Patterned Plywood Side Table

I built this side table as a second pass at my first side-table idea. The first version started to feel pretty basic over time, so this one pushes harder on pattern, material contrast, and a more intentional finished shape.

The build starts with 3/4-inch plywood cut into strips. I added 45-degree chamfers, sandwiched walnut between the strips, sliced the long patterned strips into roughly 1-inch pieces, and glued those pieces back together into a new panel.

Patterned Panel

The patterned plywood is the whole point of the upgrade. Each strip and slice only makes sense once the repeated pattern starts coming together.

Flattening and Frame

A simple jig helped hold the small pieces flush while the glue set. After that, I used a drum sander for the first time to flatten the panel and clean up exposed glue before fitting it into the walnut frame.

Finished Side Table

The finished piece is patterned plywood with walnut accents and a walnut frame, not solid hardwood. That contrast is what makes the second version feel much more deliberate than the first table.

It still reads as a small side table, but the patterned panel, lower shelf, and walnut frame give it the extra character I wanted when I decided to rebuild the original idea.