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
Renee (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 01:34
Oh I have wanted one of these
Oh I have wanted one of these for SO long! But I have never built anything since high school shop... could a beginner do this? Really all you need is a jigsaw and screwdriver??
Don't think I've ever commented on your blog, but I love it, and I love how freely you share of your talents. Thanks so much for all the lovely inspiration (even if I never work up the cajones to build anything!)
GreenerLinen (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 02:47
This is a very sweet little
This is a very sweet little bookcase.
My father and I designed and built something like this when I was about 11. (He did most of the designing) But we cut a star design into the top because I was WAY into the constellations at that point.
I think this could be really cute with a personalized design cut into the top too
Keep up the good work.
(P.S. I still have the bookcase we made together. So your children will probably cherish the things you make for them too.)
Leah (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 04:45
As a momma, Ana, do you
As a momma, Ana, do you expect these shelves would support the weight of a toddler? I have 2 climbing boys :)
Grandpa (not verified)
Mon, 12/31/2012 - 14:48
mounting to wall
My daughter has asked me to build these shelves for a future grandchild. I plan to attach them to the wall with four 3 1/2 inch screws. You just need to be sure the screws go into the center of studs, which you can find with an inexpensive stud finder from any hardware store, and that the back shelf supports are firmly attached to the sides of the shelf. I plan to use two studs and two back supports to distribute the stress and make them strong enough to hold two climbers if necessary. Good luck.
Nicole (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 05:36
How would I modify it to
How would I modify it to include the baseboard cut out on the back so that it sits flush on the wall?
Love this so much Ana! Thank you!
Ana White (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 05:39
Nicole, all, I just had this
Nicole, all, I just had this thought myself last night as I went to bed. I would measure the thickness of the baseboard, and then cut out the sides as you are cutting out the top of the sides. Then cut your trim for the footer sides shorter to accommodate this cutout. It's going to need to sit flush with the wall for the books to stay in place.
Laura (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 05:46
I just wanted you to know
I just wanted you to know that my husband bought me a jigsaw for my birthday last week! And this looks like a great way to start using it!!! :)
Jennifer (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 06:03
Another great one to add to
Another great one to add to my growing list of stuff we're going to make. Thanks!! :)
Mommy to a 6 y… (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 08:46
wow! I came across your site
wow! I came across your site last night while googling plans to build a murphy bed...I was hooked after that! I can't wait to try to make some things myself. I'll be starting with something a little easier like a bookcase first tho, lol!!
PickingUpStitches (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 10:03
This is fantastic! I have
This is fantastic! I have been drooling over the various book displays on Ohdeedoh and wondered how I might be able to make one myself.
This is just perfect! I will do the cutouts at the back for our baseboards so it will sit flush with the wall. Our house is only 3 years old too, so I might still be able to find the baseboard trim to use for the bottom of the bookshelf.
rob (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 10:31
Hi Ana,This is unrelated to
Hi Ana,
This is unrelated to today's plan (which by the way are awesome!)...
But are you by any chance the model for a swimsuit collection that Costco is selling? The hot brunette on the huge ads in the Costo store looks completely like you :)
-Bonnie.
Anonymous (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 11:22
I have wanted these for
I have wanted these for FOREVER,and I would have made this my very first project 2 yrs ago when I bought a cheap knock-off from another dept store. I was glad to see the comments about the climbing issues, and I also was thinking about the post on Pottery Barn's reviews about the books needing to be thicker in the bottom shelf because of the wall gap. One review mentioned that Pottery Barn ones were made so that there was NO way to make sure you hit the studs on both sides when installing it, because it was just a bit off. Now I know that I can solve it by making sure I make mine attach 16" so they hit studs both sides, and I don't have to worry about my little climbers (all 6!)
Amanda (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 14:28
I love this and have wanted a
I love this and have wanted a bookcase like this for my son for ages! How would I modify the cuts to make it like the wider 3 shelf one? The wall I want to put a bookcase on is on a slant(cape cod style house) I need a shorter wider shelf unit. I tried to figure it out but I am very mathmatically challenged!
Amanda (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 14:28
I love this and have wanted a
I love this and have wanted a bookcase like this for my son for ages! How would I modify the cuts to make it like the wider 3 shelf one? The wall I want to put a bookcase on is on a slant(cape cod style house) I need a shorter wider shelf unit. I tried to figure it out but I am very mathmatically challenged!
