DIY Farmhouse Bed
We built this Farmhouse Bed in 1 weekend for less than $200!
We built this Farmhouse Bed in 1 weekend for less than $200!
Used rustic x coffee table design for base. Used paint scheme someone else used in brag post. Made giant cribbage board top from redwood slab. Majority of time involved sanding slab which came rough and finishing the polyurethane.
We built a europeanized queen-size farmhouse bed. The mattress size is 160x200 cm. I had to recalculate most measurements, because the available wood dimensions didn't really correspond to the usual 2x4 etc standard sizes - and mattresses come in different sizes around here as well. Other modifications: the footboard was built exactly like the headboard, because it was supposed to end up against a wall (no point in the outside covering). We're both very happy with the way this turned out - no squeaks, no bumping *khm*.
We used commercially available pre-bent slats for the mattress support. I've marked the skill level as beginner, as we are - but we're both very thorough and exact people with the will to go step-by-step and access to in-laws' proper tools and knowledgeable advice.
I used your plans for the table but changed the table dimensions to fit my space. My table is square and measures 58"x58". I also changed the chairs to have a straight back and then the top is is cut at a 6 degree angle. I love them so much!!!
Thanks for the nightstand idea!
Built from the outdoor coffee table plans.
Changed the dimensions up a bit on the coffee table and shrunk them down to make matching end tables.
Changed the top layout and the bottom shelf a little bit.
Thank you for the plans!!!
I did many 2020 (Covid projects) and this was my favorite. My wife has an 8' church pew that she wanted a farm table to go with it. The table ended up being 8'10" long. The most time was spent on sanding, painting and finishing. Enjoyed this project.
Mon, 06/07/2021 - 16:10
You've been busy! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful projects!
My first project!! Made a big boy bed and love how it turned out! It took me a weekend and several trips to the hardware store. Totally worth it and a huge savings versus purchasing a bed from land of nod or pottery barn!
I changed a few things on mine. I wanted the mantle to be deeper in case we want to put a natural gas fireplace insert in it in the future so I used 1x8's for the sides I also used the remaining 48" or so 1x12 for the base and used 1x3's to trim it in to make it a bit wider. I did something similar to the top I trimmed it with 1x3's using pocket hole screws. As for the mirror, my wife had an old mirror that she wanted me to use and it was actually an after thought but it fit in there perfectly! I just used 1x3s to trim it in the front and used smaller scrap pieces and screws to wedge the mirror in the mantle in case we want to use it for something else if we install the gas insert. That's about it I used traditional cherry 1 coat and 3 coats of polyurethane I had to pull up the base board trim and cut it to get it flush against the wall. My wife was upset that I made her wait to decorated it with picture frames and porcelain birds. The polyurethane hadn't cured yet and I didn't want marks on it after spending so much time on it.
Thanks! She loves it!
Fri, 03/06/2015 - 19:10
Thanks Ana! She wants me to build her something like what you recently posted. An entry bench/ window seat with storage space for shoes and boots. Thanks for the plans! I will have to modify it a bit to fit the space of course! I've also used your plans to make 3 sets of toddler tables and chairs as gifts for relatives with kids and they love them! Thanks again Ana!
The bench measures 54" wide x 21" deep. We slightly modified the Rogue Engineer plans at the customers request to allow it to sit flush against the wall.
This was my first project. I have actually been looking projects on this site since it was called Knock on Wood, but did not have the space or money to do anything.
I wanted to build a stand for our tv, but also make it have a bit of storage - and look nice of course. Found the Rhyan Console Table plans, and I liked them a lot. Instead of having two drawers, I made the bottom drawer a little bigger, and made an opening at the top for the blu-ray or satellite receiver.
Could not find little black hinges in town, so we scuffed up some silver ones and spray painted them black. They have not started chipping at all.
Stained it using advice from this site and around the internet. I left the inside of the drawer and cupboards unstained - which I really like.
After I built the balustrade coffee tables for the living room, I built these matching kentwood end tables.
Easy to build I used 2-12 for the top
We were needing a set for our covered patio and didn't want to make the leap to purchase a set until we knew which configuration would feel right for the space. We decided to start with this set and we are so happy with it. We get so many compliments and requests for the plans. We modified the plans to fit Ikea cushions. We also added rubber footpads to the bottom of the legs to keep it better waterproofed. I built the couch first and then stained it . .. so for the loveseat I stained the big pieces before assembling. I'm not sure one approach was any better than the other. It was an easy build and super quick--the bulk of the time was spent on staining and waiting for stain to dry. We highly recommend this plan. The only thing we may change is to go back and add a cross piece in the arms so that the throw cushions don't fall through. Overall, a great value and super comfortable.
My wife and I were looking at coffee tables for quite some time and didn't find any in the store that she liked. She even turned down quite a few at Pottery Barn, West Elm, etc., but she loved the X Coffee Table at first sight, so I built it. I already had a table with 2x4s for the top, so she asked me to do something different with this one and really have the table top be seamless. Home Depot carries the walnut 1x6 as S4S right now, so I was able to make the top without even a table saw. A belt sander followed up with a random orbital did the job to get the level top you see in the picture.
Fri, 03/06/2015 - 15:51
This looks really awesome in your room! Great job!
Each year I try something new in the garden. This year, I was looking for a different way to cage tomatoes. I have metal wire cages that are pretty flimsy and always seem to tip over after the tomato plant reaches 3 feet tall. This is my try at a wooden trellis in the shape of an obelisk. Mostly, it is for decoration but having the obelisk shape does allow us to stack the cages together for winter.
