Dad Junked The Kitchen Table To Build Something Entirely Different With His Bare Hands
When it comes to home improvement, nothing is more satisfying and frugal than taking on a project by yourself. That's precisely what one dad did when it came to remodeling his family's dining area. Instead of buying a different table or hiring a contractor, Imgur user MidnightXII decided to build something on his own.
What looked like a complicated task turned out to be a simple, efficient DIY project—and he did it with his own two hands! Read on to see how this dad completely transformed the family's dining area.
The Bland Dining Room
This dining area was starting to look a little drab for the family. The bulky dining table was a hand-me-down that was starting to feel outdated and crowded, the more they used it. The family loved to entertain and decided that this table simply wasn't going to cut it.
Instead of shopping for something smaller or sleeker, Dad thought he'd go the extra mile and build something entirely new! Would he actually complete it start to finish?
The Room Was Instantly More Spacious
The first step was to get rid of their bland dining table. After it was gone, the dining area instantly felt more spacious. Still, the room itself was pretty small, measuring at nine-feet by six-and-a-half-feet.
Dad had to figure a way to fill the space in a functional but stylish way without making it feel cluttered and cramped. The challenge was figuring out what exactly would meet all of their needs.
He Attached A Beam To The Wall
The next step was to remove the quarter round at the floor, which is a decorative element that hides gaps between the baseboard and the floor. That's when the real project began. Dad started by measuring a beam the length of the longest wall, then attaching it about a foot-and-a-half above the floor.
At first, he was worried since it looked a little off but the floor itself was already uneven since they live in an older house.
He Added Some Horizontal Planks
With the beam firmly attached to the wall, smaller planks were nailed to the top of it. Except for the two in the middle, the planks were spaced about 20 inches apart on the beam.
At this point, it was a little hard to tell where he was going with this project. But certainly, something that was only a couple feet high off the ground wouldn't serve as a good table.
It Needed More Support
Next, Dad added horizontal supports at the floor to mirror the ones at the top. He connected the horizontal beams by adding vertical support planks as well.
Something was definitely starting to take form. With the vertical support added, whatever Dad was building was less likely to cave in on itself if something were to be placed on top of it. Still, this was only the beginning stages of his DIY project.
He Added The "Ribs"
Dad followed up the previous step by adding similar supports to the surrounding walls. Due to the lack of studs on the wall of the counter, he couldn't attach a beam to it as he did for the first wall. Instead, he created square-shaped supports that he referred to as "ribs" and fastened them to the wall.
He wanted this support system to wrap all around the room but since there's a window opposite the counter, these ribs were the perfect solution.
Looking At The Progress
This is what the project looked like with the supports along all three walls of the dining area. Dad had to make sure that each support was firmly anchored to the floor and to the walls. On the window side, he fixed the ribs to the baseboard.
One detail that concerned him at this point was the A/C vent on the back wall but indeed, he had a plan to keep the air flowing out of it.
He Was Building A Booth
Next, Dad measured and cut half-inch plywood boards to lay across the top of the supports. At this point, what he was doing was starting to make more sense—he was building a booth seat!
He considered using hinges to attach the plywood to the supports so that they could open up to reveal secret storage space. But since his family didn't need the room, he decided not to commit to the extra effort.
The Booth Needed Cushioning
Of course, nothing makes a booth more inviting than a cushioned seat. To do this, Dad cut and measured seat foam pads that were two-inches thick and laid them on top of the plywood.
To his surprise, the foam was the most expensive part of the project! Indeed, high-quality foam used for upholstery can cost upwards of twenty-five dollars per yard. But in the long run, getting durable foam was sure to make his project last.
Upholstery Was An Important Decision
The next step was to upholster the seats. They needed something that was not only stylish but would also be easy to slide across and hard to stain. That's why they went for an outdoor fabric because it was durable, waterproof, and hard to stain.
They picked a simple dark gray fabric that already matched the color scheme they had going on. Even Grandma got in on the action by helping Dad secure the fabric.
The Upholstery Method
To upholster the booth seats, Dad laid the foam pads on top of the fabric, then the plywood boards on top of the foam. This way, they could stretch the fabric around the entire seat to ensure that the surface of the seat would appear smooth and seamless.
