I’ve been fascinated by Japanese architecture for years, and when I set out to design this end table, I kept coming back to the graceful lines of a torii gate. Those iconic shrine entrances with the gently curved arch are where this piece really started to take shape in my mind.
What I love most about torii gates is the subtle taper in the columns; they’re not just straight up and down, there’s this beautiful narrowing as they rise. I wanted to capture that same elegance here, so I tapered the legs to give the table that same sense of refined movement. Then I played with the arch itself, but flipped it upside down along the lower stretcher. It’s a little unexpected, a bit of a design twist that makes you look twice.
The tabletop echoes the steep angles you’d see where the horizontal beams meet the columns on an actual gate. Those crisp, deliberate cuts give everything such clean geometry. I built this one in cherry because I wanted the warmth of the wood grain to complement the minimalist form.
At 20″ tall, 20″ wide, and 13″ deep, this isn’t a towering piece—it’s deliberately low-profile so it can nestle into spaces with lower furniture or more horizontal design schemes, such as in low slung styles. It’s simple, it’s functional, and hopefully it brings a little bit of that quiet Japanese aesthetic into your home.
Interested in purchasing an end table like this? Check out our sales page. This End Table Can Be Made to Order.
Coffee & End Tables
I’m a Colorado-based Custom Furniture maker specializing in the design and fabrication of custom furniture that resembles works of art, using materials such as wood, glass, stone, and metals. The furniture I produce serves not only as practical items but also as works of art, infusing character and style into any space. Whether you’re seeking functional furniture or distinctive art pieces, I can collaborate with you to design and build the perfect addition for your home or office.
