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The bed is one of the most important pieces of furniture in any home.

It is the focal point of the bedroom, and obviously it is where you want to feel comfortable and rest every night.

Therefore your bed needs to be both practical as well as aesthetically pleasing.

At times ready made furniture does not always suit your needs and preferences.

You end up going from one furniture store to another, but you are still not convinced with what you find.

It could be due to the design, or the hefty prices often charged.

So why not consider making the bed of your dreams yourself?

By following the steps and guidelines below you can make your own platform bed with floating nightstands.

This is a popular idea lately since the nightstands are basically incorporated with the bed itself, thus making it look more contemporary while saving space.

Read on to find out more, or use a jump link below to skip to a desired chapter:

Table of Contents

1. Tools & Materials
2. Initial Cutting & Sanding
3. Painting & Varnishing
4. Assembling the Headboard
5. Making the Night Stands
6. Building the Bed Base
7. Finishing Up
8. Conclusion
9. See It Built!

Tools & Materials

• Workbench
• Clamps
• Dowel Jig
• Pocket Hole jig
• Drill
• Jigsaw
• Mallet
• Wood Glue
• Mitre Saw
• Orbital Sander
• Sandpaper
• Framing Square
• Combination Square
• Screwdriver
• High Density Foam Roller

And the following materials and supplies:

• Lumber
• 3 Sheets of Plywood
• Screws
• Inserts to Mount the Nightstands
• Corner Braces
• L-Brackets
• Danish Oil
• Paint

Initial Cutting & Sanding

One of the most demanding tasks of building a DIY bed is cutting the lumber in the required pieces.

You will obviously need several parts which will then be attached to each other until the bed frame is formed.

For this reason it is recommended that you have a miter saw, as it will make the cutting job considerably easier and quicker.

If you do not own one you might check if you can borrow or hire one from the hardware store.

You will need 16 lumber pieces which will be used for the bed frame, the headboard and the bed trim.

Next, cut another piece measuring which will be used for the top and bottom nightstands.

Once all the cutting is completed, you should sand each piece so as to make it smoother and neater.

Since there are several pieces an orbital sander will make it easier and quicker.

Painting & Varnishing

Once all the pieces have been cut, it is best to paint them and varnish them at this point.

This will ensure that you paint them properly and neatly, instead of trying to move around edges when they have already been mounted and attached in a frame.

For the paint it is best to apply it with a high density foam roller as it will give you a neat result.

Assembling the Headboard

The headboard is one of the most important parts of the bed, and one’s eyes are drawn to it more than anything else.

It is best to have someone help you to hold the headboard while you assemble it and attach it to the bed base.

The design of the headboard can be as simple or as intricate as you wish.

For a platform bed it is best to stick to a linear look to complement the more modern look of this kind of bed.

You could opt to carry the wood slightly outward across the entire length, or else leave it smooth and linear throughout.

As a safety precaution, since you will be working close to the edges of the wood, pre-drill the holes for the screws to avoid splitting problems.

Add screws at least every 24 inches or so for more sturdiness.

Making the Night Stands

The nightstands are the smallest parts of the platform bed, and yet they are focal points.

Apart from offering a good place where you can store items neatly in their inner space, and even have the electrical outlets hidden away in that area too.

So the nightstands will be a really practical addition, while also make your platform bed more aesthetically pleasing.

To build the nightstands it is not that difficult.

You will already have cut the pieces of lumber for them earlier.

Now all you need to do is attach them to each other with wood glue and screws so as to form a box, which will have the inner part open.

This is basically going to be like a shelf but since it is tucked away within the outer parts of the nightstand whatever you place in it will be quite inconspicuous.

It is best to sand lightly and then apply some Danish oil for a nicer finish at the end.

Finally simply attach each floating nightstand to the bed’s headboard using wood glue and screws.

Building the Bed Base

The bed base is made from plywood sheets.

It is best to go for relatively thick plywood for more sturdiness.

Carefully attach the plywood pieces together to form the base for the bed.

Make sure they are aligned well and apply the wood glue.

Then fasten together with screws.

All the pieces are now ready and all you have to do is to attach the bed frame with brackets and some support pieces for more sturdiness.