Once the fabric was wrapped around the board, they stapled it down to secure it. Dad thought they used more staples than necessary but better safe than sorry!
Beadboard Was Added For Facing
Once he laid the covered booth cushions on top of the supports, the entire project appeared to be coming along nicely. Next, he added some wood panels called beadboard to the sides of the supports for the facing of the booth.
In the world of home improvement, beadboard is usually a row of narrow planks lined up vertically on the wall. What makes them distinct is an indentation or ridge in between each plank.
Filling In The Gaps
One of the biggest challenges of the project was getting the booth to fit snugly around the windowed wall. Dad had to cut some of the beadboard to fit underneath the baseboard in order to fill in any awkward gaps.
He also added the beadboard to the back of this section of the booth since you could see the other side of it through the window. The seat cushion also overlapped a bit off the back edge, which they didn't have a problem with.
He Didn't Forget The A/C Vent
Don't think that Dad forgot about the A/C vent! Before he added the beadboard paneling to the back wall, he made sure to cut out a hole that matched the size of the vent on the wall.
Admittedly, it wasn't the cleanest cut he could've achieved but it didn't matter so much since he was going to add a new vent cover on top of it. This way, the air could still flow from the original vent in the wall.
The New Vent Made It Look Professional
Once Dad affixed a brand-new white vent cover to the hole, it looked as if a professional had installed it! To ensure the air would flow through the new vent, he used pipes and duct tape to connect the original wall vent with the one he fashioned himself.
They may have been transforming the entire dining area but they didn't do so without keeping the room's full functionality intact.
The Space Was Coming Together
When taking a step back from the work in progress, it was already obvious that the booth was a more efficient use of the space than the clunky table they used to have. Next, Dad began adding the finishing touches by installing trim at the top and bottom of the beadboard.
This was one of his favorite parts of the project because he got to use an electric nailer, which sounds like fun!
Checking The Minor Details
The trim also supported the edges of the seat cushions to make them more secure. Upon closer inspection of the trim, Dad noticed a few gaps and mistakes. However, the quick and easy fix for this was to just caulk it up and fill it in.
The booth at this point was completely built but there was still some major finishing touches to be made. After all, the raw wood didn't match the rest of the room.
Two Coats Of Fresh White Paint
After the caulking was finished up, Dad painted the whole thing a nice, bright white. This really made the room come together since the original details of the home were also white. The fresh paint took its time to dry since two coats were needed to make everything look just right.
The family admired Dad's hard work as a fan helped the drying process. The booth was nearly complete but that wasn't the only thing Dad built.
He Built A Table To Match
In addition to building the booth, Dad also built a complementary farmhouse-style table to go with it! The tabletop was a rustic wood that added a chic and homey feel to the space. The supports of the table were also painted white.
The custom table fit perfectly in the booth and was definitely a huge upgrade compared to their previous dining table. The project was essentially complete but not without the finishing touches.
A Dining Space They Actually Loved!
Now that the booth and table were built, all they needed was the perfect décor to tie the room together. This was achieved by adding color-coordinated pillows all along the booth, which certainly made it look inviting and cozy!
With some matching placemats added to the table, the entire project was complete. This simple DIY project rejuvenated the family's entire dining area, making it the perfect spot for entertaining and serving the whole family all thanks to Dad's incredible work!
He Was Inspired To Build Something Unique
What better way to spend a hot summer day than lounging out in the backyard by the pool?One man couldn't think of anything better for his family. The only problem was that his above-ground pool didn't have a deck.
That meant he wouldn't be able to see his young son swimming unless he was standing up. That was going to get real old real fast during the summer. So, he decided to take matters into his own hands.
He Began To Drill Large Holes
The DIY deck started with the man drilling huge holes into the ground near the pool. His neighbors were a bit confused about his process, especially when he began to finish the holes with his bare hands.
No one could blame the neighbors for being concerned. The guy never explained his project, and all of a sudden, one morning, he is turning his garden into Swiss cheese. Hopefully, there was a method to his madness.
