Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Book Review: PlyDesign: 73 Distinctive DIY Projects in Plywood (and other sheet goods)

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If you like building furniture or it’s on your “to do” list PlyDesign: 73 Distinctive DIY Projects in Plywood (and other sheet goods)  is an awesome resource! The designs are modern and stylish and the tutorials with great patterns make them completely do-able. Whether you follow the directions to the letter or use the designs in the book as a jumping off point for your own creations PlyDesign: 73 Distinctive DIY Projects in Plywood (and other sheet goods) is sure to be a great guide and make the process of making your own furniture a pleasurable and satisfying experience. I happen to have made a recycled bit of furniture which I hadn’t had the opportunity to do much and so loved the challenge of looking around the house to see what I had to work with before going out to buy supplies. You can see my creation over at Sweater Surgery.

Another great book by  is Philip Schmidt is Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Treehouses and you can see a great tip for sketching your designs here.

More about PlyDesign: 73 Distinctive DIY Projects in Plywood (and other sheet goods) from the publisher Storey Publishing:

PlyDesign presents 73 ideas for sleek, smart home furnishings that you can make from off-the-shelf sheet materials using only basic hand and power tools. With designs contributed by more than 50 creative builders across North America, the projects include tables, stools, workstations, benches, laptop stands, shelves, art panels, organizers, headboards, doghouses, dollhouses, and more. A photo of each finished project is accompanied by a list of needed tools and materials, cutting and assembly diagrams, and clear step-by-step instructions.

“Strength, Flexibility, Uniformity & BeautyPlywood–that versatile blend of nature and engineering–is easy to work with, inexpensive, and good-looking. Get to know its great qualities as you explore 73 projects contributed by design professionals and enthusiasts who love building with plywood.Among the PlyDesigns, you’ll find sleek furniture for every room (including several knock-down pieces for those really tight spaces), simple toys and games, and even whitewashed paneling, a great alternative to drywall.There’s something for every taste, need, and skill level!

About the Author

Philip Schmidt is a former carpenter and the author of 17 books, including Decorating with Architectural Details and Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Treehouses, 2nd edition: Design & Build Your Kids a Treehouse.(for an inside peek into this book pop on over to Craftside) He lives in Colorado with his family and loads of leftover building materials. ”

Looking for more Pallet Crafts? Check out these Pallet Project books.

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How to Paint Melamine Furniture

Recently, we received an email from Jenny, one of our readers, asking for some advice on painting melamine furniture. Jenny was looking to refresh an old dresser but wasn’t sure about the right way to tackle the project. Well, we’ve got just the thing! After some digging, we came across a fantastic article on Spraypaint Blog titled How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture, which walks you through the process step-by-step.

Why This Article is Perfect for Jenny (and You!)

This guide is incredibly comprehensive, covering everything you need to know about painting melamine—an often tricky material to work with. Melamine is known for its smooth, glossy surface, which can be tough to paint without the right preparation. But with the tips from this article, you’ll learn how to properly prep your melamine pieces, choose the right paint, and achieve a professional-looking finish.

The article also dives into the importance of sanding and priming the surface to ensure that the paint adheres well. With these steps, Jenny (and anyone else trying this project) can be sure that their painted melamine furniture will not only look great but last for years to come.

Jenny, we hope this article gives you all the info you need to tackle your melamine furniture project! It’s clear from the tutorial that a little prep work goes a long way, and with the right products, even melamine can be transformed into a beautiful, personalized piece.

For anyone else curious about painting melamine, check out the full article on Spraypaint Blog for all the tips and techniques: How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture. Happy painting!

My Tips for Painting Melamine Furniture

Hey Jenny (and anyone else planning a melamine project), here are my top tips to help you get the best results when painting melamine furniture:

Prep is Key
Clean the surface well, then lightly sand it with fine-grit sandpaper to give the primer something to grip onto. Trust me, it makes a big difference!

Prime Like a Pro
Don’t skip the primer! Use a bonding primer that’s made for glossy surfaces or melamine. It’ll make sure your paint sticks and lasts.

Pick the Right Paint
Go for a good enamel or acrylic paint. I use a foam roller for a smooth finish—no brushstrokes! Apply a few thin coats, letting each one dry in between.

Topcoat for Durability
Once the paint’s dry, apply a protective topcoat (polyurethane or polycrylic) to help it stay scratch-free.

Give It Time
Let the paint cure for at least 48 hours before using the furniture—longer is even better! It’ll help the finish hold up over time.

Get Creative
Don’t be afraid to try fun colors or finishes! Melamine is perfect for getting a bit adventurous.