Working with wood: DIY furniture basics

by Pierre C. Rumpf 06/20/2022

Making your own DIY furniture might be simpler than you think. While DIY furniture ideas range from simple to elaborate, there is guaranteed to be an option for every skill level and timeframe. Whether you want to build a coffee table, potting bench or just add some farmhouse style to your existing decor, building with wood is the best place to start.

With some basic tools, you can create unique furniture pieces for any room of your home.

Does it cost less to build your own furniture?

Building solid wood DIY furniture is usually much cheaper than purchasing, as the majority of inexpensive furniture available is made of engineered wood. This type of plywood and particleboard is not as durable as hardwood.

However, it’s important to comparison shop for lumber before getting started. Wood costs can vary greatly depending on region and retailer, and you may find that certain varieties of hardwood are more affordable to buy locally.

What is the easiest piece of furniture to build?

While everybody’s skill level is different, generally the simplest wood furniture items to build are those based on simple rectangular shapes. Some examples include bed frames, bookcases, shelves or storage chests.

Upholstered headboards are a popular DIY furniture piece, especially since you can use reclaimed scrap wood from wooden pallets. Building a furnishing such as a coffee table, dining table or potting bench will require more steps and materials, but is completely doable for beginners.

How do I start making my own furniture?

Before you start on any DIY furniture projects, there are some important things to consider and prepare:

  • You can find a variety of free plans online containing step-by-step instructions for DIY projects. These plans will list the necessary materials and tools you’ll need to complete the project.
  • “Measure twice, cut once” is one of the most important concepts to internalize while working with wood in DIY projects. Use measuring tools such as rulers, compasses and levels to guarantee all the details are up to spec.
  • Always follow safety guidelines when doing any type of construction project. Choose a place to build DIY furniture where you have plenty of room to maneuver, and wear protective equipment such as goggles and gloves to avoid injury.

Are you ready to make your DIY furniture ideas reality? You can build furniture from scratch using scrap wood or lumber, or repurpose old furniture found in thrift stores. The possibilities are endless.

No matter what sort of DIY furniture projects you choose to tackle, keeping these basic tips in mind will help you build your very best home furnishings.

About the Author
Author

Pierre C. Rumpf

Broker Profile: Pierre comes from a diverse background. His adolescent and early adult years found him working for his father, a renowned structural engineer, and his brother, an architectural designer and general contractor. His knowledge of construction design (architectural & structural) and practices is significant. He coupled his construction background with his considerable sales experience, by becoming licensed to sell real estate in Massachusetts in 1986.

Pierre is also a licensed Attorney in the Commonwealth, who formerly worked for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office as a litigator in the Victim & Witness Assistance Division of the Family & Community Crimes Bureau, litigating cases involving victims of violent crime, and since then has had his own legal practice.

For decades, Pierre has excelled in helping buyers of real estate find that condo, single-family, multi-family, lot of lands, or commercial property they desire to buy, or by effectively marketing his clients’ properties to sell their property for the most amount of money possible. His professional background embodies the ideal combination of construction, sales, negotiating, and contract drafting, which is essential to actualizing his clients’ goals and/or dreams. He does all of this with attention to detail, integrity, and success.

Since 1995, PCR Realty has helped buyers and sellers make their transactions as successful as possible. Using a consultative approach, PCR Realty approaches each experience as a unique opportunity for its clients. As a full-service real estate brokerage firm, PCR Realty provides leading-edge services for buyers & sellers.

When it comes to successfully navigating today’s complex real estate market, you need to work with someone who has the experience and commitment to see it done right. PCR Realty excels at matching buyers to sellers. From state-of-the-art marketing to an experienced broker, PCR Realty works diligently to far exceed your expectations. PCR Realty invites you to learn more.