Community Brag Posts
Folding Workbench
We chose this project because we have a small garage and space is at a premium. The dimensions of this build fit well in our limited space and allowed us to organize items such as paint, stain, screws and nails into one central location. I chose 2x4's on the sides to give it a more stable feel. Our garage and parking lot are all sloped and with the 2x4's this prevented the twisting. It feels solid and the wheels are smooth. We picked everything up at Home Depot. The screws that came with the hinges are to long and my husband used the Dremel to grind them down. You could just buy shorter screws. This is one of my firsts builds and I've definitely learned a lot of lessons along the way. Measure, measure, then measure again before you cut a piece and use a level surface to make level pieces. Overall, everyone in my family played a part in helping me build this piece and so I love it and will cherish this piece and the memories always. Thanks Ana for all your fun videos, sharing your life with your family, and providing resources like this plan to us for free. I'm thankful for my son who bought me a compound miter saw for Mother's Day and other family for buying me a Ryobi circular saw. I'm truly blessed and loved. Thanks
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I'm leaving it in the raw due to the nature of the piece. I may put a clear coat on it later.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Comments
Mon, 08/31/2020 - 11:19
I love how you used the 2x4…
I love how you used the 2x4 on the sides. great idea
Bench Planter
This build was also a lot of fun! I made an extra brace to hold the wait of two sitting on the bench. Thanks again Ana for your plans!
David Marks
Built from Plan(s)
Garage shelves
This is my first project ever built. I can't thank you enough for this site. I already have several other projects I want to build around the house because of this site. Thank you so much!
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150 for the wood. And some extra for the stain.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax walnut water-based stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Comments
Workbench with Drawers and Carts on Casters
Using Ana's Ultimate Workbench Plan and her easy drawer method I built this. I decided to do storage carts that roll in and out for small scrap lumber storage. The Kreg Foreman got it's own cart, I made it so the deck of the machine was at the same height as the work surface. I added a drawer so all of my kreg bits and screws can be in one place. I had batteries and chargers laying all over my small shop, so I incorporated a battery charging drawer. I'm excited for the projects to come using my new set up!
Built from Plan(s)
Octagonal Picnic Table
To say this was a complicated build is an understatement. Lots of pieces, lots of different angles and lots of screwing it together. It was really tough to keep everything perfectly square but in the end it turned out well. It is a very heavy table. I want to get it outside on a sunny day for some photos.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
The price of lumber is ridiculous right now. Last summer this would have cost me about $200 in materials but I spent about $450 on wood, finish and screws. 2 x 4 x 8's right now are about $10.40 CAD$ and 2 x 4 x 6's are about $15.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I first painted all black parts with Wood Shield Oil Deck & Siding solid stain. I used two coats. I painted most of the boards prior to cutting to save time. The top and seats were stained with MinWax Gunstock Stain. Once everything was together I put on two coats of Helmsman outdoor polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced
Comments
Sat, 05/29/2021 - 10:33
Great job!
A picnic table that will last! Love your finish choices, thank you for sharing:)
pipe/wood bookcase
1/2 ' x 18" black pipe was used along with 1/2 ' flanges. The wood was re-purposed 2x6' pine lumber that had been used for pallets, that would have been thrown away. The boards were joined with a Kreg Jig, It will house my stereo components.
Estimated Cost
$150 pipe/flange costs
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Laundry Basket Closet
Grill Table with Marble Top
I used some leftover marble from having our countertops replaced and modified the plans to fit the marble. Love my new grill table!
Shawna
Built from Plan(s)
Bunk beds
I built this bunk bed from the plans here on Anna white, I love this site. I think it came out really good. It took a little longer than expected because I sanded every piece down, every corner, every side, every end, because it's for my kids.
I devised the ladder myself for my situation and modified the rails I found as well.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Clear matte polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
DIY Murphy bed made from solid wood
My husband used the plans from this website to make a single Murphy bed. He didn't make any changes, save for building the frame out of solid poplar and using birch plywood for the flat surface the mattress sits on when it's unfolded. We trimmed it to mimic the the lines of a built-in in the same room, and stained it Jacobean to make it look dark. It's a solid piece of furniture and is saving us tons of space.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Hanging daybed
I wanted to make a large porch swing but just couldn't find the exact design. I wanted to be able to stretch out and take a nap but also be able to have a back to lean against. Most plans that I found were just basically a box you could put a mattress in and then hang. So I found Ana's plan for a basic daybed and chopped off the legs and raised the back just a little. It's perfect!! Thanks Ana. The plans were very simple to follow. This is my first project and I think it turned out great.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Colored stain in cocoa. Applied two coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Comments
Sat, 07/26/2014 - 07:37
Beautiful !
