After finishing the two end sections of our three-piece DIY console table (described previously), I turned to the middle section. Because this center unit will sit hidden between the other two pieces — sandwiched between the sectional and the wall — I could have made a simple platform to support the long tabletop that spans all three modules. Instead, we decided to use that space for hidden storage. The plan is a 41″ long unit with a top opening and a shelf below that forms the bottom of the storage compartment. Rather than building solid wooden sides for the storage box, we opted to staple taut fabric around the four interior sides to save money and reduce weight. The result is a fabric-lined storage bin supported by a sturdy wooden frame and a solid wooden bottom.
For materials I used several 1×4 boards and a single 1×12 board. We had many of the boards pre-cut at Home Depot, though I didn’t worry about ultra-precise cuts because I could fine-tune the 1x4s at home with my miter saw.
First I cut four legs to 24″ tall. Cutting a 48″ piece doesn’t always yield two exact 24″ pieces because of the saw blade width, so one piece was slightly shorter — something I compensated for as I assembled the frame.
I attached a long rail at the top to join two legs, aligning it to the full 24″ leg so the finished height would be level. I used a Kreg Jig for pocket holes and secure joinery — the same method I used on the two end consoles.
Next I used two shorter boards to connect the two leg assemblies. These also serve as the supports for the lower shelf.
I didn’t photograph the shelf installation step, but essentially I laid two 1x4s flat across the supports to form the base. Because that didn’t fully span the 16″ width, I centered a 1×12 on top of the two 1x4s to create a solid shelf.
The top is made from leftover 1×12 boards from the end pieces. I attached boards on either side of the frame, leaving the desired opening in the center for top-entry storage.
It’s not the prettiest unit before finishing, but once the fabric is stapled to the inside sides and storage baskets are added it will be perfectly functional. The three consoles will be topped with a long reclaimed pallet countertop, with a small removable section to access the storage compartment from above.
We’ll share details and photos of how we build the rustic countertop and how the top will lift off when we get to that stage. For now, we moved the unfinished pieces into the room to test placement and fit.
Seeing everything shifted was a little jarring, but after a night it felt like a clear improvement. The relationship between the sectional and the media cabinet felt cozier, and sitting 17″ closer to the TV made reading subtitles and checking the weather easier. Once we replace the awkward floor lamp with two chunky table lamps on either side of the long console, the space will feel balanced and connected. Sherry is already on the hunt for lamps.
One hiccup was that the long console spans almost 12 feet across a slightly uneven floor. The floor in this room has some waves, which our inspector said is due to settling and not a structural problem. That meant one of the seams between pieces didn’t line up perfectly.
To level the units I installed adjustable feet similar to appliance levelers. These allow fine adjustments by turning each foot until the surfaces align. Installation required drilling progressively larger holes to fit the plastic guides and then screwing the adjustable feet in place.
I widened the top of the hole slightly so the guide’s lip would sit flush, and with the padded legs installed the bottoms looked and functioned correctly.
After adding adjustable feet to most corners and a few felt pads where only minor adjustments were needed, I achieved a level surface across the console pieces — a satisfying result. We also discovered that the center unit was built with access to the wall outlet behind the sofa, which will be useful for table lamps.
Because the console sits slightly off the baseboard, we’ll need to be thoughtful when stapling the fabric sides so we don’t block cords while still preventing remotes and toys from slipping into the gap. That’s an easy problem to solve when we staple the fabric and stain and finish the pieces.
We’ll handle staining, the countertop, and final fabric installation in upcoming steps, and we’ll share detailed photos when we do. For now I’m enjoying the fact that the console is level and functional — a small triumph that makes the room feel more complete.