How to Build Rustic Furniture

When it comes to natural beauty and nostalgia of the past, few pieces of furniture can bring forth those feelings like rustic wooden furniture. Rustic furniture evokes times of old farm houses or sleepy cabins tucked in the woods. A nice thing to know is that you can build rustic furniture for your home for little expense or work. In as little as an afternoon you can build a small rustic bookshelf and a functional table that can each be used for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• The table:
• 4 1 by 6 inch boards, 3 feet long
• Hammer and nails
• 4 3 by 3 inch posts, 3 feet long
• 4 1 by 10 inch boards, 5 feet long
• Sandpaper
• Wood stain
• The bookshelf:
• 2 1 by 8 inch boards, 3 feet long
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• 2 1 by 8 inch boards, 30 inches long
• 1 1 by 12 inch board, 3 feet long

Instructions

To build a rustic table

1. Form a square shape with the 1 x 6 boards. This will be the frame for your table. Nail the boards together at each corner. Use two nails at each corner. Be sure the frame is lying flat and flush to the ground.

2. Stand up a 3 by 3 inch post and set it along the inside corner of your frame. Make sure the bottom edges of the post and the frame are flush with one another. Nail through the frame and into the post using two nails on both sides where the post touches the frame.

3. Repeat the process by adding the other three posts to the remaining corners. Each post should be fully secure. If you do notice wobbling, then add another nail or two to hold the post tight to the frame. Once satisfied, flip the table base over so it sits right side up.

4. Set the four 1 by 4 inch boards across the top of the frame. The boards resting side by side should completely cover the frame and posts leaving an overhang on each side. The ends of the table should have a foot of overhang while the sides have four inches each. Working across the width of the table, hammer two nails into each board and into the frame boards. This should be sufficient to keep the top on the table and give a rustic look with the nail heads exposed along the top of the table.

5. Sand the table until it is smooth enough to run your hand across without fear of getting splinters. Dust off the table and apply a wood stain of your choosing.

To build a rustic bookshelf

1. Stand your two 1 by 8 inch boards up and lean against a wall or other surface. Starting from the top of the boards, measure 13 inches down and mark a line horizontally across the width of each board. Mark another line 17 inches away from the 13 inch mark. These marks are the lines you will use to attaching your shelves.

2. Prop the side boards up facing one another 30 inches apart with the pencil lines facing the inside. Hold a 30 inch shelf board to the bottom pencil mark of one side board. The top edge of the shelf should rest against the line on the side. Nail from the outside of the side board into the shelf to attach. Space your nails two inches away from one another. Join the other end of the shelf to the opposite side board.

3. Arrange the top shelf in the same manner by aligning it to the top marked line of the side boards. Nail the top shelf each side board to secure.

4. Add the 1 by 12 inch board by setting it over the shelves and centering. There should be an overhang of three inches on each side and two inches along the front and back of the shelf unit. Nail down through the top to attach it to the sides, keeping your nails three inches apart.

5. Sand down the sides, top, and shelf tops, as well as any edges to smooth the wood. Stain as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to add a little texture to your rustic furniture, bang it up with a hammer, chains, or even a spare board to create divots and scars. This will add to the rustic appeal of the pieces and give them an aged look.

• Always wear protective gear when doing woodworking projects.

References

• For great rustic furniture inspiration