Designing Woodworking Projects
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Project design is: A process Develops ideas Shapes or forms projects
A successful woodworking project starts with a well-
planned designBased on familiarSomething new
The Project Design ProcessConsider your goals for the project….. Appealing Blend it together Will it work
Other things to consider… Tools & techniques Different methods
What should I build? Deciding what to build is where the design
process begins. Specific need Challenge your skills
“Healthy desire to explore new techniques is what makes woodworking a hobby, not a chore. –Bruce Kieffer
Evolution of a Woodworking project
1. Create the Design
2. Build a prototype (if necessary)
3. Build the project
Getting Project Ideas Actual pieces of furniture Discuss with other woodworkers Local library or your own collection of books
and magazines Internet plans Watching TV or movies. Local woodworking stores.
Practical Considerations Wood species Solid wood, plywood or veneer? Choosing hardware & finishes
Staining – Some stains harder to apply than others Avoid Gel stains, 1 step stain and polyurethane
combinations, and other thick stains
Making Prototypes Prototype tricky joints Test pieces for routing profiles
Standard Furniture Dimensions Dining Tables
Top height: 29 – 30” Place setting width:
24” min., 30” best Table edge to pedestal
base clearance: 14” min Apron to floor
clearance: 23 ½”
Miscellaneous Tables Coffee tables: 12 – 18”
tall End tables: 18 – 24”
tall Desks
Depth: 30” deep Writing height: 29– 30” Computer keyboard
stations: 25 – 27” tall
Standard Furniture Dimensions Bedroom furniture
Dressers: 18 – 24” deep, 30” min height
Night stands: 18 – 22” Bed mattress height:
18 – 22” Chairs
Seat height: 15 – 18” Seat width: 17 – 20” Seat depth: 15 – 18” Arm rest (from seat):
8 – 10”
Bookcases Depth: 12” Height: 76” maximum Shelf width: 24” max width for
¾” plywood shelves; 36” max width for ¾” solid wood shelves
Lounge seating Seat height: 14 – 17” Seat width: 24” min/person Seat depth: 15 – 18” Arm rest height (from seat): 8 –
10” Seat angle tilt backwards: 3 - 5° Backrest tilt angle from seat:
95 - 105°
Furniture Styles Jacobean (1600 – 1690) Early American (1640 – 1700) William and Mary (1690 –
1725) Queen Anne (1700 – 1755) Colonial (1700 – 1780) Georgian (1714 – 1760) Pennsylvania Dutch (1720 -
1830) Chippendale (1750 –1790) Robert Adam (1760 – 1795) Hepplewhite (1765 – 1800)
Federal (1780 – 1820) Sheraton (1780 – 1820) Duncan Phyfe (1795 – 1848) American Empire (1800 –
1840) Shaker (1820 – 1860) Victorian (1840 – 1910) Arts and Craft (1880 – 1910) Art Nouveau (1890 – 1910) Scandinavian Contemporary
(1930 – 1950)
Duncan Phyfe (1795 – 1848) Appearance
Graceful & refined w/ carved or reeded legs.
Drawer Pulls Oval back plate w/stamped
brass handle Mushroom-shaped glass or
brass knob. Brass Lion's head with pull ring
through mouth. Loop bail handle w/no back
plate. Joints
Dovetail Finish
Oil varnish
Shaker (1820 – 1860) Appearance
Straight lines, simple design and little ornamentation.
Drawer Pulls Mushroom-shaped wooden
knob
Joints Dovetail
Finish Oil varnish Paint
Victorian (1840 – 1910) Appearance
Elaborately detailed, formal, somber appearance. Cabriole style leg.
Drawer Pulls Carved wood handle. Mushroom-shaped glass or
wooden knob. Rosette - round flower or leaf
shaped knob in brass or glass. Joints
Dovetail Finish
Oil varnish
Arts & Craft aka. Mission (1880 – 1910) Appearance
Straight lines, simple design and little ornamentation.
Straight lines and heavy proportion Drawer Pulls
Bail handle w/back plate. Mushroom-shaped wooden knob. Round brass ring pull w/o back
plate. Joints
Dovetail Mortise and tenon
Finish Lacquer Shellac Stain Wax
Scandinavian Contemporary (1930 – 1950) Appearance
Straight lines, simple design, and little ornamentation.
Drawer Pulls Mushroom-shaped wooden
knob. Joints
Dovetail Mortise and tenon
Finish Oil varnish Stain Wax