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Loft bed with Staircase

This plan was perfect for our second bedroom. We are adopting soon and are not sure what ages, genders, or sibling combinations we will be accomidating. We wanted to make the most of the space we had with the option for an additional bed if needed. This loft bed is the perfect solution. I like the stairs (instead of the usual ladder rungs) and it was pretty easy to build. Now the kids can play under it...or we can add a bed (in the photo we have a box spring set up on a bed frame, but no mattress yet) if we need to. THANK YOU, ANA!

We made a few alterations to Ana's plan:

1. We moved the staircase to the right side to better fit our bedroom set up
2. We narrowed down the platform and staircase by 4 inches....still plenty wide!
3. We brought the staircase platform in about 7 inches, so the stairs don't stick out so far.
4. We added an additional 2x4 at the base for stability (attached to the back two vertical legs).
5. We added 4 corner braces (just left over 2x6's cut at 45 degree angles to make little triangle brackets.

It's very sturdy. My husband even got up there to test it out. We haven't finished it yet, but we plan to stain and seal it.

Estimated Cost
$75 plus a Kreg Jig kit (totally worth it!)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We haven't done a finish on it yet.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Aisha_ (not verified)

Mon, 09/24/2012 - 11:16

I love that you brought the stairs in! Hope you post pics when you finally get it stained can't wait to see it!

Cedar Planter

Submitted by spustay74 on Fri, 07/18/2014 - 12:00

Turned out great. This was a gift for my mother in law!

Estimated Cost
10 bucks
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Cama casinha - Feita no Brasil :)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/25/2016 - 17:34

Sou Tatiana e moro no Brasil...

Essa foi a cama que fiz usando projeto deste blog. Minha filha amou e nós tb!!!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Smaller Rustic X end table

Submitted by cgolden on Sun, 09/23/2012 - 22:20

I built these two end tables from the rustic x end table plans. I tweaked the original plan to make them smaller. I only used 4 - 2x6's for the top instead of using 5, and I used 2 - 2x6's for the bottom shelf instead of using the 2 - 1x12's. My top is 20x22.5 and the base is 18x18.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$12/table
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I started off with a blend of minwax classic grey, rustoleum sunbleach, and rustoleum kona (I was going for a weathered grey look). It looked good on the scrap piece i tried, but it turned a blueish grey on the tables. I then covered everything with minwax ebony to try an kill the blue tint and darken it. It ended up being a dark brown with some gray tones. Finished with minwax satin polyurethane. I spent alot more time playing around with stain colors than I did actually building the tables.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bobcan (not verified)

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 10:36

Great job ! these Rustic table are good for interior design and make a good look .I read this , have good price ,timing ,wood and also your hard work .

jhmesa

Wed, 04/20/2016 - 05:43

i love this! we just built the bigger one to find out it was a bit too big but we were still able to find a place for it. my husband and I are going to build your smaller version cant wait!

ChristianFro

Mon, 06/13/2016 - 12:50

I built the larger version and found I want to tone it back a bit.  How tall did you build yours?  What angle cut did you end up with?

Baby's first step stool

Submitted by n8amis on Sun, 07/20/2014 - 12:09

I made this for our first new family addition. My wife is 20 weeks pregnant and we find out if it's a boy or girl tomorrow at 0800! So excited, and thanks to Ana for the great plans.

Nate

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I applied an ebony stain first. When dry added glue over stain and painted antique white before glue dried for the "crackle" effect. Polyurethane applied afterwards (yellows the paint a bit, but that's what I was going for). My wife then painted the sea life and we covered in a spray on enamel to finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Entertainment center

Submitted by Sb1212 on Fri, 10/28/2016 - 11:18

I really liked the barn door entertainment center! I attempted to make my own hardware for the door. It didn't turn out as planned. So I had to come up with a different design. This is what I came up with. I love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

lyds6382

Mon, 11/07/2016 - 07:14

I love this even more than the original!  I think I'd get tired of the sliding doors and my kids messing with them.  What size of TV will this fit?

  

Double Wide Modern Chaise Lounge

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/22/2020 - 13:20

I used pine to build this bed. I am still going to paint it with some exterior house paint! The lumber and screws came in around $120. I got two cushions on clearance at Target for $20 each. I got a duvet cover on clearance at Bed Bath and Beyond for $20. The paint was $25 for a quart, and I also bought a gallon of primer to use on lots of future projects for about $20. I spent 5 hours sanding, 4 hours cutting, and 5 hours assembling with a friend. Much cheaper and more fun than the $1400 one from Restoration Hardware!

Estimated Cost
$225
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Providence Bench for my Front Porch

Submitted by kerrbear on Wed, 09/26/2012 - 10:30

This project was quick and simple. Just keep in mind and pay attention to the plans where they state "bevel" or "miter". There is a difference!

This project was free to me as we have a huge amount of 2x4 studs left over in our garage from a previous project so I should be able to do the table and another bench for free as well.

It went together within a few hours as the cuts are easy.

Working on the camp loft bed now with some mods to add a stationary bed beneath and more height for my girls room.

Overall great build.

I stained it with one coat of Kona. I did let the stain sit and barely wiped it off that is why it ended up being very dark which is the look I was going for. I then finished it off with 4 coats of polycrylic clear in high gloss which dries very fast and does not yellow.

