How to Build a Mission-style Utility Stand

This Mission-style utility stand isn't just shelving; it's furniture. During the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it could have served as a library table. Today it could be used as a home-office printer stand, with the lower shelves for paper and book storage. Build it with an adjustable flat shelf, or modify it with the V-shape shelf. You can alter its height, width, or depth to fit your needs.

Material and finishing
The stand is made of oak, a popular wood for Mission-style furniture. After staining, it is coated with clear penetrating oil. If the stand will sustain heavy use, provide extra protection with a polyurethane finish.

Checklist

Time
About 8 hours to construct, plus finishing time

Tools
Tape measure, combination square, table saw, dado set (or back saw), finish sander, brad-point drill bits, electric drill/driver, long bar clamps, wood chisel, dead-blow hammer

Skills
Accurate measuring, sawing, and joining; chiseling

Prep
Assemble tools and materials, prepare work area.

You can change the dimensions of the piece to make it wider or deeper to, for example, hold a large-screen TV. Expand the appropriate dimension in both directions from the lines shown.