Community Brag Posts

$10 Ledge for the Bathroom

Submitted by hmagnani on Tue, 08/19/2014 - 12:14

I built a ledge from some scrap wood laying around but had to buy a 1X6X8 for the bottom. It took about an hour to build from cutting to finish and then another couple hours to paint. I needed this in our bathroom because we have no bathroom storage and I needed to get medicines and such up away from busy little hands. Awesome plans, great little shelf!! Thanks, Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat of primer and then two coats of semi-gloss white interior latex paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Big Sandbox with Lid

Submitted by flinchball on Mon, 09/21/2020 - 13:18

Made the sandbox 6x6. Recessed it so it sits flush with the timber’s around our fire pit area. I added extra armrests in the middle that double as supports when the lid is closed in case anyone wants to walk on it. Filled the sandbox full enough that the armrests sit on the sand when closed. It’s very sturdy now for walking on and the kids have tons of room to play. Thanks for a great plan to work from.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Boiled linseed oil.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kids Trestle table

Submitted by The6greers on Mon, 12/17/2012 - 12:06

This is a last minute Christmas gift for my girls.It was very easy to build; took me just a couple hours to assemble it and a few days of secret sanding and painting.
It will be the girl's art table and will sit about where the Christmas tree is right now. Maybe now I can have my kitchen and dining table back:)

The cube seats were made from the plan over at Shanty2chic http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2012/07/rolling-storage-cube-stools.html
And the tapered bins you see in the background on the right are made from this plan from That's my letter http://thatsmyletter.blogspot.com/2012/06/m-is-for-mudroom-bins-4.html

Estimated Cost
88.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted Black
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sweet Pea Bunk Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/09/2017 - 11:46

Sweet Pea bunk bed! I ended up making the lower half a playhouse since we had a play kitchen that fit perfectly inside.

Estimated Cost
350.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Acrylic primer and semigloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

The Perfect Fit for our Little Girls Closet

Submitted by RBoesch on Sun, 11/16/2014 - 13:41

Thank you Ana! The Just My Size Closet was the perfect solution to my little girl's closet. I had recently found myself in a daily battle with my three year old. She wanted to be independant and dress her self. I desperately wanted her to stop getting a step stool and yanking her clothing off of the hangers. The yanking resulted in a dozen or so half handing shirts, a pile of broken hangers, and a mother daughter show down first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Enter the Just My Size Closet !!! The plans were super easy to follow, WAY less expensive than the ready made customizable units at the hardware store, and hubby had it whipped up in half an afternoon! The design is thoughtful and will grown as her needs change. :) We are all very pleased with the result. Instead of melt downs (both her's and mine), my little girl is taking pride in being able to hang up her clothing and dress herself. She makes everyone who visits come in her room to see her new closet. It is adorable :) Thanks Again!! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
<$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bed - Queen Sized

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/20/2017 - 09:06

This was super easy to build and cost me about $150.  I made both my headboard and footboard 6" taller than the plans specified, and used Minwax classic grey stain for the finish color.  I used 1x10 pine boards from home depot in the untreated premium wood section.  They were about $12 for 10ft boards.  I spent some time carefully choosing the ones I liked the best.   I went to the local lumber mill to find untreated 4x4 posts... not easy to find.  Fortunately they sold them to me for $10 a 10ft piece - Only $20 total for those.  

The bed is solid and amazing looking.  I couldn't be happier with it.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax classic grey
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Plant Stand

Submitted by Farmer Kim on Tue, 12/09/2014 - 14:46

I loved this plan when I first saw it.  I did make mine with metal that was 36 inches for the legs, it was the length available at my local hardware store and it also allows me to have plants on two levels and still be high enough for sunlight (unplanned bonus).

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered Gray Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Kitchen Spa Bench

There is no seating in our small kitchen and this spa bench was the perfect solution. Adds just the right amount of space for someone to keep a chef company while cooking or baking.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Sherwin Williams’ “Sheraton Sage” in a semi-gloss. Also sanded the edges a bit to create a distressed look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/19/2021 - 13:51

Used coffee table plan from Ana...turned out great. Used the stain/poly combo again, but this time opted to wipe it off. Turned out lighter than I wanted. But still looks great. Chose to do a different pattern for the top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Finish Used
Kona stain/poly combo.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farm style desk

Submitted by Barlam on Sat, 03/06/2021 - 17:32

Used the DIY Plans but my son wanted the shelves to match the desktop. Very happy with result

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Walnut stain plus 3 coats of varathane

Comments

Added a board for higher beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/26/2017 - 13:09

I added a board on the height of the beds to make it easier for an older person (me!). The plan came together beautifully, and I did all the work myself.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Modern Slat Top Outdoor Wood Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/03/2021 - 06:31

Love your easy instructions! I used all 2x4's because it was made with left over wood from another project. I burned the top pieces to get the grain to stand out and painted the legs. I think they turned out beautiful. I also used your 2x4 Adirondack Chair Plan to match the bench.
Thanks,
Yvette

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

DIY Murphy Wall Bed

Submitted by Dstor22 on Sun, 03/15/2015 - 07:05

Just finished up my Murphy Bed project. Hope you like.

