Handcrafted wood furniture adds warmth and rustic charm to home interiors. If you plan to build your own tables, chairs, and other pieces, you might wonder how much lumber you need for your project. Refer to the following helpful guide on how to measure and calculate building materials accurately.

How to Measure Wood for Your Furniture Project

Start with a Plan

It helps to create a hand-drawn sketch or computer-generated plan first. Alternatively, you might want to use a diagram found in a popular magazine or periodical. Whichever drawing or graphic you choose, it will provide you with an idea of how large the result will be. Include length, width, and height dimensions to help you calculate the approximate square footage of wood you will need.

List the Parts

Additionally, make a list of the parts your piece of wood furniture will feature. Most tables, for instance, consist of a top, legs, and aprons. Calculate the width, thickness, and length of each individual part in order to arrive at a net board footage or lineal footage for your project.

Don’t Forget to Calculate Waste

When you add up the total lumber list, keep in mind that this number amounts to the bare minimum lumber quantity you’d need to build the piece of furniture correctly on the first try. More likely than not, you’ll require extra wood to account for mistakes and waste. Add about 15% to your final lumber quota to provide you with enough wood in case of errors.

When you’re ready to purchase lumber for your next building project, check out the selection at Stayton Builders Mart. Since 1977, they have provided building materials — including doors, siding, windows, decking, paint, and sheetrock — to homeowners and contractors throughout Stayton, OR, and the surrounding areas. Call (503) 769-7118 to order wood or lumber in bulk, and visit them online to learn more about the hardware, tools, and supplies they carry.