Sometimes when you are decorating a room you can run into a little problem. You need more stuff (like end tables) but lack the cash to purchase additional items. That’s when you get creative and build your own furniture.

This simple little end table can be just the ticket. It can be built in a matter of minutes and without breaking the bank. Shari Hiller, my longtime partner and wood working pal, and I cranked out three of these tables in less than the time it took to show a repeat of “Gilligan’s Island.”

So go to the garage and build yourself some end tables. Just follow these simple directions and have fun.

Materials:

1 sheet of 3/4-inch birch plywood, measuring 4 feet by 8 feet

Circular saw

Tape measure

Carpenter’s square

Box of 11/2-inch finish nails

Wood glue

Sandpaper, 120 and 220 grit

Spackle

Tackcloth

Latex caulk and caulking gun

4 L brackets

Wood screws

Phillips screwdriver/cordless drill

Interior latex satin paint

Step 1: Preparing the lumber.

The end tables measure 16 inches wide by 16 inches across by 16 inches high. Using a 4-foot-by-8-foot sheet of 3/4-inch plywood, rip cut the length of the board a piece measuring 16 inches across using your circular saw. Three tables can be made using a 4-foot-by-8-foot sheet of plywood, so you can rip 3 16-inch lengths from the board.

Use a plywood blade in your circular saw to get smooth cuts. Lay out the board you just cut. It should measure 16 inches by 96 inches.

Now it’s time to cut the table pieces. Measure the first cut using a tape measure and a pencil, and mark the board at 17 inches, making sure to draw a straight line by using a carpenter’s square.

Set your circular saw at a 45-degree angle (most circular saws are capable of making angled cuts), and make a beveled cut with the saw on the line you just marked. This piece will be one of the sides of the table.

Flip the remaining board over and measure from the top of the bevel cut. Measure down 16 inches from the top and strike another mark with your carpenter’s square. Make the cut with the circular saw. This will be the top of the table.

Now for the other side on the remaining board, measure 17 inches from the top of the bevel, and strike a line. Cut this piece out, making sure you change your blade angle back to its original 90 degrees first.

The boards should now all be ready for assembling. You should have two side pieces, each with one 45-degree bevel, that measure 17 inches in length and one piece with two corresponding 45-degree bevel cuts that measures 16 inches.

Step 2: Putting it together.

Place the three boards together so that the beveled edges match. Run a bead of wood glue in the joint and press the boards together. Using a drill, drill pilot holes in the sideboards at the bevel, and secure using 1 1/2-inch finish nails to attach the top to the sides. To further secure the table, install two L brackets per side underneath the top. Set the L brackets 2 inches in from each edge. Secure the L brackets with wood screws.

Step 3: The finished look

Once the table has been put together, put Spackle in all the holes. After the Spackle has dried, sand the entire surface with 120-grit sandpaper. Wipe off all dust with a tack cloth. If a gap has appeared where the beveled edges come together, bridge the gap with latex caulk and let dry. Now the table is ready to paint.

Paint the table using a technique called washing. Using interior latex satin paint, and an old rag (T-shirts work great), wipe the paint on in circular motions (just like waxing a car). To achieve a more translucent effect, dilute the paint with a little water just enough to thin the paint lightly.

For another option you can paint the table with a solid paint color. Prime the entire surface with latex multi-purpose primer/sealer, allow to dry, then sand with 220-grit sandpaper. Wipe off all dust with a tack cloth and paint with interior latex satin paint, the color of your choice.

These tables are very functional and can be used in many places, and easy enough to make as a day project.

Matt Fox writes this column with Shari Hiller. They also co-host the Home & Garden Television show “Room by room.” For more information, visit www.hgtv.com.