Estimated Cost
280.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered Oak Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Kitchen Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 15:36

Still in process, just waiting for the cabinet doors to match my kitchen. I got the car us from shelf help. Learned how to make the pocket holes and the face frame! Saved me about $3,000!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Ana White Admin

Mon, 10/04/2021 - 16:51

Very cool, thank you so much for sharing and for using Shelf Help! Can't wait to see it all finished, it looks like an amazing addition!

Outdoor chaise lounge

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 05:56

At the beginning of the covid lockdown my daughter who was attending college started looking for outdoor inexpensive chaise lounges to relax on since gathering in public areas was not allowed. We couldn’t find any so, I started searching for simple plans to make from scratch and ran across this plan. It came together very quickly and the instructions were very clear.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Corner Desk for Craft Room Sewing - DIY

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/23/2017 - 11:02

 

We made this sewing/craft table by combining plans from the modular office. It was a big job but SO worth it! We love your plans and use them all the time!

Submitted by Candace Ann Williams

Comments

melkaye

Wed, 02/19/2020 - 13:49

Could you tell me how much extra did you add on to the one side? And how did you fit your sewing machine in there? 

Drop-Down Door Hutch Desk

Submitted by danicarby on Thu, 05/14/2015 - 13:47

I designed this desk from another desk I built. With this one, I wanted the overall foot-print smaller but still something that was able to organize all our office stuff and be able to close everything to keep it clutter-free. We have a small apartment, and although this desk is about the size of an up-right piano, it works perfectly into our living space!

I made it out of raw hardwood (Ash) and because I knew just the wood alone would make this desk heavy/bulky to move I made the top hutch removable. It's held in place by wood pegs (dominos). All the shelves are adjustable and the drawers are full-extension (something I've never had - wahoo)! The drop-down door is help up by 2 pull-out boards on each side (my first desk had chains). I spend a lot of money on this desk because I knew it was a chance in a lifetime to make and wanted it to be perfect and something that would last generations.

I built the main carcass off of plans/measurements I designed, but then all the insides, drawers, shelves, doors, etc where made as I built (because just a millimeter difference in building changes everything)!

If you want more pictures/descriptions of the building process I wrote about it in a 4-part series on my blog.

Estimated Cost
$1,000 for all wood & supplies
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
To achieve the ash gray color I used "General Finishes" brand water-based stains (equal mixtures of Walnut, Antique Oak & Whitewash) with 1/2 ratio of Pre-Stain Conditioner (bought from Woodcraft). I did 2-3 coats stain, lightly sanded and sprayed 2 coats of Ceramithane clearcoat using HVLP sprayer (sanding with 550 grit paper in between).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Trash Bin

I couldn't find any plans on here for a simple outside trash bin so I drew these up and it turned out great
I used 12 1x6x6 fence pickets like you use for privacy fences they were 1.75 each and one 16 foot 2x4 and 1 10 foot 2x4 the trash bin is 3 foot tall and a 3 foot square

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Green Adirondack Chairs

These are great chairs! Easy to build, comfy to sit in. Check out my blog post for more info.

Estimated Cost
$32 per chair for lumber, plus finishing and hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior latex paint + primer in one, color matched to Sherwin Williams Dill
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

WorkShopWendy

Thu, 06/27/2013 - 20:23

Hi Hillary, Great job. These are great chairs aren't they, and sturdy. I work at Home Depot and I hosted the Do it Herself work shop for them. Very easy to build and inexpensive. I really like the color you chose, very cheery.

keribeth

Fri, 06/28/2013 - 15:58

I'll be making four of these this week in turquoise to match the little ones I made for the kids. Yours is an inspiration!

Seasonal And Holiday

Children's Table and Chairs

Submitted by jjunge08 on Mon, 01/01/2018 - 10:43

I made this table and chairs for my 1 year old nephew.  He is still a little small for it but the table and chairs are both very sturdy.  The table top is a one piece, 24 x 36 ,edge glued pine board.  I used the one piece table top as an alternative to screwing the 3 boards together.  I followed the plans for the table for the most part.  As for the chairs,  I followed the plan to build the seat base.  For the legs of the chairs I took advise from carongirls' table and chair brag post and used 2x2's. I used 1x3's to stiffen the chair legs.  I also lengthened the table legs and chair legs by 2 inches.  

 

Estimated Cost
Table and Chairs - $50-70

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White and Gray Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner