With the right tools and skill set, you can enjoy a fulfilling hobby and save money by building your own furniture.
Filling your home with pieces that you've built, refurbished, refinished or repaired yourself not only saves dollars, but it also fills you with satisfaction and pride.
Keep reading to learn the basics on how to get started either making your own furniture or repairing the furniture that you have.
Start Small Especially if you're new to woodworking or carpentry, you want to start small.
Instead of learning as you go on a complicated dresser or armoire, maybe take a woodworking class that focuses on easier projects, such as a foot stool or a small table.
Once you have those foundation skills, you can then expand your tool inventory and your project scope.
Get Educated Like the last tip suggested, educating yourself is going to make the difference between a poorly-made product and a masterpiece.
If you don't have the time or the money for an evening carpentry class, check your local library or bookstore for books or DVDs that will help you tackle a particular project.
Build a Tool Library Working with quality tools can mean the difference between a positive experience with a quality product and a bad experience with a poorly made product.
While you shouldn't break the bank buying up every tool imaginable before you even start your first project, you should make sure you have the tools you need.
Because good tools are often expensive, most large-scale home hardware retailers offer tool or equipment rental programs.
So, if you need a power sander or tile cutter, you can rent one for the day rather than shelling out a few hundred dollars on something you'll only use a few times.
Start With Refurbishing Refurbishing or repairing older furniture can be a great way to start your furniture-building endeavors.
Not only will you get an almost-new look on the item, but you'll also have a chance to look inside a piece of furniture, learn how it's made and put together, and gain a better understanding of the trade.
To find furniture pieces that you can fix up, try looking in your own house.
From that old coffee table in the basement to that beat-up headboard that's sitting in the garage, you're likely to find something that could be sanded down, painted and refinished.
If you don't have any success at home, try checking your local thrift store, antique shops and flea markets for quality finds that just need a little loving care.