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
Lacy (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:12
LOVE it! I have been planning
LOVE it! I have been planning redoing my bathroom but this needs built before all of it starts.
Ashley (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:23
I am so building this for the
I am so building this for the PLAYROOM! The buckets my kids have in there now are overflowing and the cheap press board shelves they sit on are on their last legs after 2 moves. This will be great for all the dress up clothes, and Barbies!
shannon boozer (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:23
I AM IN LOVE!!!!! love love
I AM IN LOVE!!!!! love love love love love love love this!!! I don't think i can say it enough!!! thanks so much for sharing (you and your sisters) amazing ideas:)
Tonia (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:26
O M G !!!! This is the
O M G !!!! This is the coolest thing EVER!! I have wanted my husband to help me build something for my laundry clean, dirty, and in the bedrooms!! This could just be for way more than dirty or clean clothes!! My couch could finally be cleaned off. I can not wait to see what the genious people come up with for this!! And ANA yo are us simply amazing and your sisters too!!!
Everday I soooo look forward to what you are going to post!!
Kim (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:36
I want one of these so badly!
I want one of these so badly! We keep our laundry sorter in our bedroom, and it just doesn't look nice. This is definitely going on my to make list!
Jamie (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:38
Hey Ana, I want to see that
Hey Ana, I want to see that rolling cart that is next to your laundry dresser!
Jamie (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:42
As someone who is standing
As someone who is standing knee deep in clean laundry at the food of my bed, I'm loving this!
Julie (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:45
GENIUS!!! With 5 children
GENIUS!!! With 5 children this would come in SO handy. I never have enough room for all of the laundry, clean & dirty, because like you...mine doesn't see the dressers often enough :)! Now it won't matter if I can't ever catch up, it'll look like I do. THANKS!!
Dawn Cote (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:49
Ana, This is beyond
Ana,
This is beyond amazing!!! I absolutely LOVE this idea. Laundry is one of those things I am a bit OCD about and this will work perfectly to get things sorted properly, efficiently, keep things simple and off the floor. I personally would pay big money for this plan in return for the peace and sanity I know it will bring. You are my hero!!!
P.S. I second the request for more info on the rolling cart.....folding space anyone?
Amy (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:51
What a great idea. I have a
What a great idea. I have a small laundry room too, and have been trying to figure out how to consolidate the baskets to make more room. I also love that the laundry basket was made in the USA! Great choice.
Leah (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 05:06
It's so nice to hear someone
It's so nice to hear someone else gets their laundry washed but hardly ever put away. This sure solves my problem while I wait for more closet storage plans. And afterward, I'm sure... ;)
Kelly (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 05:10
What a great idea!! I thought
What a great idea!! I thought of you when I came across this furniture website and it had a lot of really interesting unique furniture ideas I'm sure you could run wild with :)
http://www.callesella.com/modern-contemporary-furniture/modern-children…
Jennifer (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 05:13
Ana, could I add a door
Ana, could I add a door front, or do the laundry baskets stick out? I'm thinking this would be great in our bathroom, but I'd like for the laundry part to be hidden. ;)
Maureen (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 05:17
I think I will modify this
I think I will modify this idea to make something for my garage for the recycle bins to slide in . . . our are just taking up floor space out there! Great plans!
Jessica Harris (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 05:24
These remind me of the toy
These remind me of the toy tub holders from Ikea. I would love these to store toys in the playroom! The kids could just pull out their tubs dump them and fill them back up easily!
Hugh (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 05:41
Ana I think you reversed the
Ana I think you reversed the top and bottom measurements.
Molly (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 05:47
Oh Bless you that is
Oh Bless you that is fabulous!!! Just what I needed!!!!
Sunny (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 05:58
This is brilliant. My only
This is brilliant. My only question is how well will the basket handles/lips hold up from always having weight on them. I think I would probably add something for underneath the baskets.
Actually what I would really love is something like this except in laundry size. That way I don't have to convince the men in my house to pull out a drawer, they can just toss it in.:

http://kidsdecorgalore.com/library/2ELR_0100_NO.gisugahtate (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:06
So can you get one or two of
So can you get one or two of these out of a sheet of 3/4" plywood?
