Community Brag Posts

Full size storage bed with trundle

Submitted by ellehcim88 on Fri, 08/14/2020 - 15:14

Full size storage bed with trundle. Three drawers and a trundle on one side and four drawers on the other. I started with the farmhouse design (headboard and footboard) and modified it to make it not so heavy and I designed the rest using SketchUp. See more photos in blog link.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$1000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White satin finish latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Bed with Storage and Bookshelf footboard

Submitted by rbgreene04 on Sat, 05/21/2016 - 15:50

I altered the plans just a bit so that I could make use of the drawer closest to the headboard, while using bedside tables as well (not the ugly ones in the pictures, but some that only exist in my mind as of now). With the plan as is, I didn't think that first drawer would be able to open if you have a nightstand. So I left about a 17" gap that can be used as an open shelf for storage, and still had room for 3 drawers. I also wanted to include a bookshelf as the footboard to make it multifunctional. We have a ton of books and no place to store them (fear not, a large bookshelf/media center is coming soon!) I also altered the top of the headboard just a bit to give it more texture and visual appeal (hopefully, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder so I've been told). Lastly, I did not put the 1/4" plywood backing on the drawer carcasses. They were pretty sturdy as is, and only got more sturdy as they were attached to the headboard and footboard; I'm not worried about racking at all. Leaving the back off also allows me to pull the drawers out and access some hidden storage in between the two drawer carcasses. 

I wanted a simple finish, so I rubbed it with dark walnut Danish oil. Super simple finish and I think it'll hold up as the bed is not like a desk that needs poly or something. 

Estimated Cost
Cost? Great question! I build things, but don't keep track of receipts. Whoops! It's a major flaw of mine, and I'm working on it. I'd estimate just shy of $300.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I sanded to 120 and then lathered on Dark walnut Danish oil. I let it soak into the wood, and boy was the wood thirsty. Then reapplied after about 30 minutes and wiped off the excess, which there wasn't much excess--did I mention the wood was thirsty?
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

ciara5545

Sun, 08/28/2016 - 19:50

This bed turned out amazing.  I love the modifications and agree the first drawer will be more usable.

DIY Outdoor Wood Furniture

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/21/2024 - 07:36

My daughter wanted patio furniture but did not want to spend a ton of money. The total project cost around $400. We used treated 2x4’s for the frame. We found $45 cushion sets, the rug and accessory pillows at Big Lots. I love we used different colors for the chair s and love seat.

Jennifer Poarch

Seasonal And Holiday

Lean-To Shed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/24/2023 - 13:17

I’m a first year teacher of construction class at Waterloo High School in Illinois. We recently used your Small Cedar shed instructions with some modifications for a class project. It’s a bear getting cedar right now, so we used T1-11 for the outside and 2x4 for the frame.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Playhouse Loft Bed with Stairs

Submitted by Karajoy on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 18:12

When I showed my husband the plans for this playhouse loft bed on Ana's site, he decided that we needed to build it for our daughter for Christmas. We combined the two plans for the Playhouse & the stairs and modified it slightly to fit our space. We had left-over carpet which we used on the stairs. She absolutely LOVES it!! And secretly, I think her 3 older brothers do, too. Thanks SO much, Ana!!

Estimated Cost
350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint is BHG Pink Carnation.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Phillip (not verified)

Wed, 01/04/2012 - 14:17

How can I get a copy of the plans?

Anonymous Coward (not verified)

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 07:16

Philip and Guest -
The plans are free, and click on the links in the post

From Plan: (plans are linked here)

Shameka (not verified)

Tue, 11/13/2012 - 18:29

Hey,
How do I get a copy of the plans for this bed? I would love to do this for my daughter for a birthday gift. I have gone to the section where it says plans but there is no link to click on. Thanks in advance.

Guest (not verified)

Tue, 01/17/2012 - 09:20

I would like to know how to get a copy of the plans for this bed. This is exactly what I want to do in my little girls room but I have not beed able to find plans. Thanks!

In reply to by Guest (not verified)

Karajoy

Fri, 01/27/2012 - 21:44

If you look in the section above, you'll see "From Plan:" There are two links (they're black and don't look like links. You'll need to hover over them). One for the basic bed and one for the stairs.

kelly.abbott (not verified)

Tue, 01/17/2012 - 18:38

I do not see the plans for the playhouse loft bed. Where is it located? Can you email it to me or post the link?

Guest (not verified)

Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:57

Hi, I was wondering what age group this is best suited for? I can't tell from the size of the pictures, and my daughter is only 2.

