Use A Dollar Tree Essential & Wood Planks To DIY The Cutest Mini Coffee Table

Sometimes taking your coffee in bed is the best option in the morning, especially if you're in recovery mode or staying in for the day. When this is the case, a small coffee stand that fits perfectly over your lap can be just what you need to get your morning started. And while fancy coffee tables are cute and trendy, sometimes you want decor that gives off more of a homespun feel. There are many creative ideas for a unique coffee table, but this shrunk-down version is easy enough to make in one to two hours. To do it, you'll use a few reclaimed wood boards, black spray paint, and four Cooking Concepts metal paper towel holders from Dollar Tree.

This fun DIY uses the charming allure of reclaimed wood, which serves as the top of the table and creates an easy farmhouse look. The paper towel holders will serve as legs. Wood is typically an inexpensive building material, but some types of reclaimed wood can be more expensive than your typical store-bought panels. However, you can find low-priced pieces from platforms such as Etsy or local buy-sell-trade groups. Checking local marketplaces, secondhand stores, or lumber yards is another great way to come across high-quality lumber pieces at huge discounts. You could even use pieces of wood you have around home.

The wood required for this project includes three 1½-inch-thick wood planks measuring roughly 8 inches by 30 inches and two 1½-inch-thick boards of about 3 inches by 24 inches. However, you can adjust the board sizes based on your desired finished size. You'll also need a few additional tools and materials, including a paint stencil, a miter saw, and an orbital sander.

One of the biggest mistakes everyone makes when buying a coffee table is buying on impulse. A notable benefit of building your own table from scratch is that it gives you time to envision the table's features first, and then you can watch as they come to life step by step. To get started on this project, take the paper towel holders and gently bend them slightly so they stand at roughly a 75-degree angle. Next, place them on a tarp or another protective surface and then go over them with spray paint — black is a classic color that fits well with the rustic theme, but you can also choose gold or other colors. 

Give the paint time to dry. Then, line up the three wider wood panels side by side to form the top. Align the two thinner boards, which are the supports, perpendicularly, so they are flush with the edges of the three panels. Secure the base to the support boards by drilling screws into each end. To get a visual, note that the support boards will also serve as side ledges for the tabletop. 

From there, you can decorate the tabletop by painting or staining the wood. Use freehand designs, vinyl transfers, or stencils on the tabletop to create custom designs. Now it's time to add the table legs. Flip the top upside down. Place a paper towel holder on the underside edge of the base near one of the corners with it angling out. Layer two wood shims on top of the paper towel holder's base, and fasten both onto the bottom of the table base with screws. You could also use brackets to attach the legs. Repeat with the other three legs.

This easy and affordable Dollar Tree DIY is a great way to add a rustic touch to your home. However, it should be noted that due to this coffee table's construction, it's best to only use it for lightweight items — and it can also make for an awesome decorative tray for your kitchen countertop. One way to make the table a little sturdier is to add flat metal brackets to all sides of the top of the table's legs, anchoring the straight wires of the holders in place for sturdier support. 

In terms of customizing the table, adding a sheet of acrylic or even a nice epoxy resin can add a touch of modernity that'll blend in effortlessly with the rustic wood tabletop. You can also swap the stencil usage for a dark wood stain on the tabletop. This can help you create a more curated and polished look, while still showing off the amazing texture of the aged wood. 

For extra security, creating ledges for the front and back end of the tables may be a good idea, especially if you're worried about objects sliding off the table when you reposition it. If the table feels wobbly or off-balance, you can also create your own feet using customized wood scraps. You may have a few leftover wood pieces from this project. It's important to note that these will require anchoring using metal brackets.