Wood furniture design is an ideal job to do either as your main source of income or as a part-time activity. Additionally, it is fulfilling to design and make something with your hands and like in any other field, trying out wood furniture design for the first time is tricky. Mainly because you do not know how to start the journey towards becoming one of the best furniture designers. However, before you lose hope of ever starting the business, remember that even the best furniture designers you know started somewhere.
The baby steps that you make in the wood design journey will help you avoid mistakes that could make your dreams of becoming an amazing furniture designer fail to come true. Here is comprehensive guide on how to start your wood furniture design journey and eventually make the furniture you feel proud of.
Know The Different Types of Wood
Wood is the backbone of any furniture design. Different types of wood are used for different projects. For this reason, the first thing you should do as a beginner in the wood furniture design field is to learn the different types of wood. Learn how different types of wood behave and why they are ideal for a specific project.
It is also important that you know how the different types of wood behave when under certain conditions. For instance, if a certain type of wood shrinks and expands based on the temperature, it is not ideal for outdoor furniture. Starting any project without first figuring out where or not you are using the right type of wood will lead you to make expensive and time-consuming mistakes.
Find Out More About Tools
It is impossible to talk about furniture design without talking about tools. There are innumerable tools used in this field, all with different purposes. For this reason, learning more about tools is among the first things that you should do when starting your wood furniture journey. Get an expert in the field and ask them to help you familiarize yourself with as many tools as possible.
Understand the specific use of each of these tools and what projects to use them in. Additionally, before you start on any project, learn how to use the tools safely. Woodworking is an activity that could lead you to future regrets if you are not cautious. Therefore, know how to use these tools without causing any accidents and safely storing the tools to make them last longer.
Set Up a Working Space
Woodwork is not among the jobs that you can handle without a specific working space. On one hand, tools need proper storage for safety. On the other hand, furniture design messes up the working area. For this reason, if you do not have a specific working space, you are likely to cause more harm than good with your furniture design job. Therefore, set aside a working space where you can comfortably handle all your projects. Ensure that this working space is big enough, especially if you plan to work on bulky items that may occupy a large space.
In the working space, set aside a part that you will use to store your tools. Keep these tools organized to make it easier for you to get one when you need to use it. This will also make the tools last longer and reduce the chances of possible accidents.
Figure Out Your Niche and Start with A Small Project
The wood furniture design field is wide. To make you a recommendable furniture designer, specialize in one piece of furniture at a time. Trying to design many things simultaneously will make you lack even one piece of furniture that you can comfortably design on your own.
Additionally, for your first project, do not start with something too complicated. Instead, look for a project that you can comfortably handle even with little guidance from a woodwork guide or guru. You can then progress to more complicated projects and eventually become one of the best designers.
Understand The Woodworking Process
Every project has a process, and woodwork projects are of no exemption. Following this process is the safest way to help you ensure that you come up with something that will not lead you to frustrations. The first thing to do in the woodworking process is to choose the project and gather the right materials for the specific project. Measure and cut the wood based on the size of the furniture that you need.
Use the right tools to assemble the wood well to avoid failure of the furniture. Apply finishing or any other painting on the furniture to give it the look you desire. If you have a problem with any of the woodworking processes, ask an expert to help you practice more in it before you handle your project. This will help you come up with something you will love right from your first project.
Learn How to Finish the Furniture
Furniture is not yet ready until you do the finishing. Unfortunately, this is the trickiest part for most people, especially for beginners. Working so hard on furniture but failing to give it the right finishing will make every other effort you have made useless. After all, the finishing attracts anybody who sees the furniture, especially if you are making it for sale.
Therefore, learn the basics of how to sand and finish your projects. Know the right materials and tools to use for this part and how to use them well. Good finishing not only makes your wood look good but also helps it last longer.
Conclusion
It is daunting to be a newbie in the woodworking field. The process you follow now that you are new determines how successful you will be in the field in the long run. Luckily, by learning the right process and mistakes to avoid, you can make incredible wood furniture designs within a short time.
