Quick & easy outdoor space
If you need a place to entertain family and friends, we offer some advice on an easy and affordable way to create a wonderful outdoor area.
Setting up a comfortable outdoor area can be expensive. When you add up the cost of furniture and accessories you can end up spending thousands of Rands.
There are plenty of affordable alternatives to buying wood furniture, even if you only have basic DIY skills. Obviously, the greater your skills - the more options you have at your fingertips. If you want to acquire the necessary DIY skills, or build on what you have, then a www.DIY-Divas.co.za workshop is definitely top of the list. At DIY-Divas we introduce you to a variety of power tools, give you hands-on experience in using the tools, and also offer plenty of tips and tricks to get you started on your next DIY project.
cutediyprojects.com
prestigecrafted.com
Materials
Reclaimed wood pallets can be sourced and bought for low cost. The trick is finding decent pallets that you can use for your projects. With increased interest in these materials they are becoming increasingly difficult to find. There are plenty of online sources for reclaimed wood pallets such as www.gumtree.co.za or www.junkmail.co.za, or pop into your local Builders store for a wide selection of pine products.
woohome.com
Tools
For any DIY project you will require a few basic tools. A drill / driver, sander and jigsaw are the 3 power tools that you can use for almost any project, but especially when making your own outdoor furniture. A jigsaw lets you cut pieces to size, since you won't be able to have this done for you. A drill / driver allows you to secure your pieces together using screws. And a sander provides an easy way to finish off your completed project.
If you are working with reclaimed wood pallets you'll also need a claw hammer and pry bar. Alternatively, take a look at our feature for working with wood pallets, where we offer hints and tips for methods and tools for working with pallets easily and safely.
upcycled-wonders.com
Finishing
Even though you are using reclaimed pallets for making outdoor furniture, you still want it to look as good as possible. My personal philosophy when making furniture is for people to ask where I bought it, not to ask if I made it. I think the difference between furniture that looks bought and that made is the time spent finishing off the piece.
When a project is rushed it tends to look more like a 'made' piece as opposed to one where you spend more time on sanding, sealing or painting. The more time you spend on finishing off the projects - the better the finished product. Decide how you want the final piece to look and then use quality products to protect and enhance.
diyfurnituresideas.com
diyfurnituresideas.com