Advanced Make & Build Projects

Spacesaving garage storing system
When the garage is the only place in a house that has space for storage - or to use as a workshop - finding enough space to move around and work can be a problem. I found this project on Family Handyman that shows how to make narrow roll-out shelves and while you may not find the exact same mechanism to install there are alternatives.
Make an arched window mirror
I finally managed to get to grips with making an arched window mirror. A client of Shabby-Chic asked us to make this mirror for her bedroom and I have been mulling over the best way to do it. Here's an easy way to make your own arched window mirror.
Hanging or suspended bed
If you're looking for bed options for a shared bedroom rather than settle for bunk beds, hanging or suspended beds - or loft beds - offer a solution where you can install beds and still have plenty of floor space for play and study.
DIY contemporary server or cabinet
I came across this project on instructables and thought it looked amazing. Although we don't have access to the same woods that they do overseas, you can quite easily use Pine or Meranti for this project and stain the panels in various wood tints using Woodoc Gel Stain.
Build a built in closet with timber and dry wall
Building your own built-in cupboard, closet or wardrobe is an inexpensive DIY project that provides you with lots of additional storage space. In this project you will also get experience in how to frame a wall, how to put up drywall, how to plaster, and how to install a set of sliding doors. The whole project costs about R800, assuming you already have the tools required and, if not, what better excuse to start building up your own collection of power tools !
DIY flat screen TV stand
This Shaker or Shabby Chic style TV stand is large enough to have a flat screen TV on the top and has plenty of storage for all your media. Make the entire unit out of birch or pine plywood.
DIY contemporary headboard with cut out design
I love the design of these contemporary headboards. Making your own contemporary headboard with fret-work design is not that difficult if you are prepared to spend some time cutting, and just to make it easier for you, I have included the design for the headboard.
How to make a DIY Shaker sideboard or server
I love Shaker style because it ties in nicely with my love of everything Shabby Chic. Have just bought the plans for this Shaker sideboard or server and intend to make it as soon as I get a chance, but in the meantime here are the plans if you want to make your own Shaker sideboard or server.
Kitchen cabinets become server or sideboard
There are plenty of places to pick up ready-made kitchen cabinets, and with a little tweaking here and there, you can create a custom dining room server or sideboard in a weekend.
Make a Moroccan-inspired side table
Here's how to make a traditional Moroccan-inspired table using a simple design with bright colour and decorative cutouts. You can use PG Bison SupaWood for this project, or marine plywood if you intend to place the Moroccan table outdoors on a patio or in the garden.
Children's lego design storage boxes
Make these fun, colourful storage boxes for a young boy's bedroom. We use 12mm PG Bison SupaWood to make up the boxes and Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint to colour them. You can make these colourful storage boxes any size you want. I think big boxes would be great.
Find out how to make a heart bed set
At Design-A-Bed we receive lots of enquiries to manufacture furniture found on the Internet, and particularly on PinInterest. This heart bed is one of those. The client fell in love with this bed set and wanted the exact same design for her young daughter.
Make a bent-wood coat rack
In this project we show you a simple wood-bending technique to make a unique, tree-shaped coat rack. The key to this project is making a simple bending form that shapes the legs. Simply glue two thin wood strips together, then place them in the form while the glue is wet. As the glue dries, it bonds the parts together permanently in the new bent form.
Make a cottage bed for little girl
A client asked me to design and make this gorgeous cottage bed for her little girl. At first I was a bit wary of all the colours, but the end result really looked absolutely amazing.
Make a console table or dining server
Dress up your entrance or dining room with this gorgeous console table featuring a simple carved design that looks intricate and expensive. We show you how to make the console table and do the carving - and it's easier than you might expect!
Make a dining table
Here's another great project by Liz at lazy liz on less. I am so impressed with some of the projects that she has done, and asked for permission to share them with you. Obviously a few modifications and alterations had to be made here and there, to allow for sizing and materials.
Make and upholster a chaise lounge
So many projects to make... if only I had to time to make them all. I think I must suffer from DIY OCD - everything I see I want to make and this chaise lounge is definitely a project that I will be making. I have previously tackled a chaise lounge, but this one has built-in storage that is absolutely perfect for in a bedroom.
Build a basic garden shed
Every home needs a place for garden tools and this small garden shed provides for plenty of storage without taking up too much space. The compact design will fit almost anywhere and you can make the entire shed out of timber and board that you will find at your local Builders Warehouse.
Make a storage base for your bed
Although this is more of a DIY project, here's how to make a storage base for a bed that will not only free up a bedroom of clutter, it will also add a finishing touch if you don't already have a base, or where you want to have a bed storage base that matches a headboard.
Make a laptop table
It's nice to have a small desk where you can sit down with your laptop and this small leaning desk uses gravity and friction for stability against a wall. Make it with laminated pine and spray it with Rust-Oleum 2X in your choice of colour, or use Woodoc interior sealer for a natural finish.
How to make a bunk bed
Bunk beds will always be popular with children and parents alike. Children like bunk beds because they allow more floor space for play - and normally become a part of the play process. Parents like bunk beds because of their space-saving design. Bunk beds allow two children to share a room, or for friends to sleep over.
DIY soapbox car for little guy
Use your DIY skills to make a soapbox car for a little boy. What it lacks in horsepower, it more than makes up for in passion: the soapbox car will excite little race-drivers.
DIY dog kennel
The design of this dog kennel allows for a roof that is built as a separate section from the base frame, allowing for easy access for cleaning as and when required. The two separate sections also make it easier to transport and move the dog kennel around.
DIY crib that becomes two elegant chairs
I made this crib to feature in the last issue of Easy DIY magazine. The crib easily transforms into two chairs and also features a storage shelf. You can add a canopy over the top simply by hanging from the ceiling.
DIY mock beam ceiling
Rooms take on a completely new atmosphere with ceiling beams. It's one of those architectural features that adds character and detail that is lacking in many homes, and yet it's a fairly simple detail to add.
DIY wendy house