CKay (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:06
I love this idea!! And you
I love this idea!! And you could label the baskets so each family member could put away their own clothes. I have found it hard to fold AND put away, but when the folding is done, putting away is easy. The reverse is true too (I think) that if you know you won't have to put away all the clothes yourself its not such a chore to fold. I like things that help to teach my kids a bit of personal responsibility and to work together.
Catherine (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:09
This idea is exactly what
This idea is exactly what moms everywhere need! My "laundry room" is actually in my front hallway, so I usually have some ugly hampers literally full of my dirty laundry for all to see. But stashing it it far away from the washer dryer is just too inconvenient.
I have a question, though: I want to hang a little tension cafe rod with some fabric in front so people won't necessarily know what's sitting in our front entryway. Would an inch of clearance make it so the curtain would hang straight? I guess I would need to find a 15" laundry basket rather than trying for a 17" width board? It would be fabulous if I could just find attractive baskets, instead. Any ideas, commenters?
Heather (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:10
Once again BRILLIANT! I
Once again BRILLIANT! I wanted to mention that these are the exact baskets you can get on clearance from Target once the college dorm things go on sale. Just in case anyone decided to do this next year!
Celestra (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:10
Laundry basket dresser where
Laundry basket dresser where have you been all my life!?! Perfect, this is going in my laundry room ASAP. No more dirty clothes piles on the floor and an extra folding surface... I love it : )
Tanjia (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:10
Wow!! This idea would work
Wow!! This idea would work great for toy storage, too. Especially when the stuffy situation is totally out of control. I'm thinking with a few tweaks I can also use something like this for my husband to store his photography equipment in.
You are amazing.
Holly (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:11
Love it. I am seeing a cute
Love it. I am seeing a cute name tag for each of my kids on the laundry baskets and using it for the folded clean stuff that needs to be put away (drives me crazy that they always leave it sitting on the stairs, couch, etc)
Crystal R (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:21
I. Love. You.
I. Love. You.
Anna (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:30
my only concern is the weight
my only concern is the weight of the laundry pulling on the basket handles. Have you used it to see yet? I was thinking you could put the two side by side and have one top across to fold on??? Would the height work? I also like the idea of having casters on it to move it around if need be. What a great idea!
Treva (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:30
My laundry room is only the
My laundry room is only the size of a small closet, so I don't have the floor space for this. I think it might work though if we attach it as cabinets on the wall above the washing machine and dryer. This would solve the mountain of laundry that ends up in my master bedroom. Thanks so much, Ana.
KaraHart (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 07:18
I DEFINITELY have a laundry
I DEFINITELY have a laundry problem and could so use this!!! I'm adding this to my KOW to-build list. It's only about 10 pages long...you seem like a miracle worker...could you make time stand still so I can do all of these projects on my to-do list please?! Thanks for the great plans, as always!
mary johnson (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 07:21
I actually thought of this
I actually thought of this same idea myself and was looking to patent it. However when I called the patent office they showed me how to do an extensive search, and sure enough someone already patented the idea. I was so upset because I thought I had something here. Now the people that own the patent have done nothing to market this, which is unfortunate as I would purchase one immediately. I actually found this site when I was searching to see if someone put this to market yet. Guess I'll have to get my husband to build me some....
Thanks for the specs, this will make it easier for him.... :)
Tressa Willson (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 07:33
I love this idea of using it
I love this idea of using it for shoes and toys! The baskets can be taken out and about the house collecting the stray items.
Terri Camp (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 07:34
Excellent! I just posted an
Excellent! I just posted an article about laundry room sorting - this is perfect to go along with it. I'm going to link to this! With seven kids still at home - this is a fabulous idea!
Terri "Ta-Dah Mom" Camp
Ana White (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 07:41
Just wanted to comment that
Just wanted to comment that laundry baskets by nature have reinforced lips for carrying large loads, and most laundry baskets break first in the actual basket and not the handle. In other words, laundry baskets are designed to be held by the rim, thus I expect the baskets to hold up. Thank you everyone for liking and commenting, I myself and just as excited to put my laundry away!