Attach the centre beam, as this is important for such a substantially big piece of furniture, and one which will need to withstand weight.

Then simply add support pieces horizontally all along, attaching to the bed’s frame and to the centre beam. Screw them from the inside too.

Finally you can mount the plywood sheet on top of everything.

Finishing Up

Last steps to finish this project!

Apply some Danish oil, and optionally, a layer of polyurethane to give a nice finish to your bed’s lumber.

Always give a quick sanding in between, and repeat the process a couple of times.

And you are all set to place a mattress on top and enjoy a good night’s sleep in your DIY platform bed!

Conclusion

This is not an easy project, especially considering that a bed is obviously so large.

You will need certain tools which are not that basic or cheap, but other than that if you follow the steps above you can manage to do this really amazing DIY project which will surely give you a great sense of achievement.

The fact that you can customise the bed as you like in terms of finishing, colour and design is just great!

And you can build it much more affordably than when you buy a readymade bed for sure!

See it Built!

This article is based on and inspired by the awesome platform bed designed and constructed by DIY Creators.

Check out the video on their YouTube channel here and see how this beautiful platform bed comes to life.

If your bedroom’s size is rather small, you might be wondering how you will be able to cram all the furniture you need, and store your clothes and other belongings.

Small studio apartments and most modern properties tend to feature smallish bedrooms.

But in reality there is no need to give up hope as with some creativity and common sense you will be amazed at what you can make out of your small bedroom.

Here are 8 top tips which will definitely change your mind and solve your problems.

Read on to find out more, or use a jump link below to skip to a desired chapter:

Table of Contents

1. Light Colour Scheme
2. Install a Wall Bed
3. Install a Fitted Wardrobe
4. Integrated Shelves
5. Store Items Up High
6. Minimalist Styling
7. Embrace Symmetry
8. The Magic of Mirrors
9. Conclusion

1. Light Colour Scheme

Keep it as light and as bright as possible.

The brighter the colour scheme you opt for, the bigger the room will appear.

So go for light colours such as white and beige.

If you are worrying that the light colour scheme might look plain, just add vivid or darker colours in the soft furnishings, such as the bedlinen and cushions, the carpet, and any key accessories like the bedside lamp.

2. Install a Wall Bed

The bed is the main and the biggest furniture piece in the room.

Naturally it is going to take up a good part of the room, especially since the room’s area is limited.

So if you have a small bedroom simply opt for a wall bed.

This will help to free up the valuable space in the room for other requirements during the day.

Nowadays there are several aesthetically pleasing but very practical wall beds, which will fold up against the wall easily, offering convenience as well as comfort.

3. Install a Fitted Wardrobe

Apart from the bed, the wardrobe will also take up a considerable amount of space.

So, when it comes to choosing the wardrobe for your small bedroom opt for a fitted wardrobe with sliding doors.

This will make sure that you make the best use out of the wall space available, while also avoiding wasting space in a restricted space whenever you need to open the wardrobe doors.

Also, make the best use out of the room’s height by going as far up as practically possible.

The height of the wardrobe will offer you more storage space for off season clothing and any other items you do not need to use often.

4. Integrated Shelves

Integrated shelves will give you greater convenience.

These types of shelves are versatile and ideal for small bedrooms as they will enable you to literally use up as much wall space as possible.

This will offer you so much more storage space!

5. Store Items Up High

As the floor space in a small bedroom is restricted you need to make the most out of the wall space.

So, make it a point to have as much storage space as possible up high.

This includes having a wardrobe which, if possible, goes all the way up to the ceiling, as well as installing floating shelves or units towards the upper part of the walls.

If your budget is not limited you could also opt for the more costly bespoke fittings.

6. Minimalist Styling

A minimalist theme is highly recommended for small bedrooms.

Simple designs or themes will make the room appear bigger.

So, apart from sticking to a light colour for the wallpaper or paint, make sure to go for light furniture.

The contrast in the colours should be attained from using bolder and darker colours in smaller amounts, such as in the bedside lamp, cushions and carpet.

When it comes to choosing a motif for the room, go for a delicate, pale one.

Good examples include flowers, leaves and simple shapes.

