After successfully building the two end sections of our three-piece DIY console table, I moved on to the middle section. This center piece will be hidden between the two end units and sandwiched between the back of the sectional and the wall. I could have built a simple platform to support the long tabletop that will span all three pieces using reclaimed pallet wood, but we decided to make better use of the space by creating hidden storage in the middle unit.
Here’s the concept: the center unit is a 41″ long table with an opening in the middle of the top. Beneath that opening sits a platform shelf that forms the bottom of a storage compartment. Instead of building full wooden sides to enclose that compartment, we chose a lighter, more economical solution: stapling taut fabric around the four sides. From the outside it will be a sturdy wooden frame with a solid wooden bottom and a fabric-lined storage area that won’t be visible once the unit is in place.
To build this piece I used several 1×4 boards and one 1×12 board. I had a number of pieces cut at Home Depot, but I didn’t worry about extreme precision for every cut since I could fine-tune the 1x4s at home with my miter saw.
The first step was cutting four 24″ tall legs. Cutting down a longer board into two exact halves can be tricky because the saw blade removes material, so one piece can end up slightly shorter than the other. After accounting for that, I set up the legs and added a long rail across the top to connect two of them. I aligned the rail with the full-length leg to ensure the top would be level and the finished height would be consistent.
To attach pieces I used a pocket-hole jig, which made joining boards quick and solid. Next I used two shorter boards as cross supports to connect the two leg assemblies. Those cross supports also serve as the foundation for the bottom shelf.
For the bottom shelf I laid two 1x4s flat on the supports to save material, then centered a 1×12 on top of them to create a solid shelf surface. This approach produced a sturdy shelf without using more wide boards than necessary.
The top of the center unit is made from leftover 1×12 planks, installed on either side of the opening and leaving the center gap we planned. It’s not intended to be decorative on its own since the long reclaimed pallet countertop we’ll add later will span across all three console units and hide the seam. The countertop will include a small, removable section that allows access to the storage compartment from above.
Once the fabric is stapled to the inside of the frame, the hidden storage box will be complete. We may add baskets inside for organization, but the fabric liner will keep small items like remotes and toys from falling into the gap between the console and the wall.
We’ve moved the assembled pieces into the room even though they still need stain and the final countertop applied. The new arrangement immediately improved the feel of the space: the relationship between the sectional and our temporary media cabinet feels cozier, and sitting slightly closer to the TV made things like reading subtitles and checking the weather much easier. When we replace the floor lamp at the sofa’s end with two chunky table lamps—one on each side of the eventual long console—it will balance the room nicely and connect the sofa and wall visually. My partner is already on the lookout for lamps to complete the look.
One frustrating discovery was that the floor in the room is slightly uneven. We noticed this during our home inspection, and while the inspector confirmed there were no structural problems, the slight waviness makes building a piece that spans nearly 140″ a bit more complicated. Fortunately, only one spot caused alignment issues between the three console sections.
To correct for the uneven floor, I installed adjustable leveling feet in the bottom of the center unit. These feet work like the adjustable legs found on appliances and let you finely tweak the height at each corner until the entire assembly is level. Installation was straightforward: I drilled a progressively larger hole to fit the plastic guide and then screwed the threaded foot into place. I used a larger drill bit to recess the guide’s top lip so it would sit flush with the wood.
After adding adjustable feet to most corners—and a few flat felt pads where only minor adjustment was needed—I was able to get the center piece level with the rest of the assembly. Achieving that level surface felt like a big win, especially given the span and the floor’s irregularities.
One additional benefit of how we built the center unit is that we maintained access to the wall outlet behind it. That access will be essential once we plug in the table lamps and other devices. Because the console won’t sit perfectly flush against the baseboard, we’ll need to be creative stapling the fabric liner so cords can pass through while small items can’t fall into the gap. It’s a small challenge we can solve as we finish staining and fabricating the countertop.
We still need to stain the pieces and build the reclaimed pallet countertop, and we’ll document that process with plenty of photos when we get to it. For now, I’m enjoying the satisfaction of having the center piece built and perfectly level. It’s a big step closer to a functional, attractive console that will tie the room together and provide useful hidden storage.