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Subway Tile Bookshelf

I used the Subway Tile Bookshelf plans and made it 74" total in height. Each of the bottom 4 shelves measured 14" and the top one was about 18" (I forget exact measurement). Instead of putting the plywood on two of the boxes, I switched it up and placed them on 4 boxes.

Love the plans and concept. Thanks!

Built from Plan(s)
Subway Tile Bookcase
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean colored stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Platform Bed and Headboard

Submitted by ScottG on Tue, 01/26/2016 - 01:24

Built a platform bed and headboard using 2x4s for the main frame and 1x4s for the trim pieces on the bed. The headboard was made using 1x6s for the frame and 1x4 scrap pices from the slats used for the vertical pieces. Used a Minwax water-based "pearl gray" stain for the 1x8 sides and a Minwax oil-based walnut stain for the frame and trim pieces. Used the K5 Kreg jig to join most of the pieces. The Kre Jig was a new purchase and my advice would be to practice with the jig before starting the project. It takes awhile to get the hang of the jig and to make sure that you are using the correct screw lengths. The very complete and detailed plans can be found in the attached links.

Blog Link
Scott Griffin's Found Objects
Built from Plan(s)
Essential Platform Bed Frame
Estimated Cost
Wood cost was about $100 and this would include the 2x4 for the frame, the 1x4 furring strips for the slats and headboard, and the 1x4 and 1x6 trim and frame boards. The stain and polycrylic sealer cost about $20. You should also budget for Kreg screws, wood glue, nails, etc. I did have to buy several clamp, and the Kreg Jig cost a bit, but is well worth it. I've used the the clamps and the jig on many projects since the original purchase.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax water based and oil-based stains and Polycrylic water-based sealer. .
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mirror hidden shelf

Submitted by Bread0186 on Fri, 04/14/2023 - 17:52

Built 2 of these for some friends. One of them plans on putting it in the wall! Loved the build and they love the product.

Built from Plan(s)
Full Length Mirror with Sliding Storage Cabinet

Comments

Loft bed

Submitted by jbyler on Fri, 12/23/2011 - 09:19

Husband built the loft bed plans for our oldest daughter. She said this was he was the best dad in the world!

Built from Plan(s)
Under Loft Bed Desk System with Storage
Estimated Cost
$300 with mattress
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We painted the wood 1 coat with a little touch up, gives it a "pink stained" wood look
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jbyler

Fri, 12/23/2011 - 09:20

We are so excited to complete this project for our oldest, but of course the middle child is wanting a bunk bed too-guess we'll be building one of those soon.

Bunk bed

Built this bunk bed for my two boys. Used the sweet pea storage stairs plan as a starting point and altered things from there to suit. The wall is just 3/8 plywood cut into planks and painted various colours. 

Built from Plan(s)
Sweet Pea Garden Bunk Bed Storage Stairs
Finish Used
White semigloss. Monamel from General paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

dog kennel night stand

For my son's new black lab pup. Started with rough cut maple.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

chicken boxes that work!

I have tried all sorts of nest boxes. No one ever used them. I decided to make the one from Anna White's site. I used joinery to attach the various pieces. The best thing of all: I find girls sitting in the boxes and take eggs from them. It really is awesome. I got a photo with real eggs and you can also see the wooden eggs to entice them to try it out. Thank you so much! I will build another one for the other side of the the wall.

Built from Plan(s)
Free Range Nesting Box - Single

Comments

Media Console

Submitted by kittykat on Fri, 11/15/2013 - 17:31

Took a 3 day weekend to put this together. We used biscuit joiner so that we wouldn't have any gaps in the top. Left the back open so our consoles could breath in their little spots. Modified the plans so it's only 4 foot long and fits perfectly under our TV.

Built from Plan(s)
Tryde Media Console
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black paint and walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kentwood Night Stands

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/01/2016 - 12:24

Helped my friend make these cute night stands over two weekends (one Saturday each)

 

A few tips: Make sure the wood is the same size (* 1 inch)

Using the Kreg Jig, we attached all the sides together using 1 inch screws

The second one turned out better from the first...I guess we learned a few things! 

Thanks Ana White!  You rock!!

Built from Plan(s)
Kentwood Nightstands or End Tables
Estimated Cost
$100-$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White Wash with lacquer finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Farmhouse King Size Bed

Ever since we moved into our current home, our master bedroom headboard has been at the top of our my project list. I knew I wanted a beautiful farmhouse style headboard. What I didn’t want was the heavy retail price tag. I searched high and low at places like Target, Wayfair, Amazon and even Walmart without finding an affordable option for us.

There is this perfect vantage point of our bedroom from the glider in my son’s room. I remember staring at that empty wall space above our bed for years, it felt like, while rocking our son to sleep. Just willing a headboard to appear. I wanted it so bad I could taste it. Something about looking at that same view, night after night, and waiting, waiting, waiting for it to happen just makes me appreciate it so much more now that it’s here, as so often happens in life.

