I used Ana's Freestanding Shelf plan and customized it to fit my needs. I incorporated laundry and recycle storage, a rolling bench and built in for our chest freezer. If you want to see it being built with some added tips, that video is available here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8w7XGiVMbs&t=258s
Based on the plans for the sawhorse storage leg desk.
I added some trim around the edges with a roundover on the top for comfort when leaning against it. Plus a few coats of poly for protection.
I built this open tote storage rack using just 2x4's using Ana's free tote configurator! Perfect for keeping everything organized while staying budget-friendly. Super simple project for many applications, how would you use it?
I modified the plans for the Classic Bunk beds by making them 74" tall instead of 63" and added a fourth slat all the way around to add more protection from potential falls. I created one opening in the front for my youngest to get into the bottom bunk, and built slats about 2/3's across the front to act as a gaurd rail. I created another opening on the side for my oldest to get into the top bunk with stairs instead of ladders to again prevent falls. I had to modify the Sweet Pea stairs to accomodate for the extra height in the bunk beds, simplified the railings, and I created each cubby to be big enough to use cloth storage totes that were 11x11x11. Sanded the whole bed and stairs so the corners and edges were all rounded and smooth, and put two coats of white Deck and Porch paint to stand up to the the boys running up and down. I used brackets to secure the stairs to the bed, and sixteen 3" bolts to bind the bed together. Precut and drilled 17 slats for each bed seperated them 2" apart. Spent a few hours every night during the week measuring, cutting, glueing, drilling and assembling the bed and stairs. Spent an entire weekend sanding and painting. Very happy with the way these beds turned out. Overall cost of the project including the paint was around $400.
I wanted to build a structure for the kids to play in and on. I used the playhouse deck design and made it 8 feet by 8 feet. The "roof" is removable to provide shade when it's sunny. It's just 2x2 and a tarp - pretty simple, but it does the job. I used treated posts, dog eared fence boards andlots of screws. I stained and built the walls in my garage before assembling it. Once all of the wood at been stained, it came together pretty quickly with the grandkids help...Lol
Tue, 05/05/2020 - 06:43
What is the estimate cost of the entire playhouse with swing?
I built this for my daughter and more or less followed the plan without changes. I wasn't able to get hold of 1x3 so had to rip 1x4s which was a little time consuming. In hindsight I would probably increase the depth of the desk as it's a little shallow but not a huge problem.
I primed with two coats of BIN Primer as there were a lot if knots in the wood and I heard this is the best to cover then. It was a lot more expensive but hopefully worth it. Finished with latex semigloss.
Fri, 12/30/2022 - 10:19
You did a fantastic job, it looks amazing in the space! Thanks for sharing.
Sun, 03/30/2025 - 17:51
Sorry, trying to ask about plans for this bed. Not sure if my comment is submitting.
Sun, 03/30/2025 - 17:51
Sorry, trying to ask about plans for this bed. Not sure if my comment is submitting.
This was born out of the need for more counter space in our galley kitchen. We don't have the space to add an island. Especially around the holidays, it would be great to have extra space for making cookies, serving big meals, etc. I used Ana's Small Kitchen Island Prep Cart plans for inspiration. I adapted the dimensions to fit at the end of our counters when not in use and added a drop leaf to give us almost 4 additional feet of butcher block counter top when we need it. I used scrap lumber that I had for the cabinet and had an extra drawer handle that matches our kitchen cabinets but bought the butcher block, locking casters, drawer slide and hardware for the legs. Also, the weight of the butcher block makes it want to tip when it's away from the cabinet with the drop leaf down so I added a lead counter weight inside the drawer.
Tue, 04/27/2021 - 18:09
I am so interested in doing this, but would like more details on how the drop leaf was constructed. Would it be possible to get more information?
In reply to I am so interested in doing… by haartd
Sat, 07/24/2021 - 16:59
Sure! I used a 4 foot butcher block and cut it down. The horizontal part is 13 1/2" and the drop leaf part is 32 1/8" attached with a piano hinge. The legs need to be cut and hinged to fit when folded up. This one is made so that the drop leaf fits right under the overhang of the kitchen countertop that it is next to so it's snug against the cabinet and not an issue but, if you want it to be freestanding, the weight of the butcher block will pull it over if you don't weight the cabinet down with something as well. I got a 5 pound lead bar from Amazon in case we need to use it somewhere else. I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
I have to say, there is something about listening to music on vinyl that just gives me the warm fuzzies! A little bit of crackle, fuzz and hum.. physically having to flip over the record to get to the next side, & listening to an album start to finish just has a nostalgic feel to me and I love it.
We’ve started quite the collection of LP’s and quickly found we needed some good storage for them. Since vinyl isn’t exactly the most popular form for listening to music, I just had to make my own.
I knew it had to have 3 things.. size to fit, wheels and easy of searching through records.
