Accent Table: Final Report Part 1

This semester, I set out to design and fabricate a modern accent table that fits both my aesthetic preferences and the functional needs of my living space. What began as a simple idea—create a side table that complements my existing furniture—evolved into a rewarding deep dive into material selection, woodworking techniques, and visual design. In this post, I’ll walk through the inspirations that guided my work, the artistic and practical decisions I made, and how my vision developed from concept to physical object.

Figures 1 & 2: Final Piece with Glass Top

Above is the final project, which perfectly matched my goal aesthetic of minimalism and modernism. I designed a three-tiered table with a kickplate for the base to lift the table. The top is glass to give it depth and a wear-resistant upper surface.

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Inspirations and Influences

Like many students on a budget, I’ve spent hours browsing furniture stores and online retailers trying to find the “perfect” accent table. Time and again, I came across designs that were either out of budget, poorly made, or didn’t match my space. This frustration became the catalyst for the project. I realized I could take design inspiration from these high-end products and create something tailored to my needs for a fraction of the cost.

Some major inspirations came from brands like CB2 and West Elm, which offer minimalist, mid-century-modern inspired pieces with clean lines, warm wood tones, and mixed materials like glass and metal. Below are some specific pieces that influenced my design.

The first figure is a simple but unique plywood table, which also has a hidden cabinet that turns into a functional surface. It also has a very light or clear stain, maintaining the clean aesthetic of the natural material. The two with glass tops use transparency to reduce visual clutter in a room. I adapted that principle by integrating a glass top into my own design, allowing me to preserve visibility and openness while still offering practical surface area.

Figure 3: Minimalist Plywood Storage Bench

Figure 4: Glass-top Coffee Table with Coffee Table Books

Figure 5: Side Table with Glass Top

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Artistic Vision and Design Aesthetic

From the beginning, I wanted this table to feel like a natural part of my house and room. The space is warm, modern, and a little eclectic—with wood flooring, neutral walls, and mixed-material decor. I decided to focus on simplicity and subtlety, avoiding any bold colors. Instead, the goal was to let the materials speak for themselves: clean plywood edges, a clear glass top, and a minimal stain to highlight the natural grain of the wood.

I also wanted the piece to feel light. By elevating the main storage box and giving it a glass surface, I hoped to avoid the bulkiness that often comes with boxy furniture. The result is a visually open structure that balances function with minimal form. My aesthetic keywords were: modern, warm, clean, and intentional.

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Specifications: Function + Form

1. Aesthetic Match to Existing Furniture

I selected ½” birch plywood for its clean look and ability to hold a light stain. The grain pattern is visible but not overly busy, which helps it blend with my wood floors and adjacent furniture. If I did this project again or had a higher budget I would have opted for solid wood or at least 3/4″ plywood for added stability and strength.

2. Transparent Glass Top

This is arguably the centerpiece of the design. The glass top not only creates visual lightness but serves a dual purpose: protecting the wood surface from normal wear and offering a display area beneath. For my final display of the piece, I will have coffee table books and accent decorations to demonstrate the functionality of the glass top.

3. Display and Storage Functionality

The top shelf is reserved for coffee table books or decor, while the lower two shelves (initially meant to be concealed) are used for functional storage. While I couldn’t fully realize the hidden-door element, the table still serves this dual-purpose vision.

4. Soft-Close Door Hinges (Originally Planned)

After many trips to McGuckins and testing multiple hinge types, I concluded that my plywood build did not lend itself to a clean, flush door with soft-close functionality. The material and form factor created alignment issues that weren’t easily solved without redesigning the casework or switching materials. I feel satisfied with the amount of effort I put in to remedy this issue, but after 5 returns to McGuckins I decided to abandon this part of the design. I would love to incorporate this in a future project to learn more about the process of fabricating doors.

5. DIY-Friendly Build

I intentionally designed the piece to be hand-tool friendly, so I could fabricate all parts within the time and budget constraints of the semester. I learned how to use many new wood-working tools because this was my first project. Throughout this project, I used a biscuit joiner, table saw, chop saw, sander, and more small tools.

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Initial Sketches and Design Evolution

Figure 6: Initial Sketches

These were some of the first sketches I made, exploring general dimensions and proportions. I toyed with multiple configurations for the storage areas and top surface but always came back to a rectangular footprint with three tiers.

Sketching out my design allowed me to brainstorm design aspects and determine measurements for the final product. I also used an online tool to create a cut list that optimized my material usage, minimizing waste.

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Embodying the Aesthetic & Effects on the Project

The embodiment of my aesthetic goals can be seen in:

• Material Choice: Using plywood rather than solid hardwood helped me keep the look minimal and light, while still showcasing natural grain. If I repeated the project with a larger budget, I would have used solid wood or a thicker plywood because the veneer did peel off a little when sanding.

• Glass Integration: The top gives the illusion of space and keeps the table from feeling visually heavy. The glass is very thick which also makes it look sturdy and even incorporates a bit of a naturalism aesthetic.

• Color Palette: A very light stain was applied to enhance the plywood’s warmth without overpowering the natural look. It also made the lines of the grain more visible which gives a nice pattern.

• Joinery Details: Though subtle, the biscuit joints used on all corners are clean and invisible, maintaining a streamlined look. I like that the design did not use any fasteners and all the joinery is hidden maintaining the modern and minimal aesthetic.

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Fabrication Milestones

Figure 7: Pieces Cut and Clamped to Determine Spacing

During Spring Break, I made major progress—cutting and sanding all plywood components. This was my first time using a biscuit joiner, and I had to run multiple tests to ensure the joints were precise enough for a stable frame.

Figures 8 & 9 : Staining Process, Table after Staining (left), Test Piece of Stain (right)

Applying the stain was the most satisfying part of the build. I tested several stains beforehand and settled on one that slightly deepened the wood tone without obscuring the grain. The drying process went smoothly, and I was thrilled with how the finish elevated the material. After applying the stain I had to let it dry for about 24 hours. Then I placed some spacers on the top edges for the glass, and then placed the glass on top for the final look.

I will be going into more detail for the fabrication process for Part 2 of this blog post series.

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Final Notes

As of this writing, the build is complete. Although I was not able to add the doors like I originally planned, I’m happy with the compromise. Sometimes the design process means letting go of an idea that doesn’t quite work in real life, especially considering my design skills and the time constraints of the course. The rest of the table turned out better than I would have expected given my limited skills. I also appreciated the help from my dad, who showed me how to use many of the tools for this project and gave me assistance throughout the fabrication process.

I will be finalizing the styling of the top with books and decor for the final showcase. I have three coffee table books that I ordered to fit with the project and they will be arriving this week. This project has helped me grow not just as a designer, but also as a fabricator and problem solver. I am also very excited to see how these skills help me when undertaking future projects with wood. I’m excited to see how it presents at Expo in a couple weeks!

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Sources & Images

[3] https://pin.it/2Pn9ZRv3A

[4] https://pin.it/1DSegQTaw

[5] https://pin.it/4zHWEp8tb

 

*AI was used in the writing of this report