In reply to by Guest (not verified)

Karajoy

Fri, 01/27/2012 - 21:38

I would say your 2 year old daughter is a little young for a bed this high. I think general guidelines would suggest waiting until age 6 for lofted and bunked beds, but I think that's being very cautious. Our daughter is just about to turn 4 and she does fine in it.

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Wed, 01/25/2012 - 11:29

You did a great job! That looks fantastic!

I'm going to be making this bed within the next month or two for my daughter. She's 4 (will be 5 in April). I know the overall design isn't *that* high off the floor, but my daugter has a tendency to roll out of bed...often. LOL

Do you find the guardrail/slats are high enough to prevent roll offs, or should I add some height to them when I build?

Yours turned out awesome! I can see why your daughter (and sons) love the bed!

Cindy

In reply to by Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Karajoy

Fri, 01/27/2012 - 21:34

Hi Cindy.
Thanks for your kind words.
We had the same concerns about our daughter rolling or falling out. She is almost 4, but still had rails on her previous bed. We put the slats that the mattress sits on in the very lowest possible position and actually traded twin mattresses with her brother who had a thinner mattress. Her's had a pillow-top and even the extra 2 inches made quite a difference.
There are nearly 9 inches between the top of her mattress and the top of the rails which is plenty to prevent accidental roll-outs, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to add extra if it would make you more comfortable.
Now if we could just keep her from standing up there, I'd feel a whole lot better. lol
Good luck with yours.
Kara

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Sat, 01/28/2012 - 07:27

Hey Kara,

Thank you so much for replying! That does make me feel more comfortable that there will be around 9" between the mattress top and the rail top. Not sure yet if I'll add a bit more or not, but it's good to hear how it worked out for you guys. Now I'll be hoping to keep my little dare devil from trying to 'fly' off the top of it and we'll be good to go. LOL

Thanks, again! That was really helpful.

Cindy

Guest (not verified)

Thu, 01/26/2012 - 12:59

Hi! LOVE THIS!!! Am planing on making for my daughter. Any chance there are plans for this in a Full Size bed?

In reply to by Guest (not verified)

Karajoy

Fri, 01/27/2012 - 21:48

I've seen some posts on Ana's Brag Boards of these lofts with full sized mattresses on top. Ana's original plan is a twin bed, but others have modified it to suit their needs. You may just want to search and see if anyone has included their plans for a full. Sorry I can't be more help. Good luck!

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 01/30/2012 - 08:09

I will be making this for my boys. For the guard rail, I will be making it go all the way to the ceiling, since they like to jump off of things. They will get a kick out of it because it will be a "wild animal cage", lol.

In reply to by Guest (not verified)

Karajoy

Sat, 02/04/2012 - 16:14

Love it! It takes the safety issue out of the equation totally. Great idea. I know they'll LOVE it, too.

JessiW (not verified)

Tue, 01/31/2012 - 18:32

That is very nice if you dont mind me asking how long did you make that one... I am wanting to make one for my daughter but I dont have 103 inches that called for in the one plan...

In reply to by JessiW (not verified)

Karajoy

Sat, 02/04/2012 - 16:10

We made our bed to the exact specifications that Ana gave (103"), however, if you need to save space, you could leave the stairs off and opt for the ladder.

Kelly Kelley (not verified)

Tue, 02/07/2012 - 15:42

I tried to get the plans for this bed and I cant seem to locate. Could you help please? Thank you!! What a beautiful bed!!

In reply to by Kelly Kelley (not verified)

Karajoy

Wed, 02/15/2012 - 18:34

Hi Kelly,
There are links to the 2 plans in the "ABOUT THIS PROJECT" section above. Just hover your cursor over the "From Plans:" and the links will change color. They appear black and therefore, don't look like they're linked to anything. They're both there. Good luck!!

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 02/10/2012 - 14:23

I cannot find the plans to this bed. Could you email them to me ? Abby

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 02/24/2012 - 17:03

We were looking for plans to build a loft bed to save space in our 3.5 year old daughters room. My husband found this and we are sold on this idea. She is going to flip when she sees her new bed! Love it!

Amanda D. (not verified)

Mon, 03/05/2012 - 20:01

Hi there, I was wondering if you could tell me where you got the fabulous little washer and dryer combo that I see in the photo. I know the sweet owl painting is from target, but I love the little play space you seem to have created! :)

In reply to by Amanda D. (not verified)

Karajoy

Mon, 03/19/2012 - 19:42

The little set inside is from Playskool's Rose Petal Cottage collection. It's a little miniature set and worked perfectly in this space.

