This project was built and designed by Alex from Bevelish Creations.
It’s a clean, modern cantilever side table made from white oak, designed to sit comfortably beside a couch or bed—perfect for working from home, reading, or simply relaxing.
This stylish piece is compact, sturdy, and made using simple but effective joinery.
Alex’s build process keeps things approachable for intermediate woodworkers and includes smart hardware choices for a knock-down design that’s easy to move or disassemble.
Watch the full video and subscribe to Alex’s channel:
Selecting and Prepping the Lumber
Alex started with pre-surfaced ¾-inch white oak boards ordered online.
The quality of the material meant very little milling was needed—most pieces were already flat and straight right out of the box.
He edge-glued boards to create the tabletop and face-glued sections for thicker stock to be used as stretchers.
This allowed him to make all the parts he needed without investing in extra-thick lumber.
Glue-ups were done using deluxe panel clamps that kept the boards aligned and flat while drying.
This saved time on sanding and reduced the chance of cupping or twist in the panels.
Tapering the Legs with a Smart Sled Setup
The cantilever table gets its signature look from its tapered and angled leg structure.
The legs lean back slightly and are made up of horizontal and vertical components joined at clean angles.
Alex used a crosscut sled on his table saw to cut matching angles for mirrored parts by flipping each board 180 degrees.
This efficient method ensured both sides of the table were symmetrical without having to reset the angle.
The tapers were laid out to create a subtle visual reduction from bottom to top, contributing to the table’s lightweight appearance.
Each taper was cut with a tapering jig for consistency.
Cutting and Joining the Leg Components
Vertical leg pieces were ripped to width and trimmed to match the angle of the horizontal tapers.
Alex used a bevel gauge to match the angles before cutting, guaranteeing a flush and accurate fit between components.
Dowel joinery was used to connect all leg components, which kept the process simple and sturdy. With the help of a dowel jig, holes were drilled at the correct depths and positions, allowing for quick, repeatable joints without needing advanced mortising.
Glue was applied, and the pieces were clamped for a tight fit.
Careful layout during this step ensured everything remained aligned through the drying process.
Cross Dowels for a Knock-Down Design
To connect the base stretchers to the leg assemblies, Alex used metal cross dowels and bolts.
This hardware allows the entire table to be disassembled easily, which is ideal for moving or storing the table without damage.
Precise layout and measuring were key to getting the cross dowels aligned.
Alex marked center points on the ends of each stretcher and the corresponding leg faces before drilling.
The dowel jig was used with bushings sized for the bolts and dowels—9/16-inch for bolt holes and 7/8-inch for the dowels themselves.
Following layout lines carefully resulted in smooth alignment during final assembly.
Final Assembly and Edge Work
After assembling the legs and stretchers, Alex rounded over all sharp edges using a router table.
This gave the table a softer, more refined feel while making it more comfortable to use daily.
The tabletop was attached using figure-eight fasteners recessed into the stretchers.
This method allows the tabletop to expand and contract naturally with seasonal humidity changes, preventing cracks and warping.
A light sanding with fine-grit paper smoothed the entire piece, and a protective finish was applied to highlight the oak grain while sealing the surface.
Why This Table Works in Any Space
The cantilever side table fits comfortably next to a sofa or bed, providing a perfect spot for a laptop, cup of coffee, or book.
The overhang design keeps the base out of the way, offering both style and function.
Thanks to the knock-down hardware, this table is easy to disassemble and transport. Whether you’re rearranging furniture or taking it to a new home, the build is designed to come apart without damage.
The clean, modern farmhouse design makes it suitable for a wide range of home styles.
It’s subtle but unique—an ideal addition to both casual and contemporary spaces.
Tips for a Smooth Build
Alex noted that when using a dowel jig, it’s important to make sure your drill bits are long enough to reach the proper depth—especially when working with thicker stock or recessed hardware.
Planning ahead during the glue-up and layout phases will save time later and reduce the chance of error.
Taking a few extra minutes for setup pays off in both fit and finish.
Learn more about this project here: https://www.rockler.com/learn/sofa-tv-table-project-plan/.
Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
Working with pre-surfaced lumber like Alex did here is a real time-saver, especially for projects where you need clean, straight stock right out of the gate. White oak is fantastic for furniture like this—it’s strong enough to handle the cantilever stress and has that beautiful grain that really pops under a clear finish. Just keep in mind that white oak can be pretty hard on your tools, so sharp blades and bits make a big difference.
That crosscut sled technique for matching angles is brilliant. It’s one of those simple tricks that eliminates a lot of measuring and setup time while giving you perfect symmetry. When you’re doing tapers like this, consistency is everything—even small variations become really obvious in the final piece. A good tapering jig is worth its weight in gold for projects like this.
Cross dowels are an excellent choice for knock-down furniture, but they do require precise drilling. One tip I’ve found helpful is to use a drill press when possible for those bolt holes—it keeps everything perfectly perpendicular and aligned. The figure-eight fasteners for the tabletop are smart too. Oak moves quite a bit with humidity changes, so allowing for that movement prevents cracking down the road.
The cantilever design puts some interesting stresses on the joints, so that dowel joinery needs to be spot-on. Take your time with the layout and double-check everything before drilling—there’s no going back once those holes are cut. A project like this really shows how good fundamentals and careful planning can create something that looks complex but uses straightforward techniques.