Every once in awhile, I get to build vicariously through my friends, family, and readers. This DIY Square Farmhouse Table is one such project. My good friend, fellow singer/songwriter, Nashville neighbor, runner and yogi extraordinaire, Amy Courts reached out to me to help her modify Ana White’s famous farmhouse table plans to fit her needs and her space. In short, she wanted to build a square farmhouse table but didn’t feel comfortable enough modifying the existing plans on her own, so she asked me for help and I was thrilled to oblige.
Check out what Amy built for her dining room:
Pretty sweet build and finish, right?! Thanks to Amy and with Ana’s permission, I’m excited to be able to share the plans for this Square Farmhouse Table with you guys today.
Ever wonder how to get that weathered, farmhouse finish? Here’s a helpful video:
DOWNLOAD THE PLANS FOR AMY’S SQUARE FARMHOUSE TABLE HERE.
Materials:
- (2) 4 x 4 x 6 Ft. Boards
- (5) 2 x 4 x 8 Ft. Boards
- (6) 2 x 8 x 8 Ft. Boards
- 2 1/2-inch Pocket Hole Screws
- 3-inch Wood Screws
- Wood Glue
- Wood Plugs
Tools:
- Tape Measure
- Pencil
- Speed Square
- Drill with Countersink Drill Bit
- Circular Saw
- Pocket Hole Jig
- Chisel
- Safety Glasses
- Hearing Protection
Cut List:
- (4) 4 x 4 @ 29 inches (legs)
- (2) 2 x 4 @ 47 inches (side stretchers)
- (4) 2 x 4 @ 40 inches (aprons)
- (1) 2 x 4 @ 43 inches (middle stretcher)
- (3) 2 x 4 @ 42 inches (tabletop supports)
- (8) 2 x 8 @ 43 1/2 inches (tabletop)
- (2) 2 x 8 @ 58 inches (breadboards)
Step 1:
Cut and notch out the 4 x 4 legs. To notch out the stretcher joint as shown, set your circular saw to blade depth of 1 1/2-inches. Make the top and bottom cuts first, then cut every 1/4-inch with the saw. Use a chisel to remove the remaining material and clean up the notch. If you can, practice on a scrap piece of wood first.
Step 2:
Notch out the side stretchers as shown, then attach to the legs. Use 3” wood screws and wood glue. Countersink screw heads and use wood plugs to conceal. Do both ends.
Step 3:
Drill 1 ½” pocket holes into the aprons as shown. Attach to the legs with 2 ½” pocket hole screws and glue.
Step 4:
Build the carcass by drilling 1 ½” pocket holes into the remaining two aprons and attach to legs with 2 ½” pocket hole screws and glue.
Step 5:
Attach the stretcher with 3” wood screws. You may want to countersink these and use wood plugs to cover the screw heads.
Step 6:
Add the table top supports. Drill 1 ½” pocket holes into the 2x4s and attach to carcass with 2 ½” pocket hole screws and glue.
Step 7:
Build the table top. Drill 1 ½” pocket holes along one edge, spaced about 6-8” apart. Clamp joints as you attach with 2 ½” pocket hole screws. Measure and cut breadboards to fit and attach with 2 ½” pocket hole screws.
Step 8:
Attach table top by drilling 2 ½” pocket hole screws from aprons and supports to table top. There will be a 5 ½” overhang on all sides. Notice that the breadboard ends are on the same ends as the stretcher bars.
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Hi!
Do you think this would be structurally sound if you leave off the stretchers?
Thanks! 🙂
What was the finished size of the the table?
Hi same question? Love the table but would like to build without the bottom support. Do you think it would still hold?
We built the table and it is gorgeous, thank you! Now I need benches to go with it, HELP!
Etsy.com/shop/mckinneycreekcrafts
Farm benches any size made to order
The finished photo has a frame around the tabletop. Could you explain how you made that and what materials you used?
Hi Tara,
That is a 1×2 board framing the tabletop. It is not necessary – it’s just for aesthetics.
How did you install the framing around the tabletop? Did you just use wood glue or add some finishing screws?
I’m interested in building the table but want it to be for a total of 12 people seating 3 on each side.
what would u recommend for changing the lengths/ deminsions?
Hi Brian,
The general rule of thumb is to allow 24-26 inches per person for elbow room so going on that rule, you’d need about 75 inches on each side. That is one massive table! Hope that helps!
How many people does your table seat? 8?
Hi, is there a rule of thumb for height? Kind of want mine for studying…
Hi there, was looking to scale this table down by just a few inches. Any recommendations for new cut instructions?
We just finished making this table, and after figuring out a few things here and there is is perfect! The directions were super helpful and we loved the corresponding pictures. Thank you for all your hard work!
The only problem we ran into was the dimensions for the table top. In the directions it says that it should be 58 in. x 58 in. However, with 8 2×8 boards, those dimensions are not possible (i.e. 8×8 =64), even using nominal sized wood (ie. 7.5 in. wide that comes to 60 in.). There is no way to use 8 2x8s and end up with the dimensions given. We ended up only using 7 of the 2×8 boards and cutting those and the bread boards down so that the whole table would be 56 in. x 56 in.
If you click on the picture for the table it takes you to the actual plans for it calling for 6 instead of 8.
The bread boards should be 60 in. not 58. We are in the middle of building this and everything has been spot on except that. Back to Home Depot we go!
The actual width of a 2X8 is 7 1/4. That gives you a 58 in top.
I would square the sides up and that would make them 7″
Beautiful table! May I ask, what type of wood did you use?
I would love to know how much it costs to make before I go through the trouble of buying everything. Thanks!
Does anyone know the average cost of the finished project?
Can you please email the plans to build Amy’s square farmhouse table?
Of course! Sent 🙂
Hi, can you email me the plans as well and the cost to build.
Thanks
I want to build a 72″ square outdoor table with rough cedar using 2×4 for the top. Any plan ideas?
Did anybody end up building this table without the bottom support/sretchers? Also interested in doing this but not sure if it will be stable without? Thoughts?
Looking for same answer as I want to sit 2people on each side
How would one go about putting a leaf in the middle to make the table smaller?
What is the overall size of the table after construction , and total cost of lumber materials cost
What type of wood can I use for this project? I wanted to use yellow pine but can’t find 4×4 that is not treated. Please share your suggestions.