Kirsten (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 08:00
I seriously cannot believe
I seriously cannot believe how genius this idea is!!!! I used to have one of those 3-compartment rolling ones, but in my tiny space it was so cumbersome. But to go UP!!! YAY!!!
Crystal (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 08:00
I love this idea!!!!!
I love this idea!!!!!
Ana White (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 08:02
two. and some extra for
two. and some extra for shelving in the middle :)
Ana White (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 08:04
Just make the boards a little
Just make the boards a little wider for a door :)
Cortney (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 08:04
I have a laundry problem!!
I have a laundry problem!! This is perfect :)
Aleah @ HeyBak… (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 08:19
This is awesome!! My laundry
This is awesome!! My laundry NEVER makes it to the folding stage - I usually take a load and put it on our bed hoping to fold it before bed. But my husband usually is in bed first, so it gets heaped on the floor. Then it grows and takes a couple weeks before we put everythig away again and start over. This is a great system - thanks for the info!
Lynn (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 08:32
This is quite similar to what
This is quite similar to what I had envisioned - and have been hoping someone would build for me. I've been looking online for something to buy with a similar structure, but haven't found it. My vision had wood shelves instead of the rails. While that is a neat way to minimize the wood in the structure, I agree with Sunny in regards to how well the basket edges will hold up long-term to having a load suspended. I am definitely gonna show these plans to whomever I can rope into building me something! So cool!
Owlhaven (Mary… (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 08:58
Yup! I do the same thing.
Yup! I do the same thing. Here's how mine looks! http://www.owlhaven.net/2009/04/21/organization-laundry-room-tips/ We have one basket for each bedroom, and sort straight from the dryer into baskets, so people always know where to look for their things.
Mary, mom to 10
Ashley Pichea (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 09:09
Great idea! You could use
Great idea! You could use this same idea with other storage baskets for extra storage all over the house!
Nikki (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 09:41
I love this idea but for
I love this idea but for RECYCLING bins. :) May make hubby do this for our back deck as I haaate having bins all over the place to keep things sorted. Love love love
Heather (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 10:16
I agree that this looks like
I agree that this looks like an amazing useful contraption! But mostly, I'm glad to see so many other people's bedrooms/ laundry rooms looks like a huge monster threw up clothes all over the place!!!
Alicia (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 10:24
I Love this idea.
I Love this idea.
Heather B. (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 10:37
GREATEST IDEA EVER! Thanks
GREATEST IDEA EVER! Thanks so much for sharing. Oh and I was at Walmart this morning over by the laundry baskets and the one you bought in Alaska for 3.50 is 4.00 here in Ohio!
Maria (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 10:57
You know I love everything
You know I love everything you do, but this is simply GENIUS! I have been trying to figure out a better system for the giant pile I call Mt. Washmore, and this is the answer! THANK YOU!
Meg (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 11:05
Oh man. You did it again.
Oh man. You did it again. This might be the best thing ever - I mean next to the tryde tables, the vintage crate carts and the 10 buck shelves we have already made that we thought were the "best plans ever!"
Thank you again Ana for sharing your talents and creativity!
Renee (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 11:13
I was almost speechless when
I was almost speechless when I saw this post! I was JUST planning something like this in my head!! I thought... come on, there has to be a better laundry system than what I have going on!!!!!! You absolutely read my mind! So super pumped to make these... that my daughters farmhouse bed might have to be put on hold! I wanna run and buy lumber immediately!!!
Thanks again for sharing... always a blessing!!!
mamma_joy (not verified)
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 13:48
Two months ago when I was
Two months ago when I was searching for what to do with my laundry (and my whole family rolled their eyes as I complained of why I couldn't stand the two rows of cloth laundry sorters) I really could have used this (and the other support--I thought I was the only one!). I looked all over for something besides regular sorters and couldn't find what I envisioned. I finally came up with a unit similar to yours but with shelves, but it works the same as what you've made. I will need to get my piles sorted so I can take a picture of the final product. It is so much more functional than the cloth sorters and I only knew how to do it because of you! (Ana, you have changed my world!) I did get $4 steralite colored containers so it's easy for my family to help me sort--mainly my four year old that doesn't know yet that laundry isn't fun!