DIY plywood crafts: easy instructions with photos and descriptions

For humanity, since ancient times, wood has been the main building material. It was widely used for the construction of buildings, the manufacture of various household items, decorative items, toys, etc...

In the process of developing modern woodworking production, humanity has invented such new lumber as plywood and chipboard.

The improvement of woodworking tools and devices has expanded human capabilities to use these materials. Making objects from plywood is one of the common uses of this material.

In modern photographs of private farmsteads, apartment decor, household utensils and toys, you can see a diverse range of plywood crafts.

Features of the material

The advantages of using plywood sheets include:

1. Good environmental performance. Plywood is a natural material that is safe for others.
2. Possibility of pre-impregnation of plywood with antiseptic and moisture-resistant solutions. This approach will protect the product from moisture and pests.
3. Ease of operation. Creating crafts requires only minimal skills from the master to work with tools.

Photos of plywood crafts presented in magazines or web resources can help you decide on a model. There you can also find ready-made drawings, diagrams and detailed descriptions of the work process.

Children's toys made of plywood

Almost any children's toy can be made from plywood. For the little ones, pyramids or mobiles that hang above the baby’s crib are suitable. For example, you can make a pendant of multi-colored stars, which are attached to a fishing line and rotate slowly, evoking pleasant dreams.

For older children, various cars, tanks, airplanes, and puzzles are suitable. It is noteworthy that you can involve a child in the creation of each toy, which will not only allow you to have a fun time, but also teach the boy how to use the instrument.

Girls will not be left out either. You can cut a dollhouse out of plywood and make all the interior furnishings: cribs, chairs, dishes. The appearance of crafts for children made from plywood is much more interesting than that of factory toys, because they are made with soul. They can be given for a birthday, and it will be a very unusual and pleasant gift.

Important! It is recommended to glue children's toys only with PVA; for finishing, use water-based varnishes.

Such compositions do not contain toxic substances, therefore, they will not create health problems, even if the child puts the toy he likes into his mouth.

Tools and additional materials

To create original crafts, you may need the following materials and auxiliary kits:

• Electric file.
• Compasses and construction pencil.
• Ruler, pattern.
• Sharp knife.
• Sanding paper.
• Materials for painting the product.
• Solutions for pre-treatment of plywood sheets.
• Decorative elements (at the request of the master).

In the world of modern handicrafts, it is increasingly common to create structures from a combination of various types of materials: plywood and fabric flaps, metal structures.

Decoration and protection

When the structural elements are made, you can begin to paint them in parts or assembled. It all depends on the product itself, whether it needs further painting or not.

Paint or varnish is selected depending on the type, purpose of the product, room or area of ​​the yard or house being decorated.

After the paint and varnish have completely dried. It is advisable to treat crafts displayed outdoors with anti-corrosion or waterproof compounds.

Step-by-step making of crafts

Despite the huge range of finished products, their shapes, sizes and textures, all stages of creating crafts are similar to each other. The whole process can be divided into stages:

1. Preparation of the drawing.
2. Cutting out parts.
3. Polishing and pre-processing of the product.
4. Decorating crafts.

Each stage is carried out consistently and carefully, because it is necessary to avoid injuries, cuts, and rapid damage to the craft.

Furniture production technology

Production on a production scale begins with the plywood being cut, having previously prepared drawings of the furniture. The following tools are used for this work:

1. Jigsaw. It is considered the most convenient for cutting; it allows you to cut material without chipping. It is convenient for them to make curly elements.
2. Hand or circular saw. The best tool for the job is one with a large number of fine teeth, well sharpened, which allows you to make an even cut. The saw is designed primarily for cutting plywood in a straight line.
3. Format cutting machine. Sawing with this tool is one of the easiest ways to cut plywood.

The most optimal option for cutting plywood is a computer numerical control (CNC) machine. It does not allow chips to appear on the material and uneven edges after cutting. Using a laser tool, you can make complex geometric shapes, as well as small-sized structures, for example, furniture for Barbie. A computer-controlled milling machine can cut through sheets and also cut to a specified depth. Thanks to the automation of cutting, the cost of products made from this material has become quite affordable.

Quite often, furniture made from this material is combined with inserts made of metal, plastic, and glass. There is also colored (decorative) plywood, lined with textured tiles or paper.

The process of creating bent elements at furniture factories is as follows: blank sheets are impregnated with glue and placed between the parts of the mold. The upper part of the tool presses on the plywood, giving it the desired shape. Heating parts speed up the hardening process of the adhesive. The result is a finished plywood sheet that follows the contours of the press.

To give the material a bent shape at home, just hold it in a container of hot water for some time to steam, and then fix it on a template to dry. Soaking time depends on the thickness of the plywood. If you strictly follow the technology, the structure of the material will not be damaged.

Types of plywood bends

Soaking Cuts at the bend

Preparation of the drawing

Drawings of almost any plywood craft can be found in the public domain. However, if desired, the master can make them himself. The diagram must reflect:

• The size of the future figure.
• The thickness of the plywood sheet.
• Basic and additional details.
• Mounting diagram (if provided for in this model).

The drawing reflects the entire sequence of actions of the master, and helps to create the product accurately, without errors.

Caring for plywood furniture

Products made from plywood are quite unpretentious. They do not require special conditions for normal operation. To prevent surfaces from becoming dusty, they are regularly wiped with a damp, well-wrung out cotton cloth. If necessary, wash the furniture with a cleaning solution, which is then thoroughly washed and the product is allowed to dry. To reduce dust accumulation, furniture is treated with an antistatic agent.

To make your products last longer, you should follow these tips:

• maintain normal humidity in the room (about 60%) - this will prevent the plywood from drying out;
• do not place hot objects on furniture surfaces;
• periodically treat products with polish or wood oil.

Plywood furniture is a real find for those who value practicality and environmental friendliness in their furnishings. It will fit perfectly into the interior, will not cause unnecessary expenses and will allow you to admire the natural beauty for many years!

Cutting out parts

On a sheet of plywood, according to the drawing, the main and additional elements of the future craft are first drawn. The work uses a compass, a construction pencil, a ruler or a pattern to depict curly lines. Follow the instructions below:

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• The plywood sheet is firmly fixed.
• The parts of the craft are cut out of plywood using a jigsaw.
• In hard-to-reach places, use a sharp knife or file.

The work should be carried out carefully, trying not to damage the working surface and not to cut off the edges of the parts.

Clock cut from plywood

A simple round shape, the absence of numbers, but the presence of wood - all this is very useful for an interior in the style of modern minimalism or eco. It’s easy to make them yourself from plywood; all you need is an electric or manual jigsaw. And the clock mechanism can be removed from old outdated watches, and the hands can be cut out of cardboard or thin plywood. You can decorate them to your taste with ordinary paints.

By the way, such watches can be easily transformed using burning or decoupage techniques. You just need to decide on the picture.

Sanding and pre-treatment

The edges of the cuts are carefully cut down and sanded using sandpaper. This process is very important for plywood crafts for kindergarten - sharp and jagged edges can damage the baby’s skin.

Also, great attention is paid to pre-processing of the workpiece, which includes:

• Impregnation with antipyretic and antiseptic. This procedure will help prevent the fire of the craft and ensure its safety.
• Treatment with antifungal solutions.
• Treatment with moisture-resistant preparations.

After drying the blanks, you can begin assembling the product and decorating it.

Decorative processing options

Options for decorative processing of sheets include: lamination (using a film to cover the top layer), as well as veneering (applying veneer to the product). At home, plywood lends itself well to painting and varnishing. Coating with veneer and film gives the material the following positive qualities:

• increased moisture resistance and strength;
• resistance to rotting and cracking.

After this treatment, the furniture facades can be decorated as you wish. Most often, they are painted in a suitable color or using varnish to create the spectacular texture of more expensive wood. Thanks to this, the products easily fit into any interior.

