Farmhouse Hall Tree

farmhouse hall tree free plans
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Free plans to build a Farmhouse Hall Tree. Step by step plans include shopping list, cut list, and detailed diagrams to help you build your own hall tree.

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Why We Built this Hall Tree

My friends Ashley and Whitney from Shanty2Chic asked me to design a Hall Tree Plan that they could build for their little sister. This one provides tons of storage, tons of opportunities for hooks (hang a set low for kids back packs too!) and is quite pretty too! Here's from the Shanty2Chic girls: Ash and I teamed up on this build! We found a great hall tree to build for our baby sister who is buying her first house. Everything was great minus the $1400 price tag! So... We enlisted the help of our sweet friend Ana to help us create our very own at a fraction of the cost. We love it so much that we might just keep it in Ashley's house and build another one ;-) ! Good luck building! Please share photos with us when you are done!

 

Free Plans for Farmhouse Hall Tree

Dimensions
Farmhouse hall tree dimensions
Dimensions shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 1 sheet ¾” plywood ripped into strips 15 ¾” wide (referred to as 1x16 in plan)
  • 2 – 1x4 @ 8 feet long
  • 2 – 1x2 @ 8 feet long
  • 3 – 1x3 @ 8 feet long
  • 1 – 1x6 @ 4 feet long
  • 1 – 1x12 @ 4 feet long
  • 1 – sheet ½” plywood (if you need to you can rip into strips 16” wide to transport)
  • 8 feet of 2 ¼” base moulding
  • 1 ¼” PH screws
  • 1 ¼” finish nails
Cut List
  • 1 – 1x16 @ 49 ½”
  • 1 – 1x16 @ 46 ½”
  • 2 – 1x16 @ 14”
  • 2 – 1x16 @ 17 ¼”
  • 2 – 1x3 @ 46 ½”
  • 1 – 1x2 @ 49 ½”
  • 1 – 1x2 @ 48”
  • 2 – 1x2 @ 15 ¾”
  • 1 – 1x3 @ 45”

BACK

  • 2 – 1x4 @ 56”
  • 2 – 1x3 @ 47”
  • 6 – 1x3 @ 12”
  • 1 – 1x4 @ 41”
  • 1 – 1x6 @ 41”
  • 2 – 1x12 @ 24”
  • Back is ½” plywood 48” x 74”
Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular Saw
Jigsaw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander
Drill Bit Set
General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

Start by building the bench storage area. It's pretty simple, just follow along the plans and you'll be fine!

TIP: If you want to use larger moulding on the bottom, you could raise the bottom by 1" (making the dividers 1" shorter) and use a 1x4 instead of a 1x3 for support.

Step 2

Now add the bottom supports. These are so when someone heavy sits on the hall tree the weight is transferred directly to the floor.

Step 3

Build your face frame with 3/4" PHs and 1 1/4" PH screws and attach with 1 1/4" finish nails and glue.

Step 4

Wrap the bottom in 2 1/4" base moulding.

TIP: If you made the bottom higher, you will want to use 3 1/4" base moulding.

Step 5

Step 6

Now add the top moulding. A simple 1x2 on top would be cute too!

Step 7

You can use leftover plywood to cut these out too! From the 1x12, mark the pattern and carefully cut out with jigsaw. Clamp the two pieces together and sand until they match exactly. Attach in place.

Step 8

Now add the back. The back is shown in three just in case you had to cut it to fit it in your car.

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.

Comments

shechrissy (not verified)

Mon, 08/13/2012 - 13:17

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

I've been searching for plans to build my own hall tree for SO LONG! We eyed up some really nice ones for sale for over $400, but they're constructed with poor quality pressed wood that would probably become damaged in transit. I'm a single mom with such a cluttered entryway, and this project will be perfect for our household! I can't wait to tweak the design and add our own personal touches to it.

I can't say it nearly enough,

THANK YOU!!!

RL (not verified)

Mon, 08/13/2012 - 13:53

This is so great! I can't tell from the picture, have you removed the baseboard behind this unit?

dbizzle

Wed, 12/11/2013 - 12:15

It would probably be easier to shorten the back and start it above the baseboard.

TiffanyW (not verified)

Mon, 08/13/2012 - 14:53

Thank you so much!! I've been trying to make my own plans for this and lets say I just gave up. I'm soon to be opening up a family day care in my home and bought cubbys for their coats and backpacks but I wanted it raised off of the floor so that getting shoes on and off of 8 children multiple time daily would be less of a chore! This, I think, will be perfect if I can figure out how to add a shelf to store bedding for the tots who still need naps! This couldn't have came at a better time!! I was looking at a pin on pinterest that called for buying a TV unit from IKEA but one, it was too small and two, out of our price range. This I can make fit exactly what we need. Thank you again!!

craftyalien (not verified)

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 10:30

I love it. I may do a 2/3 version because my walls are tiny, but that is perfect. My next house is going to be craftsman style and the design is perfect.

theJam (not verified)

Wed, 08/15/2012 - 21:06

Now on to finishing!

Great plans, btw, only two caveats, you need 3 1x3's to get all the cuts, instead of the 2 that are listed here as well as an additional 1x4, unless your boards are just a bit over 8 feet, you won't make the length you need for a solid build.

If my math or cut configuration is off, please let me know so I can figure out what I did wrong!

Thanks!

Sugar (not verified)

Mon, 11/26/2012 - 17:16

I followed your advice and got an extra 1x3 and 1x4 just incase. I didn't need the extra 1x4, but three 1x3s are required! I love reviews. Thanks for the tip! (an extra 1x4 is better than an extra trip to the lumber store!) :)

Jennifer McManus (not verified)

Thu, 09/13/2012 - 10:10

What color stain did you use?

