After finishing the two end sections of our three-piece DIY console table (as I described previously), I moved on to the middle unit. This center piece will sit hidden between the other two consoles and between the sectional’s back and the wall. I could have built a simple platform to support the long tabletop that will span all three units, but we decided to make better use of the space by adding a hidden storage compartment in the middle module. My rough sketch illustrated the plan.
To explain more clearly: the piece is about 41″ long with a central opening in the top. Beneath that opening sits a platform shelf that becomes the base of the storage area. Rather than building full wooden sides to enclose the box — which would add cost and weight — we decided to staple taut fabric around the four sides. Since that area will be hidden, a fabric lining kept things light and inexpensive while still functioning as a proper storage bin: a sturdy wooden frame with a solid bottom and fabric sides.
For materials I used several 1x4s and one 1×12 board. I had some of the boards cut at the big-box store, but not to exact precision since I can trim 1x4s at home with my miter saw.
First I cut four 24″ legs. Cutting a 48″ board into two 24″ pieces doesn’t always produce two perfectly identical pieces because the saw blade removes a thin strip of material, but I adjusted for that during assembly so everything lined up correctly.
I attached a long rail at the top to join two legs (I aligned it to the true 24″ leg to ensure level height). I used my Kreg Jig for the pocket holes and joinery, the same reliable tool I used on the other two consoles.
Next I connected the two side assemblies with shorter boards; these also serve as supports for the bottom shelf.
To form the lower shelf economically, I laid two 1×4 boards flat across the supports, then centered the 1×12 on top of them to create a solid shelf. This combination filled the depth of the unit and produced a sturdy platform for storage.
The top is a leftover length of 1×12 from the end pieces. I attached two sections of that board to the top, leaving the central opening intentionally open for top access to the storage compartment.
It’s not a showpiece on its own, but once the fabric is stapled to the sides and we top the three consoles with our reclaimed pallet “counter,” the center unit will be concealed. We may even add baskets inside the fabric-lined bin for organization. The long reclaimed countertop will sit on top of all three consoles and include a small removable section aligned with the center opening so we can access the storage from above.
We’ll document the rustic countertop build and the removable top access in detail when we tackle those steps, with plenty of photos. For now, we moved all three pieces into the room even though they still need stain and the finished top.
Seeing everything shifted into place felt like a meaningful change. The sectional and the media cabinet feel cozier in their new arrangement, and moving the seating about 17″ closer to our modest TV made subtitles and on-screen details easier to read. Eventually we’ll replace the awkward floor lamp at the end of the sofa with two substantial table lamps on either side of the console, which should balance the space by adding height and symmetry around the large frame grid. My partner has already started hunting for lamps.
One challenge emerged: the floor in that part of the room is slightly uneven. Our inspector called it harmless settling rather than a structural issue, but that waviness meant the three-piece console needed adjustable feet to sit level across roughly 140″ of span. Fortunately, the discrepancy was small—mainly one spot where the pieces didn’t line up.
To solve this I installed adjustable screw-in leveling feet similar to those used on appliances. They let me fine-tune the height by turning each foot until every section met level. Installation was simple: drill a pilot hole, work up to the appropriate diameter to accept the plastic guide, then screw in the foot. I used progressively larger drill bits to avoid splitting the wood.
I also sized the hole at the top so the plastic guide’s lip would sit flush, resulting in a tidy installation. With adjustable feet on most corners and felt pads where only a small lift was needed, the entire assembly became level.
Another happy accident: the center piece sits so that we still have access to the wall outlet behind it, which will be essential when we add table lamps. That small gap created by the baseboard is actually useful for routing cords.
We’ll figure out the best approach for stapling the fabric sides so nothing falls into the gap between the console and the wall, while still allowing cords to pass through. Staining and building the reclaimed pallet countertop will come next, and we’ll share the full process with photos when we get to it. For now, I’m enjoying the satisfying feeling of a level, functional piece that conceals useful storage and brings the room together.