DIY Sofa Armrest Tray

30 Days of DIY Projects 2 Make Us Thankful

Project 4

This is the fourth post of our series of projects to make us thankful for DIY.  Be sure to check back everyday during the month of November for new simple and easy DIY projects. It's our way of saying Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Simply Easy DIY!

If you're like us, then you have limited space in the living room. We've got couches, chairs, tables and the odd toy laying on the floor to stub your toe on.

Before you know it you're out of room, (and in pain).

We're always trying our best to keep it neat and organized but still have room to move.

If you have a small space or live in an apartment, here is a great idea that is easy on space and your pocket book.

It only takes up the space on the arm of your couch, (or sofa depending on what part of the country you're from). And you'll still have room for those toys to stub your toes on...YEAH.

FUNNY STORY...

While we're relaxing we'll put a drink on the floor cause you know...space.

Next thing you know, the drink has been knocked over...cause you know, kids.

Having one of these would be so handy.

All you have to do is get comfortable with a drink or TV dinner and you're good to go.

DIY Sofa Tray

Tools & Materials Needed Miter Saw Random Orbital Sander Polyurethane 90 degree Clamps Wood Glue Plywood or other choice of lumber

Cut List 2 Side Pieces @ .75" x 18" x 7" 1 Top Piece @ .75" x 18" x 10.5" 12 - 1/4" Diameter Dowel Rods @ 1-1/2" Lengths NOTE:  The above listed measurements are for our couch here at Simply Easy DIY.  Obviously couches come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.  You will need to measure from the top of your sofa arm to the top of the seat cushion to get the depth of the side pieces. For the width of the top piece you will need to measure from the outside of your sofa arm to the inside and then subtract an inch and a half or so to account for the thickness of the padding.   This is so the tray will fit snugly around the arm of your sofa without it being loose and tipsy prone.

Step 1

Cut the two side pieces.

NOTE: Read the NOTE above!

Step 2

Cut the top piece to size and if you want, you can measure and mark for the dowel holes now instead of trying to do it after we have applied the ninety degree clamps in the next step.

Step 3

Apply some glue to the adjoining pieces.  Then apply a few ninety degree clamps to each of the four adjoining corners and finish drilling the dowel holes to the desired depth.

Then all you have to do is fill each hole with a dab of wood glue and hammer home some 1/4" dowels.

After that a flush cut saw, or pull saw as they are sometimes called, can be used to cut the tops of the dowel rods flush with the top of the sofa tray.

Step 4

After a little sanding and a few coats of your choice of stain and/or sealant such as some satin polyurethane... ENJOY!

NOTE: Obviously the couch pictured here is just my crude attempt in my CAD drawing program to represent a couch.  I don't actually expect sofa arms to be square...DUH!!!

Want a visual aid?

The video below is from a YouTube creator called Mark Susak.  Check it out and if you like what you see be sure to stop by his channel and subscribe.  Tell him Simply Easy DIY sent you.

Obviously there will be some slight differences in assembly techniques used but hey, that's what makes the world go around.

Final Thoughts

A simple creation that can be built in a day with supplies that you already have in the shop. A bit of extra material might score you a few more to build and give as gifts.

Now you just have to keep your pet out of your drink, hehe!

I hope you enjoyed today's featured project and don't forget to stop by "Mark Craft Woodworking" YouTube channel to check out even more great videos from Mark.

We hope you will return to Simply Easy DIY everyday through the month of November for more projects that make us thankful 4 DIY.

Until then!

DIY Floating Shelf - Pallet Wood Project

30 Days of DIY Projects 2 Make Us Thankful

Project 3

This is the third post of our series of projects to make us thankful for DIY.  Be sure to check back everyday during the month of November for new simple and easy DIY projects. It's our way of saying Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Simply Easy DIY!

 In our home, we often say, "No counter is safe".

Simply put, we accumulate clutter. Sometimes it is because we are rushed and don't have time to put things away.

DIY Pine Mulch - Mulch Your Way to a Better Garden

30 Days of DIY Projects 2 Make Us Thankful

Project 2

This is the second post of our series of projects to make us thankful for DIY.  Be sure to check back everyday during the month of November for new simple and easy DIY projects. It's our way of saying Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Simply Easy DIY!

Today I'd like to share a recent project that came about by necessity.  We had a two fold problem.

