Concealment Coffee Table

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A friend of mine wanted a new coffee table with a hidden compartment. So, Bob Barker and I decided to tackle the project. Many of the existing ones I could find seemed too obvious to me. Either the compartment looked like a big box that clearly was hiding something or the design used drawer slides which needed noticeable cut-out notches in the apron of the table to actually function. To me, it feels like having a design that gives away the hidden feature completely defeats the whole purpose. So, with that in mind, we came up with our design.

The other main goal was to make the design simple enough that people with a wide range of skills/experience could take on the project. I did end up using some more expensive tools, but they are not required for the build. The design will work well with something as simple as pocket holes for the joinery.

Another consideration for this is wood movement. I wanted to make this completely from hardwood, so we needed to keep in mind the natural wood movement. That made a few challenges, especially for the lower shelf. Our compromise was to make the lower shelf sit on top of the lower aprons, so if the wood expands, it will not compromise the joints of the table. When I first decided this, my idea was to make the shelf flush with the edges of the apron, but when I tried it, it just didn’t look right. So, I added a slight overhang on the front and back, and it looked much better. We also used figure 8 fasteners to attach the shelf. Those considerations should be more than enough to account for any reasonable movement.

Then then next challenge was to figure out the opening mechanism. We knew that we didn’t want to use drawer slides, so the next reasonable option was hinges. The main thing was to find hinges that would remain concealed and that were sturdy enough to handle a 30-pound top. Once we found some that fit the bill, I realized it was just too heavy to conformably operate without some extra help. The final addition was some gas struts. This assists n the opening and closing of the top, and will keep it open when needed.

The last part was the locking mechanism. We went with a RFID lock because it is easy to conceal, and has the added safety feature of disengaging the lock. When the batteries get low. That way you are not in danger of locking yourself out. And even if that did happen because of some malfunction. The bottom of the hidden compartment is screwed on, so it can be removed if necessary.

For the finish, my friend ended up choosing rubio monocoat black, which gave the table a bit more of a traditional feel. I think that highlighted the diversity of this design. If we went with a different tone on the finish, it would work well with a more modern décor as well. The table has a build that can fit across multiple styles depending on the finish.

In the end, it was a fun build, and Bob Barker gave his paw of approval, so I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Full build video on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/mWnKHU5NsIs