Megan (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 15:33
Happy dance!! Thanks for the
Happy dance!! Thanks for the plan, Ana!
sharla@mylittlegems (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 18:07
We already are planning on
We already are planning on doing this in our new home- when we move soon- but we are mounting it to the wall so that it takes up even less space, and have a little bit different construction in mind. This way it won't get knocked over and it will take up less space. It will be months before I get it built. :) Thanks for sharing your great plans ;)
Christina (not verified)
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 19:13
Ana, I never comment, but I
Ana, I never comment, but I love your blog! I just want you to know (as if you don't already) that you have managed to make a difference in this world in more ways than most of us can dream of. You are not only helping us afford nice, durable furniture during these tough economic times, but you are enabling us to become more self-sufficient and learn skills that could very well serve us in rougher or disasterous times ahead. How lucky that you get to serve such a noble purpose. Thank you!
ps. I love these bookcases. I'm making them for sure!
Jeanne (not verified)
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 02:30
Ok ... so I'm a dishaholic
Ok ... so I'm a dishaholic and I've been trying to think of as way to display more of my dishes. I'm thinking this would make a great shelf to display them on and I could easily change out my display when the mood hits. Thanks for all your wonderful ideas!
Haley (not verified)
Tue, 04/13/2010 - 11:21
There's nothing like a
There's nothing like a built-in wall bookshelf! I left for the afternoon once, and came home to find that my husband had built this in our living room: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thezenofmaking/4518471931/
The Neally Family (not verified)
Wed, 04/21/2010 - 05:49
My husband will have to make
My husband will have to make these. I've been eyeing them on the other site and they've been back ordered for a long time.
Aaron (not verified)
Fri, 05/07/2010 - 14:48
I built this today. It took
I built this today. It took around 3 hours but I think I over did the screws and what not. One of my kids will climb this for sure. It is awesome. Thanks for the plans.
PowerfulMojo (not verified)
Fri, 05/28/2010 - 06:16
Great set of plans!I used a
Great set of plans!
I used a router to dress up the rails & outside edges a bit, and I'm really happy with how that turned out.
Here's a tip: If you're going to route the outside edges, don't forget to stop just above the base boards. That will leave a nice, square edge to tack them to instead of the little gap I have :-).
Melissa (not verified)
Fri, 06/04/2010 - 06:04
I built this as my first
I built this as my first project and I'm very proud of it! My 2 year old daughter is very excited to have a special place for her books and all three of my boys want one now, too! I am looking forward to building many more items along with this one three more times. At $119 each four of these would have been a budget buster!! Thank you for the great plans!!
Johanna (not verified)
Sat, 06/12/2010 - 18:34
This is so awesome! I have
This is so awesome! I have been wanting something just like this. I would love some modified plans so you could hang this flush on the wall like this book shelf here at land of nod:
http://www.landofnod.com/family.aspx?c=89&f=857
Four Easy Ways… (not verified)
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 15:24
[...] Ana White strikes again
[...] Ana White strikes again with this simple build, plans here. [...]
Heather C (not verified)
Fri, 10/15/2010 - 06:23
These were awesome plans,
These were awesome plans, easy to modify. Thanks so much!
Kristin (not verified)
Sat, 11/20/2010 - 09:33
We just built this and it was
We just built this and it was super quick and easy. We made it with only three shelves and didn't do the cut out at the top - just rounded the corners. We didn't put any moulding at the bottom either, so it's kinda blocky but that's ok with me. I'm about to paint it red and the hardest part of the whole project is trying to decide if I should spray paint or brush/roll it!
The Girls Nurs… (not verified)
Sun, 11/21/2010 - 11:13
[...] put up the ‘butterfly
[...] put up the ‘butterfly kisses & ladybug hugs’ expression. The plan is to build some wall book shelves beneath that somewhere down the line. Maybe with some of their Christmas/birthday money in a couple [...]
Brandee Spohr (not verified)
Wed, 01/05/2011 - 10:28
Yay, my dad just made this
Yay, my dad just made this for my 3yo!! It holds a ton of books and we placed it on a very short wall that would not hold anything else. I love it!
heiartlop
Wed, 04/13/2011 - 09:42
Our first! But shorter and wider.
Ana,
I looooove your website. I have high respect for what you do, and with 4 children! I would love to do what you do!
Too often my husband asks what I am doing on the computer, and he is never surprised to see that I am looking at stuff on your site. So, this book rack was our first project. We built it shorter and wider, though, to fit the girls' space. I am posting pictures in the brag blog.
Thanks for everything!
DeeDee (not verified)
Tue, 06/07/2011 - 05:27
Plate Rack
These plans really remind me of a cottage style plate rack. Do you suppose that I could modify this to suit that. I have a perfect place for it! If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, please let me in on your secrets!
Thanks!
Lesley (not verified)
Sat, 06/18/2011 - 05:58
Great Project
I got a wild hair and went the the hardware store and gathered everything on the material list. I came home and completed this project in a few short hours. It looks so great and is so appropriate for a childs room. My children love books and they can access the books themselves. I just love it. I am going to do a bunk bed next. Then some tables and storage for my sewing room!
Thanks!!!!