Frequently Asked Questions
Wood Questions
What kind of wood should I use?
Most of our plans use standard construction lumber like pine or fir. It's affordable, easy to work with, and easy to find. It's also rapidly renewing and biodegradable, so a great eco friendly choice!
Can I use hardwoods instead?
Yes—just keep in mind they're heavier, cost more, and can be tougher on tools and harder to join together and finish. I recommend not tackling a hardwood project until after you have built several softwood projects.
What if my boards are warped?
Choose the straightest boards at the store. You can often work around slight warps by cutting them into shorter pieces.
What wood should I use for outdoor furniture?
Use red-toned or pressure-treated 2x lumber for framing, and cedar or cedar fence pickets for the decking. Outdoor furniture should be built like a deck—your local home center can help recommend the right wood for your climate.
Will my wood move or warp after I build?
Potentially, especially in humid climates. Let your wood acclimate indoors before building. Once acclimated and kept in a stable environment, movement should be minimal. Remember, most houses are built using framing lumber - it's all about keeping moisture down indoors.
Cutting Questions
Do I need a miter saw?
A miter saw is great, creating fast, safe, and precise cuts, even for beginners. But most plans can be built with a circular saw and a straight edge. If using a circular saw to cut, take time to practice, and get good at making cuts, before cutting your project boards.
How do I get clean cuts with a circular saw?
Clamp your board, measure twice, cut slow, and use a sharp blade. This takes practice, so spend some time making cuts. I go through becoming proficient at freehand cutting in my course, it is worth taking if you want to master this skill.
Will the store cut my wood?
Yes—most stores will do rough cuts to help you transport your materials home. But from store to store, the quality of cuts could greatly vary.
Joinery Questions
What screws should I use?
We recommend star-head self tapping screws for framing, most common sizes are 2-1/2", 1-3/4". Pre-drill if close to the edge or you find your wood is splitting.
Do I have to use pocket holes?
Pocket holes are the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to do some joints - like edge to edge or a hidden fastener joint. There are other methods, but these can be time consuming and expensive. We recommend using pocket holes as indicated in plans for best results.
How do I keep things square?
Use a speed square and measure diagonals after each step. Always clamp joints before screwing to keep them tight and flush.
Finishing Questions
Stain or paint before or after building?
A quick sand before and a full finish after gives the best results. Pre-finish if you're doing two-tone or detailed finishes.
What type of finish?
Use oil-based or water-based stain. For paint, cabinet-grade latex or enamel works great. High use surfaces on indoor projects should get a coat of polyurethane, I recommend a Helsman or Spar or other flexible poly that won't crack or peel with wood movement. For exterior projects, use a finish suitable for exterior fences.
How to get a smooth finish?
Start with a well sanded project. Sand between coats (220 grit), wipe clean, and apply light coats with a foam brush or roller.
Plan Questions
Can I change the size?
Many people do, and that's the great thing about building your own furniture! But do keep in mind going bigger might mean more supports are required, and often plans are optimized for minimal material waste.
Are these beginner-friendly?
Yes—plans are written with simple tools and clear steps in mind, with every effort to make plans as simple as possible.
Can I sell what I build?
Absolutely! Just don’t resell or repost the plans themselves.
General Questions
What tools do I really need?
A drill, circular saw, tape measure, square, and a few clamps will get you through most projects.
Do I need a workshop?
Nope! A driveway or small patio is plenty to get started, just make sure you have a level place to work. If you find you are building several projects a year, creating a small workbench is a great way to store tools and have a dedicated workspace.
What if I mess up?
Wood filler, sanding, or flipping boards goes a long way. Mistakes are part of the process!
What can I do to make my projects look more professional?
Start with straight boards, make accurate cuts, clamp all joints, and line up everything neatly. Sand thoroughly, use a neutral finish, and apply it in light coats for a clean look.
I've never built anything before. Where should I start?
Start with a few smaller softwood projects to get hands-on experience. Or if you're tackling a big project, buy a little extra lumber and practice your cuts and joints first. If possible, work with someone who has a bit of experience.
Care & Maintenance
How long will my furniture last?
With good joinery and regular care, your DIY furniture can last for decades. I have pieces in my own home that are over 20 years old and still going strong! One of the best parts about DIY furniture is that it’s easy to repaint, refinish, or repair—so your projects can grow and adapt with you.
How should I care for outdoor furniture?
Lightly pressure wash or hose it down once or twice a year. Tighten screws and reapply finish as needed to protect it—just like a deck or fence. A little upkeep goes a long way in extending the life of your furniture.
How about indoor furniture?
Regularly dust or wipe with a damp cloth. If it starts to look worn, a light sanding and touch-up paint or stain can refresh it in no time. DIY pieces are meant to be durable and fixable—so don’t be afraid to give them some love now and then.