Kirstie (not verified)

Sat, 03/17/2012 - 22:52

I LOVE this so much! I love the color scheme as well, we decided to copy the scheme in my daughter's room. I was wondering where you got the curtain from? Did you buy it or make it yourself? It's almost exactly the color of the green paint we bought so I would love to know. Also, I love the washer and dryer too, also curious about that. Thanks!

In reply to by Kirstie (not verified)

Karajoy

Mon, 03/19/2012 - 19:40

Hi Kristie.
I made the little curtain and the little washer/stove/sink set are from the Playskool Rose Petal Cottage collection. Good luck building your playhouse. It's a little girl's dream!!

Guest (not verified)

Wed, 03/21/2012 - 20:27

Hi Kara,
I'm really interested in building two of these for my girls... they caught my attention because they've been asking for a bunk bed and I don't want to do a bunk bed because I hate the idea of struggling to change the bedsheets. Just wondering if it's a hassle with a bed this height.

Yours looks amazing, btw!

Thanks,
Sarah

gabey2329 (not verified)

Tue, 04/10/2012 - 11:18

oh my god i love this it would be awesome for my daughter also. were you able to stay in your budget???? do you think is a safe style for a 3 year old? she would go absolutely nuts!

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 04/13/2012 - 20:17

so beautiful! if i wanted to do this with a full mattress how would i tweak the measurements? i want to do this with a full with the stairs... just so she can be in the bed for a longer period and also the space underneath to be a bit bigger... also if i wanted to make the stairs have a drawer? i really would appreciate alll the feedback if possible because im so far from handy... :-/ and 1 more thing how did u get a light down there?

Veahava

Fri, 05/11/2012 - 18:27

I was wondering if once put together is it easy to take apart? My dad builds houses for a living and was going to make it for my daughter at his house then bring it to mine to set it up

Sharlean (not verified)

Sun, 06/10/2012 - 14:40

My husband and I just finished making this bed with stairs for our 3 year old and he loves it.

Rebeccaguest (not verified)

Tue, 06/12/2012 - 06:41

what age would you reccommend this for?? my son is 3 n a half and i woant to attempt to make this bed, but dont want to spend time and money if i will have to buy him a new bed in a couple of years. i would like it to last a good while. also, like veahava, i was wondering if this was easy to dismantle once put together as i am planning a move in the future, thankyou

winter_baby26

Thu, 06/28/2012 - 07:43

This looks amazing! I'm sure your daughter was thrilled. I can't believe it only cost $350 to build - I have no doubt you would pay significantly more than that if you bought something similar at a store.

Claire_UK (not verified)

Tue, 10/02/2012 - 02:14

This is absolutely divine - you are so talented! I have just found this website and can't imagine I'd ever be able to make something so beautiful. Putting up a shelf is beyond me. Your daughter must be so proud of her little nighttime palace!

Christine N (not verified)

Sun, 10/21/2012 - 20:01

I am trying to get the plans for this bed with the stairs but when I click on the link it doesn't give me the plans. Help, my granddaughter would love love love this. Thank you so much.

Nikki_DivaMomm… (not verified)

Thu, 12/06/2012 - 20:30

I LOVE this bed ! It's exactly what my husband & I are looking for !! With your measurements, is this suited for a toddler mattress or a twin??

Tara Payon (not verified)

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 20:42

Love love love this bed, what size mattress does it use?

cevans81

Wed, 09/11/2013 - 05:11

We made this bed for our daughter and now my son and daughter play with her kitchen and table underneath in the playhouse. Your instructions were so easy to follow and everything matched up perfectly. We did do the ladder due to space but the bed is beautiful. We get so may compliments when people come over and I always tell them about your website. You truly have awesome ideas! I can not wait for the next project and I am sure it will be off your site :-)

kullmann

Mon, 10/07/2013 - 17:26

I love your playhouse with loft bed! How tall is the underneath part? Would you be able to fit a desk underneath? Also, could the plans be adjusted to accommodate a double bed?

THANK YOU!!

Easy Kitchen Island

Submitted by khewatt on Fri, 03/23/2012 - 19:35

An easy to build and very sturdy kitchen island. My father and son constructed the island itself. I stained and painted the island. The construction was relatively easy. Painting and staining were easy, but time consuming because of dry times.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain- Minwax Wood Finish- color: special walnut
Paint- Behr Premium Plus Flat Enamel- color: Beluga
Polyurethane- Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kitchen Pantry

I made this pantry to match some new kitchen cabinets that my friend ordered from lowes. He wanted me to make all of his cabinets but unfortunately I didn't have enough time, it was kind of one of those things hey I'm redoing my kitchen can you make this. This was all built and designed from a picture his wife found on pinterest with just the measurements for the space it needed to fit in.

