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
dananryan
Wed, 06/20/2012 - 20:10
Beautiful!
Soooo pretty! I love the finish too. I'll have to copy it on my next build. Great job Brooke! And Ana of course!
PedroAA
Thu, 06/21/2012 - 05:01
Breathtaking!
Honest, what a beautiful, 'simple' thing to do!
I know what my sister's next present will be!
Ivan (not verified)
Thu, 06/21/2012 - 09:35
metal brackets
On Step 5 Brooke mentions metal brackets. Where exactly are they placed?? Looks beautiful!
Thanks!
In reply to metal brackets by Ivan (not verified)
brookifer86
Thu, 06/21/2012 - 14:07
L-Bracket placement
They're placed on the corner where the 2x2's meet from the support frame and the legs. There's just enough clearance for the trundle
Bunnie1978
Thu, 06/21/2012 - 10:32
Well..
That looks familiar. Almost exactly the same as the one I made in my mind. :) Thanks for putting my thoughts on paper. You know what I mean.
Lucianna (not verified)
Sat, 06/23/2012 - 20:54
Trundle
The cut list says to cut the sides for the trundle at 23 1/4, but the plans show the boards at 21 1/4 - and the measurement 23 1/4 from outside the front and back board sides. Which one should I do? I had them cut at 23 1/4 for me at HD, but decided to come here and ask before I even started.
thanks a lot
Jill2 (not verified)
Mon, 06/25/2012 - 14:46
Reply to Lucianna
Hi Lucianna -
Fellow follower here, but I think the correct length might be 21 3/4" for the trundle sides. I think the cut list might have a typo. In the cut list, there is a note for the trundle sides that says to cut them 1/4" smaller than the side trim, which is listed above as 22" - this seems to jive with the diagram, which shows the boards as 21 3/4" - I hope that helps!
Jill
Katera (not verified)
Tue, 06/26/2012 - 08:04
Amazing
Our kids' toys are tossed into colorful buckets behind our couch. I was just looking at moving the furniture around but was stuck with what to do with all of their toys. This is an amazing solution!!
Susan71 (not verified)
Thu, 06/28/2012 - 09:24
Apothecary Table
I love this table!! I have always been a huge apothecary chest fan and this is gorgeous and practical. I've been looking for an idea for a new coffee table and this is IT!! I just found your blog and there are several things I'm really interested in making in addition to this table. But, I am very new to construction and have a few questions regarding the measurements. I sincerely appreciate the effort and time you obviously put into this blog and am in no way am I trying to correct you. That being said, there are several differences in the directions and I just want to make sure I have my wood cut properly.
The finished length is shown at 27 1/2" in the initial diagram, but it says the apothecary style should be 1/4" larger. The first table, in the other post, you made is also 27 1/2" long. So should this table be 27 3/4" long? Does the body of the frame also need to be increased 1/4" or just the top? Also, in step 1 it states the width of the frame is 43 3/4" and the top in step 2 is shown at 45". But step 2 says to have 3/4" on each end, which can't work with those numbers, as there is only 1 1/4" to split between the sides. Is that enough to attach the end boards on to? I was assuming since the 45" shown isn't going to cover end to end that the boards would have to be added. The cutting list states to cut the boards 45 1/4" or 46 1/4", which neither match the diagram. The finished width is listed in the 1st diagram as 49 1/4".
I hate to ask so many questions. I'm just so new to this that I want to try and do it right the first time. Plus I can't afford to have a bunch of lumber cut at the wrong measurements lol. I would appreciate your response very much. I would also appreciate you overlooking the obvious fact that I have no idea what I'm doing! Thank you in advance and more importantly thank you for all the cool ideas!
Akim (not verified)
Sat, 06/30/2012 - 13:32
Apothecary coffee table
Hi. I am certainly going to give this project a go. But I can't figure out how to connect the box to the table. Is it that the two are separate units? Or is there a slide and a catch for the draw? I'm new at this so any pointers would really help.
Thanks
Carolyn and Duane
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 18:20
Love it!
I just finished this project and had so many silly issues with it. Because of limited space and to conserve boards I built it slightly smaller. The L-shaped brackets would not allow my drawer to operate smoothly, so I opted to use pocket holes to attach the trim for the bottom of the drawer on the back side to the legs (instead of the drawer itself). That simple change made things so much better!
saron
Sat, 02/16/2013 - 11:51
apothecary table
Absolutely beautiful! This will be something great for my hubby and I to do together.
daviskj
Wed, 07/17/2013 - 15:47
Finish on Apothecary Table
I just found your site and I've been in heaven looking at all the projects and planning on building a few of them.
I really love the finish on this table. What stain did you use on the top? - And did you distress the top or is it reclaimed wood??
In reply to Finish on Apothecary Table by daviskj
JoanneS
Wed, 07/17/2013 - 16:59
Finish on Apothecary Table
Here's the link to the tutorial on this finish. It's so beautiful, I want to try this finish too! :)
http://ana-white.com/2012/06/coffee-stained-antique-white
mchio
Tue, 10/29/2013 - 10:22
Side Trim
Hi Ana - I'm a newbie to woodwork and you are an inspiration! Thank you.
I have a couple of questions. I've modified the plan to accommodate for a smaller table. So the 1st question is: I was thinking of using 2 locking casters to prevent the table from rolling up and down hard wood floors. But in your pictures, I cant even see the casters i. So, would it work for me to use locking casters or would it be a pain to reach under and in to lock the wheels?
The 2nd question - because I did modify the cuts, there are some gaps that I need to fill. So, my question is: do you think it would look off if I used a 1x3 instead of the 1x2 for the side trim?
The total dimensions of the table top is 30" x 17 1/2". I used five 1x4s for the tabletop and eliminated the beadboard ends as Brooke suggested. Thanks in advance!!
mchio
Tue, 10/29/2013 - 10:22
Side Trim
Hi Ana - I'm a newbie to woodwork and you are an inspiration! Thank you.
I have a couple of questions. I've modified the plan to accommodate for a smaller table. So the 1st question is: I was thinking of using 2 locking casters to prevent the table from rolling up and down hard wood floors. But in your pictures, I cant even see the casters i. So, would it work for me to use locking casters or would it be a pain to reach under and in to lock the wheels?
The 2nd question - because I did modify the cuts, there are some gaps that I need to fill. So, my question is: do you think it would look off if I used a 1x3 instead of the 1x2 for the side trim?
The total dimensions of the table top is 30" x 17 1/2". I used five 1x4s for the tabletop and eliminated the beadboard ends as Brooke suggested. Thanks in advance!!
emilyerkmann
Sun, 07/20/2014 - 20:02
castor wheels
This may be a very basic question but that's okay. How did you attach the castor wheels? I did actually find some rigid 1 1/2" wheels which are nice, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to attach them without the screws going all the way through. Also, is there another name for hobby stock or is it just the wood squares that they sell at Hobby Lobby, etc?
I LOVE your site by the way! I have made about 8+ different pieces, my favorite being the farmhouse bed for my daughter and the fancy farmhouse table for our screened in porch. You might say I'm slightly addicted to it. :) Thanks for your help!
Carbll
Sun, 01/18/2015 - 19:13
Pocket Holes
This is my first time working with a Kreg Jig. I used the Jig to connect the frame together. Do I use it to connect the frame to the table top as well? If so, can you explain how to place the Jig to create the pocket hole in the body of the 2x2? It makes sense to me on the ends, but I can't figure out how to make a pocket hole in the body of the 2x2.