Place the hardwood panel face down on a flat surface and attach the L brackets to each of the four corners with wood screws. Attach the table legs to the L brackets. Stand the table right side up.
Attach the decorative strips to the facing edges of the panel with wood glue, followed by finishing nails spaced every 6 inches or so, around the perimeter of the sofa table. Let the glue dry.
Sand the table with medium-grade sandpaper followed by light-grade sandpaper. Sand the wood in the direction of the grain. The light-grade paper will help remove the scratches left by the medium paper. Remove all of the debris left from sanding. Any particles left on the wood will be visible in your finished table.
Stain the table to match the décor in your living room. Always stain in the direction of the wood grain. If you need more than one coat of stain, follow the manufacturer's directions regarding sanding in between coats. Let the stain cure completely before you apply a coat of polyurethane for protection and shine.