Estimated Cost
$10.00 - 2x4's here are about $1.54 each
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat of Rustoleum Ultimate wood stain in Kona. This is the best stain ever for dry time (its not clean like gel stain though so it is runny and can get messy just an fyi)
It dries within an hour! And only needs one coat!

Finished it with 4 coats of Minwax polycrylic clear gloss. Its ultra fast drying and water based for easy clean up. Comes in matte, satin, and gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jamie Hynes (not verified)

Sun, 11/04/2012 - 14:15

Hi - would it be possible to get these plans also? Thx so much, it looks like a fun project with fast results. jamie

Vicki G. (not verified)

Fri, 11/23/2012 - 10:49

There is a clickable link above where it says "Blog Link: Build a Providence Bench"

Weatherly Benches

We used the Weatherly plans for this project amending in a couple of places. The two seat version was attached to the three with using just one set of legs and then we added a 2 x 6" upright at the join and put another 2 x 6" on top for a drinks tray! Rather than 8 individual 24" cushions we went with 48 x 24" seats and did the same for the backs.

The cost for materials was only about $70 and the outdoor fabric was twice that amount. As it is under a covered deck we just used 4" foam for the seats and 2" foam for the backrests, costing about $100. All Canadian Dollars.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We coated everything twice with Benjamin Moore Cloud White external paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor patio furniture

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/24/2020 - 12:19

Thanks Ana, for the great plans and inspiration!

Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax stain & polyurethane ( Bombay Mahogany)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ottoman

This is my 3rd completed project. This has storage, individual hinges was used.

I am still on the sofa after 9 months could not decide if I wanted to make storage.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
estimate cast was $55 dollars, and that was due to the coast of the fabric covered top with plastic covering.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I sand the piece with 120, 220, 500 grit. Then stain/protection, it was suppose to be walnut, and it turn out this color. Can't complain, the cats are happy about it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Easy kitchen island

Submitted by JoseO1998 on Fri, 07/25/2014 - 02:15

I built the cherry stained easy kitchen island for my own kitchen... After friends and family looked at it, my daughter' smother (of course my ex) asked if I could buiild her one... we love both of our "islands" even though we both have them along walls in our homes... I added a second shelf for extra storage but it's great for what I call a grocery drop off point... Very sturdy and they both compliment our kitchens... I don't have a picture of it in her home (both of these were in my home on different floors of the house) but she says it matches well with her oak cabinets... Hope you like them :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Approx $150-200 depending if you stain and polyurethane
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The first pic I used a medium oak stain and polyurethane... The second pic I used a cherry stain without polyurethane; however I have decided I'm going to add polyurethane to it for a nice shine ;)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entry way cubby

Submitted by mmaixner06 on Fri, 11/04/2016 - 16:57

My dad helped me build this. I wanted to make one out of crates similar to another post but we decided on plywood and my dad wanted to play with the portable saw he bought me. We customized it for my space and didn't use any plans. I think it turned out nicely though I may need another for all my other shoes!

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Flat matte indoor Behr paint in a light grey.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

2x4 Laundry Basket Organizer

Submitted by vendo on Sat, 06/29/2024 - 10:07

This is my first time building for resell, I learned a lot in the process. This is an easy beginner friendly project with a 2x4 frame and 1x top. I love that you can stack them or put them side by side. This plan is also easy to modify for basket size or height! Thanks Ana

Seasonal And Holiday

iSideTable

I bought my first home in July, and have been looking for furniture to fill it with. Then I found this site, and decided I would build what I want. I plan on making the iTable as well, but for my first project, I thought about starting a little smaller. I also needed side tables for my couches more. So was born the iSideTable ;)

23 3/4" high
10 1/2" wide
22 1/2" deep

Materials used:
1 4x4x8
1 1x4x8

All told materials alone for this project is a miserly $23!!

I have just finished my first coat of Varathane Kona (it's what we have in Canada). I want it nice and dark so I am leaving it on to dry, then applying a second coat.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse Table 4x4 truss

Submitted by ayoung82 on Mon, 07/28/2014 - 15:40

This is my first attempt to build anything since the age of 17 (school!). I have recently bought a house and tried my arm at installing skirting (base boards in the US I think?) and it piqued my interest. The family needed a table, so I built one..

Its not perfect, but I'm looking forward to many family meals with our young family :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
€162 euro in wood (white deal) and left over stain and varnish from my floors
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustins Medium maple & satin varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

bclute

Mon, 07/28/2014 - 19:48

Great job! ... it looks great. I know you are not in US, but did you just use the cheap pine? I made a farmhouse bed with it this past fall and I have had problems with it shrinking on me. I want to do this table, and I know that the kreg will keep it tight ... I just need to buy one. Good work!

ayoung82

Fri, 08/01/2014 - 08:32

Hi bclute... thanks for the comment and the compliment. As for your question about the type of pine, I’m so new at this I’m not sure really. I understand there are grades of timber, but I went to my local timber yard and got what they had. Construction grade I believe. The bed is my next project so it's interesting to hear about your project. I suppose letting the wood dry fully is an option, but that takes a lot of time. I used the Kreg HD, it was great and easy to use, although clamping it each time makes for a slower job than the standard jig. Thanks again A

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