The Beams Were Next
A few days and a lot of holes later, he brought in a couple of long wooden beams. The addition of the beams made it clear that he was building something and not making giant holes to plant some bizarre seeds in. Still, no one knew what he was building.
He began placing the beams in the holes, pouring cement over them, and spreading gravel down so everything would stay dry and not rot.
The Deck Starts To Take Shape
After the beams were set, the guy began building until an outline of the project came to light. There was now even what looked like the start of a staircase on one side. Apparently the stairs were the final clue the neighbors needed to realize he was building a deck for his above-ground pool.
They couldn't fault him. Having a deck eye-level with the pool would make lounging and watching his son a whole lot easier!
His Son Wanted To Help With Construction
With a huge project like this, it's always nice to have an extra pair of hands, no matter how tiny. In this case, the man received help from none other than his young son. Of course, the little one couldn't do any of the heavy lifting or use power tools.
But just being there for his dad and helping when he could probably meant the world to the older guy. This project was in part for his son, after all.
The Neighbors Were Getting Excited
What had started as confusion quickly turned into excitement among the neighbors. Once they began to see the bones of the pool deck, they were curious to see what the resulting product was going to look like. The beginning stages were already looking good!
Although they weren't helping with construction, the neighbors were there watching since the holes were being drilled into the ground. So to say they were a bit anxious for the final reveal would be an understatement!
Starting On The Floor
With the bones in place and the stairs underway, it was time to start building an essential part of the deck, the floor. His family was going to be using this deck a lot, so he wanted to make sure it was as sturdy as possible.
He did so by adding multiple support beams to increase stability. Then, he added numerous horizontal beams. They were the key feature because they would be holding the weight of lawn furniture and the family.
Change Of The Season Halted His Progress
As with most outdoor construction projects, the winter months halted any progress the man hoped to make on his deck. It wasn't worth his safety if the wooden beams became icy or if he wasn't able to build properly because of the elements.
It looked like he was taking a break until the weather warmed back up. Not that he minded. Taking a break meant spending more time with his family, the whole reason he was undergoing this DIY project.
Springtime And Measurements
Winter didn't last forever, and once the springtime rolled around, he was ready to get back to his project. Before the snow and ice hit, he had ensured that the deck was durable and sturdy, so now it was time to make sure all of the measurements were accurate.
If they weren't, not only would the planks of the deck look bad, but it could later lead to safety concerns. It was time to take careful measurements and begin setting the floorboards.
It Fit Like A Puzzle
The planks fit into place effortlessly. The surface was level, there were no gaps between the floorboards, and the screws didn't seem to be straining the wood. Everything was fitting together like a well-cut puzzle.
The floor was finished! Now, it was time to put the rest of the staircase together so they could easily get to the raised platform. His neighbors were very impressed with how well everything fell into place.
A Customized Pool Deck
If the neighbors learned anything from this man, it is that dedication and perseverance can get you a long way. It might have taken a long time to build, but the man is now the proud owner of a personalized pool deck, a structure that he can enjoy with his family.
And because that family included a young son, he made safety his number one priority. He was sure to include durable planks and support beams, as well as industrial bolts for the corners.
The Deck Was Secure Yet Comfortable
The man's DIY pool deck looked amazing. It was designed very well, and it was also safe for anyone who ventured on to it. He even went out and bought a few lawn chairs so people would be able to lounge and not worry about hurting their backs on the wooden planks.
For an extra security measure, he even added a pully latch to prevent children and dogs from venturing on the deck without an adult present.
The End Result Was Well Worth It
It's amazing that the man was able to accomplish this transformation in less than a year. What started off as a plot of land that held nothing more than weeds had turned into a lovely deck that he and his family will be able to enjoy for years to come.
And while his neighbors were very skeptical about his plans, in the beginning, there is no doubt in their mind that he had a vision since day one!
After His Dog Passed Away, This Man Wanted To Stay Busy
After his dog passed away, this man didn't really know what to do with himself. He wanted to stay busy. The garden he used to play in with his best friend looked very empty, so he decided a DIY project was in order, something that would keep his mind off his loss.
He decided to build a koi pond on the plot of land. But, he got half-way through the project when he came up with a new idea altogether.