I had some scrap poplar plywood lying around, and just had to purchase some casters and furring strips to frame out the box. I even had an extra cabinet handle laying around to use.
I made it 12 inches wide by 16 inches deep, framed it out shaker style with furring strips and then stained it.. added casters and a handle ;)
Tue, 07/09/2013 - 10:59
I love how you appreciate vinyls and gives things you have on hand new purpose. This storage box is nicely done.
I looked at your blog and went straight to the Upcycle tab, since that's where my interest lies too. I love seeing a "pile of useless" restored to use. =D
This is a Murphy Bed that I made for my daughter Alicia for their getaway home at Canadian Lakes, MI. Due to limited space i had to make it horizontal instead of the normal way of being vertical. It really comes in handy and takes up very little space.
Fri, 07/19/2013 - 15:17
Looks great! Love the color and the trims you used. Where did you find your hinge hardware? PS- How did you like the baking soda paint? I've tried ASCP which was good but very pricey, and last time made my own with some plaster of paris. Your finish is lovely.
Sat, 07/20/2013 - 18:47
I bought the spring hardware on line. I can't take the credit for the paint as my daughter did that part. She loves the way that the baking soda and paint covers everything and it is a whole lot less expensive than buying the commercial stuff.
Sun, 09/28/2014 - 01:02
I found some cool designed Murphy Bed Collection. Also bought one. Its so cool. Just happy to get that. You also can check this place <a href="http://murphybedikea.com/">murphy beds</a>
This project is closest to the Simple Closet Organizer, but I wanted to be able to re-use the existing components of the closet. The only purchased materials were one sheet of cabinet grade plywood and dowel rod holders (since I already had paint and screws).
Tue, 07/12/2011 - 09:06
This is on my very soon to do list. I actually drew up a sketch yesterday of my plan and the husband seems ready to start! Thanks for sharing yours!.
The queen and twin bases were base on your twin bed with storage. Pretty easy to do. This is my first time doing anything this big. I live in a four season resort town and needed beds for heads for ski season.
Debbi H - IG - callintn
With the help of friends and family, we managed to build this greenhouse rather easily. We had to start with the foundation since the spot we chose was not an even grade. We did this by filling sono tubes with cement and leveling each off so the greenhouse would have a solid place to sit. We then built out a frame around the outside of the cement tubes with some reclaimed 6x6's. After that, we filled the space with 5 tons of river rock and then got to work! After the foundation was ready putting the rest of the house together was a piece of cake. The frame was so easy to put together. We had a few minor kinks to work out here and there, I won't say this house came out 100% perfectly, BUT I am so happy with the end results. We chose to paint it a deep green color as a final touch. So far we just moved a few potted plants from our deck to the greenhouse for the winter. It has been working very well to keep the plants cozy during the colder days we've had. Eventually, I plan to build a potting station, shelving, and most likely a garden bed for winter harvests.
Mon, 11/09/2020 - 09:52
The foundation looks great the greenhouse looks amazing! I'm sure fun was had building it too:) Thanks for sharing.
Farmhouse table and benches I built for my son and daughter in laws new home. - Russ Long
Basement storage shelves -
I’ve been wanting shelves down here for a long time but I couldn’t see how to do it with the spray foam walls and plastic over gravel floor. I modified Ana’s plans to make the top shelves extend back and anchor to the upper studs. Thankfully, the floor was level and I only had to put foam under the feet to protect the plastic. It’s not pretty but it gets the job done!
I built the two piece sectional + table and adjusted the sizing so the lengths of the sectionals pieces are the same.
Turned out amazing. So much fun building this and I can’t wait for my next project!
Not really one of Ana's projects here. I saw a candy dispenser similar to this on a sale page for $70 dollars. I did not like the design, so I drew up a plan that allowed me to use dimensional lumber. I made all of these from scraps plus the cost of a wide mouth quart mason jar. I have less than two dollars in each one. If you have to buy the lumber your cost is still about $2.75 each where I live. A lot cheaper than $70.00. Lol.
I will be staining and finishing them tomorrow morning. Any hard shell candy works great in them. Skittles, M&Ms plain, peanut, and Reeses Pieces work really good. Jelly beans work good too.
I have a rough drawing of my plan, but I can refine it a little if someone wants to make these. These are for my grandchildren and a friends children. - Ted Mann
Tue, 05/20/2025 - 12:07
Interested in making one these.
Trying to understand the slide measurements
Is it 2 1/2 inches wide, 1 1/2 inches tall , and 5 1/2 inches long
Not sure on what the two 1 1/4 inch holes are to be done.
I needed an office and also a guest room so i built a she shed and all the furniture.
Thu, 01/25/2018 - 06:27
I love your murphy bed idea and would love to have plans for it. I too am looking for a guest bedroom and craft area and I know this would work in my space.
