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How to build a jigsaw puzzle game table

DIY Furniture· DIY Projects· Furniture· My Home

Are you a DIYer or jigsaw puzzle lover looking for an exciting project? Look no further, because learning how to build your own jigsaw puzzle game table is just the thing! This fun and challenging endeavor will have you both delighted and eager to build your own.

If you’re up for the challenge then this blog post can be your guide. Take a look at how we created this one-of-a-kind jigsaw puzzle game table. Learn to build your own so that everyone will be asking when they come over and see your fun jigsaw puzzle table.

How to build a jigsaw puzzle game table this project

UPDATE: 

We are selling the Build plans for this table design as well as custom-made tables for those who can’t build their own. 

Click to see the details

Why you need a puzzle game table

I decided that building a DIY puzzle game table was the solution to an organized space in our house.  I hated to see the clutter from an unfinished jigsaw puzzle. It is also very frustrating not to use our dining room table for dinner.

Do you and your family like to spend quality time putting together a jigsaw puzzle?  Do you hate the fact that it takes days or even weeks to put together a jigsaw puzzle and your kitchen, dining, or coffee table is left with the unfinished puzzle?  Or better yet, you have company coming over and you need to clean your house and you hate to have to remove the unfinished puzzle.  I know I could use a felt puzzle mat, but that doesn’t help either when it comes to a neat and organized space. 

DIY jigsaw puzzle table with open top

This post contains affiliate links.  Click here to see my full disclosure policy.  

My family enjoys working on jigsaw puzzles. We stopped doing them because I hate for a puzzle to be left out on the dining room table.  I told Mr. DD that I wanted to replace our current coffee table and build a puzzle game table.  I had the vision in my head and I needed to explain what that vision was to Mr. DD.  This puzzle game table turned out great and we had to change the design plans along the way.  

How to build a coffee puzzle table

closed jigsaw puzzle table

My plan was to have stools tucked under the table so we could easily pull the stools and sit on them to work on the puzzle.  Mr. DD also likes to use the stools to rest his feet. He had a certain height requirement that he liked for his footstool.   The footstools needed to be almost as high as the couch because he does not like a low footstool. This does make our puzzle game table higher than your average coffee table height.  The higher table design is a must for the flip-open tabletop design.  

dining table chair with table legs

After deciding I did not want to use square 2 x 4’s as the table legs. The look of a square box leg would not fit with my other “leggy” items in the room. Also after pricing new table legs, I decided that repurposing a table would be the answer. 

Remember, we needed taller legs so using dining table legs would be what we needed.  I  found a dining table and 4 chairs for $25.  This was the answer, I would use the table legs and the chairs would become stools.  This is a more affordable way to build a puzzle table instead of buying new wooden legs. 

Mr. DD sketched out the design of the table. We needed a recessed work area to hold the ongoing jigsaw puzzle, drawers to store the extra puzzle pieces, and an easy flip-open top.

We figured out the size we would need to accommodate the footstools underneath, and the proper size to fit our sofa and living area.

building a jigsaw puzzle table

Mr. DD began by building the box of the coffee jigsaw puzzle game table first. He cut in the drawers, added the supports to hold the drawers, and did the recessed work area.

Puzzle Coffee Table Build Plans

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Painting the jigsaw puzzle table

Once the table was built, I took the table over to my paint workshop so I could stain the top and spray the base.  I use a Wagner Flexio sprayer for all my painted furniture. All of those frames are being sprayed as well for my wall decor next to the media stand in my living room.   

painting a puzzle table

This picture is from the first coat of General Finishes Milk Paint in Basil.  I continued with a second coat, followed by my favorite sealer and glazing in smokey quartz.

cutting off the top of wood chairs to make stools

The tops of the chairs were cut off using a Ryobi reciprocating saw. 

squaring off the chair seat to make stools

I squared off the edges using a Ryobi table saw, or you could use a circular saw.  Then began to stain the legs using a darker gel stain and sealed them with wipe-on poly.  The seats are upholstered by using foam core cushion, batting, and fabric. Make sure you check out my post on how to upholster chair seat.

jigsaw puzzle table fully opened

Now, I can stay organized and spend quality family time together.  I just simply close the top and drawer,s and you would never know we are working on a puzzle under there.  

How our coffee puzzle table went viral

Not long after we built this coffee puzzle table, I had a Facebook post go viral about everyone wanting this table. You can read all about the incredible story and how it leads us to sell build plans and eventually find table manufacturers to build custom tables for us. Read the post on “how our puzzle table post went viral.”

If you love puzzles and spending time with family and friends, why not build a jigsaw puzzle game table? This post should help guide you to build your own table. If you don’t have the time or inclination to build your own table, you can purchase the plans or buy a custom-made jigsaw puzzle table from us. Thanks for reading, and happy building!

We are now selling the build plans for this puzzle coffee table if you would like to build your own puzzle game table.   