Looking forward to do one like this !
Do you still have the measurement for the back you have raised ?
Really nice !
Thanks :-)
Sat, 09/20/2014 - 16:33
Thanks! The height of the
Thanks! The height of the back and sides is 28 inches.
Tue, 11/18/2014 - 17:38
Great plans and easy to follow!
We made the bed and it looks awesome! Thanks for making the plans easy to follow and providing the picture, which was a fantastic reference. I do have a question for you in regard to how you hung the beg. We would like to hang this from our porch, but can see that we simply have 2x4 roof trusses. We are concerned that the weight of the bed (pretty heavy) plus mattress and support plus a person may be too much. Any additional information you could provide on how you hung the swing would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Wine Cabinet
I took what was a single cabinet and doubled it.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
500+
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Destressed
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Students build an Outdoor Classroom
The high school environmental club built an outdoor learning space for classes. The plans were super easy to follow and the students were able to put them together with minimum direction. Imagine being able to take your lessons while out in a field beside the woods! Thank you Ana!
Built from Plan(s)
MODERN SLAT TOP OUTDOOR WOOD BENCH
This was my first project. I am pretty excited how it turned out. If I did it again, I would recommend sanding and painting prior to building.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Spray Paint - Oasis
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Comments
Lean-To Shed
I’m a first year teacher of construction class at Waterloo High School in Illinois. We recently used your Small Cedar shed instructions with some modifications for a class project. It’s a bear getting cedar right now, so we used T1-11 for the outside and 2x4 for the frame.
Built from Plan(s)
Comments
Sat, 03/25/2023 - 09:14
Great project for your class!
Very fun and job well done! Thank you for sharing.
Herb & Flower Ladder
Living on a small city plot, this vertical ladder planter was just what I was looking for to grow my herbs and flowers. I am not an experienced builder but the plans were easy to follow. It didn't take me much time at all to complete this project. Now I am looking forward to fresh herbs and flowers all summer.
Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Comments
seesaw for big kids
I built a big kids see saw using 2x6's all around with a 2x8 seat. The center post is 30"h.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Helmsman 3 coats exterior grade clear satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Modified Industrial Style Coffee Table w/ Bottom Shelf
Our first project!
We used the "Industrial Style Coffee Table as seen on DIY Network" plans and simply added a bottom shelf. This required an extra 2x2 bracer (same cut as top bracer) and 8 more 1x4s, cut slightly smaller than the top 1x4s in order to have them sit flush with the bottom 2x2s. The table is all pine.
We spaced the bottom shelf boards roughly a half inch apart (give or take - it's "rustic"!) and screwed in from the bottom just like the top boards.
On the top shelf, we used 3 coats of Minwax Natural stain, and followed up with 3 coats of Minwax Satin Poly. We sanded these after attaching to the frame in order to achieve a level surface. We started with 80 grit, then 120, then 150. We then used 220 in between coats of poly. The result is a smooth, but not store-bought smooth surface, which we think works well.
We didn't spend as much time on the bottom shelf since they'll be mostly storing items, giving them just a quick 150 sand prior to 2 coats of stain and 2 coats of poly. Finally, we nailed in some plastic feet to keep it about a half inch off the floor.
All in all, being our first project, and going beyond what the original plans called for, it took us a few weeks to complete, working on it mostly on weekends and here and there in the evenings after work. We love the finished project and it works really well in our living room!
-Dan and Beth
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Natural Stain (Minwax)
Satin Poly (Minwax)
Satin Poly (Minwax)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Pull-out Shelves
Stationary shelves are such a hassle, especially in a deep pantry cabinet! Now I can actually SEE the contents of my pantry cabinet. Thanks for the inspiration and tutorial to get it done!
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50 for 5 shelves & framing, new hinges.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Comments
Chuck1979
Mon, 07/08/2019 - 10:46
We didn't use a plan for…
We didn't use a plan for this but, if someone wants to build it, check out the linked YouTube video.
Ana White
Tue, 07/09/2019 - 11:11
Amazing! Thanks so much for…
Amazing! Thanks so much for adding a brag post and linking to your video!
gunnare57
Fri, 07/31/2020 - 09:43
Hello! Was looking to see if…
Hello! Was looking to see if this is something you would be interested in building for us? We are in love with this project but don't have the tools or means to do it ourself..
Can talk about pricing / size etc.
Thanks!