2x4 Bench
I found this plan on morelikehome.net and had to try it this was my first project in 20 years and I had so much fun building it. I am looking forward to building more in the future! Enjoy!
I found this plan on morelikehome.net and had to try it this was my first project in 20 years and I had so much fun building it. I am looking forward to building more in the future! Enjoy!
This was my second project. I built it with my hubs and we had a blast. We have a boxspring so we used 2x6s, but laid them flat. We also used 2x12s for the sides and instead of attatching the sides permanantly we used bed hooks that we ordered online to attatch the sides. 4x4s were impossible to find. We ended up buying treated ones and sanding them for ages.
Modified some measurements and squared the legs. Also added LED lights under it for night mood setting.
Fun to build
Great, beefy chair with a rustic look around the poker table with side tables (another project that took longer than anticipated); the plans were great and easy to follow. I made a few modifications:
- Reduced the width from 19" to 16" to fit around the table.
- Made the seat out of 1x4's horizontally mounted with an extra support underneath. It helps to keep the cushions from sliding and I liked the look.
- Rather than pocket holes I counter-sunk and used oak plugs.
I did the whole thing assembly-line style creating "kits" as I went along. That allowed me to make jigs for each cut so things were reasonable close from chair to chair. Also, I only made one attempt at the jigsaw cut for the rear angle...the jigsaw got very upset. For the rest, I used the chop saw to make little slices and then chiseled and sanded.
Two coats of Danish Oil on everything gave me the look I was trying for, kind of the back-room-in-an-old-John-Wayne-cowboy-movie vibe. Leave your pistols at the bar.
The times and costs are per chair, the whole thing took a whole lot longer!
This is my favorite build so far!! Mines measure 52Wx30Hx14D. I use 11 3/4(1x12) strip plywood boards instead to fit our space.
This project took a while. Stained everything before assembly which made it easier. Plans are easy to follow. Thank you for making them available. Our property is starting to look a lot like your website.
Mon, 08/02/2021 - 08:35
Looks amazing! What method did you use (pocket holes, dowels, deck screws, etc) to join the visible portions like the arms?
I really wanted a built in unit for toy storage for our kids toy room but truth be told couldn't afford what I wanted ie pretty and solid. So while searching on refinishing furniture I came across this site. Thanks a bunch Ana. You've inspired me to create things I didn't think possible, all on a modest budget - diy. This was my first woodworking project. It was actually easy to me because it follows the same principles as sewing in which the depth of the wood is like the seam allowance. I really liked the 6 cubby plan but wanted it horizontal. I had to replan this piece as the plan dimensions changed when I changed the orientation of it. I also added crown moulding (but this was kind of a ledger style that rested ontop of the 1x2 - they use it as a door headers). I initially intended to paint this white but decided that it would have got lost in the white wood panelling. (DH even commented that i was taking way to long on this project but after seeing the finished results said it looked amazing.) So I painted it a grey blue, distressed the edges and then used a stain that I bought from benjamin moore's mis-tint section for $5.00 which says it's a danish walnut based but seems to have a slight purple huge to it. thanks again Ana, its because of you I don't have to stare at a messy toyroom any longer!
I built this for my kids who are now having to share a room due to another baby on the way. These plans appealed to me because it's junior height and it had stairs instead of a ladder, both of which made the top bunk sleeper feel safer. It was my first furniture build but I do have quite a bit of building experience. I was pregnant but loved these plans and had to build it! I stained/painted each piece separately before assembling it. I also drew up my own stair plans so I could add more storage (it fits 18 cube storage bins!) and built it using 2x6s and 2x12s and galvanized steel pipes for a railing. I added a bottom bunk as well. Under the top bunk mattress, I stapled a $7 grey flat sheet, with the staples hiding, to cover up the 2x4s supporting the upper mattress. The kids love it! Thanks Anna for the inspiration!
I made this using plans submitted by pericles49. Thank you, pericles49!
I altered the design to use materials I had laying around, and changed the size to fit my space. That made it take a little longer - especially because changing the fastening pattern is still tricky for me - trying to keep screws from hitting each other.
Design
I made mine a little deeper 27-1/2" instead of 24 on the plan.
Materials
What I'd do differently next time
8’ x 3’ Table
I have been searching for something to replace my son's plastic Fisher Price bookshelf/toy box for some time now. He had so many books on the shelf it was sagging. I came across this plan and thought it was perfect. I love that the shelves are tall enough for his bigger books to stand up. I picked up three red totes at Target to hold his smaller toys on the bottom. This plan was easy to follow and I had no problem when putting together the frame of the bookshelf. I did however have some problems when it came time to put in the dividers for the shelves. They are not evenly spaced, but I don't think you can even tell. The best part is my son loves it and that is the most important. It is easy for him to go over and pick out a book whenever he wants.
I live in a small northern town that has very little choice for affordable furniture. After scouring kijiji for months I decided to make my own.
I was very happy with how my bookshelf turned out - using 2 pallets. I used wider shelves than this post said because my books won't fit on 4" shelves, and it was next to impossible to remove the pallet slats for re-use without splitting them. I used 4 - 6" and 2 - 8" shelves.
Power sander was my best friend.