Recently, bent or bent-glued plywood has been used in production. It is made from tropical wood or birch veneer. Thanks to the special structure of the layers, it can be given different shapes. Bent sheets make original chairs, armchairs, and wicker furniture. They are also indispensable for openings of various shapes - arches and portals.

Methods for restoring antique furniture, necessary tools

Lamination

Veneering

Coloring

Varnishing

Assembly and decoration

Lighter plywood crafts can be painted right away, but complex ones need to be assembled.

You can use strong glue to attach small parts. For house models or complex structures, you will need to use screws - they are safer than nails.

Decoration of finished products includes the following options:

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• Painting.
• Applying a transparent varnish that will create a glossy surface for the product.
• Decoration with beads, ribbons, beads.

Also used is the application of a decorative border and the creation of sides.

Tree 4 seasons

The work is aimed at the development of children. By collecting everything according to the instructions, you can easily help your heir understand the quirks of our world, understand what time of year it is now, and what will happen tomorrow.

Read here: Crafts from boxes: 85 photos of toys for children. Schemes and best projects with step-by-step instructions for implementation

• Draw a tree template for the product in the amount of 2 pieces
• Cutting out a circle for the stand
• We carefully polish the parts
• Make a cut on one template from above, on the other from below
• Connect the parts crosswise and secure them to a round stand using self-tapping screws.

Each side symbolizes the season; we need to creatively decorate our tree with small details. The first side is summer, we glue butterflies, green leaves, sun, apples. The second is autumn, orange and red leaves, pumpkins, birds. Third winter - white snowflakes, cotton wool snow, snow woman. Fourth spring – we attach flowers, bugs, birds.

Make all the details with felt, paper, and decorative figures. It is better to attach it with double-sided tape. The result is very interesting designs for your garden plot.

• Interesting curly images
• Flower beds
• Newspaper collections
• House for tits
• A variety of fun fences

I like to update my garden with different figures made from practical wood. I take the moisture-resistant option and go!

The product must be treated with special paint or a moisture-repellent agent, otherwise you won’t be able to admire its beauty for a long time. Environmental influences are doing their job...

Here is a simple master class on crafts made from plywood.

For some reason, this unusual type of decorating one’s garden has become undeservedly forgotten. YOU will become the unique owner of a fairy-tale courtyard, for example, by decorating a small fantastic corner using this method.

Alphabet letters for learning

Bright and light letters are perfect for an educational game. You can use both Russian alphabet layouts and templates for foreign languages. They are made in one piece and no further fastening is required.

It is recommended to paint items in contrasting colors to stimulate the baby's visual memory.

Design and style

Furniture made from plywood is quite in demand, and therefore has a variety of design forms. Having decided to arrange a room in one style or another, everyone can find a suitable option. Such products will most harmoniously complement interiors in the following areas:

1. Country. Characteristic are traditional tables and chairs with a rustic feel. The surface must resemble the texture of wood.
2. Classical. Veneered plywood is often used for furniture. Color – matte beige. It would be useful to decorate with decorative elements (forged handles, carvings).
3. Scandinavian. Characterized by laconic, minimalist designs on legs, regular geometric shape, and natural texture of the material. Popular colors: milky, beige, creamy, yellow.

In other style directions, a furniture set made of plywood will also look organic, but provided that it is made of a suitable type of material in the optimal color.

Country
Features of oak furniture, selection criteria, operation and care

Classic style

Scandinavian

Christmas tree decoration

The working material is very light, so a Christmas tree craft made from plywood is perfect for decorating a festive interior.

The toys are made bright, varnished to add shine, and also decorated with an abundance of beads and rhinestones. Finish the work by making a hook or loop on the back of the toy.

Characteristics and properties of the material

Plywood is a building material used to make furniture. It acquires properties such as strength and hardness during the creation process: several sheets of wood are glued together perpendicular to each other. However, their color and texture do not change. Also, multilayer technology increases the moisture resistance and flexibility of the material, so it is considered more practical than solid wood. A positive point is that furniture made from laminated plywood is cheaper than analogues made from other raw materials.