Kristie Mitchell (not verified)

Mon, 10/15/2012 - 07:09

I came across your site a few weeks ago and so glad I did! I've always wanted a hall tree, but never willing to pay the crazy prices. My husband, our two girls and I built this in no time and we had the BEST time. It was very easy to build. We look forward to building more from your site. Thank you so much!!!

SCollings (not verified)

Tue, 10/16/2012 - 10:31

I am working on this now and I have the storage area built. I have a few questions. On the plans, they call for 3/4" PHs and 1 1/4 PH screws. I understand the 1 1/4 screws, but what is the 3/4" PHs they are talking about? Also, for the top frame, how are all of the pieces attached together? I just can't figure it out. :-) I am soooo excited to have this in my home, it is beautiful! One more thing... The plan calls for 2 1X4s but you actually need 3 to get all of the cuts. Nothing another trip to Home Depot didn't fix. :-)

Mike Meadows (not verified)

Wed, 10/31/2012 - 08:47

The PHs that are mentioned are referring to "Pocket Holes". Ana is a fan of Kreg pocket-hole joinery and recommends using a Kreg Jig for such tasks. Search for Kreg Jig and wait for a whole new world of projects to open up.

The joints that you are referring to in this project are created by using Pocket Holes on the back face of the wainscot grid. Never to be seen by anyone once you put the backing on.

Best of luck!

Joanjema (not verified)

Mon, 12/10/2012 - 09:45

I am so glad I found your blog again! It used to be on my favorites, but my computer crashed! I have yet to try any of your projects, but I am always so amazed at your work!! Can't wait to see more of your creations:)

Doreen (not verified)

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 13:01

Hello,

I would like to build this and just looked through your directions and was wondering how do you screw on the sides and tops etc without having the screw holes showing???

Heidi Harrod (not verified)

Wed, 01/02/2013 - 11:15

I have been searching for something for my entry way and this will be just perfect! Everything I have priced has been from 500-2000! That's just insane. I am so excited to make this and fill the empty space in my foyer! Thank you!

Heidi Harrod (not verified)

Wed, 01/02/2013 - 11:15

I have been searching for something for my entry way and this will be just perfect! Everything I have priced has been from 500-2000! That's just insane. I am so excited to make this and fill the empty space in my foyer! Thank you!

Laura McDaniel (not verified)

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 13:49

I just finished your project and I love it! Great plans, easy to follow and I love my finished product! Check it out here:

laurabethmcd.blogspot.com

justindalby

Thu, 10/16/2014 - 05:40

Love this and am modifying the plans to fit my area.  A couple of questions, though, how do you attach the 2 inside vertical supports (14") in the bench?  Also, How do you attached the decorative sides?  Am I supposed to use finishing nails for these pieces?

samhully

Mon, 11/24/2014 - 08:37

this may sound stupid but what is the seat bit made of ?? is it a 15 3/4" x 17 1/4"?

Neilsick

Fri, 01/22/2016 - 18:33

are the few images on this page the only plans, or is there a detailed list of instructions somewhere? Step 1 says to build the bench and follow the plans, but I don't see any plans, then it just moves on to step two. 

mgrundmeyer

Mon, 06/20/2016 - 10:44

Hi! I have 1x6" baseboards and I'm trying to figure out how to account for them. Could I use 3/4" plywood instead of 1/2" and start the back boards higher, so they sit above the baseboards?

 

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

MichaelD41

Tue, 02/28/2017 - 16:48

This may have been mentioned in the comments and if I missed it, sorry I'm making you repeat yourself. What are you attaching the plywood with? Finishing nails or screws? I don't think it was said in the plans for the build. Thanks in advance. 

Don Ellery

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 09:49

I used gorilla glue and 18 GA 1 1/4" brad nails.  Be careful about nail length, depending on which plywood and face boards you use, board width is slighly different and brads might penetrate through the front of your piece and splinter the wood (this happened to me on my first nail, using select pine for face boards).  I recommend playing it safe and either attaching from the front and filling with wood filler or using shorter brad nails.

 

Don

Agripp06

Thu, 12/28/2017 - 17:18

 I am a single parent and my entryway is so cluttered with all of my kids stuff  and I  really want to build this but I haven’t EVER built anything before. Step 2 is confusing me big time. Is there any way to tell me on the cut list what each piece is for? 

Egillming

Thu, 12/28/2017 - 17:59

The step 2 image shows the boards required and can be determined which boards are in the cut list by their length and size, 1x2, 1x3 etc. Step 2 boards are the last 4 boards specified on the cut list. Hope that helps.

Egillming

Thu, 12/28/2017 - 18:05

The step 2 boards can be seen in the image and can be determined by the length and size of wood 1x2, 1x3,  etc.  Hope this helps.

The step 2 boards are the following from the cut list.

1 – 1x2 @ 49 ½”
1 – 1x2 @ 48”
2 – 1x2 @ 15 ¾”
1 – 1x3 @ 45”

Mhoban156

Wed, 01/29/2020 - 03:16

Greetings,,,, Very nice piece,,,, I am about 1/2 way thru building and will post photos at the end,,,

Either I am reading the Shopping/Cut  list incorrectly or something is up.... the Shopping list calls for two 1x4x8' 's and the cut list says  two 1x4@ 56" and One 1x4@41" ....  so you can't get two 56" boards from an  8'  (96")  board...  and consequently once you cut 2 -  56"'s out of 96"'s - that leaves you with 40 inches,,, where is the 41" coming from ???

Dyork

Sun, 06/14/2020 - 15:02

Is there a pattern for the side piece on top of the bench that connects the bench to the back? New to woodworking and not sure if I can get it to look good.