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Latex paint and polycrlic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

alpinecwt

Tue, 02/11/2014 - 09:18

You should definitely get with Ana to make plans for this pantry!! Looks superb,job well done.

OurHome

Fri, 06/17/2016 - 18:39

HI - 

My husband and I have been trying to find a DIY Pantry for our kitchen. We've looked everywhere and finally came across this! We love it and would like to try and build it. Do you have the plans available to share? I look forward to hearing back from you.

suziewelker

Fri, 11/27/2020 - 21:33

I tried the link for crafted perfection in attempt to get the plans for this. It led me back to this website. Is there ANY chance of getting the plans for this pantry PLEASE?

watkinswd

Wed, 09/01/2021 - 13:59

Okay, Ana, where are the Plans? You're killing me with this teaser! I'm not smart enough make something this great without serious plans like you usually produce. Help this old guy, please.

farrellp

Thu, 08/11/2022 - 18:08

Hi Ana! Do you have plans? My daughter is moving and could always use more kitchen cabinets. She loves kitchen gadget everything!

Sofa Storage Tables

Submitted by advanlente on Sat, 03/28/2020 - 11:44

Our living room has no closets or storage. As a family we love to play board games and we love to cuddle on the couch with blankets. So, I was trying to come up with a sofa table for our large couch that also had a ton of storage. I looked all over the internet and could not come up with a solution. So, I decided to try here on Ana White and I found plans for a bookshelf. I adjusted the height to be just below the back cushions and went for it. I am not going to lie, it was not easy for me to adjust these plans and I DID make several small mistakes, but I am so glad I made this. We use it daily and it makes life so much easier. The only add I will do in the future is to add stoppers so when you raise the lid, it doesn't fall on your head. It makes life interesting though at the Van Lente household lol 

Comments

GadgetGrrl

Tue, 02/09/2021 - 22:53

I love this idea! Just curious - did you keep the bottom shelf of the bookshelves, or did you leave that off since it's not accessible behind your sectional?

Salsa Console/Buffet Table

Submitted by greg325i on Tue, 01/12/2021 - 11:19

This is by far the most complex piece that I've built off of Ana's site, and the first time I've done drawers or doors on anything. Thanks so much for the awesome plans! Be sure to check the supplies list carefully - I ended up bringing a lot of lumber back to Home Depot. But this is by far my biggest "win" in furniture making so far!

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr white deck stain (Smokey White) (base)
Varathane Aged Wood Accelerator (top, drawer interiors)
Varathane Water-based Poly (Oil-based will add a yellow tint when applied onto white stain/paint)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Dog Bunk Bed

We’ve been looking around for some plans for a doggy bunk bed for a while now, but couldn’t find anything that we liked so I decided to build it from scratch. This is a huge bunk bed that was built based on the size of our larger dog’s bed which is 44 x 35. This was pretty simple to build although the stairs we’re quite challenging as I have never done them before so if I can make it, anybody can.

I must stress that before I found Ana’s website about 6 months ago I could barely cut a piece of wood straight. Over this time I have made several things based on the easy to follow plans on this website which ultimately gave me the confidence to go it alone and build this bunk bed. Friends and family are shocked at some of the furniture I’ve made and some don’t even believe I made them and think I’ve bought them from IKEA. My wife has got a list of furniture she wants to make now including a TV console, an armoire and a twin bed for one our daughters. Every spare second I have now is spent is making furniture and I LOVE it.

For anybody who has never built anything and is apprehensive to do so I would just say, do it. Grab what you need and dive right in. You may get frustrated and scream a bit at first, but the reward at the end is well worth it and each project you do will get easier and easier. Be warned though. The better you get, the more people will pester you to make things for them.

Thank you, Ana.

This was made using cheap 1 x 3 and 1 x 4 furring strips for the railings and bed slats, 2 x 4s for the posts and 1 x 10 board for the stairs.

Estimated Cost
$75 - $100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I haven't sanded or finished this yet as we are still deciding on what to do with it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Cedar Slat Top Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 21:48

I really enjoy making this bench. I build them out of cedar and vary from 4’-6’. My customers love them. Simple prep work consisting of planing all boards to same dimensions can save a lot of time in sanding. Building 3 more this week. 