This project inevitably got put on hold over the years after one thing or another got in the way. Either we didn’t have the time to devote to it, or we always had something else to put our money into. Untilllll I stumbled across Ana White’s Farmhouse Headboard Plans.

Blog Link
https://lifeonlakestreet.com/how-to-build-a-beautiful-farmhouse-headboard/
Built from Plan(s)
King Size Fancy Farmhouse Bed
Estimated Cost
~ $200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar off the shelf white in semi gloss applied with paint sprayer in several, thin coats with sanding in between.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Stick on organizers for dresser drawer

Submitted by Ana White on Thu, 04/27/2023 - 12:58

I used the stick on drawer organizer tutorial to divide a giant dresser drawer

With the divider, the drawer can hold more and is so much neater and easier to use

i love there is ZERO planning or sourcing of dividers with this method  just have the basic materials on hand, open up a drawer and get it done  

 

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Stick-On Drawer Organizers - Cheap, Quick and Easy!

Barnwood Frame

This is my first completed project from Ana's website!! I used a 1x3 around the picture and then a 1x2 for the trim. I bought a corner clamp to hold the corners together while I nailed.
The picture I made it for is 17" x 14 1/4" so I just took off 1/4" all the way around the picture to measure the length and width of the frame.

I think it turned out pretty good, but there were a few things that didn't turn out as planned. I didn't wipe up the glue that seeped out of the cracks good enough, and so my stain has a few "unstained" areas. Also, my last piece of trim didn't fit very well, so I had to cut another one that fit better.

Since this is my first project, I'm pretty proud of the way it turned out :)

Built from Plan(s)
Barnwood Frames - $1 and 10 minutes
Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanded with 120
Stain in "Red Oak" (1 coat)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

BatStool

Submitted by Builder J on Mon, 11/18/2013 - 10:14

Kids Stool. Not the hardest project, but a fun one.

I am so happy with how the paint job turned out. Did the support boards yellow to look like his utility belt. And the Leg have accented Blue like his gloves/boots.

My wife painted the logo on after tracing the pattern. She did an amazing job.

The top isn't one piece, because I didnt have a thick enough piece that was 13" in diameter. So its actually three boards from an old pallet, glued and pocket hole screwed together.

Built from Plan(s)
Play Table Stools
Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Custom Painting
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modified Modern Park Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/03/2019 - 16:06

I used the Modern Park Bench plans and modified the size for our patio space. I also modified the bottom and used 2x2’s to give it a different look.

Built from Plan(s)
Modern Park Bench

Pull-out Cabinet Drawers

Submitted by woodchuck on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 08:32

Inspired by Ana's Pull-out Cabinet Drawer Organizer I made pull-out drawers for all of my lower cabinets and for my pantry cabinet. My pantry cabinet is 22" deep which makes it very easy to eventually come across soup that expired four years ago, or to find three bags of sugar when I thought I was out. The pull-out drawers make it so easy to access and organize everything in the cabinets. Absolutely love them! In the organizing spirit I also made spice racks for the cabinet doors and hangers for measuring cups/spoons. The hardest part for me was installing the drawer slides - they have to line up perfectly!

Finish Used
Minwax Early American, General Finishes Satin Arm-R-Seal. I used Minwax Wood Conditioner before staining to avoid splotches.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Kate (not verified)

Tue, 01/03/2012 - 10:10

Looks great! I've been thinking of doing the same thing myself, I just need to get motivated and convince myself that I won't be "destroying" my kitchen cabinets if I screw in a few drawer slides.

Dolores (not verified)

Tue, 01/03/2012 - 13:58

Not only will you not be destroying them - you will be amazed at the increased organization and convenience! Putting away/getting out dishes and pans is so much easier and organizing the pantry is awesome!

claydowling

Tue, 01/03/2012 - 14:20

Just one bit of advice for future projects, concerning drawer construction. It's better to have the sides come out to the front, rather than stop at the drawer front, and run the screws/pins through the side and into the front.

Another option, if you own a router, table saw or rabbet plane, is to cut a rabbet into the fronts and pin or screw through there, so you still show a solid front, but have the security of pinning through the sides.

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Tue, 01/03/2012 - 17:02

Great job on organizing! It looks really nice - I'm adding these to my to-do list (which is now a mile long LOL).

dawnkasotia

Wed, 01/11/2012 - 09:22

I have a large pantry cabinet like the one in the photo and I have a cabinet with a foldable door like yours. I've been wanting cabinet drawers for a while. Your photos give me inspiration and motivation to start building.

Teresa Walker

Fri, 01/20/2012 - 22:24

I am so going to do this. But, I need some kind of a plan to go by. None of the links take me to any plans. If anyone knows the link, please post them.
Thanks

claydowling

Sat, 01/21/2012 - 05:00

Teresa, there's no way to make useful plans for this, because your cabinets are most likely a different size than the original builder's cabinets. That doesn't mean you can't build these though.

The hanging hook racks are trivial. Cut a strip slightly less than the width of the opening in the cabinet face frame, attach hooks as desired, and then attack to the doors, making sure to mount them level and inside the opening.