Bear in mind that soft, neutral colours will work wonders on small bedrooms.

7. Embrace Symmetry

Symmetry is an important principle when it comes to designing small bedrooms.

For improved visual balance, and more definition, it is recommended that you stick to a symmetrical concept when furnishing and decorating the room.

Sticking to symmetrical concepts will also help in offering an easy-on-the-eye scheme, as this goes hand in hand with minimalist designs.

It can also help to make your bedroom appear somewhat larger and more spacious.

8. The Magic of Mirrors

A mirror is a must-have in any bedroom.

However in a small bedroom you cannot devote a lot of space to a large wall mirror, as you should make better use of it for shelving, as discussed earlier.

Instead, you could opt for a full body length mirror that can lean up against the wall.

Alternatively if the wardrobe does not come with sliding doors, you could install a mirror on the inner side of one of the wardrobe doors.

On another note, if it is possible to have a mirror hung on one of the walls, make sure that you position it in a place where it can reflect the light that comes in from the window.

This will create the illusion that the room is bigger, apart from increasing natural light in the room.

Conclusion

There are all sorts of ideas that you could come up with when designing a small bedroom.

There is no need to worry about small rooms and their drawbacks, as in truth nowadays you will be able to find many innovative furnishings which will greatly maximise the space available.

From wardrobes with sliding doors, beds with storage space underneath, or wall beds, to floating shelves and desks, you will be amazed at the range of modern bedroom furnishings you will find in stores.

In some cases, you might worry about the costs involved to buy such furniture ready-made.

In that case, try to go for custom made or DIY furniture options, as at the end of the day it would most likely turn out to be considerably cheaper.

For instance, there is no need to spend a fortune to buy a ready-made floating desk.

You could make one yourself by simply installing a piece of plywood over shelf brackets!

Ultimately it is all a matter of creativity as affordable materials like plywood and MDF, and some simple tools could enable you to work wonders on furnishing your bedroom.

A high quality and useable table is something that very home can benefit from.

Making a table yourself is really simple.

You might never have thought about it, but it is far cheaper and more fun than buying a readymade table, especially when considering that it will only amount to a little time, basic tools and materials to build yourself.

The following article outlines how to go about it.

Read on or hit a jump link below to skip to a desired chapter:

Chapters

1. Tools & Materials Required
2. Preparation
3. Measuring, Marking & Cutting
4. Making the Legs
5. Cutting the Table Top
6. Attaching the Legs
7. Finishing & Painting
8. Conclusion
9. See It In Action

Tools & Materials Required

You will need the following supplies:

• sheet of plywood, with a recommended thickness of 19mm (¾ inch).
• water-based protective topcoat
• paint
• sandpaper
• screws
• wood putty
• glue
• ruler
• pencil
• cordless drill
• circular saw

Preparation

Gather the supplies and tools listed above.

Then use a space where there is enough room where you can work.

Remember that some cleaning up will inevitably be required since cutting wood is required.

Then decide on the preferred dimensions of your dining table and draw a plan with all the measurements marked.

Once the cutting is completed, it is recommended to seal the plywood with the water-based protective topcoat.

Measuring, Marking & Cutting

You will need to cut the plywood with the circular blade.

It is best to mark out the angles using a ruler and pencil.

In this way you will just need to follow these markings with the guide on the circular saw.

This will greatly reduce inaccurate cuts or any mistakes.

Once the cutting is completed, it is important to take the time to sand all the pieces.

This can be done with a 220 grit sandpaper.

Obviously if you use a fresh saw blade the cuts will be cleaner, however a light sanding is always recommended to ensure neater edges.

Making the Legs

The legs are an important part of the table.

Mark the areas where you intend to place the legs, as some will prefer not to place them right at the corners of the table top, but slightly inwards.

Make sure you measure well so that they are equally away from one another.

It is best to glue together four different sets of pieces, and to reinforce them with screws.

Clamp the pieces together.

Allow the glue to cure on the first set of pieces and then proceed to combine them together to form a leg.

Obviously this process will need to be repeated for all of the legs.

Cutting the Table Top

You will have decided on the size of the table before.

A DIY table can be as sturdy as a ready-made one.