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Fireplace Mantle with Drawers and Hidden Storage

Modified plans to include game storage drawers, a flip open mantle for DVD player and hidden charging port, and hidden cupboards on both sides for DVD storage. I scoured the Internet for months before drawing this up to fit my space and tackling all on my own! I love it and all of my other Ana White inspired projects!

Casey O.

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Corner Media Console

Submitted by craw4dz on Thu, 02/27/2020 - 10:39

We had just moved into our new house and were using an end table for our TV stand I just didn't like it.  I found this and modified it so it's shorter and fits in our room better.  I also opted to not put doors on it and use it to display items instead.  This was a relatively easy build and I'm learning new things with every build I make.  It took about 2 days to complete not including filling holes/paint/stain.  I love it, it looks so great in our room and I am planning on building end tables to match as well as replacing our buffet with movies in it to match also.  Thanks for the easy-to-follow plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Whatever white paint I had on hand (haha) and Varathane Kona with a satin poly for the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Built-in Bookshelves

Submitted by keribeth on Fri, 07/06/2012 - 14:55

These built-in bookshelves were my first project, and were loosely based on the Willy bookshelf plans, although I changed the dimensions, set them on a 2x4 base, and added trim to the sides and molding on top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$120 in lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore white dove in advance
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

smoser

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 05:58

hello,

Just wondering how the sides and middle part are built. They look like thicker than 1/2 in.Is it a trim or a 1x2? or did you use some 2x4 too?
I am looking at building a bookcase too but i wanted something more massive than 1/2 in. like yours.
Thanks

Great job!! looks awesome

keribeth

Tue, 08/21/2012 - 05:31

I made the two bookshelves separately so I could move them in my house easier. Each has 1x12 sides (so 3/4" thick), and and that's 1x2 trim over the side and middle.

Thanks!

Outdoor rolling bar top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/08/2020 - 19:43

We had some leftover granite from an outdoor kitchen build and wanted to maximize the use of it. We loved the look of a rustic table from Pottery Barn and set out to find something that was asking the same aesthetic. I came across the Jilly and Mia workbench console and thought it would work great with some minor modifications. I shortened the overall length and height, went with some heavy duty casters to support the weight of the granite, and reinforced the cross beams that would support the 3/4" plywood sheet and granite. I went with cedar for this build since it was outdoors and I'll finish it with a clear sealant.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

2x4 Essential Adirondack Chair

Submitted by mricks1960 on Mon, 11/16/2020 - 11:31

I used Western red cedar to build my chairs. The build was a little more expensive but well worth it. The chairs were stained with Cabot’s Australian Timber Oil ( Jarrah Brown). Thanks for the plans Ana, your site is awesome and you do a great job! Mark

 

 

 

Comments

2x4 Outdoor Sectional with Matching Ottomans, Chairs & Table

Submitted by cqueiruga on Fri, 06/12/2020 - 21:01

We were looking for outdoor furniture for our deck, and for the size and amount we needed it would have cost us at least $2000. We really like the idea of having an outdoor sectional that we can also use for dining, and we had trouble finding a set we liked. We found Ana's plans for the 2x4 Outdoor Sectional, and i loved the look. After seeing what others have done with the plans, I thought I would be able to modify it to get everything we needed for much less cost than buying a set.

We ended up extending the size of the 2x4 outdoor sofa by one 24" section, for a total length of 96". I then used the same design to make two outdoor chairs, just reduced the length to 24". I modified the 2x4 outdoor coffee table plans to create two ottoman's that can be moved around to make the seating more lounge style Finally, I modified the coffee table plans to make a 5 foot outdoor dining table. All in all, it took about a week and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out!

Estimated Cost
$800 ($200 for wood, $600 for cushions)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar Semi-Transparent Antique Oak Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jwood4

Mon, 08/02/2021 - 09:44

Looks amazing! What method did you use (pocket holes, dowels, deck screws, etc) to join the visible portions like the arms?

DIY Modern Chicken Coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/20/2024 - 12:00

Almost 5 years after we moved into the country onto our Hamstead of 3 acres, I finally committed to building our chicken coop. Last year, my husband brought home a ton of lumber used for shipping. I started tearing it down and slowly, over the past few months, I built this perfect coop for our 6 little chicks. It required a ton of sketching and planning, adjustments, and do overs, but it has come together so well. Thanks and shout out to the plan from Ana White and the brag post by @blackgirlbythesea

Seasonal And Holiday