Make your own furniture - Useful furniture from cardboard from Udemy

In this course, you will learn how to build furniture completely by yourself, using free and commonplace material - cardboard.

Why make furniture from cardboard?

You will be able to build furniture by yourself
you can make furniture from free material, instead of buying ready-made and expensive furniture
Design a piece of furniture exactly the size that fits your space
Make furniture that will be unique and will amaze your friends.
Get tremendous satisfaction from your creation
You don't need large spaces or carpentry skills, you can build furniture even on a table in a small apartment

You will learn in this course

How to build sturdy objects from cardboard that can carry weight
What are the correct steps for building a piece of furniture from cardboard
What do you take into account when designing a piece of furniture
How to make rounded parts from cardboard
How to make drawers and boxes for storage
How to get a clean finish for the product
How to paint cardboard furniture so it will look like wood

Cardboard furniture? Is it strong enough?

Yes very much, I have some such furniture that I built years ago and they are still useful. In the course, I teach the principles of building with cardboard so that its strength is properly utilized and thus it is possible to make strong furniture that carries weight.

It's cardboard, can the furniture be cleaned?

Definitely. We will paint the furniture with acrylic paint that will give it a good protective layer against moisture. Then you can clean the furniture with a wet cloth.

What does it take to build? I didn't study carpentry and I don't have a large workshop

I don't have either. You don't need a spacious workshop or heavy tools. You can build cardboard furniture even on the table in a small apartment, and the main materials are cardboard, a cutting knife, and glue.

What materials and tools are needed to make cardboard furniture?

Cardboard from large packages that you can find on the street
A cutting knife
A cutting mat, but you can also use simple cardboard
PVA glue (simple white school glue)
A ruler - preferably a long one (60-90 cm)
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Gummed paper tape, but you can also use simple paper instead.

What will we build in the course?

To learn all the steps of building furniture in detail, we will learn how to build a small cabinet with drawers.

But it is not necessary to build this cabinet exactly, you can apply the information to another piece of furniture of your design.

I will also demonstrate the making of a royal chair, and in the process, we will learn how to build rounded shapes with cardboard.

I will finish with a demonstration of building a shelving unit with storage boxes.

Will I know how to build other types of cardboard furniture?

Certainly, the principles learned in the course can be applied to a wide variety of furniture.

Making furniture sounds complicated

It is very simple. We learn step by step, and every step is simple to understand and perform. And in the end, you will have an admirable piece of furniture that you built yourself.

And if there are failures? You can always fix it, it's just cardboard.

The main thing is to enjoy the process and creation, we don’t look for perfection.

You can watch the lessons whenever you want, preferably on a computer screen, but you can also use your phone.

Everyone creates at their own pace, and you can go back and watch the lessons again, or parts of them when you want to remember.

The videos are divided according to the different topics, so if you want to return to a certain topic it is easy to find it and watch it again.

* The videos may contain cats.

You can also ask me questions, and post an image of your work.

And most importantly, have fun making new and useful things out of plain cardboard.

What's inside

Learning objectives

You will be able to build furniture yourself, in your home. no need for power tools, large workshop or carpentry skills.
How to build sturdy objects from cardboard that can carry weight
What are the correct steps of building a piece of furniture from cardboard
How to get a clean finish for the product, and prepare it for painting

How to paint cardboard furniture so it will look like wood
How to make drawers and boxes for storage
How to make rounded parts from cardboard

You will be able to build furniture yourself, in your home. no need for power tools, large workshop or carpentry skills.
How to build sturdy objects from cardboard that can carry weight
What are the correct steps of building a piece of furniture from cardboard
How to get a clean finish for the product, and prepare it for painting
How to paint cardboard furniture so it will look like wood
How to make drawers and boxes for storage
How to make rounded parts from cardboard

Syllabus

Introduction

What we are going to learn, and how to make the most of the course

The tools and materials that we'll need for this course. What is necessary and what can be replaced.