For mass production, larch, pine, and birch are used. Oak and cedar - valuable species - are used to create expensive decorative models. At the same time, the strength characteristics increase, but the cost of such products is higher.

Furniture plywood is classified by grade:

1. IV - allows for the presence of wormholes, fallen knots, and damaged edges. This is the lowest quality material.
2. III - there are black dots with a diameter of no more than 0.5 cm in the amount of ten pieces per square meter.
3. II - should not contain more than 2% of glue drips or other inclusions on the surface.
4. I - may allow minor defects, such as cracks, but not more than 2 cm in length.
5. Highest, marked “E” - the highest quality without any flaws.

Plywood for furniture is used in the highest, I, II, III grades, while the fourth grade is used only for rough work. The disadvantages of this material of any quality include intolerance to regular significant loads.

Plywood varieties

Figures for a summer cottage

In this model, great attention is paid to the pre-processing of the material, because garden figures can get caught in heavy rain. Careful processing will significantly extend the life of the product.

Most often they create swan figures, three-dimensional fairy-tale characters for children's playgrounds, or decorative figures for flower palisades.

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Working with plywood is quite easy; all that is required is the precision and creativity of the craftsman.

What kind of furniture is it suitable for?

Plywood sheets are used to make a wide variety of structures. Such furniture will find a place in the kitchen, bedroom, children's room, bathroom. This material is also quite suitable for making chairs and tables located outdoors - in the country house, terrace, or garden.

Interior

For children's rooms and bedrooms we make beds, racks, shelves, dressing tables, cabinets, chairs and armchairs. The material is also often used for the production of tables (writing, console and computer). The main requirement for them is environmental safety, therefore the laminated plywood from which the furniture is made must be no less than class E.

There are also many options for using wood sheets:

1. For the hallway they produce ottomans, overshoes, banquettes, hangers, dressing tables or couches. For their manufacture, a regular laminated sheet or a curved product can be used.
2. The living room is equipped with: upholstered furniture with a plywood frame, coffee tables, racks, shelves, the models of which are distinguished by their originality and variety of design.
3. In rooms with high humidity - bathrooms, kitchens - furniture, tables, bar counters, cabinets and shelves are placed. In this case, it is necessary to treat the plywood with special compounds.
4. Sliding wardrobes installed in hallways, living rooms, and bedrooms will also look aesthetically pleasing and will not require replacement for a long time due to the quality characteristics of the material.

Products, especially for children's rooms, must have rounded corners for safety reasons.

Hallway

Living room Bathroom

Bedroom

Kitchen

Sadovaya

Garden furniture such as tables, sun loungers and other similar structures are used for the dacha. Comfortable chairs made of bent elements are especially popular. However, all types of plywood must be treated with a special compound that will protect against moisture and temperature changes. Most often, epoxy compounds, acrylic varnish, and drying oil are used for this. The best option for garden furniture is laminated sheets with increased moisture resistance.

Country furniture must be additionally protected with paints, varnishes or impregnations. In winter and rainy times it should be stored indoors.

Office

Plywood is perfect for making a variety of office furniture: tables, shelves, cabinets, cabinets, shelving, chairs for employees and management. Features of these products: low cost and attractive appearance. It is very easy to create structures of any shape and size from the material. For example, chairs of unusual design made of bent plywood are popular today. If desired, the furniture can be made to order, which will give the interior a special chic and high cost.

Step-by-step making of furniture from pallets with your own hands, photos of products

Transformers

Transformable furniture is most often used for small spaces. The variety of such products is great. They can be installed in the kitchen, living room, bedroom. Examples include:

• modular cabinets and shelves in the office, the shape of which can be changed at will;
• a kitchen table that can be folded down after meals;
• beds that disappear into the wall, turning bedrooms into living rooms.

A distinctive feature of such plywood furniture can be called multifunctionality. Disadvantage: large dimensions.

Photos of plywood crafts

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