How to Build Space-Saving Furniture

If you live in a tiny apartment, space-saving furniture is essential.. Even if you have a larger home, you don't want to feel crowded by your furniture. Space-saving furniture includes drop-leaf tables or work surfaces, vertically oriented pieces and multipurpose pieces. Building your own space-saving furniture will save you money and allow you to customize your furniture to your particular needs.

Instructions

How to Build Space Saving Furniture

1

Decide what you need. You can opt for simple space saving furniture solutions for your dining area, kitchen work area, office, craft space or kids' rooms. Consider combining a table that folds flat against the wall with folding wooden chairs for a stowaway dinner area or a very narrow wall mounted desk to allow you work space in a hall or corridor. Collapsible furniture is ideal in small spaces.

2

Use graph paper to plan your small-space furnishings. Carefully plot out both dimensions and supports. A dining table will require a wide folding leg or a pair of folding legs, whereas a very narrow writing or craft desk can be supported with purchased shelf supports. Consider including narrow shelves above a folding or mounted surface for storage and display.

3

Visit your local hardware or home improvement center. Have lumber cut to your preferred dimensions, unless you have access to a good table saw and the skills to use it. For narrow projects, opt for board lumber. Hardwoods are costlier, but will make for a more attractive look. Take your time examining ready-made legs and other components, as well as hinges and other folding hardware, with an eye toward materials that will be easiest to build with.

4

Assemble your space-saving furniture pieces. Use trim moldings to finish the edges if desired, hammering these into place with small finish nails. Sand and paint or stain as you prefer. Use polyurethane for a strong, durable, low-maintenance finish.

5

Use a stud finder to locate your wall studs. Install supports or hinges into place on your wall studs. If a stud is not available, lighter items can be wall mounted using drywall anchors.