Building a skinny table for my daughter

[Melensdad]

Nothing FANCY to see here.

Just a table that is 5.5" wide, 68" long and 32" tall.

My daughter's apartment has power outlets behind her couch, she runs a power strip over the back of the couch, plugs in her phone charger and computer into the power strip. It looks pretty unsightly.

So I am making her a skinny table that will fit between the couch and the wall. It will create a long narrow shelf along the length of her couch. Inset into the shelf will be 2 duplex outlets. Each of those duplex outlets will also have 2 USB "A" charging ports and 1 USB "C" charging port. So she won't need the to use phone chargers or hang the power strip over the back of her couch.

I offset the legs from the wall side of the table to accommodate her baseboards. And the 1x6 table top will sit firmly just on top of the back of her couch so nothing will fall down behind the couch because the table fills the gap.

Simple 2x4 lumber for the sides. Top is a pre-primed piece of furniture grade wood (pine?). A heavy duty extension cord will be sacrificed for the wiring. Putty is currently drying in the screw holes, those will be sanded smooth. The whole thing will be painted white.

 

[Doc]

Good idea. That should solve the issue.
My only concern would be if a drink is set on the table and then spills into one of the outlets.

 

[Melensdad]

Good idea. That should solve the issue.
My only concern would be if a drink is set on the table and then spills into one of the outlets.

Well let's just hope that doesn't happen!

Honestly I didn't even think of that.

I could not find GFI outlets that had USB ports. And I did look at probably a 100 different styles of outlets.

 

[Doc]

Maybe change out the wall outlet it plugs into to a GFI.

 

[Melensdad]

Maybe change out the wall outlet it plugs into to a GFI.

Probably a good idea. And also mention to my daughter that she should NOT let anyone set a drink on the skinny table.

But honestly since she lives in a rental apartment I'm not sure I'd want to go mess with the wiring of the building, especially since I know she is looking to buy a new place when her lease expires.

Amazon has things like this, might just be better to suggest she buys one of these. It would transport to her new apartment (or condo) and wouldn't require me to put forth any real effort!

https://www.amazon.com/ELEGRP-Single-Adapter-Grounded-3-Prong/dp/B096WVP698/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=gfi%2Bplugs&qid=1672695572&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMjEyTjMyTFJLSjQyJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDUzMTMwMjQ2VlBDVVpVNkZONyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTcxODU3MjVHTkgyUjdaRTNZMCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

 

[tommu56]

this is what we use we have a few of them one by each arm chair and one by the couch

 

[Melensdad]

this is what we use we have a few of them one by each arm chair and one by the couch . . .

I have one similar to that by my bedside for some devices.

But Melen specifically asked for something like what I am building. And it also allows her to have computers plugged into power outlets. She works from home most of the time. Uses 2 different computers. One for video conferences and the other for working while on the conferences. Plus wanted to plug devices in. So it solves those problems and it is basically what she asked me to build.

 

[chowderman]

check for the 'air intrusion' foam pads for under outlet plates - that will stop spills from running into the outlet, but not spills that go directing in from the top.
for a GFI, wire the top outlets thru a box/GFI outlet on a leg . . .

GFI with usb:

Amazon.com : gfci outlet with usb port

 

[Melensdad]

check for the 'air intrusion' foam pads for under outlet plates - that will stop spills from running into the outlet, but not spills that go directing in from the top.
for a GFI, wire the top outlets thru a box/GFI outlet on a leg . . .

GFI with usb:

Amazon.com : gfci outlet with usb port

That is actually a more expensive solution to the GFI issue, more complicated too.

The portable outlet is only $17.

 

[Melensdad]

Supposed to climb up to nearly 60(F) today so today is painting day for the skinny table.

I need to run up to the hardware store, pick up a little more wood putty too. But I got it primed yesterday. I'll have a couple touch ups because some new wood putty and sanding will happen in 2 spots. But overall it should be done today or tomorrow.

 

[tommu56]

Supposed to climb up to nearly 60(F) today so today is painting day for the skinny table.

I need to run up to the hardware store, pick up a little more wood putty too. But I got it primed yesterday. I'll have a couple touch ups because some new wood putty and sanding will happen in 2 spots. But overall it should be done today or tomorrow.

I use drywall compound if im painting something