Wooden furniture has been made for thousands of years, but today it has been undeservedly forgotten. The reason for this attitude is the lack of high-quality and stabilized material - the preparation of wood on an industrial scale at the current level makes the final product too expensive.
However, homemade furniture made from natural wood is still made by home craftsmen. The most popular products are benches and chairs made of logs, which are easy to manufacture and can create a specific look for their surroundings. Take a closer look at them.
How to make a chair, stool or armchair from a stump, hemp or log with your own hands
There are an endless number of options for chairs made of stumps and logs, as well as tables. There are two main technologies for creating a chair or stool from hemp:
- by firing method,
- chainsaw.
Using the firing method to make a chair or stool is quite simple. First, the log is sawn crosswise lengthwise to the required length of the legs. The cracks are wedged with wooden chips. Small chips and branches are poured into the wedged cracks, a little gasoline is added and set on fire, fuel is added little by little to maintain combustion and ignite the bulk of the log. This burns out the center of the log. After the necessary firing with an angle grinder with a brush, the excess coals are removed and a do-it-yourself stool made of logs or hemp on 4 legs is obtained. It is further processed.
The required workpiece is cut out with a chainsaw and then ground with an angle grinder, or fired, painted, etc. You can also place the stool on furniture wheels, screwing them from below, the lower surface should be perfectly flat. You can attach a pillow to the hemp on top, so you get homemade upholstered furniture. By placing a cut of wood on the legs, you will also get a wonderful stool.
Do-it-yourself hemp stool using the firing method.
Chair-stool made of hemp (logs) with a chainsaw.
Do-it-yourself garden chair made from logs (video)
A simple chair from a log is made in almost the same way as a stool, but the back is cut out with a chainsaw, as in the video below.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=_zXwsd0Aci0
Garden chair made of logs in the shape of a hand (video)
Chairs or armchairs from logs can be made of any shape and size, for example in the shape of a hand. To do this, you need to work well with a gas or electric chain saw.
Gallery of photographs of chairs, armchairs and stools made of logs and stumps
Finally, options for creating armchairs, chairs, stools from logs and stumps.
As you can see, there is nothing particularly difficult in making a chair or stool from a log, the main thing is to approach the matter with soul and hard work.
Folding stools
There are a huge variety of them, from the simplest solutions to very complex transformers.
We present to your attention an original folding design. It consists of two rectangular frame-legs connected in the center by a metal axis. The support frames are attached to the seat with carpentry hinges. When folded, the axle moves along two slots cut into one of the legs. The seat rotates on hinges and stands upright.
Here is another version of a folding stool. His seat is made of two halves. When folded, the legs rotate around an axis and are placed in the same plane. The seat halves are pressed against them on both sides.
Fans of complex folding systems are offered an option consisting of eight pairs of lattice legs connected at the base by a common bar.
The upper ends of the legs on one side are hingedly connected to the seat, which is also made of bars. To fold the structure, take it by the lower slats and move them in the opposite direction. In this case, the lattice legs and seat bars fit into the gaps provided for them, and the stool becomes flat.
Another option is a folding stool with a “crawler” seat. Despite the simplicity of the design, it looks very original. Its two crossed legs are hinged in the center and connected at the top by a wooden segmental seat. By holding the edges, you can easily fold and unfold this stool.
Driftwood and branches in the garden
Any wood is a material for creativity. A board with a greeting is laid out from thin branches.
The decor on the welcome board is attached with glue
Thick ones are used to make unique garden furniture.
A stylish chair will last longer if you remove the bark from the branches
Interestingly shaped driftwood will give your garden a picturesque look if you simply place it among the plants.
Don't pass by beautiful driftwood - it's very rare
And with the help of glue and screws, various animal figures are made from pieces of wood. But first, the bark is removed from the branches and they are lightened.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Soak the material in a solution of soda ash: 2 cups per 7 liters of hot water. Place a weight on top.
- After 3 days, remove the bark using a wire brush.
- Then immerse the branches in a bleach solution for 2 days: 1 glass per 7 liters of water.
- Dry in the sun for 3 days.
- Sand with fine-grit sandpaper.
Selecting material for drawing up figures is a long but exciting task.
Gallery: crafts from driftwood and branches
A wreath of bleached branches will decorate a door or gate. Place a strange mushroom made of driftwood and branches under a tree.
To create a Christmas tree, branches drilled in the middle are placed on an iron pin. It is better to make large figures from driftwood. From curved branches and driftwood, fancy stands for pots are created. Before installing the seat on the bench, it is carefully sanded
You can make any door decoration from small twigs. A funny pig made from driftwood looks great on a green lawn.
A lamp made from branches is an exquisite decoration for a gazebo or veranda
Chopped benches
Chopped bench “Friendship”
Art: 004/2 Length 2 m. Price: 25,000 ₽ Art: 004/3 Length 3 m. Price: 30,000 ₽ Art: 004/4 Length 4 m. Price: 35,000 ₽
Buy online
Chopped shop "Granny"
Art: 005/2 Length 2 m. Price: 20,000 ₽ Art: 005/3 Length 3 m. Price: 25,000 ₽ Art: 005/4 Length 4 m. Price: 30,000 ₽
Buy online
Chopped bench “Prelest”
Art: 006/2 Length 2 m. Price: 25,000 ₽ Art: 006/3 Length 3 m. Price: 30,000 ₽ Art: 006/4 Length 4 m. Price: 35,000 ₽
Buy online
Chopped bench "Aurora"
Art: 007/2 Length 2 m. Price: 25,000 ₽ Art: 007/3 Length 3 m. Price: 30,000 ₽ Art: 007/4 Length 4 m. Price: 35,000 ₽
Buy online
Tables and chairs
Untreated wood is an almost ready-made form for creating creative furniture. At the beginning of work, it is advisable to thoroughly dry the wood and carefully process it. Then the products will last you much longer
The simplest option for such fittings is stumps and decks of different sizes. Cut down the stump with an even cut - and the table and chairs are completely ready to perform their direct functions!
The excessive asceticism of hemp stools and benches can be smoothed out by backrests, comfortable seats or soft pillows
In the following photos we will admire the designer handmade collection
Attach the tabletop to a piece of large driftwood and your rustic design will be flawless
For stability, make neat, even cuts on the original stand
If you manage to get a wide log - make a tabletop for a summer kitchen or a surface for a bar counter. Small branches are perfect as components for chairs. Use larger ones for the legs, connecting them into one
Pots made of rotten stumps
Nature itself will give you interesting ideas. Moss and vegetation on the stumps refresh the old tree. Its rotten center inside is an excellent option for a flowerpot. All that remains is to plant your favorite plants, but only in a pot to avoid destruction of the wood
Massive branches with graceful curves give us an idea for fencing
Strength and reliability, together with natural beauty, make wood an ideal environmentally friendly base for paving. The cuts should be smooth, and it is not at all necessary to process them, then the rough surface will not be slippery during rain
Non-standard spruce
Impressive arch
Types of designs
Drawing of a garden table
One of the popular options for garden furniture is a gardener's workplace. Even if you are not an avid gardener, without a well-equipped table it will be much more difficult for you.
If you prefer original solutions, you can make a picnic table in an unusual style.
Folding garden chair
On a fine summer day, a gazebo with folding chairs and a table, which are not only comfortable, but also compact, will be indispensable. Bright modular structures, such as benches, will add variety to the landscape. During frequent family vacations, do not forget to take care of the kids and make a table and chairs of a suitable size for them.
Choosing a stump
The most important point in this master class, of course, will be the process of finding the right stump. In our case, a part of a 100-year-old tree was selected, which its owners were planning to cut down any day.
Avoid soft woods such as pine to avoid rotting and choose the piece that is straightest at the top and bottom. Although, if you have a crooked stump, but you just fell in love with it, then you can fix it all and just trim the crooked parts.
The longer your stump takes to dry, the better, especially if you decide to use soft wood. But even hardwood stumps need to be thoroughly dried before you begin. Let the hemp sit indoors for several weeks.
Stump - teremok
You will need: a stump, a log, a hammer, a saw, a chainsaw, a chisel, a hacksaw, tall grass for a broom, an elastic band or rope, for the path - pieces of roofing felt, fine gravel, a watering can with water, a regular broom, a fence, a brush, paint, toys.
Master Class
- Remove the core from the stump for doors and windows.
- Mow the tall grass and make a broom.
- Place a grass broom as a roof.
- Line the path to the tower with pieces of roofing felt.
- Cut the log into circles using a chainsaw, then lay them out on the roofing felt.
- Fill with fine gravel and sweep the gravel from the wooden circles with a broom.
- Fill with water and leave to dry.
- Put up a fence, paint the tower and place toys as residents.
The tree stump is ready!
Interior items made from branches
Before you start work, select the appropriate material. The main condition is the absence of rot and mold on the branches. In turn, the cracks will add decorativeness to the branches.
- Clean the natural material from excess dust and dirt, and then dry thoroughly. It is best to dry the wood in the shade in a well-ventilated area or even under a canopy, if possible.
- Next, you will need to process the branches with carving. Work in the direction of the fibers, first with a coarse and then with a fine nozzle. Don't forget about the end cuts.
- As already noted, parts can be connected to each other using glue, screws, a wedge, etc.
- After the blanks for the final product are ready and sized for joining, they must be processed. Large cracks that are very embarrassing can be eliminated using epoxy resin in several stages. Once the resin has dried, sand down any exposed areas.
- The next stage is assembling the product.
- The finished piece of furniture must be decorated. To do this, you can use stain, with which you can radically change the color of the wood, without losing all the charm of the texture of the material.
- Finally, it is advisable to use varnish applied in at least two layers.
Your wild imagination, as well as our photos, will help you adapt the branches! Be bold and don’t stop in the face of difficulties!
Types of tables
There are several popular types of hemp tables. Here are the main types of structures in terms of material processing features:
- Natural looking product. This is the easiest design to manufacture; it involves the use of a stump in its original form. The only processing that needs to be done is sanding. It is necessary to ensure that table users do not get splinters.
- Painted furniture. If desired, the stump can be painted in any color or patterns can be applied to it using a stencil or brush. Painting the product allows you to adapt it to the interior, made in a certain color scheme.
From the point of view of the design features of the finished product, the following types of tables can be distinguished:
- Furniture with glass. If the master plans to make a coffee or coffee table, then he can use a stump as a stand to which a glass table top is attached. The parts of the structure are connected to each other using screws or special glue.
- Product with legs. The table can be equipped with legs of any length. New wooden or chrome-plated legs, as well as legs from old furniture, are suitable for work. Forged racks of openwork shapes allow you to make the table more elegant and unusual. Legs not only improve the appearance of the furniture, but also reduce the likelihood of scratches on the floor when moving the product from place to place. In addition, the legs raise the stump above the floor and allow air to circulate underneath it. All this allows you to extend the life of the structure.
- Table on wheels. Instead of legs, you can attach wheels to the bottom of the furniture. This will significantly increase the mobility of the structure.
- A product made from bars connected to each other. If the master has several thin wooden blocks instead of one large stump, then they can be connected to each other using glue or fasteners. The result is a table with an unusual shape. It can be equipped with a glass or wooden tabletop.
- A “one on top of the other” type structure. There is an easy way to make an original coffee table. To do this, you need to take several slices of wood of different thicknesses and place them one on top of the other with a slight offset.
- A table made from a cut trunk. If the furniture maker has a whole tree trunk at his disposal, then it can be cut into two halves or carved into a rectangle and used as furniture for the home or garden.
Other design options are possible, it all depends on the imagination of the master.
Decor options
It should be said that even for such chairs, appearance is an extremely important aspect. At the same time, it is not necessary to buy any accessories for this at an exorbitant price. To do this, you can use some old unnecessary things. For example, the same pillows and bedspreads to make the chair not only beautiful, but also soft. For example, you can cover the seat and back with padding polyester, and simply stretch decorative fabric over this material.
It is better to fasten such upholstery using the simplest furniture stapler.
Design selection
The design of the entire table can be divided into two components: the choice of tabletop and legs.
When choosing a countertop design, it is important to consider some features of your room and your imagination:
- If you want a round or oval shape, then you should have enough space, because... it has impressive dimensions. Ideal for a large living room or hall, and also harmonizes with the gazebo;
- A small tabletop is a beautiful addition to a small living room;
- The rectangle shape is suitable for all occasions.
When choosing legs, rely solely on your taste. You can make a table with one, two, three or traditionally four legs.
What do you want the final version to look like? This is a purely personal question and depends on your taste and preferences. If you want something unusual, but nothing comes to mind, you can look at photographs of tables made from cut wood and make everything according to the sample.
Frequently asked questions from beginning furniture makers
Before you start making this or that design, you should familiarize yourself with the list of questions that beginners in this business often have.
How to cut parts?
When cutting longitudinal parts, it is better to use a circular saw, and for transverse parts, an electric jigsaw.
How to connect parts of the structure?
For connections that carry the main load, you will need to use euroscrews or self-tapping screws. In other cases, the parts are assembled using wooden choppers and glue.
Paint or varnish?
The choice of materials for processing depends on the quality of the wood itself. If the material does not have any defects, it can be treated with stain and then a layer of varnish can be applied. If stains appear on the surface, the wood must first be puttied, coated with a primer, and only then painted.
How to reduce the consumption of paints and varnishes?
Quite often, during final finishing, the paint is quickly absorbed into the surface, which is why bald spots remain on it. This happens because natural wood has a porous structure. That is why professionals recommend pre-treating it with drying oil.
Snag - an idea for a sculpture
Branched bends of roots, gnarled stems, powerful stumps - the best material for creating the image of realistic and fictional figures
For some, the curves are wings, while others recognize the silhouette of an animal in them. Do not limit your imagination, use wood in its natural beauty
Have you collected a collection of various branches and twigs? Try creating something more complex like this beautiful stallion creation. Thanks to movement, precise proportions and shapes, the sculpture seems to come to life before your eyes!
Notice the exotic image in the driftwood? Finalize the form, show its character to the maximum, making the figure noticeable to everyone
Old driftwood is an unusual and valuable material for impressive decorative items, furniture, and expressive figures. Most likely, we have not mentioned all the options for their use. Now you!
What other uses for driftwood can you imagine? Or maybe you already have a piece of art made from this original material at home?
General requirements for material for manufacturing
When choosing a material for making a chair, it is important to pay attention to the following points:
- No damage to wood in the form of internal and external cracks, fungal infections and traces of parasites;
- In a cut of high-quality material there should be no traces of fused or underdeveloped knots;
- The wood must be strong and wear-resistant.
The main varieties of trees from which you can build a chair for home use are:
- Larch;
- Oak;
- Maple;
- Ash;
- Alder;
- Pine;
- Cedar;
- Beech.
To construct an element of garden furniture, it is recommended to use coniferous trees. Possessing a large amount of resin, they resist decay processes, as well as fungal infections and parasites, much longer.
Furniture made from stumps and snags
In addition to plants and a garden path, the garden plot has a place to relax. Garden furniture must be durable, stable and withstand aggressive environmental influences. Wooden garden furniture is quite expensive, so it is best to make it yourself.
If you have a large stump in your garden, try cutting it into a comfortable chair. Depending on the size of the hemp, the chair will be either for an adult or for a child. Using a chainsaw it is easy to cut out the seat, backrest and even armrests. You can also use the stumps themselves as a place to rest. If necessary, they should be treated with sealants and painted.
logs and hemp in furniture making
A driftwood from an ugly and curved piece of wood will turn into an original decor. A large piece of driftwood can be used as a table leg and to decorate chairs.
Driftwood and stumps can decorate country furniture in an original way
Sanded and varnished driftwood will add zest to any room.
Here is another photo of original furniture made from driftwood and stumps:
Beautiful examples
Massive chopped bed. This piece is incredibly strong due to its design. The bed is wide enough and comfortable, so it can comfortably accommodate a couple of people.
Combined set of table and benches. Quite elegant, it has a somewhat lightweight design (in the production of the tabletop and seats, boards, rather than halves of logs, were used). Joining the material in a “paw” type will add reliability and strength to the furniture.
A very atmospheric chopped sofa in the loft style. There is nothing superfluous in this model; the structural elements are roughly assembled, which adds extravagance to it.
To learn how to make a bed from logs with your own hands, watch the video.
Hemp flowerbed
You will need: a dry stump, a chainsaw, an axe, a piece of polystyrene foam, a ruler, an antiseptic, paint, soil, sand, flowers (which ones are best to use are described in the master class in paragraph 7).
Master Class
- Trim the bottom edge with a chainsaw to create a level base.
- Draw contours on the surface of the stump, retreating at least 5 cm.
- Make 10-20 cm indentations in the stump using a chainsaw and an axe.
- Treat the inner walls of the stump with an antiseptic or paint it. This way the stump will last longer.
- Using a chainsaw, drill a hole for drainage to prevent moisture from accumulating, then insert a piece of foam.
- Mix store-bought soil with garden soil and add sand, then pour it into the stump.
- Plant flowers. Flowers with a small root system are best suited, such as: tulips, begonia, petunia, geranium, daffodils, oxalis, purslane, pansies, primroses, marigolds...
- Water your flowers regularly and take care of your flower bed.
The hemp flower bed is ready! I recommend watching this video!
I recommend viewing a photo gallery of ideas for creating flower beds on a stump!
Idea #5 – garden sculptures
Anyone can create garden figurines from stumps, but real artists end up with wonderful works of art that amaze with their realism. If you are driven by the desire to simply decorate your area, then you can create a simple image that does not require special skills.
Of course, this magnificent deer calling out in the spring forest was skillfully carved from an ordinary stump by a high-level professional
Making a simple figurine from a stump is not at all difficult. Those who made snowmen in childhood can apply their accumulated experience in this case. The role of hands will be played by twigs, instead of the nose and mouth we will attach twigs, Eyes can be made from brown bottoms from plastic bottles. The role of the pupil will be played by the cork from the same bottles.
All this is attached to the stump with self-tapping screws. On the horizontal surface of the cut, you can simply lay out pine cones, which will imitate hair. This garden guard, which we whipped up, is ready.
But any schoolchild can make such a funny guard for a dacha, and this is precisely why such a garden sculpture is valued
If it happened that you had to cut down a whole row of country trees, do not be sad. This situation also has its positive side. But you now have a large number of stumps located close to each other. And this is not bad at all. Make them into a fairyland for your children, putting into practice all the information that you have already received in this article.
It will be just a wonderful place to play. First you have to clear each stump of bark. For this you will need a chisel and a hammer. The chisel must be inserted between the bark and the tree trunk, then gently tap it with a hammer. The bark will move away from the trunk and soon the stump will completely lose it. Now it can be thoroughly sanded using medium-grit sandpaper for this purpose.
Such an owl could easily become the companion of Baba Yaga herself and settle in her hut, flying out from time to time to hunt
Be sure to remove wood dust formed during work with a damp cloth. The wood prepared in this way should be treated with an antiseptic, which will protect it from rotting.
Now you can start decorating the stump. Let's choose a large stump to turn it into Baba Yaga's real house. Let's take chalk and outline the location of the future windows and doors of the grandmother's hut. Recesses in wood for doors and windows can be made using a chisel and hammer.
We will need pieces of boards from which we will make doors and window shutters. These parts of the future structure can be painted right now, while they are not yet nailed into place. Doors and shutters should be nailed to the places marked on the stump using nails whose heads have been bitten off. When finishing decorating the hut, you can collect branches and driftwood of unusual shapes from the area to stick them around Baba Yaga’s house. Let them portray dense years.
On smaller stumps you can depict heroes of a variety of folk tales or funny cartoon characters. You can decorate these stumps and draw your intended characters on them using paints for outdoor work. The images outside will wonderfully complement the flowers planted directly inside the stumps. How to do this was described in detail at the beginning of the article. You can limit yourself to pots with plants.
Another wonderful composition, made by a professional artist and sculptor, creates a great mood inherent in a small fairy-tale corner of your garden
We'll turn a couple more stumps into children's chairs. To do this, we won’t even cut out the massive back. If you have old chairs, use their backs for this job. They should be carefully freed from varnish, and then, using ordinary nails, nailed to the stump seats. All that remains is to paint the finished chairs in bright colors that children will definitely like.
Simply turn the small remaining stumps into a flock of fly agarics, using bowls or basins of the appropriate size as their caps. Now you know exactly how such fly agarics can be made. That's it, the improvisation on the theme of the fairy tale is ready.
What can be made from old stumps?
Human fantasy is truly endless! Sometimes you surprise yourself - where do ideas come from? Moreover, even the most ancient thing can be used if desired. So it is with an old stump or snag, which not very enterprising people will most likely throw out or burn. But don’t rush, because you can give it a second life. You ask how? And we will answer - very simply!
An old stump can become furniture, which is so necessary in the garden, or part of it, for example, a chair for children and adults, which depends on the size of the stump. If it is tall, then you can use a chainsaw to cut out a part so that you get a back, and if the stump is also very large in girth, then you can make armrests and you will have a large chair.
Small, low stumps are perfect for the playground. The upper cut needs to be cleaned and sanded; a colored design can be applied on top with paints.
The chair immediately suggests making a table, where it is so pleasant to drink a cup of tea under a spreading apple tree in the shade. Our stump can become both a support for the tabletop and the table itself, if the size allows. In the first case, you must first level the surface of the stump and treat it with special impregnations that will prevent it from rotting.
Then on the sides, parallel to each other, we nail two planks, and on them we nail two more perpendicularly. After that, we knock the boards into a tabletop of any shape you like, and fasten it with nails to the planks below. This is one of many options. To ensure that the product serves you for a long time, coat it with varnish.
You can also make other DIY tree stump crafts that can be used as garden sculptures. For example, a bright fly agaric will become an accent on a green lawn or under a spreading bush.
The stump will be the foot of the mushroom, and make the cap from an old bowl, which must be covered with red spray paint, and when it dries, paint white spots. You can also paint the leg and even draw a face on it and thereby revive the fly agaric. Thus, you can make not only fly agaric, but also other mushrooms.
With a little imagination, you will have a one-of-a-kind stump sculpture.
Also, a stump can become a pedestal for any sculpture, a plant in a tub, and even a barrel of water for watering the garden.
And what beautiful containers for plants can be made from stumps! To get a flower pot, you just need to remove part of the core, add drainage (expanded clay) and fertile soil and plant the plants. The young will look very beautiful, for which about 4 cm of soil is enough.
And if the stump is large, then it can be used as a flowerpot and a pot of flowers can be inserted into it. Or cut out the middle to a depth of 25-30 cm and arrange a real mini-flower bed.
To do this, again make a drainage layer of 5-10 cm and pour about 20 cm of fertile soil. And then you plant various plants.
Climbing species (ornamental strawberries, petunia, nasturtium, etc.) will look beautiful in combination with low-growing annuals and annuals. Such a decorative element will be an excellent addition to larger landscape compositions.
Recommendations
- Here are some useful tips that will make it even easier to make a chair from wood with your own hands. To begin with, let's say that before creating any structure made of wood, you should carefully think about how it will roughly look and what you want to see it as. This will allow you to at least approximately determine how much of a particular material you need.
- Another important aspect is that you should not neglect such a thing as drawings. For some reason, many people do not pay enough attention to them, which is why they end up with crooked chairs and armchairs. In this matter, everything should be thought through to the smallest detail and the parameters of each detail should be checked. It would not be superfluous to say that it would be better to use a circular saw for cutting longitudinal parts, and a jigsaw for transverse parts.
- Another important issue concerns the connection of the chair elements. Everything is quite simple here. In connections where the main load occurs, it is better to use self-tapping screws or self-tapping screws. But in other cases, you can use adhesive or chopsticks made of wood. Choppers can also be used to secure the upper parts.
- An important point will be the selection of materials for processing. But here everything will depend on how high-quality the wood is used. If it is “clean” and has no defects, then it will be enough to treat it with stain and apply varnish. But if there are stains on it and there are some defects, then you should putty them, then cover them with a primer and only then paint. Another important point is that you should not paint the wood right away. It must be pre-treated with drying oil. Otherwise, it will quickly be absorbed into the surface. Then there will be bald spots, which will ruin the appearance of the chair.
