How to Make Rustic Mountain Furniture
The ease of running out and buying expensive furniture and having it delivered can be nice, yet there is a joy and beauty to saving a couple hundred dollars and making your own rustic mountain furniture. With not much more than the basic supplies of wood, a hammer and nails, you can build your furniture in just a few hours. This kind of furniture is sure to last a lifetime. To start your venture making rustic mountain furniture, begin by building a simple bookshelf and dining-room table. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- For a rustic bookshelf:
- Two 3-foot x 1-inch x 8-inch boards for sides
- Hammer
- Nails
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Two 30-inch x 1-inch x 8-inch boards for shelves
- One 3-foot x 1-inch x 12-inch board for the top
- Sandpaper
- Wood stain or clear coat
- For a rustic table:
- Four 3-foot x 1-inch x 6-inch boards for the frame
- Four 3-foot x 3-inch x 3-inch posts for legs
- Four 5-foot x 1-inch x 10-inch boards for the top
Instructions
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Building a rustic bookshelf
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1
Lay down the two side boards (the 1-inch x 8-inch boards) side by side. Begin at the top edge of a board and measure down 13 inches. Mark a horizontal line across the width of both boards. This is the placement for your first shelf. Measure down once more and mark a second line 17 inches from the first.
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2
Hold the boards 30 inches apart with the marked lines turned toward the inside. Place the first 30 inch board against the bottom mark so the top edge of the board runs along the marked line. Nail into the shelf from the outside with your nails spaced two inches apart. Place the other end of the shelf board along the bottom line of the opposite side. Nail into place.
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3
Repeat the process with the second 30-inch shelf board and the top marked lines on the side boards. Nail the shelf into place on both sides. The bookcase should be stable with the nails hammered in solidly.
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4
Set the 1-inch x 12-inch top board over the bookshelves. Center the board so that there is a two-inch overhang all the way around on all sides. Nail down into the side boards through the top to attach, spacing the nails every three inches.
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5
Sand the piece on all sides and edges to smooth out the wood and prevent splinters. Apply wood stain or clear coat as desired to give a finished look.
Building a rustic table
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6
Use the 1-inch x 6-inch boards to create a square frame. Nail two nails at each corner to connect the four boards.
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7
Set the 3 x 3-inch posts on the inside of each of the four corners. Keep the bottom of the post flush to the bottom edge of the frame. Nail through the frame, and into the two sides of the posts that are touching the frame. Use two nails on each side of the post.
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8
Test the legs to make sure they don't feel loose, nailing additional points if needed, to fasten the posts to the frame. Flip the table over and set down on its legs.
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9
Lay out the top 1-inch x 10-inch boards over the frame. Set the boards side by side to cover the frame completely, and leave a four-inch overhang on the sides with a one-foot overhand on the ends. Nail down through the top boards and into the frame pieces which run perpendicular to the top boards. Use two nails on each board, at each of the locations of frame boards (four nails per top board).
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10
Sand the top surface and sides of the table, as well as the frame and legs. Apply wood stain or a clear coat, if desired, to complete the table's look.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Some people opt to add texture to their rustic furniture by hitting it with hammers, chains or leftover boards. If you choose this option, do so before you apply your stain, but do not bang up the piece so much that it looks excessive. This effect often gives an aged and worn look that some people desire.
