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
Daisie (not verified)
Wed, 07/07/2010 - 18:40
I love the new pdf!
I love the new pdf!
Tammy James (not verified)
Wed, 07/07/2010 - 21:31
L-O-V-E the PDF!
L-O-V-E the PDF!
medea (not verified)
Wed, 07/07/2010 - 22:00
Another huge thumbs up on the
Another huge thumbs up on the PDF!
This will make it harder for me to use my iPhone to purchase materials at the store, but it is so easy for printing I don't even need to think about that, I don't think.
In Japan we use different sized paper from the US, so it can be very hard to print off the net. But a PDF is so easy to resize without losing text. I'm loving it, thank you Ana.
Brittiny (not verified)
Thu, 07/08/2010 - 02:49
Sooo much easier to print! I
Sooo much easier to print! I love the charts!
laur (not verified)
Thu, 07/08/2010 - 02:57
Ana, the PDF is amazing! I
Ana, the PDF is amazing! I love the format and it's so easy to print off and take with me to the store. Go enjoy your cabin, and know how much we all appreciate your hard work!
Rachelle (not verified)
Thu, 07/08/2010 - 03:12
LOve the PDF. Easy to print
LOve the PDF. Easy to print for me and bonus, you get to be at the cabin and the rest of us still get furniture plans. Thanks for all that you do!
S. Anderson (not verified)
Thu, 07/08/2010 - 04:14
Love the .pdf! So easy to
Love the .pdf! So easy to print and use. Thanks!
heatherannmelzer (not verified)
Thu, 07/08/2010 - 04:30
LOVE the pdf, Ana!!!!!
LOVE the pdf, Ana!!!!!
Catherine (not verified)
Thu, 07/08/2010 - 05:20
I actually prefer the pdf to
I actually prefer the pdf to the blog form. I appreciate the introductions you provide, and it is fun to know how you came up with a certain plan (the challenges, the trade-offs, etc.). But it would be nice to have the plan all in one easily printed place. And I could go for less "why you should build it" and more "let's get down to business: here's the plan." Because the plans are why I come here - just this weekend, we built a farmhouse table and a play kitchen. They look amazing, even half-built!
This building your own stuff thing is addictive! So thank you, and be sure to do what seems easiest and most natural to you.
Clarissa (not verified)
Thu, 07/08/2010 - 07:10
I love the PDF format much
I love the PDF format much better! Much easier to print and save! Plus if it makes it easier for you, do it! Thanks so much for all your hard work. I am constantly inspired by your work!
Andrea (not verified)
Thu, 07/08/2010 - 11:08
Love the pdf! But really, I
Love the pdf! But really, I think we'd all love whatever you give us in whatever format is best for you!
As someone else said, beggars can't be choosers!
You rock :)
~Andrea
Michelle Greene (not verified)
Thu, 07/08/2010 - 13:53
Love it! Your the best!
Love it! Your the best!
Jo (not verified)
Fri, 07/09/2010 - 03:20
Thanks for doing the PDF
Thanks for doing the PDF thing. I swear I was copying everything to word and saving. Waiting for the day (and time when I could make just about everything you've ever posted). This blog rocks - especially for those of us who are furniture challenged but not afraid to make anything with the proper instruction. Thank you for that as well!
merideth (not verified)
Sun, 07/11/2010 - 02:49
tip for building this if you
tip for building this if you have only cheap, inconsistently sized and shaped "construction" lumber available to you, like i do . . .
after the bookshelf boxes are built, attach first the top and bottom trim and THEN measure exactly to cut the side trim. it's so important to have the top/bottom trim flush, but for me, no 2 pieces (or even both ends of same piece) of wood are the same size, so . . .
sigh. :)
Ontwerpduo Sha… (not verified)
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 13:59
[...] White’s Twin Bed with
[...] White’s Twin Bed with Storage, Corner Hutch for Twin Storage Beds tweetmeme_url = [...]
aparadekto (not verified)
Mon, 10/25/2010 - 23:36
Hey, I can't view your site
Hey, I can't view your site properly within Opera, I actually hope you look into fixing this.
sheila short (not verified)
Sat, 12/04/2010 - 18:52
I can not figure out how to
I can not figure out how to download Free Plans? Can you help me with that??
Merica (not verified)
Sun, 01/02/2011 - 20:20
Ana, You are my hero! I get
Ana, You are my hero! I get so inspired when I visit your blog. I really want to start on the storage bed, but i also have the delema of finding a good wall for a desk in my "tween's" room. Is there any way, in your spare time (as if you had any) You could knock off the storage bed with a built in desk?... even if you just ended with the desk on one side and storage on the other so it isn't quite as long.
xo
Merica

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Wed, 04/04/2012 - 07:34
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hello there
forreadq (not verified)
Thu, 06/28/2012 - 05:41
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zannej
Mon, 08/19/2013 - 02:03
This is so cool!
I really like this! I would love to see that headboard with the hinged footboard from birdsandsoup's farmhouse bed.
Just out of curiosity, have you ever tried to build something like that where the headboard sits against the wall and is tufted/padded and is high enough that someone could sit up and lean against it and the shelf would be above that with lights (sort of like under-cabinet lighting). Maybe some trim on the front to hide the light. I'm thinking something similar to some of the furniture tradition beds where they have built in power outlets and dimmer switches (although that is very fancy).
I wish I had a picture of exactly what I'm envisioning. My drawing skills leave much to be desired and I don't have a tablet.
srmarshall7
Fri, 05/20/2016 - 07:24
Curious
Have you by chance posted the plans for the shelves under the bed as well as the book shelves on the sides? I would love to build this entire thing for my daughter
In reply to Curious by srmarshall7
Ana White
Fri, 05/20/2016 - 16:30
http://www.ana-white.com/2010
http://www.ana-white.com/2010/05/furniture-plans-full-size-storage-bed…
http://www.ana-white.com/2010/07/furniture-plans-side-tower-for-storage…