Great project! Added a cup holder and due to lumber prices uses 1x4 for seat slats from a free pallet. This also allowed the thick cushion to sit lower in the chair and made the chair lighter, and did not have purchase an extra 2x4.
I was searching for a table and chairs for my son's playroom, and I could not believe the prices! I had just purchased a new saw for some moulding projects around the house, and then I found this site. This table and chair was my first wood working project, and they turned out great! I followed the plans for the Clara table, but used a combination of the 4 dollar chair and modern angle chair. I loved how the chair turned out. I am currently working on the second. I used poplar instead of pine which increased the cost. I wanted a weathered finish, I ended up using water-based walnut stain over a white wash. I am so happy I found this site, my next project is patio furniture.
I was lucky enough to have 100 year old barn wood for this table! I used this rustic plan, but made a few tweaks of my own
For the bottom I decided to rest the shelf on top of the rails instead of pocket screwing them in from the side. I thought this would show more character of the barn wood (saw marks, knots, etc) while adding stability. With that change, you also need to adjust the height of the end rails (under the cross brace) to make it flush with the shelf.
For the top I decided to use bread boards instead. They are all fastened with 2 1/2" pocket screws (with a kreg jig), as are all of the rails and bottom shelf boards. For a different look, I recessed the x-brace and end rails to the inner third of the legs instead of flush to the outside. However, this made it difficult to screw the x-braces in, so those are just glued in place (with good quality wood adhesive!). Thankfully, they feel very sturdy and don't need screws! Also, the fact that they are recessed reduces the chance they are kicked or bumped.
I sanded through 220, to keep all of the original marks yet make it smooth to the touch
I finished it with 100% pure tung oil, which made the texture of the wood really pop, and turned it to a nice dark amber. It would be a shame to make this wood hide behind stain and poly forever. Tung oil is the best if you want imperfections highlighted, yet want a nice sheen. The top boards got 5 coats, the bottom shelf 3 coats, and the frame 2.
I designed this bench based off Ana's workbench to get the job done template. I added a few features like a pegboard, under-cabinet lights, and a recessed saw table and spent some extra time to stain each piece before adding to the bench. I took my time to build this - using free hours on the weekends and evenings over the course of about 4 months.
I came across the Camp Loft Bed on Pinterest a couple of months ago. My daughter was still sleeping in a crib, but I knew that she would need a big girl bed by summer. Since her room is small (inside walls measure just under 9'x9'), i thought a loft bed would be ideal.
I have NEVER done a DIY. I don't even own tools. But my step-dad is very handy, so I asked him to be my consultant and helper to tell me if I was doing things the wrong way! Fortunately, he was able to lend me a miter saw, some aluminum saw horses, and the odd screw (when I seemed to run out).
From start to finish, this was a 7 day project. I used construction grade spruce for my lumber, which cost me just shy of $100. I also went back the next day and bought a couple more 2x4s to make two shelves under the platform, which was another $30. I then pre-drilled with my new favourite tool the Kreg, and proceeded to sand, prime, and paint all of the pieces before assembly. With assembly being in my daughter's room, and having nice fresh paint on her walls and carpeted floors, I did NOT want to be finishing the bed in there, but there was no way I could move it into her room completely assembled. I did all the finishing BEFORE assembly.
Sand, prime, sand, paint, paint, paint. That process took three days, obviously not the entire day. Painting goes relatively quickly, but with boards, you paint one side, let dry, roate 90 degrees, paint, let dry, etc. I also had to work a couple of days in between as well. I went with Benjamin Moore Aura paint and that required three coats. I used to some leftover pink and yellow for the platform and shelves, but if I consider the cost, the paint set me back another $100.
I also had to order in the proper screws and I bought some of the white Kreg plugs to cover the exposed holes. Hurray for amazon! Even selecting the free shipping, the screws arrived within 4 days.
Assembly day:
My step-dad and I worked from 10:30-1:30. By this time, the bed and platform were completely assembled and in place. My daughter, however, needed to nap, so I put her down in her brother's bed, and we took a couple of hours off for lunch!
We then worked from 5-8:45 pm building the stairs, cleaning the room, measuring and screwing down the slats for the mattress, then making the bed and getting it ready for sleep. It seemed like a much longer day because in between, I had to run out and pick up a twin mattress, some extra screws, help my son play his new Skylander game, and deal with three kids trying to "help" with construction!
All in all, I am very pleased with the bed, with the plans, and with my first DIY. My kids are all in love with the bed and we spent a lot of time shooing them out of the room while we tried to assemble it.
Tips:
If I were to make this bed again (if my sons have their way, their beds are next!) I would not paint the wood, opting instead for a stained more natural look. I love the colours for my daughter, but what a pain all that painting and rotating the boards was. Paint was also a more expensive option for finishing.
That being said, if I do paint, I will NOT paint the ends of the boards that will be joined via pocket holes. In some cases, the boards were just a smidge too long to fit and we had to take the back to the saw and shave off the layer of paint in order for the board to fit.
I also opted to buy firm twin mattress as opposed to the plush ones. The plush mattresses add a lot of height and I was worried about my daughter having a bit too much fun up there and possibly tipping out from a high mattress. Stick to thinner mattresses on loft or bunk beds!
Comments
DanaLeeInAZ
Fri, 02/20/2015 - 19:26
Beautiful! Both the bed and
Beautiful! Both the bed and bedside table turned out great!
Ana White
Fri, 02/27/2015 - 11:35
Gorgeous! I love the room!
Gorgeous! I love the room!