There are of course different ways to build furniture. That being said, there are certain principles that have to be considered by all would-be builders.
Required Tools and Materials
Nails
Screws
Saw
Hammer
Drill
Tape Measure
Plan the Project
This is one of the most important things you have to do. Make a sketch of the furniture you want to make. List down the dimensions (height, width and depth). If you are making a bed frame or desk, measure the area where the furniture will be placed. You need to make sure there is enough space for the furniture.
Decide on the colors. Choose if you will paint or stain it. By putting the information down, you will know how many pieces of lumber will be needed. The more detailed the plan is, the more straightforward the building will be.
Get the Right Tools
The tools listed above are often used to build furniture. However, other projects may need other tools. It’s a good idea to have screws and nails of different sizes. Tip: whenever possible, have the lumberyard cut the wood to the size needed by your project. This will save you a lot of time.
If you are going to cut the wood boards yourself, make sure to wear safety goggles. Always measure the pieces twice before cutting it. Choose only high grade wood; they are more expensive, but will last longer.
Some of the best hardwood materials are teak, rosewood, cherry, walnut and mahogany. Some of the softwood materials you can use are cedar, fir, hemlock, pine and redwood.
Tips for Painting and Staining
Choose the colors carefully, as it will determine the overall look of the object. You can apply as many coatings as you like. The more coating you add, the longer it will take to dry. Let each coat layer dry before applying another one. Only paint in a room that is well ventilated. Wear old clothes because they might get stained.
Use Templates or Plans
Whatever the furniture you plan to make, there is bound to be a plan for it available online. You can use that as a guide. You can also use those templates to improve your own sketch design. Whichever design you choose, make sure that you follow it.
The most important thing to remember when you build furniture is to start slowly. If you have never built one before, start with a simple project. Once you have done this, you can move on to more complex pieces.