Although this looks like a difficult project to tackle, take it step-by-step and you will see that making a wendy house or garden shed is far simpler. This design makes the perfect wendy house for a garden, or a place to store your gardening essentials.

DIY desk for home office or child's bedroom
This practical desk looks great in a home office, but it’s also perfect for a child's bedroom. So why not spend the weekend with your son or daughter building a pair of them?
Custom shelf unit
No matter how small or large a home, shelves and cupboard are always needed for storing and displaying items. A wall unit not only looks good, it serves as a display unit for your collectibles, or to house a flat screen TV, and provides plenty of storage for audio/visual equipment and other items.
Make a stylish TV cabinet
Make this stylish TV cabinet from a few sheets of plywood and some boards and get a thumbs up from the family.
Make a speaker stand with CD or DVD storage
These DIY speaker stands are ideal for your home theatre speakers, plus they allow you store your CD's out of sight in a convenient storage unit. Even the wires for the speakers are out of sight - they run inside the stands.
Make a modern cot
This chunky and modern cot design uses affordable pine and is stained a dark imbuia colour.
Framed mirror for entrance hall
The design of this hallway mirror is simple yet elegant, allowing the wood to shine. It is the first thing people see when they enter my home.
Make a rustic picture frame
Believe it or not, there are some real diamonds in the rough to be found in firewood or even fallen limbs, and the best part of all—it’s free! Turning logs into something practical is a lot of fun. Pieces don't have to be perfect - it adds to the effect!
Bi-fold closet doors
If you're looking to add more interest to a bedroom, replacing those old closet doors is one place to start. Making your own unique closet doors is easy with shop-bought timber and hardware.
Mobile storage unit
Judging by the number of requests received from readers, the mobile workshop storage is definitely a great space-saving storage option, so I've got the plans for you to get cracking on making this unit.
Garage storage cabinet
A wall-mounted storage cabinet is a great way to contain all your essential, smaller items in one spot. You can easily add plastic storage boxes to keep everything in order.
Build a sideboard - room divider
You can build this project either as a shelving unit - open on both sides, a shelving unit with rear panel, or as a sideboard. Whatever you choose – this piece of furniture will look great in any room.
How to build a pergola
Whether you build a small arbor, or a larger pergola, this is a garden structure that will increase your enjoyment of the garden and add value to your property.
Trellis screen and planter
Perfect for planting up, a trellis planter box is also ideal for sectioning off a nice secluded area as a garden retreat - a place where you can go to sit down, have a glass of wine, and relax after a hard day's work.
DIY patio trolley
Entertaining friends is easy with this versatile do-it-yourself trolley that’s great for the deck, a patio, or a sunroom. In fact, it's so nice you could even use it indoors as well.