What are the guidelines when we build with cardboard

What to consider when we design cardboard furniture

The first step is to plan the cabinet, and decide what are the main parts we will need

The main panels are the base of the structure. Now we decide their shapes and how many we need

In this video: some important safety rules, how to cut cardboard and how to find the first line.

Here we go! Making the panels for the cabinet

We use large cardboard sheets, but what to do if you need an even bigger one? or you don’t have enough of them?

It’s time to connect the main panels

An example of the use of cross sections - the next step of making the cabinet

When to use PVA Glue and when to use Hot glue.

We have the base structure of the furniture, now we add the other parts. In this video i demonstrate that process with the cabinet

How do we make sure that the furniture will not collapse? we need inner supports

Example of the use of supports for the cabinet

The final step of the construction - the cabinet gets a top and bottom

Preparing the surface for the next step

Sometimes there are big gaps or holes. if you want to fill them, this is the way

Why and how to use gummed paper tape. A demonstration on the cabinet.

This step is important, not only to get a smoother look, but also to make the connections between the cardboard parts stronger.

If you don't have gummed paper tape, you don’t have to wait until you acquire one. you can use simple papers that you have around the house.

How to make simple drawers - Example of making drawers for the cabinet

Making polymer clay handles for the drawers of the cabinet. Just one example of how you can make them yourself.

Boxes are a great way to keep things tidy. In this video: An example of making simple boxes, and making boxes with dividers to keep things organized inside the box.

Sometimes we will want to attach small legs or wheels to the furniture. in this video important tips about attaching these things. And an example of making legs for the cabinet

Why we should paint the furniture, and with what.

How to paint a simple wood effect - as demonstrated on the cabinet

In this section I will demonstrate making a royal chair. This time I will not give exact measurements because your chair will have a different shape and size. So in this video i talk about what to consider when designing a chair.

Sometimes the furniture is not a rectangle, so how do we draw a free-hand symmetrical shape?

How to cut curved shapes? You can do it with a sharp cutting knife, but there is another way.

Cross sections for curved shapes furniture are different from cross sections for rectangular furniture. A demonstration of such case for the royal chair

Assembling the first part of this chair - the seat

Making the back of the chair - you can make it in any shape you want

When the furniture is rectangular, all the external parts are flat, so what to do when the shape is irregular or curved?

We learned how to use gummed paper tape (or just simple paper) to cover all the joints and corners. but how to do that to curved shapes?

Painting the chair. An example of using stencil to add interest to the furniture.

Making a shelving unit with storage boxes. In the first video we see the plan and the pieces that we will need.

In this video we see all the steps of the construction of the shelving unit.

When you finish the construction, you can still add parts. In this video: how to attach things (like hinges or hungers) to the furniture. And an example of attaching an extra large piece. The important thing is to do this step before we move to the next step - preparing the surface.

Smooth the surface and paint the shelving unit. And we’re done!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches how to build furniture from cardboard, which is an accessible and low-cost material for creating custom pieces

Explores techniques for creating sturdy cardboard structures, enabling learners to build functional and weight-bearing furniture

Covers methods for achieving a clean finish and painting cardboard furniture, allowing learners to create aesthetically pleasing pieces

Requires materials such as a cutting knife and hot glue gun, which may not be readily available in every household

Demonstrates the construction of a small cabinet with drawers, providing a practical project for applying learned techniques

Explores how to make rounded parts from cardboard, expanding the design possibilities for learners' furniture projects

Reviews summary

Crafting sturdy cardboard furniture diy

According to learners, this course offers a unique and accessible approach to furniture making using cardboard. Many appreciate the clear, step-by-step instructions and the instructor's passion and detailed explanations, which make seemingly complex techniques understandable. Students report successfully building surprisingly sturdy and functional pieces, finding the focus on structure and joinery particularly helpful. The course is widely seen as beginner-friendly, requiring minimal tools and free materials, making it ideal for hobbyists or those with limited space. While some mention needing extra practice for a truly clean finish, the overall consensus is that the course delivers on its promise, empowering individuals to create useful items from commonplace materials.

