1. Home

Community Brag Posts

How to Build a DIY Garden Arbor with a Bench

Submitted by thediyplan on Fri, 06/18/2021 - 14:34

My brother-in-law planted a small grape plant in his backyard and wanted a trellis structure behind it for the grapes to climb on. He asked me to design and build it in the corner of his garden. After going through some designs, we decided to go with a corner arbor. When the project was complete, I created PDF plans on how to build a DIY Corner Arbor with a Bench that includes a trellis for the grapes to grow on.

See my website for additional pictures and how I've built it, TheDIYPlan.com

Blog Link
https://thediyplan.com/arbor-with-a-bench/
Estimated Cost
$850
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Closet shelving

Submitted by Ruiz1323 on Sat, 08/07/2021 - 10:22

Closet

Built from Plan(s)
Wood Closet Shelving
Estimated Cost
180
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Counter-Height Dining Table

Submitted by eralben on Mon, 03/16/2015 - 09:38

This was my first DIY building project.  I wanted a counter-height table, so I searched websites looking for plans and eventually I found ana-white.com.  I altered the plans a little and I added a farmhouse style table top.  I used 2x8s for the table top which makes the table very heavy.

Blog Link
Better When Built
Built from Plan(s)
Pub/Counter Height Table
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

KFJohnson

Tue, 03/17/2015 - 08:10

We want to build a counter height table and include a bench but we were worried about it being balanced enough for kids. How have your kids handled the height of the benches?

eralben

Tue, 03/17/2015 - 09:53

The benches are solid and we haven't had any issues with them being wobbly or unstable. The height hasn't really been an issue for my kids either (they got used to it very quickly). I did build two stools with backs in case one of the kids had a problem, but they prefer to sit on the benches.

Beginner farm table

Absolutely love how this table turned out! I slightly modified the length to accommodate our space. Definitely a beginner friendly project. I used farrow and ball studio green for the base and just poly on the top.

Built from Plan(s)
Beginner Farm Table (2 Tools + $50 Lumber)

Comments

Truss beam table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/30/2017 - 07:59

I wanted to try attempt the beam table and my son's wedding rehearsal dinner was the perfect reason. My wife liked the table so much, she asked me to make three more. Because they will be used in our new wedding venue business, I wanted them to to withstand the weather. The materials were quite a bit more expensive as I used 10 ft x 3 ft  x 2 3/8" thick redwood butcher block planks for the tops and cedar 4 x 4's for the bases. Stained and sealed with Cabot sealant. What do you think?

Built from Plan(s)
4x4 Truss Beam Table
Estimated Cost
$700 per table
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Cabot outdoor sealant
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mega work bench with miter station

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 16:51

When I was 8 months pregnant and going through my “nesting phase” I knew I needed to get my garage organized. Prior to building this, my tools were all over the place. To try to get it done before the baby came, I called my dad to help me out, and we built it together in just a couple days. It was a weekend I will never forget and I smile every time I walk into my shop knowing we did it together.

Built from Plan(s)
Ultimate Roll Away Workbench with Miter Saw Stand

Comments

Jewelry Box Retirement Gift

Submitted by JoanneS on Mon, 04/20/2015 - 17:19

This jewelry box is a gift for a friend at work who is retiring.   It is a variation of the Easy Jewelry Box, with the following modifications:

Hinged lift-up top with mirror

Overlay drawer fronts from ¼” craft wood (Gold stencil on top false drawer front, and drawer boxes are 1/8” shorter than the shelf from front to back, to ensure the fronts sit flat against the box front and drawer back doesn't touch the box back at all)

The bottom is 2 pieces thick, to allow space for the drawer overhang and attaching the bottom moulding.

Solid wood back (instead of plywood)

Top and bottom edged with mini stop moulding to make the overhangs, and added feet made from lattice

Removable drawer divider tray and 2 heights of removable dividers for the top, made from dentil, lattice and screen bead mouldings

I really took my time on this build to get everything just right with the build and the finish.   Probably spent about 6 hours spread out over the last few weekends. 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Easy Jewelry Box
Estimated Cost
Cost: 1x8 and 1x2 Lumber and finishes were already on hand (left over from other projects) and I spent about $25 for the mirror, hardware, felt, mouldings, and craft board.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
3 coats Clark & Kensington semi-gloss paint + primer in Crushed Peanut, sanded between coats. Stencil: 1 coat Americana Gloss enamel metallic in glorious gold. Soft wax on the shelf and drawer bottom.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Linda7

Tue, 04/21/2015 - 18:57

This is your best one yet, Joanne. Love it! :-)

JoanneS

Wed, 04/22/2015 - 18:29

Hi Linda, thank you for the nice comment! This was a fun build, and I'm very glad to say the gift was a big hit! :)

Bunk beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/11/2021 - 08:03

Double bed at bottom, twin at top, still have to make the ladder

Built from Plan(s)
Simple Bunk Bed Plans (Twin over Full)

Comments

inside corner wall cabinet

First cabinet in my kitchen remodel.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Wall Kitchen Corner Cabinet
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwood by Sherwin Williams. Special purchase 5 gallon minimum. Water based lacquer. Dark Mahogany stain, HVLP sprayed on lacquer.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

The Littlest Helper Tower

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/10/2021 - 08:30

Built from supplied plan. Slight modifications made to curved rails and larger dimensional lumber used for corner rails.
This tower was built for my granddaughter Amara

Paul S.

