How to Make a Couch Table

Lay the hardwood board face down on a flat surface. Select oak or birch for a lighter couch table, while cherry or mahogany work best for darker furniture. Run a bead of wood glue along one 48-inch edge of the board. Press one of the 48-inch decorative trim pieces onto the wood glue, and further secure it with screws or finish nails. Continue adding the decorative trim around the perimeter of the hardwood board. Flip the table top over.

Sand all of the wood surfaces on the table top you just made and the decorative table legs with medium grade sandpaper. Wipe away the sanding residue with a damp cloth.

Apply a coat of stain/polyurethane combination to the decorative table legs and to the table top. Select a clear stain to enhance the beauty of the hardwood or choose a stain color that will compliment the décor in your room. Apply as many coats as necessary to achieve a finish that suits you. Follow the manufacturer's directions for dry times and sanding between coats. Let the stain dry completely before taking the next step.

Lay the couch table top face down and attach one decorative table leg in each corner of the table. Your table legs may have one screw attached in the center, or you may need to angle screws through the top of the legs and into bottom of the table. In this case, two 1 ½ inch screws for each leg will be sufficient. Flip the table over and place it behind your couch.