Specific furniture builds are well-chosen.

"Building the cabinet with drawers was an excellent way to learn the core techniques."

"The chair and shelving unit examples show how to apply principles to different shapes."

"Loved making the specific project examples shown in the videos."

Passionate, knowledgeable, and helpful.

"The instructor is clearly very passionate and explains everything thoroughly."

"He answers questions and provides helpful feedback on student work."

"His demonstrations are easy to watch and replicate."

Suitable for those new to DIY.

"Perfect for beginners with no prior crafting or carpentry experience."

"The instructor makes it very easy for anyone to follow along."

"I had no experience and was able to successfully build the projects shown."

Uses free materials and basic tools.

"Great course using mostly free materials and basic tools."

"It's incredible that you can create furniture from everyday cardboard."

"No need for a large workshop or expensive tools, perfect for small spaces."

Techniques result in surprisingly strong pieces.

"I was amazed at how strong the structure becomes using these simple techniques."

"Learned the principles to build strong objects from cardboard that can carry weight."

"The furniture built using these methods is surprisingly sturdy and holds up well."

Steps are easy to follow and understand.

"The course is very clear with explanations of steps."

"Instructions are easy to follow, step by step method explained well."

"Each step is explained very clearly, and the videos are well-paced and easy to understand."

Getting a clean surface can be challenging.

"Achieving a perfectly smooth, clean finish takes more practice than it looks."

"While the construction is clear, the finishing part felt a bit rushed."

"My final painted piece didn't look as smooth as the examples, but it is functional."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Make your own furniture - Useful furniture from cardboard with these activities:

Practice Cutting Cardboard Accurately

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Improve your cardboard cutting skills to ensure clean and precise edges for your furniture projects.

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Gather cardboard scraps and a sharp cutting knife.
Practice cutting straight lines and curves on the cardboard.
Focus on maintaining a consistent cutting depth and angle.

Review "The Cardboard Box Book"

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Explore cardboard crafting techniques to broaden your understanding of what's possible with this material.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of "The Cardboard Box Book".
Browse the projects and identify techniques applicable to furniture making.
Experiment with a small-scale project to practice a new technique.

Build a Small Cardboard Organizer

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Apply the course's principles by building a small organizer to reinforce your understanding of cardboard construction techniques.

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Design a simple organizer with compartments.
Cut and assemble the cardboard pieces using glue and tape.
Reinforce the structure with supports as needed.
Paint or decorate the organizer for a finished look.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Document Your Cardboard Furniture Project

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Solidify your learning by documenting your furniture-making process, sharing insights and challenges encountered.

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Choose a cardboard furniture project to document.
Take photos or videos of each step of the construction process.
Write a blog post or create a video tutorial explaining your process.
Share your documentation online to inspire others.

Review "Nomadic Furniture"

Show steps

Explore design principles for adaptable furniture to inspire innovative cardboard furniture designs.

View Nomadic Furniture: D-I-Y Projects that are... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of "Nomadic Furniture".
Study the design principles and examples of adaptable furniture.
Brainstorm how these principles can be applied to cardboard construction.

Design a Flat-Pack Cardboard Furniture Prototype

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Apply your knowledge to design a piece of cardboard furniture that can be easily disassembled and stored flat.

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Choose a piece of furniture to design as a flat-pack prototype.
Create a detailed design with interlocking parts for easy assembly.
Build a small-scale prototype to test the design and assembly process.
Refine the design based on the prototype's performance.

Build Cardboard Furniture for a Local Charity

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Practice your skills and give back to the community by building cardboard furniture for a local organization.

Show steps

Contact a local charity or organization to offer your services.
Design and build cardboard furniture based on their needs.
Deliver the furniture and share your knowledge with others.

Career center

Learners who complete Make your own furniture - Useful furniture from cardboard will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

DIY Enthusiast

The DIY enthusiast enjoys making things by hand and undertaking creative projects. This course on building furniture from cardboard may be extremely satisfying for a DIY enthusiast, as it provides a medium to create useful objects from simple, everyday materials. The hands-on nature of the course and the ability to design and build unique furniture pieces from scratch aligns perfectly with the DIY spirit: you can make your own furniture. The course teaches how to work safely with basic tools and materials, making it accessible to those without prior carpentry experience. The skills learned on surface finishing and giving furniture a wood-like appearance, will help a DIY enthusiast achieve professional results.

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Hobbyist

A hobbyist engages in activities for personal enjoyment and growth. If you are a hobbyist that enjoys creating objects, this course on building furniture from cardboard can be a great way to expand your abilities. This course provides a fun and accessible way to create useful pieces of furniture at home without advanced tools or carpentry skills. The course teaches how to work safely with simple materials, and is designed for individuals who may not have prior experience in the construction field. Learning to design and build furniture, as taught throughout the course, can be a very fulfilling hobby that a person can keep coming back to. The course may help a hobbyist create a unique set of furniture for themselves.

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Furniture Designer

A furniture designer creates innovative and functional pieces. This course, which teaches how to build sturdy objects from cardboard, helps build a foundation in understanding furniture construction. The course delves into designing furniture that fits specific spaces, a crucial aspect of furniture design. A furniture designer should understand the materials and the build process, and this course offers a unique perspective using a readily available material. The practical knowledge gained on how to make drawers, boxes, and rounded parts from cardboard will be highly useful to a furniture designer. Learning about the correct steps for building a piece of furniture from cardboard provides a deeper knowledge of furniture making.

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Craft Maker

Craft makers create handmade goods. This course, which teaches how to build furniture from cardboard, provides a foundation for creating unique and functional items. A craft maker might create and sell unique furniture, or use the techniques learned to expand their craft. The methods taught for creating sturdy objects that can carry weight and the information on building boxes and drawers will be useful. The course's lessons on finishing and painting cardboard objects to appear as wood will help a craft maker produce attractive, marketable products. A craft maker should also appreciate the emphasis on using readily available materials, and the joy of creating something useful.

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Maker

Makers are individuals who enjoy creating and building things, often with a focus on technology and innovation. This course on building furniture from cardboard may be useful to a maker as it provides a foundation in practical design and building techniques using creative materials. A maker might be interested in learning how to build sturdy objects from everyday items. The course provides a step-by-step process of designing and building furniture, and also teaches how to create drawers, boxes and rounded parts. The lessons on applying a finish and painting to make the cardboard look like wood will help a maker achieve professional results in their builds. The course's simple and accessible approach to construction will be appealing to a maker.

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Product Designer

Product designers focus on creating user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing products. This course on building furniture from cardboard helps product designers think about form, function, and material properties. A product designer can benefit from the hands-on approach to building, especially the processes of designing and assembling. The course’s methods on making drawers, boxes, and rounded parts can translate to a variety of products. Understanding how to plan a project, make parts, assemble, and prepare a surface are steps that a product designer follows, and this course can be beneficial as it walks through this entire process in relation to a practical product. The course’s insights into material properties and construction techniques may be useful for a product designer.

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Prop Maker

Prop makers construct the objects used in theatrical, film, or television productions. This course on building furniture from cardboard would be valuable for a prop maker, since the course teaches how to create sturdy and unique constructions from simple materials. Many props require unique shapes and construction, and this course goes through principles useful for creating such items. A prop maker needs to create realistic looking objects, and the course teaches how to finish and paint cardboard furniture to resemble wood. Learning how to make boxes, drawers and rounded parts can be used for a wide variety of projects. The lessons in this course may be helpful for the prop making process.