Buying the shelving and stain cost me $20 for this project!
Good, sturdy pedestal is a nice addition to the laundry room.
I used the plans from Sausha’s Washer/Dryer Pedestals and added a pull out to place the laundry basket on.
Another one bites the dust. Made this out of Ana instructions for a ladder shelf. Like the way this turned out alot. Ana White knows whats up :)
This was my very first building project and I'm officially addicted! I made the headboard as a surprise for my husband while he was in Africa. I used a variation of moulding and am tickled by the outcome! I adjusted the plans to fit a king-sized bed.
Sat, 10/20/2012 - 13:13
Wow, this is so beautiful! You did an absolutely amazing job on this! Congratulations on a fab first project, it is prettier than any headboard I've seen in a store. :)
Joanne
In reply to Spectacular! by JoanneS
Fri, 10/26/2012 - 20:02
thanks Joanne! I'm so happy with it and can't wait to start my next project!
In reply to Finish by 5 tator tots (not verified)
Fri, 10/26/2012 - 20:01
Thanks for the compliment. I did a light sand between coats and then finished with a very light coat of polyurethane. I hope that helps a bit!
Wed, 02/26/2014 - 17:32
Looks Awesome!! Can I get the measurements and cut list or the king size please!
Wed, 02/26/2014 - 19:07
I'm sorry I didn't keep the dimensions on the cut list. Basically you just need to add 16" to every piece that will run the length of your headboard. A standard queen bed is 60" wide whereas a standard king is 76". Hope this helps!
Thu, 02/27/2014 - 13:45
2 – 2x6 @ 59 ¼”
2 – 2x6 @ 70"
2 – 2x2 @ 8 ½”
1 – 2x2 @ 84"
1 – 2x6 @ 84"
2 – 2x4 @ 3”
1 – 2x4 @ 87"
1 – 1x6 @ 89"
1 – ¼” plywood @ 72" x 22 ¾”
Sun, 10/05/2014 - 18:30
oh my gosh...this is so beautiful! I want one just like it! I just might attempt it after I make my faux fireplace mantel :D
GREAT JOB!!!
This was really my first build and it stemmed from not being able to find the kind of beds I wanted for my girls. My brother helped me cut the wood and assemble the first one and my husband and I did the second together. It was so rewarding to make them and I love how they turned out! You can store so much and they are sturdy pieces. My girls love them too. (bedding is from Pottery Barn) I would stay this is a beginner's project. You don't need any specialized tools. it was a lot of fun and now I'm it itching to buy a Kreg Jig so I can complete many more projects!
My husband made one for me and we loved it so much that he made a second one that we sold just a few hours after it was finished.
He is now working on a set of console, coffee, and side tables; and later he will attempt to buil a round dinning table for our house... wish us luck!
This is my first big build and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. There are a few things I would do different but its all a part of the learning process :-)
I cut the leg blockings down to 4" and added casters so I could move this around.
I wanted a good flat and level workspace to continue projects. This workbench folds up to the wall in my garage so I can still park when not working on anything. I made it pretty stout with 2x4s and 2x6s since it would need to support fairly large pieces of furniture without deflecting. It is very heavy as a result though (good core workout folding it up and down :) )
I used two folding shelf brackets on the legs to keep them from accidentally being kicked out from under the table while it's out. (http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2001690/2615/Folding-Shelf-Bracket-8-P…)
I used four heavy strap hinges to connect the table to the 2x6 (which was lag screwed into studs). Two gate latches were used to secure the edge of the table to studs when the table is folded up.
I cut the legs approximately, and then when the table was hung I cut and shimmed them to get the table level on the uneven surface of the garage floor.
Fri, 08/15/2014 - 16:32
I really like this fold up bench design. It may be heavy, but I bet it's incredibly sturdy. I also have a really compact garage. I have pegboard on my walls, so a bench that folds UP doesn't work for me when I want to get a tool.
My own bench is more light duty. It's a sheet of 2x4' plywood attached to a frame made from dimensional lumber. It folds down so I have access to the tools at all times. It's based on a design on the Family Handyman website, although you can find the same design all over the web.
Thu, 02/05/2015 - 18:50
Great idea! I need to build this. Can I please get a picture of it folded up, so I can see the hinges on the legs and the latches holding it while folded?
Fri, 11/06/2020 - 13:55
Can you show another picture of the hinges you used on the legs that can fold out when lowered?
Thanks! Kate
As soon as I saw these plans I knew we had to build it. We have six grandkids (all 2 and under) and they have a playroom at our house so I wanted something that they could sit on if they are watching TV and also something they could sleep on when they stay the night. This definitely fits the bill! This is our second build from Ana's website and it was pretty easy.
We followed the plans exactly. The only thing we added was a middle board to the back and the arms of the sofa. I didn't want them to get stuck between the top rails and and the mattress. We used dowels instead of screws to attach the slats to make it easier to move. We did not screw the two couches together. Since the room it is in has thick carpet, it is not moving at all. The kids love it and it is so sturdy. They could jump on it or off of it (which they have already done) and we don't have to worry about it breaking.
I sewed the crib sheets and I bought 5 standard sized pillows and some pillow cases. I so love this sectional!