How To Make Awesome Furniture on a Budget

These simple alterations will take everything you own to the next level.

Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Unless you live in one of the 25 coolest apartment buildings on the planet, chances are you're lacking in the design department. You can get apartment decorating tips from some experts, or you can roll up your sleeves and get the job done yourself. Aside from the fact that you get to cut down on costs, you also get one-of-a-kind results that you put your blood, sweat, and tears into. Of course some of us don’t have the time or energy to commit to a home improvement project, so you can check out 10 places to buy cheap furniture if you’re lazy. But for the individuals that aren’t afraid of a challenge, we’ve compiled a guide for How To Make Awesome Furniture on a Budget. Afterwards, check out our design hacks for the office and Ikea furniture.

Driftwood Lamp

Rough cost: $25 - $35

Items needed: Lamp (preferably with no decorative column), 25-30 sticks or driftwood, each should be similar in length

Probably one of the simplest ways to repurpose a lamp, this lighting fixture can be made with a simple lamp covered in driftwood or medium sized sticks of your choice. For an added personal touch, you can paint the lamp to your liking.

Ladder Bookshelf

Rough cost: $30 - $50

Items needed: An old ladder, 6 L brackets, 24 screws, stud finder, screwdriver, drill

Old wooden ladders have become obsolete and can be found throughout junkyards and garages. By simply attaching one of these ladders to the wall, you can create a cool rustic-looking bookshelf. You can also add numerous ladders to give your wall a true floor-to-ceiling bookshelf.

Tree Stump Side Table

Rough cost: $40 - $60

Items needed: Tree stump, chisel, hammer, paint brush, sandpaper, power sander, tarp, rugs, wood stain

Creating a tree stump side table is one of the greatest ways to actually bring nature into your home. Many people like finished wood, but this “straight out of the forest” look is also pretty cool.

Reclaimed Wood Shelves

Rough cost: $80 - $100

Items needed: 3 planks of wood, 1” galvanized pipe, floor flanges, pipe caps, wood stain of your choice, sponge brush, spray paint (for brackets)

With couple beat up pieces of wood you can create a set of simple reclaimed wood shelves. For a more intense DIY experience, you can get new pieces of wood and beat them with rocks to let out some stress while improving your space.

Pallet Bed

Rough cost: $50 or less

Items needed: 6-10 wooden pallets, paint (optional)

We've all seen those huge wooden pallets lying in the street taking up space, and this is definitely one of the coolest ways to repurpose them. If you take a trip through your local warehouse district, you can probably find a bunch just waiting to be thrown away.

Egg Carton Stool

Rough cost: $20 or less

Items needed: Egg cartons, binding agent of your choice

These egg carton stools are super creative and don't require anything but the actual carton and string.

Hanging Clothing Rack

Rough cost: $20 or less

Items needed: Tube, two hooks, metal cable

With only a tube, chain, and hooks, this hanging clothes rack is the minimal yet industrial clothing storage option we've been looking for.

Concrete Bucket Stool

Rough cost: $5 or less

Items needed: Concrete mix, 48” wooden dowels, 5 gallon container, copper pipe caps (optional)

Boasting a $5 price point with a $50 look, these concrete bucket stools won't disappoint. They're made with only about 3 items and take only about an hour to make.

Pegboard Kitchen Storage

Rough cost: $25 or less

Items needed: Pegboard, s hooks, paint (optional)

Having all your pots and cooking items on one wall is something you may dream about. This kitchen pegboard makes it possible with minimal work.

Cinder Block Shelving Unit

Rough cost: $25 or less

Items needed: 4-8 cinder blocks, 3-4 planks of wood

An easy, cool way to add different elements and textures into your space is by creating your own cinder block shelving unit. You can make the unit as wide, tall, short, or narrow as you'd like.

Ladder Pot Rack

Rough cost: $40 or less

Items needed: Ladder, chain, S-hooks

Another kitchen space saver that'll make your life a bit easier is this repurposed ladder pot rack. It will help you open up unused space in your kitchen.

Peg Wall

Rough cost: $30 or less

Items needed: 1” dowels, dowel screws, wood planks for shelves (optional), paint (optional)

A wall of pegs may remind you of the kindergarten coat room, but when paired with wooden shelves and paint, you'll get loads of compliments and maybe even outshine your neighbor's new reclaimed wood table.

Mini Chandelier

Rough cost: $30 or less

Items needed: Light socket covers, light sockets, plugs, cord grips, bulbs, power strip, colored or patterned cord (optional)

When you want a chandelier but you don't want your place to look like your grandmother's house, this is the way to go. Very customizable, this gathering of lights adds character to any space.

Rope Headboard

Rough cost: $100 or less

Items needed: Pine timber lengths, handsaw, tape measure, pencil, screws, different types of rope, glue

If you really want to channel your personal style in a headboard, this is definitely the way. With lengths of colorful or monochromatic rope, this headboard will truly reflect its owner.

Stacked Books Lamp