How to Make Furniture From Barnwood

Barnwood is a lovely option for rustic furniture. Because it's reclaimed from old barns, the wood doesn't have an environmental impact. Wood from old barns is already weathered and has swollen or shrunk as much as the wood is capable. When choosing barn wood, look for wood that is solid. Discard wood that has open knot holes or cracks through the plank. These can be repaired, but they leave the wood weaker in that section. Both beams and planking are used for furniture.

Instructions

Barnwood Frame

1

Choose a single 12 ft plank. The width of the plank will be the width of the frame. Choose a width that works for the picture to be framed. If the perfect board is a little too wide, rip the board to the desired width. Keep the raw edge next to the painting and the weathered edge displayed.

2

Measure the painting. Mark the board to fit.

3

Cut the board at a 45 degree angle using the marks as the shortest point of the angle.

4

Choose a side of each wooden piece for display. Because this is barnwood, choose the most scarred side. This will have the most character.

5

Lay the boards face down in a rectangle. Make sure the corners meet each other at right angles.

6

Lay the joint fastener across the diagonal seam on each corner. Nail the fastener across the seam. If the fastener goes all the way through the wood, don't worry. It will add to the rustic feel of the frame.

Barnwood Coffee Table

7

Choose 17 ft of barnwood beams. The beams should be 12 in by 12 in. If your beams are narrower, you may need to choose a shorter carriage bolt.

8

Cut three 3 ft sections of beam. Cut four 2 ft sections of beam.

9

Stack two of the 2 ft sections of beam. Measure 4 in from either end of the stack. Drill a hole through both pieces with the installer bit. Cut counter sink holes with the auger bit.

10

Thread a carriage bolt through each hole and tighten the bolt with the socket wrench. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 with the other pair of 2 ft pieces. These are the legs of the table.

11

Choose a side of each 3 ft beam to be the top of the coffee table. Lay each length face down. Measure inward 6 in from the end of each beam.

12

Line up the legs on the lines drown on either side of the beams. Attach each 3 ft beam to a leg with an L bracket. Fasten the top on both sides of the legs.

13

Turn the table over and coat with a polyurethane gloss. This can be natural, or have a light stain.