The first step to making a quality objects is its design.  And the first step to excellent design is understanding and using basic design.

A Simple Process for Design Success

When I was on the path  of self-taught woodworking, I would haphazardly go through what I thought were the steps of designing furniture. I would make a few rough sketches on scrap paper with some measurements (mostly guessed at) scribbled beside them.

All About Furniture Design

Building furniture without plans is not unheard of, but it is not advised. It's best to go into a project with a plan to follow. This will help you purchase the right amount of lumber, and it will help you head off many issues early in the process. A design can start out as a sketch on a napkin, but eventually it must be translated into something that can be used to create measured pieces.

The Easy Way to Creating Custom Woodwork

There is nothing like having unique woodwork pieces in your home. It reflects more of your personality and exudes a feel that genuinely comes from the household members themselves. Contrary to popular belief, creating your own custom-made woodwork isn’t that hard. It’s also not as expensive as most woodwork contractors claim.

Planning to make furniture

This is a list of considerations you need to think about and produce answers for when you are taking on a project for yourself or a customer.   It is not necessary to invent some new shape, style or look, etc.  Adopt existing designs to fit into the decor of the customers rooms and make your piece fit in.

Developing a Basic Design

I would start designing the piece as a basic box. That will serve as your empty canvas and you can simply add things or take things away as needed in order to arrive at the final design. So in your mind, start with 4 sides and simple butt joints. Then add in the back panel, which is set about 3/4″ in from the back in order to allow for the french cleat.