You do not need to worry about the area of the table top as long as you use sufficiently thick plywood sheets and ensure that the assembling is carried out carefully.

Clamp down a straight edge and then start cutting strips off.

These will be put to good use as supports for the underside.

Assembling the inner support frame for the table is probably one of the most important steps.

To do this well it is best to use triangular pieces of plywood and glue them to the support strips you cut earlier.

Glue and screw these pieces to the inside corners of the table’s legs.

Then, also glue the pieces you had cut off from the top corners to one another so as to create a couple of triangular braces that will serve well as additional supports for the table’s frame.

Glue them together and screw them for additional sturdiness, and then screw to the inside of the frame.

At this point, since the pieces were triangular, you might happen to notice gaps.

In that case simply plug these gaps with scrap pieces that you will surely have gathered during the cutting of the inner frame.

Attaching the Legs

Once the base has been completed, you can then glue and screw the inner frame pieces, which will connect the legs together, to each of the legs.

At this point you will have the lower part of the table completed.

Finishing & Painting

The last step is to glue the tabletop to the base of the table.

At this point we can say that the table is ready to go.

All you need to do is to glue the table top to the base, and while doing so it is best to use weights so as to hold down the table top tightly to the base while you allow the glue to cure.

Any holes that were left by the screws should be filled up with some wood filler.

Allow it to dry, and then sand it until it is flush with the plywood.

This will ensure a neater result.

It is also best to take the time to smoothen off the edges with the sandpaper, as well as round over the edges a bit.

In case you opt to paint your table, then that is the final step.

Obviously prior to painting, make sure that the sanding is all completed, and that you wipe off all the parts with a moistened cloth so as to remove any dust residue that will have been left after the sanding.

It is best to give two coats of paint for a neater result.

Using a roller should give a smoother, streak-free finish.

And there you have it. Your DIY dining table is all done!

Conclusion

As you may have noticed you do not require any expensive tools and materials to build a dining table out of a single sheet of plywood.

Besides, as long as you follow the guide above, you will not need to worry about not being able to complete it successfully.

Anyone can manage to build a dining table as long as the steps above are followed carefully.

Always exercise caution when cutting the wood pieces, and try to be as precise as possible so as to avoid any mistakes that could mess up the final result.

Other than that you can have a nicely designed dining table at a fraction of the cost you would have had to pay for a ready-made one.

See It In Action

This DIY tutorial is based on the awesome instructional video by HomeMade-Modern.com

Go check out the video on their YouTube channel and see just how easy it is to make a beautiful dining table from a single sheet of ply!

Most households tend to have one thing in common – not enough storage space!

There's just too many items to store into cupboards and closets and consequently, untidy piles of items start to accumulate in all the wrong places.

For those who are keen to keep everything organised and out of sight, practical storage solutions are a must.

For this reason, floating shelves are a godsend.

They can help to alleviate this problem without breaking the bank, without taking up additional floor space, which more often than not tends to be very limited.

Building your own floating shelves is fairly straightforward, and even a beginner in DIY can do a great job.

Here are some guidelines on how to go about making floating shelves using MDF boards, which are practical and affordable.

Read on to find learn more, or use a jump link below to skip to a desired chapter:

Chapters

1. What You Will Need
2. Building the Floating Shelves
3. Helpful Tips & Ideas
4. Conclusion

What You Will Need

You will need basic tools and supplies which will easily be found in any hardware store, including:

• Hammer Drill
• Screwdriver
• Wall Plugs & Screws
• MDF Boards
• Support Timbers
• Tape Measure
• Sandpaper
• Spirit Level
• Paint (optional)

Some of these may be substituted for other tools as may be noted hereunder.

Building the Floating Shelves

Step 1: Planning & Measuring

Start by measuring the space where you intend to install your shelves.

Consider what you will be placing on them so as to decide the space you should leave between one shelf and another.

This is important so that you won’t end up with unutilised wall space, and you would be maximising your storage space on the shelves.

Based on this, you can then calculate how many shelves can fit in that wall space, and their sizes.

Mark the top line of each shelf with a spirit level, and take note of the items you will need based on the number of shelves you will be making.

Bear in mind that for each shelf you will be needing two support timbers for the length and the width of the shelf, and obviously an MDF board in the desired size.