DIY Pallet Garden Bench

30 Days of DIY Projects 2 Make Us Thankful

Project 1

This is the first post of our series of projects to make us thankful for DIY.  Be sure to check back everyday during the month of November for new simple and easy DIY projects. It's our way of saying Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Simply Easy DIY!

One of the things I like to do here at simply easy diy is make things out of stuff I already have on hand.

DIY Vertical Wine Rack

A few projects ago I built a DIY Beer and Wine Rack.  On one side I supplied a place for two bottles of wine and four glasses.

On the other side I gave space for a couple tall beer glasses and a couple bottles of beer.  The intent for the beer bottles was just for decoration.

That is why I choose a couple vintage looking bottles to showcase on mine.

However, sometimes wine can be just a decor piece.  Whatever, your intent for storing fine wine here are a few tips to keep in mind.

1. Avoid direct sunlight when storing wine.

2. If you have a "true" corked bottle, store it on it's side.  This keeps the cork from drying out and shrinking, allowing air in the bottle. 

3. Don't store wine next to onions.  Actually anything with a strong smell can penetrate the cork over time.

4. Not all wines age well.  The cheep store bought wines usually do not improve over time.  In fact most white wines should be consumed within a few years, (some exceptions of course).  Whether wine improves over time has to do with the balance of its sugar, tannin and acid content.

DIY Vertical Wine Rack

Materials 1 -1x4 @ 37" Choice of Stain Polyurethane  Wood Glue  Cork Screw and Bottle Opener

Cut List 2 - Pieces @ 3.5" x 18" NOTE: If using furring strips then they may only be 3-3/8" wide instead of 3.5" like a normal 1x4.  This should not affect the outcome of the project.

Step 1

Cut 2 identical length pieces to size as listed above or to your preferred length.

Choose one piece and route a 3/4" wide by 1/4" deep dado down the face of one side.

Step 2

Take the other piece and drill five 1-1/4" holes centered and equally spaced.

Step 3

Glue and clamp the piece with the holes into the dado routed in the other.

Final Thoughts

After the project is dry, usually 30 mins to an hour for typical wood glues.  Sand the piece and be sure to take off the harsh edges and corners to make it easier on the feel.

The use of a key hole bit makes mounting the piece to a wall simple and easy.  I would route two.  One near the top and one closer to the bottom.

After your choice of stain and a few coats of satin polyurethane, you will have an extremely affordable and sleek place to store a few wine bottles.

DIY Wall Mounted Bottle Opener

A few months ago as I was looking around for an elusive bottle opener that is suppose to be kept in one of our utensil drawers, I had had enough.  I couldn't find it.  We have two.  I couldn't find either one.

What is it they say about a camels back?

Well as luck would have it I couldn't find them locally so I held off on the project.  On weekends I would visit garage and estate sales to see if I could find one there.

Nope.

Then a few weeks ago I was contacted by someone that sells these Coolinary brand bottle openers.  They had seen my DIY Beer and Wine Rack video and liked it so they offered to send me a few if I had plans for a follow up video to that project.

Well, not a follow up video, but a whole new project and I just happened to have need of the very thing they were offering.

My answer:

Thank you very much!

DIY Wall Mounted Bottle Opener

Materials 1 - Wall Mounted Bottle Opener 10" of 3/4" Thick Oak (or your choice of)  16" of 1/4" Thick Oak (or Your choice of) NOTE: I re-sawed lumber in the video to get my 1/4" Thick pieces.  However, most lumber yards and home improvement stores sell 1/4" project boards if you want to save time and effort, if not money. Choice of Stain Polyurethane  Wood Glue

Cut List 1 - Back Piece @ 3.5" x 10" 2 - Cap Catcher Side Pieces @ 1/4" x 2" x 2" 2 - Cap Catcher Front & Back Pieces @ 1/4" x 2" x 3.5" 1 - Cap Catcher Bottom Piece @ 1/4" x 2" x 3.25"

Project Video

Final Thoughts

I have had many offers of companies offering to send me items to use in videos.  However, up to this point, I have refused them.

The reasons are varied but usually it is centered around the requirements the company wants me to fulfill.  If the product fits with what I'm doing and I feel it is worth me saying, "Hey, this product is ok.", then great.

If not, then I say thanks but no thanks.

In this case the only requirement was to build something and have fun.

Those are my kind of requirements that I am always willing to fulfill.

I hope that you will check them out and if you're ever in need of some bottle openers, you'll know where to go.