1. Home

Community Brag Posts

Beginner Farm Table & Benches

This was my first time building anything! The plans were so easy to follow along! Once I master some things like this, I can work on fine tuning things a bit more so I can build some more intricate plans. Thanks so much for your website! My kids are loving the BBQ's outside at the table!

Built from Plan(s)
Beginner Farm Table (2 Tools + $50 Lumber)
Beginner Farm Table Benches (2 Tools + $20 in Lumber)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I haven't added a finish yet but will be soon.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Beryl

Tue, 06/02/2020 - 15:09

re the farm table. your cut list calls for 8 2 x 4 at 28 1/2 inches but the plan actually only needs 4 of them. The pics do not show you doubling the 2 x 4s for legs. Am I missing something.

Laundry Dresser foling area and hanging shelf

Submitted by sandrabees on Tue, 06/19/2012 - 13:15

more details on my blog. I built 2 of the laundry dressers. adjusted the placement of my baskets due to restrictions in the overall height of my unit (I have a ironing board cabinet built into 1 wall that I still wanted to be able to open and use :) I used MDF, but it was a bear to work with and next time I would spend the extra $$ on birch. i painte the bottom in a semi gloss. and plan to add the doors (which will have a beadboard backing) they will be painted white with a dark walnut glaze. The top and shelf /brackets are all done in a distressed finish with ebony and mahogany stain mixed then 2 coats of poly very sturdy even filled!

Blog Link
My DIY Drawer Organizer
Built from Plan(s)
Laundry Basket Dresser
Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
white semi gloss paint, (will be glazing with dark walnut as well),
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sherice

Tue, 07/15/2014 - 20:27

Very cool rendition of the original plans. I like the folding area, awesome job!

thewife

Fri, 06/26/2015 - 00:00

I have been wanting to make the laundry basket dresser but am holding off because we are moving. What color did you us on the walls, I love it.

Truss Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/08/2024 - 10:12

Our 4x4 Truss Beam Table made by my husband for our new house. Stain is Minwax slate gel stain.

 

Built from Plan(s)
4x4 Truss Beam Table

Comments

outdoor dining table

Submitted by jcengel on Thu, 07/05/2012 - 21:27

Followed the directions for the simple outdoor dining table. Mine is still unfinished. Plan to paint and primer it white. There were some errors in the plans. Do not screw the top framing together with butt joints and still expect to be able to put the leg bolts through. They will hit each other. It was only a real problem for me on one of the legs but if I had knownthere would be a problem I would have found another way from the start.

Built from Plan(s)
Simple Outdoor Dining Table
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Storage Desk System

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/17/2024 - 10:04

Custom built-in desk and bookshelves. We combined plans for a massive desk with bookshelves. Working from home, I needed to maximize my storage space but wanted to create beauty and function at the same time. I love the finished results! I admire my new desk everyday I "go to work."

 

Blog Link
Turner Family Homestead

Outdoor seating made with thrown away cushions

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/22/2020 - 18:01

Someone on my street had thrown out 2 couches. The cushions were in perfect condition. So I built chairs and fit the cushions! I built a matching coffee table to fit a glass I had. To finish the space, I added a table to have my morning breakfast.

Built from Plan(s)
2x4 Outdoor Coffee Table
2x4 Outdoor Chair
Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint and stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

BLUE BENCH

Submitted by spustay74 on Mon, 06/16/2014 - 05:26

This was my wife and I's first Ana White project. We are now hooked, and loved spending time together building something we will enjoy for years, and our dog mindy of course was the first to test our beautiful bench out!

Thanks Ana,

Steve & Courtney

Built from Plan(s)
Modern Park Bench
Estimated Cost
80$
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Spray paint, Clear coat sealer. If we did it again, we would use regular exterior paint instead of spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Workbench with pegboard

Submitted by bredbu on Wed, 07/01/2020 - 18:37

I made a workbench for my garage it was pretty easy. I also made an instructional youtube video if you want to learn how to make it. #diy #workbench #bench

Blog Link
Youtube Tutorial - How to build it
Estimated Cost
125
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Beach Shack

Submitted by jvuijk on Fri, 06/27/2014 - 19:28

Customized version of the clubhouse bed that is so popular! We went the extra mile on the finishing touches to ensure an awesome bed for our little guy! We made the bed taller for more space underneath and polished up the finished product to create a higher end look. Care was taken to precisely sand all areas of the bed for a smooth finish and polished look. All pocket-holes are filled with plugs and sanded smooth on the inside of the bed for an overall finished product. No shortcuts taken! We went the extra mile and painted the carriage bolts so they would blend in with the whitewash finish and also recessed the nut on the back of the legs for safety and added a cap so they are not visible. Top of the bed, above the door, is filled in and a custom ladder finishes off the look. We went with smaller lumber to build the ladder and it is perfect!! We are over the moon with this project and will be building more items as fast as we can. Also, the sign, under-bed shelves, and industrial shelves were built by my husband. He did an epic job creating this room!! We used better grade wood and spent a lot of time sanding to ensure a great bed in the end. We also went with a Benjamin Moore stain that was a little more expensive and took the time to finish the slats under the bed.