Mon, 02/05/2018 - 16:20
I didnt really have a plan when I was building my Murphy bed, I can do a sketchup plan for you if you would like. I used boat chair swivels instead of hinges and there is a YouTube video on how to do this.
Chris
Thu, 06/24/2021 - 23:11
Hi Chris! I would love to have a copy of the sketch up of this. I have a small she shed/guest cottage I would live to duplicate this in. Thanks in advance.
Mon, 11/08/2021 - 14:18
Hi Chris!
I know I'm coming late to this party but I just found your shed and I adore it. You did an amazing job and I cannot express how impressed I am! I would also like a sketchup plan of both the murphy bed and the adjoining side cabinets. Great job!
Thu, 06/06/2019 - 10:59
I absolutely love everything about this she shed!! I would be interested in a sketch up of the murphy bed as well as the cabinets next to it. I would at least like to know what the dimensions of it all is. You did an amazing job! It's so beautiful!
Tue, 06/25/2019 - 15:14
Me too!! I built a horizontal Murphy bed so I have that part done but I would like to see the plans for the cabinets on either side with the pull out desk!
so very cute!
Thu, 05/14/2020 - 05:53
I would love the plans for all of this please! This is exactly what I have been looking for! Thank you!
Sun, 09/20/2020 - 00:13
Hi Chris
Can you advise how I can receive a copy of the sketchup? I love the entire setup from the bed to the additional shelving.
Thu, 06/20/2024 - 08:24
Hi Chris,
I would also like to receive the plans you did for this project! Thank you!
Thu, 06/20/2024 - 08:24
Hi Chris,
I would also like to receive the plans you did for this project! Thank you!
My wife wanted a outdoor sofa, so I did a lot of search for the simplest plan and cost effective for us and I ended finding your youtube post and I said what the heck...lets go for it. Although, I like your plans, I modified it a little, the seat back is a little higher and at a 15 degree angle.
Expecting our second child, my wife and I decided to do away with our guest bedroom and combine it with our office. The only problem was our queen bed took up way too much space and it didn't get enough use to justify the sacrifice. We looked at the wall bed options available for purchase and decided they were way too blah and very expensive. I then found the "A MURPHY BED YOU CAN BUILD, AND AFFORD TO BUILD" post on Ana's website (thanks for the inspiration)!
Using cheap pine boards, plywood, door hinges, vinyl upholstery and stain I constructed the wall bed you see here. It really wasn't that difficult but facing it took the most time. To give the boards a more rustic look I used a utility knife to shave off the edges/corners and stained them with the Minwax American Walnut water based stain and the Minwax White Wash Pickling. When this started we thought we were going to have to settle for something unattractive and less than desirable. Seeing it in our office now, we love our new bed and actually think it makes the room look much better! I didn't keep track of costs, but it couldn't have been more than $150.
Tue, 07/08/2014 - 08:08
Looks great! May I ask what the final outside dimensions were? Curious to see if this would work for me.
Thanks!
Wed, 08/06/2014 - 09:23
I would have to measure it when I get home... at work currently. Looking back, I think the best approach is to take the measurements from the plan, find the difference between standard mattress and queen mattress dimensions (check wikipedia for standard sizes), then add that difference back to the plan. I cut it real close on mine and could use a little more space. It would be nice to make it a bit deeper and with some head room to store comforters and pillows.
Sat, 03/21/2015 - 08:32
To fasten the facing I used wood glue then a Ryobi 18ga nail gun. It's part of their 18v One+ line and works great!
Sun, 12/28/2014 - 12:59
I am dying to get started on this wall bed project. I keep getting this message when trying to open the Plans.
The page you are looking for is temporarily unavailable.
Please try again later.
can someone help me find them.
Sun, 12/28/2014 - 12:59
I am dying to get started on this wall bed project. I keep getting this message when trying to open the Plans.
The page you are looking for is temporarily unavailable.
Please try again later.
can someone help me find them.
Sat, 08/15/2015 - 12:05
did you ever find the plans?
I'm having thee same problems
Tue, 08/09/2016 - 15:24
Hi. I would love to try this. Looking to build in the next month before parents in law come over. Is there any working links to the plans??
Wed, 01/24/2018 - 21:42
WHERE CAN I FIND THE PLANS, MATERIALS LIST AND DIMENSIONS? THE ATTACHED LINK TO YOUR ARTICLE LEADS TO A TWIN SIZE BED. THANK YOU
Thu, 01/25/2018 - 06:30
is there a link to the plans? I can't find them and I really want to make this
Put a fancy twist in this tabletop and bench top. We like the 45 degree angles that the top and legs both have to compliment each other. The top is stained with minwax special walnut.
Tue, 11/16/2021 - 19:18
You've been busy, this is gorgeous all the way around!
Comments
Lkf
Wed, 05/21/2025 - 10:42
Garage
Love!