In this Inside Job project, master carpenter Carter Oosterhouse takes you behind the scenes on the set of his HGTV show Carter Can as he and his team transform a dingy basement into a vibrant family room for five — complete with new paint, carpet, and furniture.

The signature piece in this project is the kid-friendly coffee table that not only doubles as a storage bin for toys and other kid stuff, but also as a display area for original kid art. The kids may not be serving much coffee there, but here's a piece of furniture that will get lots of use nonetheless. The basic steps in the creation of the multipurpose table are outlined below, along with a list of materials and tools used.

The basement, before

Before

. . .and after.

. . .and after.

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In this kid-friendly basement, the multipurpose coffee table serves as a functional focal point for the room.

Coffee Table With Storage and Display Surfaces for Children's Art

Coffee tables can be more than just a surface for your coasters and beverages. With some imagination, you can create a table that provides both additional storage and a place to display artwork — the ultimate all-in-one piece of furniture.

Materials:

2 sheets, 3/4" MDF (medium density fiberboard)
3/4" laminated pine (1 sheet)
pine 2x4's (2)
screws
nails
wood glue
1 sheet of acrylic, approx. 2x3 feet
4-1/2" wooden buttons (8)
1-1/2" x 30" piano hinges and screws (2)
paint (any color)
mirror clips (8)

Tools:

table saw
nail gun
drill
screwdriver
paintbrush
safety glasses

Safety Alert: As with all projects that involve power saws and other power tools, te first step project is to put on your eye protection. Always wear safety glasses or goggles when working with power saws and other power tools.

Figure A

Steps:

1. To create the sides, use a table saw to cut four pieces of 3/4" MDF to 40" x 15".

2. The square base for the table measures 41-1/2" x 41-1/2". Using a table saw, cut the base piece out of 3/4" MDF.

3. Next, begin to assemble the base and four sides of the table. You will want to leave a gap of-1/2" around the base perimeter so the sides aren't flush with the base. Also, assemble two opposing sides so they're inset-1/2", leaving space for an acrylic inset that you will attach later (figure A).

4. Secure the sides to the base and to each other with wood glue and nails. Apply the glue, then use a nail gun to nail hold all of the pieces securely together.

5. Next, secure the vertical edges of the sides where there's an overhang, or the sides that will create the back of the display area. Using a Forstner bit, drill holes 2" from the top and 2" from the bottom of each of the flush sides going into the vertical edges that are not yet secured. Forstner bits are great at creating large holes quickly, so that will be your best bet.

Figure B

6. Once your hole has been made, go back through the hole with a countersink bit and add your screws for greater stability (figure B). To complete the assembly of the sides, place half-inch wooden buttons with glue inside each hole for a nice finished look.

7. The next phase is to create the top of the coffee table. For the top, cut two pieces of 3/4" laminated pine to 18 3/4" x 41-1/2".

8. In order to get the top to open smoothly, add two center dividers directly in the middle of the piece. Both are 2x4 pine, with one being 38-1/2" and one being 41-1/2" in length.

9. Glue and nail the smaller divider directly in the middle of your base so that the top is flush with the top of your sides. The second divider should be ripped down to 3/4" thick. Attach it directly on top of the other 2x4 with glue and nails.

10. Take the two pieces of laminated pine for the top and line them up on either end of the 3/4"x4" you just attached.

	Figure C
	Figure D

11. Drill holes in the 3/4"x 4" where the 1-1/2" x 30" piano hinge will be screwed on. Then screw the piano hinges on to the inside of the ledger and the inside of the two top pieces so that the hinge is hidden in-between the ledger and tops when closed (figures C and D).

Tip: It's best to only place a couple screws at first, test the placement to ensure it's level and flush, and then continue securing the hinge with the remaining screws.

12. Now that the coffee table construction part is complete, choose a paint color and paint everything except for the top. Stain the top to give it a natural, finished look.

13. This table makes a great place to display art and photos. To make the display cover, cut two pieces of an acrylic material to 39"x14" using a table saw.

The completed table features a stained wood top that's hinged at the center to form a double lid for the concealed storage compartment.

14. With an 1/8" drill bit, pre-drill two holes into the top and two holes into the bottom of the inset side of the wood for mirror clips. The holes should be-1/2" from the top and bottom and-1/2" from the side.

15. Insert the acrylic into place just beneath the mirror clip holes. Using a drill, screw the mirror clips into the side to support the acrylic.

16. Slide your old photos, travel mementos, or child's artwork behind the acrylic and you're ready to go!

DIY Green Tip: Consumers, through how they exercise their buying power, can have an impact on the way manufacturers create their products. To help encourage responsible toxin-free manufacturing methods, when purchasing building materials, ask for MDF that's formaldehyde-free.

RESOURCES :

Coffee-table paint: Mustard Field, #377
Benjamin Moore Paints
www.benjaminmoore.com

Wall paint: Oklahoma Wheat 350E-3
Behr Paint
www.behr.com