Want to Build with Confidence?
Check out my ebook: 12 Skills to Build Your Own Furniture
It walks you through the core skills every builder needs—measuring, cutting, joinery, and finishing—so you can build beautiful furniture that lasts.
Still Have Questions?
Email us anytime at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!
Comments
Kate (not verified)
Wed, 03/23/2011 - 06:09
Love this one! I don't have
Love this one! I don't have any kids yet, but I'm going to suggest this to my sister in law. She has a little one who is too big for a high chair and refuses to sit in the "baby" (booster) seat. Might be a perfect solution!
Nichole (not verified)
Wed, 03/23/2011 - 06:40
I love this... Those cheapo
I love this... Those cheapo plastic boosters ruined the finish on my chairs last time... I am so going to build this when my baby is in that stage.
smasumur
Wed, 03/23/2011 - 07:23
Love this chair!
I'd seen the boosterless booster chair at <insert big Swedish furniture maker here> before and though, what an awesome idea. Of course, since I've had kids, I've completely forgotten about it. Now I'm going to have to go build myself at least one of these, maybe more. My kids will love you!
maura (not verified)
Wed, 03/23/2011 - 07:52
Aww, Maaaan :P
I JUST bought a chair of this size from <smasumur knows what Swedish mega store I'm talking about>. Less than a week ago! I should have known better!
Ashley @ pure … (not verified)
Wed, 03/23/2011 - 14:13
woot! woot!
LOVE the chair. and LOVE my dear friend Shaunna! Great feature, as usual, Ana! ;)
annalea
Wed, 03/23/2011 - 20:39
This is great!
I so need one of these. Thank you for posting the plans. As I read, I remembered that my husband's grandmother called her vintage version of this the "junior chair". And it fits. :)
LauraDST (not verified)
Fri, 06/08/2012 - 17:40
Looking at comments on this
Looking at comments on this chair and saw your cute picture and smiled. So should I just have the hubby make a bunch of these?
Guest (not verified)
Tue, 03/29/2011 - 14:21
You read my mind!
I have been looking at your plans longingly without actually building anything because I'm quite the novice. When I saw the plans for the Harriet chair though, I thought, maybe now's the time...and how can I modify that to make it a little higher for my 3 year old? Thanks for not making me tweek it one bit!
Guest (not verified)
Wed, 04/13/2011 - 05:44
Thanks for all your plans!
I can't wait till the snow is all melted and I can make a few of these projects. My girls are going to be spoiled rotten :D Thanks Ana for all your work. MUCH appreciated!!!
Chad (not verified)
Thu, 12/08/2011 - 09:20
A great addition for my daughter's craft station
I built four of these chairs last weekend to go along with a large crafting table I am builing for my six-year-old daughter for Christmas. Paying $40-60 each for four chairs was simply out of the question. I saw these plans and they matched the design of the table project better than anything I had seen in stores. The simple design and low cost were great added benefits! The build was quick and easy, and after filling all of the seams, screw holes and end grains (and LOTS of sanding), the finished product looks great. I can't wait to see the look on my daughter's face and I'm sure these chairs will last for many years to come!
On a side note, I did have one minor issue with the build that was eaisly solved by picking up and extra 2x2. The shopping list calls for 2-2x2x8 (192 board inches) but the cut dimensions equal 192.25 board inches. Try as I might, I couldn't get my board stretcher to work, so I opted to purchase an extra stick. That drove my total cost per chair to a "whopping" $10.25...including the finish! I was able to build 4 chairs for about the same cost as one of the lower-priced "store-bought" chairs. Thanks for the plans and keep up the good work!
jart545 (not verified)
Sat, 06/09/2012 - 12:32
inquiry
Nice chair. Thanks for sharing.
By the way, can you share the materials and specs of the table. I think it is very nice to make both.
Thanks so much.
Jake
moonhopping
Sat, 11/17/2012 - 18:03
pocket holes
This is my second chair. But my first since I got my kreg jig, i am having difficulty with the pocket holes. The drill and bit are to long to fit between the legs and supports. Any tips or ideas?
moonhopping
Sat, 11/17/2012 - 18:05
pocket holes
This is my second chair. But my first since I got my kreg jig, i am having difficulty with the pocket holes. The drill and bit are to long to fit between the legs and supports. Any tips or ideas?
gretaWEBB
Mon, 08/31/2020 - 16:23
Grandson Loves his chair
built this is two (very hot TX) days. we used 1x6 for the seat, cut two, leaving a gap for small fingers to grip as they climb up. Grandson (2.5 year old) mastered the climb the second time. All grown up tested it and love the design and sturdiness of it.