Step 2: Gathering Supplies

Next start gathering the supplies and the tools you will be needing.

As you may see from the list above there are no particularly costly tools and supplies can easily be gathered.

Step 3: Cutting

Supporting timber pieces are important as they will make your project safer and sturdier.

Each shelf will need four pieces, one on each side, and if you wish an additional one in the middle to provide extra support.

This is especially important if you will be placing rather heavy items on the shelf.

Cut your timber pieces according to the number of shelves you decided to build.

MDF boards will probably have been cut for you at the store where you bought them, so there is no need to worry about getting them.

Step 4: Attaching the Support Structure

Floating shelves are best built with a support structure.

The top of this structure should be in line with the top of the upper shelf.

Start by screwing the first part to the back wall of the alcove, always making sure that it is level.

Next start to fit the sides, and finally the front strip will be attached.

It is a good idea to pre-drill the holes in the timber as this will help to avoid any splitting or countersinking.

This process will need to be repeated for each shelf.

Think of this as the frame for your floating shelves.

Step 5: Final Fitting

Then fit the shelf cladding by screwing the bottom cover of the shelf to the supporting structure.

Place the top parts over and screw them for additional safety.

Finally screw the front panels to the shelves.

Step 6: Painting the Shelves

A coating of paint is optional.

Some people opt for this so as to have the shelves complement the rest of the furniture in the room where they are installed.

Others may stick to the natural look of MDF.

In any case make sure to fill in any holes and sand lightly so as to make your shelves look smooth and finished off nicely.

Helpful Tips & Ideas

Since it is a good idea to measure the angles at the sides and the back in relation to the front, it is a good idea to have an adjustable square at hand.

This will ensure more accuracy and ultimately a neater result.

Use the machined edge of the MDF board first as this will be flush to the front batten.

There are different thicknesses of MDF sheets that you could buy.

There is no need to go for really thick ones unless you are going to place considerably heavy items on the shelves.

You might wish to enquire which thickness is most suitable before buying.

It is really helpful to use the top sheet for each shelf as a template for the bottom one.

Attaching the boards to the battens can be done by glue and clamping or by using a nail gun.

Clear any excess and fill in any gaps by using some decorator’s caulk.

This will make things neater.

In the case of any countersunk screws, particularly at the front of the shelves, you can use some filler to hide them off.

Then sand lightly to make it smoother and more flush.

Alternatively, you might wish to attach pine strips to that thickness so as to cover off any defects more neatly.

If you opt for painting the shelves always sand them first.

Keep some wall paint at hand so as to touch up any parts which might have ended up marked while you were installing the floating shelves.

Conclusion

And that’s it!

As you can see it is a really effortless and fairly simple project to build your own floating shelves.

Next start piling them up with that stuff that you had in mind so as to put them to good use!

Most people have heard of plywood and will most likely own something made from plywood, such as a piece furniture.

But whilst it's a very commonly used material in the construction and furniture industries, many people are unaware that there are actually different types of plywood available for different uses.

These varying kinds are intended for different uses and purposes, and as a result they have slightly differing properties and construction.

Marine-grade plywood is one such example.

The term marine might give off the wrong impression that it is suitable to withstanding extreme moisture or contact with water.

However, do not be fooled as marine ply not strictly 100% waterproof.

Marine plywood is however, a reasonably high quality type of plywood.

It is constructed from hardwoods rather than softwoods, with each layer affixed using waterproof grade glue to prevent de-lamination.

Consequently, it is often used in exterior construction and outdoor furniture projects, certain types of boat, and it is also considered to be a good choice for use in coastal areas where natural air moisture levels are considerably higher.

So what is marine plywood made from that makes it a much stronger material than regular ply?

Read on to find out more, or use a jump link below to skip to a desired chapter:

Chapters

1. What is Marine Grade Plywood?
2. What is it Made From?
3. How is Marine Plywood Made?
4. What is it Used For?
5. Is It Better Than Regular Plywood?
6. Conclusion

What is Marine Grade Plywood?

Marine plywood is highly recommended for outdoor projects as it is more resistant to moisture than other types of plywood.