Built from Plan(s)
Clubhouse Bed
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore exterior semi-transparent stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

jeawels

Mon, 02/22/2016 - 07:38

I love this bed! I was looking at the BM site and was wondering what exact stain did you use? there are 5 different opacities & I want to make sure I get the right one.  Thanks!! 

Eric's Cedar Shed!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/06/2020 - 21:35

Thank you for the plans, shed turned out great! My association required me to match the siding color, roof color, and anchor to a concrete slab. So I poured 25 bags of 80lbs concrete to make a 9x5 slab. Redid the plans for an 8x4 shed, built the frame with 2x4s and not 2x2's, installed flashing, ice/water shield + felt + matching shingles since I'm near Chicago, and used a flexio finishing sprayer to paint the shed. Saved some $ by using 2 Redwood Grain Fiber siding panels for $22 each at HD.

All in all very happy with my shed and all my dangerous yard tools and woodworking tools can be put away from my toddler.

Built from Plan(s)
Small Cedar Shed
Estimated Cost
400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Plus exterior paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Grill Station

Submitted by JDillen on Sat, 07/05/2014 - 15:32

Grill station

Built from Plan(s)
Sturdy Work Bench
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Kona
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Farmhouse Dining Table

Had to make modifications for size, errors, and personal preference, but we love this table! Still deciding on all white paint or a 2-tone finish. Also- first time using a Kreg jig. What an amazing tool.

Built from Plan(s)
Farmhouse Table - Updated Pocket Hole Plans
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wranglerstar Greenhouse

Thank you Ana for the excellent plans. We have been talking about this for months and are excited finally have a greenhouse. We live in the mountains and this will help extend our growing season. Please tell Ram thank you from the Wranglerlerstar family.

Blog Link
How To Build A Greenhouse
Built from Plan(s)
DIY Greenhouse
Estimated Cost
$750
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
stain
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

jnow8687

Sat, 08/31/2019 - 12:34

Did you extend the base height? I want a greenhouse to enclose trees that do not do well in the winter and I think I would like to raise the base height a foot or so.

Simple White Patio Sofa

This was one of my favorite DIY projects. It's so much more affordable than buying patio furniture, and the building instructions make it sturdy as ever.

I built this with my fiance, who you'll see in the image of the in-progress bench. It was a snap for us, since we have a fair amount of experience building our own furniture. With the right tools, this project can take only two days, including wait time in between coats of paint and varnish.

We made our sofa to fit the cushions we found, and thus, the sofa is actually 84" wide, instead of 72" wide. By doing this, we also eliminated the need for a love seat, and instead are in the process of making two chairs to match this sofa. All in all, our patio will seat 6, which is what we were aiming for.

TOOLS
The most important part of making this an easy, fun project is having the right tools. I highly recommend you purchase or borrow:
- Compound miter saw
- Kreg jig
- Square head screws (stripping these is nearly impossible)

Blog Link
Build or Buy? A Guide to DIY
Built from Plan(s)
Outdoor Sofa - Modern Comfort Collection
Estimated Cost
$300 (including cushions)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior satin white (stay away from spray paint, since it's less efficient and more costly)
Exterior spar varnish in aerosol can for extra outdoor protection
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farm bench and Adirondack chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/07/2020 - 14:14

Had already posted the truss bench but since I was staining both it and the Adirondack chair together thought I’d share both side by side. Thanks for the wonderful, simple plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Heavy Duty Adirondack Chair Plans with Back Leg and Footstool
2x4 Truss Style Farm Bench
Estimated Cost
Bench=$25 chair=$45 (wood and screws)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax Honey Pine stain and urethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse L Desk

Submitted by kellyd77 on Mon, 08/17/2020 - 09:02

Put a twist on the farmhouse desk plans

Built from Plan(s)
Rustic X Desk

Comments

Back