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Interior designer

Interior designers enhance the functionality and aesthetics of indoor spaces. An interior designer must understand furniture design and how it interacts with a space. This course provides experience with the design and construction of furniture, which is useful when selecting pieces for a room. Learning to build furniture that fits unique spaces, as taught in this course, is valuable for those looking to customize interiors. Additionally, understanding how to get a clean finish on a product and how to paint it to look like wood can help an interior designer visualize and make decisions about furniture selection. An interior designer may find the principles learned in this course helpful when working with clients.

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Set Designer

Set designers create the environments for theatrical, film, or television productions. This course on building furniture from cardboard may be useful for a set designer, as it provides practical skills in creating three-dimensional objects. The ability to design and construct furniture, as taught in the course, is directly applicable to set design. A set designer often needs to create unique and cost-effective props; learning to make furniture from readily available materials can be very useful. This course gives experience in creating sturdy objects, which can carry weight, and provides insights into surface finishing for a polished look. The skills learned in this course may benefit a set designer who needs unique pieces.

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Exhibition Designer

Exhibition designers create engaging and informative displays for museums and galleries. The skills learned in this course, such as building sturdy objects from cardboard, may be helpful for an exhibition designer. This course provides insight into designing and constructing three-dimensional structures. An exhibition designer often deals with creating custom installations, and the practical knowledge of material usage and the construction process given in this course may help. The course teaches how to build a variety of objects, including drawers and boxes, which can be used for display or storage in an exhibition. The finishing and painting techniques may also help an exhibition designer to create visually appealing installations.

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Visual Merchandiser

Visual merchandisers are responsible for creating attractive retail displays. This course on building furniture from cardboard may be helpful for a visual merchandiser, as it teaches skills to design and construct three-dimensional objects. Visual merchandisers often need to create unique displays, so learning how to build sturdy furniture from readily available materials will be useful. The course focuses on creating objects that have a clean finish and teach methods for painting to achieve a wood effect. Both are useful to make eye catching displays. A visual merchandiser could use the lessons from this course to create custom, visually appealing retail displays that are functional and can handle some wear.

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Art Director

An art director is responsible for the look and feel of a creative project. This course on building furniture from cardboard may be useful because it allows one to understand the process of creating three-dimensional objects from readily available materials. Art directors often need a vision for spatial design, and this course gives a practical understanding of furniture construction. They make decisions about props and set design, so the course's instruction on how to build sturdy and finished pieces may help. This skill of working with materials and design principles can be beneficial for an art director. The lessons on surface finish, and painting techniques can also help an art director better realize their vision.

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Creative Director

Creative directors are responsible for the overall vision of a project, including visual elements. This course on building furniture from cardboard may be useful because it teaches an understanding of three dimensional design and material construction. A creative director may use this information when making decisions about set and prop design. Understanding the processes involved in planning, building, finishing and painting can help a creative director make more informed decisions within their projects. The ability to envision a three dimensional object, and then understand how it can be made is an ability valuable to a creative director and this course allows one to practice that process.

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Industrial Designer

Industrial designers focus on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing products, often in a manufacturing setting. This course on building furniture from cardboard may be useful, because it involves hands-on experience in designing and constructing a three-dimensional object. An industrial designer could use the skills on planning and assembling to inform their own approach to projects. The course’s focus on creating sturdy objects and understanding material properties can be valuable for an industrial designer. Although cardboard is not a common material in industrial design, the lessons learned from this course may be useful in the design and planning processes. An industrial designer should have some understanding of how to build physical objects, and this course gives practice with that.

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Architectural Model Maker

Architectural model makers create physical three-dimensional models of buildings and other structures. While this course focuses on furniture, the skills learned such as building sturdy structures from simple materials, planning, and assembly, can be applied to model making. The methods given in this course to create drawers, boxes, and rounded shapes may be useful for creating specific components of the models. The understanding of material properties and finishing techniques, as taught in the course, may also be relevant to the model making process. While they work with different materials, the knowledge gained from this course may be useful for an architectural model maker.

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Make your own furniture - Useful furniture from cardboard

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Crafting sturdy cardboard furniture diy

Activities

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