Drawers are slightly more involved, but not much. Buy the drawer slides first, because they will determine how much clearance you need. Typical clearance is 1/2" on each side, for a total of 1", but there's no solid rule.

Once you have the slides, build a set of boxes as deep as your cabinets and as wide, minus the necessary clearance. There are plenty of different ways to build drawers. Any good furniture construction book will discuss ways to do it. There is even a whole book on the topic.

You'll mount the slides and then put the drawers in. Kreg makes a nice jig you can use to mount the drawer glides. You can order the jig and the glides from Rockler.

Teresa Walker

Sun, 01/22/2012 - 20:15

Thanks for the advice. I have just purchased the Kreg master kit and can hardly wait to get started on this. Although hubby has told me first I had to build him a set of corner shelves for his collection. This will be my first project with drawers so I am a bit apprehensive, but still going to try.
I do have one more question though. My cabinet drawers seem to not have alot of support. You can push down on the center and it gives. Should I take those out and reinforce them before I start?
Thanks to everyone here, as there always seems to be someone willing to help out, and also thanks to Ana for this site.

claydowling

Mon, 01/23/2012 - 04:37

A lot of commercial drawer bottoms are made out of very cheap material. You can make better bottoms out of hardboard or luan, and if the drawers are going to be holding heavier items like pans, you can build bottoms out of 1/4" plywood.

It's very hard to change the bottoms out of an existing drawer. For a strong drawer bottom, it needs to ride in a groove on the sides and front. If the existing bottoms ride in grooves on the three sides, you can probably pull the securing nail out of the back and replace the existing bottom, if you have replacement material that will fit in the existing groove. Otherwise, you'll need to build a new drawer with grooves sized for the bottoms you have.

woodchuck

Mon, 01/23/2012 - 21:09

Teresa -
I don't know why the link above doesn't work, but if you will go to Ana's home page and do a search for Wood Pullout Cabinet Drawer Organizer, that is the basic plan that I used, just changing the measurements to fit my cabinets. They were very easy to make, the hardest part being sure to get the drawer slides even on both the drawer and the cabinet, but that just takes patience and adjusting. Good luck with it - you can do it!

woodchuck

Tue, 01/24/2012 - 09:30

@Sarah - I saw where you had a question about the price of making the cabinet drawers. I have seen them priced anywhere from $35 a drawer on up. Most of mine are made of 1x4's and the pricing is as follows. A 1x4x8 at my local lumber yard is $3.29 and that will make one drawer. A sheet of 4x8 1/4" luan is $11.49 and that will make bottoms for 8 drawers. A 2x2x8 is less than $2.00 and that will make rails for the slides for 2 drawers, so that would be about $6.00 for one drawer plus $6.00 for the slides, total of $12.00. On the drawers for my pots and pans or anything heavy I used 3/8" plywood which would be slightly higher. Hope this helps!
Dolores

gale

Sat, 08/10/2013 - 13:34

We're having a modular built and it will have a pantry 18" wide without sliding shelves. I think I want to add at least a few sliding shelves for it like you did here. thanks for the inspiration!

My Fifty-Cent Crate

This is the first in a series of crates I’m building for my Expedit. It’s made from wood from the scrap pile behind our garage, so it cost nothing for the wood. It set me back fifty cents for the handle, which I sprayed with chalkboard paint. I plan to make six, but ideally I would fill all sixteen cubes up. I was totally inspired by Vicki from Made at This Place, with her Chalkboard Produce Crates for her Expedit. Thanks Vicki!

Blog Link
Build a Crate for Fifty Cents
Built from Plan(s)
Chalkboard Produce Crate
Estimated Cost
Fifty cents for the handle. That's it!
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I used two coats of Early American 230 stain from Minwax, , followed by two coats of Varathane's clear diamond coat in semi-gloss. Each layer was applied with a rag.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Wed, 11/20/2013 - 01:42

This looks great! I could use some of these in every room! The handle is a great touch, and I like how you did the inside corners - it will be really sturdy! Definitely putting this on my 'to-do' list!

Val Manchuk

Thu, 11/21/2013 - 08:58

Thank you Joanne!

These crates will definitely solve some storage issues! And it doesn't get much better than building on the cheap!

Val
artsybuildinglady.blogspot.ca

My Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/24/2019 - 17:41

Made using knotty pine.

 

I used HD pocket screws and glued all top pieces except for the breadboard ends, to allow for wood swelling/contracting.

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Farmhouse Table - Updated Pocket Hole Plans
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
The wood was sanded to 180 grit, and stained with a dark walnut stain after applying a wood conditioner. The high grit sanding and wood conditioner lightened the stain considerably, and I'm very happy with the resulting color. I initially tried staining after doing 120 grit sanding with no conditioner and found the stain far too dark.

The top was finished using water based polyurethane. I did three coats and wet sanded between coats. A smooth finish was achieved by using a synthetic steel wood on an orbital sander to buff it to a smooth shine.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate