How to Build Home Office Furniture

When bringing work home, it is important to factor in important considerations such as space, equipment, needs, organization, etc. For instance, will you be using your home office for graphic design or writing? Your usage will help you determine what you need by way of office furniture. Building home office furniture can be as simple or as complicated as you make it.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Hammer
• Screwdrivers - both Phillips and flathead
• Saw
• Router
• Fabric
• Paint
• Wood stain
• Wood glue
• Nails
• Wood
• Pencil
• Plans or ready-to-build furniture
• Graph paper
• Ruler
• Microfiber cloth
• Masking tape
• Drill
• Drop cloth
• Protective eyewear

Instructions

Preliminary Steps

1. Measure the space designated for your home office. Note all dimensions (length, width, depth, height) on a sheet of paper. Make sure to measure window allowances and door frames, and note where outlets are located.

2. Create a floor plan for your home office. Take the graph paper and map your home office area onto the graph paper. Create a list of the furniture you will need. This list should include filing space, desk space, computer space -- if needed -- and shelving space.

3. Add the required furniture into your floor plan with your pencil. This will help you determine the measurements that will work in your space.

4. Make a decision: will you be building ready-made furniture, furniture you build out of materials according to purchased plans or furniture you will build from your own plans? Based upon your decision, look for ready-to-build furniture fitting your specifications, select your plans or create your furniture plans.

5. Purchase all supplies required for your work. Some home supply stores will precut the wood to your specifications. Take advantage of this if you can, it will save time.

Building Ready-Made Furniture

1. Remove all parts from the box. Sort them according to the diagrams in the instructions. Read through the directions. Read through the directions a second time. This will prevent you from having to pull apart the furniture because something was facing the wrong way.

2. Wipe down all wood with a microfiber cloth to help remove packing materials. Follow the step-by-step instructions to create your furniture. Do not tighten screws too tight.

3. Paint or stain furniture if you desire. Place newly built furniture according to floor plan.

Building from Plans

1. Protect your work area. Make sure to protect your eyes as well. Read through your plans and the instructions twice. Be sure you have all required supplies and wood before beginning the project.

2. Cut all wood to specified size. Use masking tape to label pieces. Mark all places where connections will be required. Drill all holes.

3. Begin to fasten your furniture together. Do not tighten any screws until the piece has been built.

4. Sand all wood on your furniture piece. Stain or paint furniture as desired. You may wish to cover chairs in fabric to your taste.

Tips & Warnings

• Measure twice, cut once. Be absolutely certain of your measurements. While you can always cut more wood off, it is difficult to add it back.

• Read the directions first. It really does help. If you are creating your own furniture plan, you may wish to consult books on woodworking to help you with joinery techniques.

• Have fun with this project. Use different materials, paints and stains to customize your office furniture to your liking. Just because it comes in a box does not mean that you have to use it that way.

• Do not over torque the screws, doing so can cause the wood to break, the screws to strip, and can cause you major headaches.

• Be careful when using electrical tools. Be sure to use safety goggles and follow the appropriate precautions for working with wood.

References

• FurniturePlans.com
• Knotty Plans
• Wood Store