Built from Plan(s)
The Littlest Helper Tower

Comments

Modern outdoor chairs and tables

Submitted by mcneece on Mon, 12/18/2017 - 14:10

Project is still in progress but so far this has consisted of a firepit, 20x20 slab, 4 cypress columns, bistro lighting, 2 modern outdoor chairs, 1 modern outdoor bench, 4 matching tables, and a project screen.  To come: flower bed, projector storage stand with casters and hinged top, outdoor speakers, and possibly a green egg stand, and extending power to the back of the slab.

Built from Plan(s)
Modern Outdoor Chair from 2x4s and 2x6s
Tryed Side Table
Estimated Cost
$75 per chair, $100 per bench, $40 per table
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Thompson waterseal (transparent)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Beautiful Cedar Patio Table

Submitted by NeoMoses on Wed, 06/19/2013 - 13:48

Slightly more elegant version of an outdoor cedar patio table. This is made from 100% cedar and joined using Kreg pocket hole screws. The finish is 2 coats of Sikkens Cetol MRD that has been hand rubbed on using a cloth, with 24 hours of dry time between coats.

Blog Link
Bryan's DIY Furniture
Built from Plan(s)
Simple Outdoor Dining Table
Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of Sikkens Cetol MRD, hand rubbed with cloth.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

odpdxo

Wed, 06/19/2013 - 23:22

I really like the way you modified this design and I would like to duplicate it. I am curious about how you changed to framework to accommodate table top with the boards running lengthwise. The original design has the framework running lengthwise, so I am assuming you added framing that runs perpendicular. Is there any way you could include pictures and measurements of the framework under the tabletop? Thanks. Great work!

Fantastic Garden Beds

These garden beds are fantastic! They were so easy to build and look great in our backyard. We have always found ourselves with a garden covered in weeds or plants out of control. Our garden this year looks wonderful and we have hardly any weeds in the beds. Thanks for the great plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Cedar Fence Picket Raised Garden Beds - Narrow Width
Estimated Cost
$15 each
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday
Spring
Summer

Nautical Picnic Table for Big Kids

I needed a picnic table for my kids to enjoy summer meals outside and when I saw the plans for the Pirate Picnic Table, I knew we needed it! But it was made for toddlers and my kids are 4 and 6 so it wouldn't work for us for very long. I decided to combine the plans for the Pirate Picnic Table and the Picnic Table for bigger kids. I turned out awesome! And then I finished it off with a nautical paint job to look like a bit of the beach was left in the backyard.

Blog Link
How to Build a Nautical Picnic Table for Bigger Kids
Built from Plan(s)
Pirate Picnic Table
Big Kids Picnic Table Plans
Estimated Cost
$50 (without umbrella)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Puzzle table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 13:35

This is a table that will fit a large 1000 piece puzzle. The drawers can hold the pieces you believe would fit in that particular corner of the puzzle. When you need the room on your table this puzzle table is easily picked up and moved without disturbing the puzzle

Comments

Office Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 15:13

Used these plans to make this office desk for my daughter!

Built from Plan(s)
Farmhouse Desk

Comments

Grazing board

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 17:27

Used your idea of a grazing board or charcuterie Board to build one for my daughter for Christmas. I have made some cutting boards for her in the past but now she has a charcuterie board for the specific purpose.

Built from Plan(s)
Grazing Board or Charcuterie Board - Serving Tray

Comments

Modern Slat Top Outdoor Wood Bench

Submitted by ckaye on Sun, 07/07/2013 - 18:38

We wanted an outdoor bench for our front entrance way, this one is just what we were looking for! Thank you for the plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Modern Slat Top Outdoor Wood Bench
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
2" x 6" Spruce Black Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

beardjulie

Wed, 05/04/2016 - 10:01

I am really a novice. The plans say that the 1x4's should be 18-1/2" high? But the measurement of the vertical legs are 14", and the horizontal piece is 4" high, which adds to 18". It all looks flush in the photo. Could you explain what I am missing? Thank you so much!

beardjulie

Wed, 05/04/2016 - 10:01

I am really a novice. The plans say that the 1x4's should be 18-1/2" high? But the measurement of the vertical legs are 14", and the horizontal piece is 4" high, which adds to 18". It all looks flush in the photo. Could you explain what I am missing? Thank you so much!

Rudystawarek

Wed, 05/04/2016 - 11:30

So from what i see in the plans Each 1x4 board is to be cut at 18" and the 2x4 is to be cut at 14-1/2". Cutting the 2x4 at 14-1/2" will insure the 1x4 and 2x4 are fluish for the end product. It doesnt seem to add up given the demensional names of the lumber hahaha however the actual width of a 2x4 (the one the will be going horizontal) is acutally 3-1/2". so then you cut you 2x4 leg piece at 14-1/2" and then lay the horizontal 2x4 on top the total height will be 18" and should be flush with your 1x4 that is cut at 18"

beardjulie

Fri, 05/27/2016 - 14:04

That is too funny! That is a dead give away that I'm new at this! Thanks you!

beardjulie

Fri, 05/27/2016 - 14:04

That is too funny! That is a dead give away that I'm new at this! Thanks you!

Farmhouse dining table with bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/02/2022 - 14:20

Simple design and fun to build. I did not however use the turned legs. I made a jig and went with tapered legs.

Built from Plan(s)
Turned Leg Farmhouse Table

Comments

DIY Closet Tower

My daughter's room needed more storage and the closet was the perfect place to add some! Visit the blog link for more pictures.

Blog Link
DIY Closet Tower from Ana White
Built from Plan(s)
Fancy Closet Tower
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Primer and Paint in one, semi-gloss, matched to a piece of baseboard from my home.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate