Decoration options
Finishing is best done after the final adjustment of individual parts, but before assembly. The overall appearance of the product will depend on the quality of processing. Particular attention must be paid to sanding the edges after cutting with a jigsaw. The main surface is sanded with a gradual decrease in sandpaper grit, ideally to P400-600.
Under varnish, plywood is usually tinted with impregnations or stains in several layers. Mostly highchairs for children are painted, and the rest are coated with abrasion-resistant varnish of medium or high hardness.
Home furniture can be decorated by applying thematic patterns that match the style of the room design; children's models can be decorated with drawings of characters from their favorite cartoons. In some cases, the edges of soft seats are complemented with piping.
Tools and materials
Tools for working with plywood
To create one chair from plywood you will need:
- a sheet of moisture-resistant 20 mm plywood measuring 60 by 90 cm;
- construction corner;
- scissors;
- paper;
- Sander;
- marker;
- screwdriver or screwdriver;
- electric jigsaw;
- drill;
- fastening hinges or bolts with sleeves;
- varnish for woodworking;
- drawing of a folding chair with a photo, which can be easily found online and selected to suit your taste.
Tip: Birch wood is an ideal material with high strength. It can be easily processed, which allows you to create stylish decorative furniture elements. This type of bent plywood is widely used in the production of school chairs, kitchen furniture, etc.
Types and features of models
So, what can you build with a minimal set of tools and several sheets of multi-layer plywood on hand? Most often, two types of furniture are assembled with your own hands - those whose drawings are publicly available on the Internet, and those that are created according to original designs. The first type of furniture is usually the result of repeated copying of models that are described in magazines such as “do it yourself” or “young technician”, “trowel”. These are simple, reliable and time-tested stools, desks, chairs and tables for feeding babies, and even country rocking chairs. The latter usually amaze with their beauty and functionality, for example, a folding picnic chair or a chaise lounge chair made of bent plywood. The authors of these works, and there is no other way to call such chairs, really do interesting things, however, they usually work with complex computer programs, and the chairs and armchairs themselves are sold in furniture showrooms of well-known companies.
But for the first steps, you should pay attention not to complex structures and designer models, but to simple and easy-to-build specimens, such as a kitchen stool or a chair for fishing or a picnic.
It is believed that it is easiest to make a stool from plywood with your own hands. This design has a minimum number of parts, the connection is made using self-tapping screws, and this furniture is mainly used in the kitchen, country house or garage. The advantage of such crafts is that for assembly you take 10-12 mm thick plywood, which is relatively easy to cut with a jigsaw because most of the lines are straight.
A folding chair made of plywood finds much greater use in life than a stool. Thanks to its properties, it will be useful both in nature and on the balcony with morning coffee and even at the holiday table when a large company gathers. And although the design of such a chair is considered more complex compared to a stool, due to the presence of hinged joints of parts and a large number of curves, it is not difficult for a beginner to make it using ready-made drawings and patterns.
Transformable chairs today are considered one of the most interesting areas of designing plywood furniture. The versatility of such chairs allows you to solve several problems at once, replacing several household items with just one design. For homemade products, the most necessary models in everyday life and simple to build are usually chosen - a step-stool or a chair for feeding a baby.
The development of new plywood furniture models will help you realize yourself as a designer. Usually these are models of furniture for relaxation or for a summer residence. But for novice craftsmen who are only theoretically familiar with the features of designing and constructing such complex structures, it is recommended to postpone the implementation of this group of chairs and armchairs until a later date, when both experience and the necessary knowledge have appeared.
Requirements for a modern stool
Firstly, it must be strong enough and safe. This can be achieved if, when manufacturing furniture, you strictly adhere to all technological standards and use only high-quality materials and components. Then the finished stool will not wobble and will be able to serve you for many years.
Secondly, it must be functional. Its proportions and sizes should be suitable for all family members. For example, the height of a chair should be selected in such a way that the feet of the person sitting on it touch the floor. For children, you need to provide a crossbar on which you can put your feet.
Thirdly, the stool should be convenient and comfortable. To do this, its seat should be made soft, which will allow you to have long conversations on the chair over a cup of tea.