The Birth Of His Son Made Him Switch Directions
His plan to build a koi pond came to an end after the birth of his son. Although it would have looked very nice in the garden, the man decided he wanted to build something that the entire family, especially his son, would be able to enjoy.
So, he recruited a friend to help him begin his new project. Although the plan is somewhat the same, the project as a whole was entirely different than a pond.
Hard Work And Long Hours
He and his friend started the project during the summer months, so it was grueling work underneath the hot sun. But the result was going to be completely worth it! Even though it was a lot of work, he was determined to build this backyard oasis for his son.
He was positive that the little guy was going to love the finished product. So, once the filtration system was in place, he poured the concrete and was ready for the next step!
The Result Was A Natural-Looking Pool
After working all summer long, the finished product was finally ready to be revealed. Instead of the koi pond, he decided to build a pool that looked as though it was a natural water feature in the garden.
The result was the perfect addition to the garden, one that he hopes his son will love to swim in. He was able to take his grief and use it to build something for his family. His pooch would have been proud!
Inspiration Struck Terry
Terry Meredith, a 65-year-old man living in Gloucester, England, had a creative spark one day. He was planning on clearing his garden for a nicer view when he decided it would be better to build something.
The former electrician was surprised by his desire to build a DIY project. And he never imagined his creation was going to turn out so well! This was the beginning of Terry's project to build the coolest treehouse ever.
It All Started With A Willow Tree
The project began after Terry decided not to chop down the tall willow tree in his yard. The tree had grown so large that it was blocking the view of the sunset. He wanted to take a few feet off the top so he could see nature's beauty again.
However, when he climbed to the top of the tree, he was awestruck by the view before him. That's when it hit him. Instead of cutting the tree down, he was going to build on it!
It Took About Eight Months To Build
Eight months and £8,000 later, Terry had a luxurious treehouse sitting up in his willow tree. The finished house was concealed by the tree's branches, with only the staircase visible at the base.
Inside, there's cushion seating, a ton of windows, and a working barbecue in the center for either a picnic or to warm the treehouse on cold nights. It's the perfect place for Terry and his friends and family to come and relax while enjoying the gorgeous Welsh countryside.
Terry Opened The Treehouse To The Public
Terry isn't the only one that's been enjoying the treehouse, though. He was gracious enough to open his willow tree up to the local people. It's been used for birthday parties and a rest stop for people running or walking through the area.
It must be nice for Terry to see other people enjoying his hard work as much as he is. We wouldn't be surprised if some of the locals asked him to build a luxury treehouse in their yard!
One Man And A Dream For His Dogs
Who says DIY projects are solely for a person's enjoyment? Aaron Franks of Pennsylvania decided to do something nice for his beloved dogs, Tessa, Bruno, Cooper, and Mia. What did he do for them?
He built what can only be described as a doggie mansion. The project cost a few thousand dollars and took around two years to construct. But the three-story dog playhouse, complete with a pool, lounge spots, and electricity, was well worth it!
The Playhouse Is A Dog's Dream House
Frank isn't delusional; the first person he has to thank for putting up with his long hours is his family, especially his wife. But, the dogs are also part of the family, so she understood his desire to build something nice for them.
The three-story playhouse features an above-ground pirate-themed pool, swings, and even security cameras so the family can keep an eye on the dogs when they're playing. All it's missing is a flatscreen TV!
It Was A Labor Of Love
During an interview about his dogs, Aaron said, "I feed them, I water them and walk them every day. They get their exercise and stuff, but I guess at the end of the day, I just felt like it wasn't enough."
"I felt like this would be a good way to show my love for them. It makes me feel good that I could do that for them." According to Aaron, it wasn't a hardship to build the doggie mansion; it was a labor of love!
Every Detail Was Taken Care Of
After seeing the finished product, it's clear that Aaron has a whole lot of love for his four pooches. Everything was taken care of, down to the last fire hydrant detail. The ironic part is, Aaron has said that he had no idea what the finished product was going to look like!
He just kept building and hoped for the best. Well, it looks like his hard work and creativity were well worth it. His dogs love their new playhouse!