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Build a home bar
An indoor bar or patio bar, is one of the ways to add some excitement to your indoor / outdoor enter-tainment area. Here's how to put together a design and start building a bar.
DIY home office desk
Build a do-it-yourself compact home office centre with a desktop and swing-out work area, plenty of drawers and storage, open bookshelves, a large bulletin board and an easy cord organizer.
Foldaway workbench
If you're looking for a place to set up a work station for your hobbies, arts and crafts, or even small do-it-yourself projects, this foldaway workbench is ideal.
Garden lounger
Get ready for lazy summer days in the garden, or by the pool, with this lazy garden rocker and stool.
Dining bench
With its clean, simple lines, this occasional bench will make a stylish addition to your dining room. It is easy to build and goes well with all types of decor, whether modern or more traditional.
Drum braai
If you can find yourself an empty drum (preferable not used for petroleum products), you can design a very nifty braai for entertaining.
Patio day bed
Build an outdoor daybed for lazy days enjoying the freshness of spring in the air. Our daybed is perfect for a shady spot in the garden, or on the patio or deck.
Make your own chairs
For those of you who were unable to attend the DIY Divas Basic Chair and Table workshop, as promised, here are the instructions to make your own chairs and table.
Bar table and stools
I have often seen these sets in various stores and was amazed at how expensive they can be. As a do-it-yourself project you can easily make the pub table and stools for around R600.
Flatscreen TV cabinet
I have been designing and making projects for the DIY for Divas books. The TV cabinet was one of the first projects that I tackled but being a typical woman, I changed my mind and made another one!

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Build a dog kennel
This project will take you through the steps to build a basic doghouse or kennel from a single sheet of marine plywood and some pine.
Make this cot / crib
This beautiful, sturdy baby crib or cot easily turns in a striking and practical pair of chairs
Make a TV stand
For a contemporary look without a designer price, this simple TV unit was constructed from PG Bison Wenge MelaWood.
DIY bench or table
Arts & Crafts style is extremely sturdy and I thought it might be nice to make for outdoors - sort of a table that can be used as extra seating when needed.
Hang heavy items
You can't use normal picture hooks to mount heavy items, and you don't always want to mount items directly onto the wall. So, how do you safely mount heavy items?
Add wall panelling
Add interest to a plain wall with faux moulding. All you need for this project is a few strips of pine and skirting, and some satin paint to finish off.
Build a deck in a day
My new deck took approximately two weeks from start to finish and came in at well under R10,000 for a complete entertainment area.
Outdoor playhouse
This playhouse will provide hours and hours of entertainment in the garden for young children.
Make a desk
When you build your own desk you have the pportunity to choose the size and finish that work best for you and your space.
Window screen
Instead of standard window treatments, try a wooden privacy screen. It takes less than a weekend to build.

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Build a jungle gym
This rustic jungle gym is simple to construct. Imagine how much the kids will love it.
Build stairs
When constructing a staircase, functionality is the most important consideration. Extreme accuracy must be used for a safe design.
Mirror frame
Some mirrors can be as striking as a picture on the wall. Using our instructions, you can easily assemble a mirror like this yourself.
Bar cabinet
Entertain your guests in true style with our bar cabinet. There is plenty of room to store your glasses, accessories, drinkie poos and cold drinks, and more.
Designer mirror [PDF]
I recently saw a framed mirror that I really liked, but the price tag was just to rich for my tastes - so I made my own!
Bathroom vanity [PDF]
Here’s an idea to wash away all doubts: Give your bathroom the latest design look with our minimalist washstand.
Bathroom cupboard [PDF]
An affordable cabinet to ensure you have plenty of bathroom storage. The project only takes approximately two hours from start to finish.
Need more storage? [PDF]
When my son decided he wanted a larger bedroom I said bye to my home office, but the room didn’t have any built in cupboards - time to make some.
Garden hammock [PDF]
Rock-solid posts and overhead shading make this hammock the perfect retreat on hot summer days. All you need to do is to add the hammock.
Interior door makeover
Rather than replace the original doors with beyond-my-budget raised-panelled doors, I decided a fresh facelift with paint mixed with a little creativity was a fun and affordable solution.

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