However, it is still made in the same manner as any other plywood sheets you'll find on the market, as it is still constructed from thin veneers of wood sealed together under high pressure.

In the case of marine plywood, that bonding agent is made for water submersion.

Like other types of plywood, marine plywood is also given different standardisations by manufacturers.

What is it Made From?

Marine plywood is constructed from water resistant tropical hardwood, and as these are naturally water resistant, they make marine plywood better than other types of plywood in situations where moisture levels are higher.

There are certain wood species, such as cedar, cypress and redwood, Western Larch or Douglas Fir, that have a natural resistance to decay.

Whilst marine plywood is not pressure treated to enable it to withstand decay, high quality grade veneers are used to increase its resistance.

As a result of this, it is made to withstand moisture far better than standard plywood as it will be well protected with water resistant materials.

How is Marine Plywood Made?

Marine plywood is available in different grades namely:

• A-A
• A-B
• B-B
• MDO
• HDO

As with other types of plywood, marine grade plywood is composed of thin sheets of wood veneers, which are arranged in perpendicular layers so as to make it stronger.

Cross lamination is used so as to have the plies perpendicular to each other, so that the panel will be given additional strength in both directions.

Finally, the panel is bonded under high heat and extreme pressure.

When it comes to marine plywood, waterproof glue is used to bond the layers, making it ideal for use in areas where humidity levels or moisture is higher than normal.

Due to the waterproof glue, you do not need to worry about the layers de-laminating over time.

What is it Used For?

Marine grade plywood is good for exterior use, and as a result it is recommended for various projects such as external structures and outdoor furniture.

Some of the most popular uses of marine plywood include:

• Patio furniture: such as benches, tables and chairs.
• Pergolas: could very well be constructed from marine plywood, as it is a feasible but inexpensive option compared to other types of wood.
• Planters: ideal as marine plywood can withstand the moisture and humidity from the soil.
• Porches and Decks: a good staining and sealing, and you can have a great deck or porch made out of marine plywood.
• Boats and Sailing Equipment: there are basic boats for sale made from marine plywood, which will serve well for those who have fishing or sailing as a hobby. Marine plywood is ideal to form simple boat structures, and as long as it is properly sealed inside and outside, it will be waterproof.
• Boat Docks: marine plywood is taking over the traditional sanded lumber to construct boat docks as it can do well for quite a long time. After some years, its longevity can be increased further with some weatherproofing treatment.
• Lake Platforms: building a lake platform where you can fish and suntan is a great idea, and using marine plywood to construct it is ideal. All it takes is gluing several marine plywood sheets together, protect them using a waterproof sealant, and bolt it to a weight at the bottom of the lake.
• Bathroom and Kitchen Walls: kitchens and bathrooms are the rooms whose walls are most susceptible to splashes. Marine plywood is ideal as it can withstand such moisture quite well.
• Bathrooms and Kitchen Subfloors: spills on bathroom and kitchen floors, and overflows from showers and toilets are common, but with marine plywood sub-flooring you can be safeguarded from deforming and rotting floors.

Is It Better Than Regular Plywood?

In short, marine plywood almost always performs better than regular plywood.

The main reason is that it can better withstand humidity and moisture, unlike the most basic type of plywood which would end up warping should it be exposed to high levels of humidity or moisture.

The main difference is that marine plywood, and exterior types of plywood, will be better sealed and treated.

On the other hand, plywood used for interior projects will be thinner.

To give you a basic idea, regular plywood sheets would typically have between three and five layered veneers, whereas marine plywood would typically have twice as many layers.

Despite this, never forget that at the end of the day this is still plywood, and though it is of a better quality, you should still make sure that it is well maintained from time to time.

Conclusion

If you are considering purchasing plywood for an outdoor project, or constructing something that will be used outdoors or placed in areas of high humidity, then it is highly recommended that you opt for marine ply.

This is because it is more suitable to withstand high humidity and moisture since it is bonded together with waterproof glue or phenolic resin.

The combination of water resistant hardwood that this plywood is made from, and this type of glue, will basically make this plywood waterproof and last longer.

Marine ply is also extremely strong and can withstand high levels of pressure.

So it makes for an ideal building material in a wide range of projects and applications.