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  1. This is such a fantastic guide! I’ve always wanted to create a dedicated space for my jigsaw puzzles, and your tips are super helpful. I love the idea of adding a drawer for sorting pieces. Can’t wait to get started on my own puzzle table!

    Reply

  2. Great post! I love the detailed steps on how to build a jigsaw puzzle game table. The tips on material selection and design are super helpful. Can’t wait to try this project out!

    Reply

  3. Send a message with your email address if you are interested in a pre-built table. We

    Reply

  5. Can you please tell me the cost of the materials? Would like to know what the total investment would be before I commit to buying the plans.
    Thanks!

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    • Hi Donny, We purchased everything from Lowe’s and Home Depot and the cost was under $200. That amount varies based on the type of wood you use and the price of lumber in your area. We used pine wood for the table.

      Reply

    • Hi Janice,
      The build plans are for a table that will fit most 1000 piece puzzles. The plans can be modified for a bigger working space. The custom tables will hold most 2000 piece puzzles as they are bigger than the original build plan table.

      Reply

  7. This is wonderful, have you ever built one to sell? I would definitely be interested. Not very talented in this house.

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    • Your 14 x 19 for the drawer bottom is correct, if you cut the drawer boards straight. I cut mine at a 45 miter, so I had to change my ends to 15 and not 13-1/2

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      • Jeff, I am so glad to hear this. I had my husband double check the measurements in the plans and he did not find a mistake. Please share your finished table when complete. Thanks again.

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    • Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I went over to see the post and I saw your comment on there. Thank you. I sent them a message stating they are violating my copyright and need to give credit or remove the post. I will monitor it and report if they do not comply.

      Reply

  12. Please let me know when plan is available. I want one for home but I also work for a Council on Aging center and we always have a puzzle up and often lose pieces because they slide off the table. This table with a small modification would be great.

    Reply

  13. What an amazing idea! I certainly wish I was as inventive as you are. I would also like the plans when you have them please; I can think of so many different applications for this great table. Thank you for sharing.

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  15. What a great idea. I love the puzzle table. I would love to have the plans when they’re available. Thank you.

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  16. Please share the puzzle table instructions when you can. Would love this for my husband’s next DIY project.????

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  17. Great idea! would love to get the plans. My daughter is finishing her masters and would LOVE! this and now she will have time to work on puzzles. Please let me know when the plans become available.

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  19. Hi I love this table idea and sooooo need one in my place. Can you please let me know when plans become available thankyou so much

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  21. I would also like the plans. What did you use for the actual table and drawers? It doesn’t say

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  30. I am very interested in obtaining/purchasing a copy of your puzzle table plans once the become available. Thank you.

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  32. Please contact me when plans are available for the puzzle table. I need to find someone to do this for me!!!

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  38. Can you please send me the step by step plans as soon as you are able to. My brother is going to make me and my niece one. I hope they come out as beautiful as yours. I have puzzles hanging all over my house. Every room has puzzles that I have done. That is my way of decorating.

    Reply

    • Hi Margie, The build plans are available for purchase – https://designeddecor.com/product-category/puzzle-table/ ($14.95) The build plans can be modified for a bigger or taller table.

      If you are interested in a pre-built table, follow the same link and you can sign up to receive email updates about the process. We will be finding a manufacturer to make the tables. Thank you so much for your patience and interest. Mr. & Mrs. DD

      My son also works for HomeDepot!

      Reply

  42. Please send me the puzzle table plans when you have them. Such a GREAT idea!! Thanks Eileen

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  44. Would LOVE the full instructions on this as I have been trying to come up with a better plan for puzzles! Currently we do them on the dining room table and cover with a tablecloth for meals! When do you plan to post the instructions?

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  45. Love this puzzle table, but would like to know how exactly was it made, beautiful work

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    • Hi Joyce, I am working on the plans now. We are making a complete supply list and a step by step build plan. Once I have it available I will reach out to you.

      Reply

  46. I absolutely love this useful and great looking table you’ve designed and created! We love working on puzzles too, but like you, we don’t want to leave them out cluttering up the dining table. Excited for the upcoming detailed post so maybe we can do something similar.

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    • Hi Lynne, I am working on the plans now. We are making a complete supply list and a step by step build plan. Once I have it available I will reach out to you. We LOVE this table and all puzzle lovers need one!

      Reply

    • Hi Debbie, I am working on the plans now. We are making a complete supply list and a step by step build plan. Once I have it available I will reach out to you.

      Reply

  48. This is such a great idea! The stools, the cover, well everything – just perfect! A friend of mine received a puzzle portfolio as a gift one year for Christmas. It is amazing but this is way more fun! You’re a genius.

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    • Thanks, Karen, I love how it turned out! We are almost done with the first puzzle and now I need to be in search at garage sales and Goodwill for some used puzzles.

      Reply

  51. What a clever idea! It’s great that you can work on a puzzle yet be able to hide the mess of the puzzle away when you want the room to look neat and tidy. I’m sure there’s a lot of puzzle doing going on your way with snow and cold weather.

    Reply

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