16 Reader Projects from The Family Handyman
Updated: Mar. 07, 2018We love seeing your versions of projects from The Family Handyman—so we’re showing them off! The following 16 reader projects have us beaming with pride. Plus, each includes the original project plans from the magazine.
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Right-Height Planter
This Patio Planter project, originally published in the April 2017 issue of The Family Handyman, is right at home on the sunny deck of reader Bob LaBelle. He built it for his wife, who you can see is an amazing gardener! They’ll be eating fresh veggies and herbs all season long! Photo: Bob LaBelle
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Green Garden Shed
Following The Family Handyman’s Garden Shed plans, originally published in the July/August 2011 issue, reader Norman Elton completed this stunning storage building in his backyard. He did a fantastic job, didn’t he? And we think the color combination of dark green siding with bright white trim goes perfectly with the shed’s surroundings. Photo: Norman Elton
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Cool Copper Cupola
Check out reader Bruno Bucci’s fantastic rendition of The Family Handyman’s How to Build a Cupola project, originally published in the July/August 1999 issue. Bruno customized the design with a copper top and a motorcycle weathervane. We must say, that’s really cool! Photo: Bruno Bucci
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Drill Dock to Declutter
“As you can tell, it really cleaned off my workbench,” Carle Davis says of the Drill Dock he built for his shop space. He used project plans originally published in the September 2017 issue of The Family Handyman. Carle used different sizes of PVC pipe to fit his tools. That’s an awesome tip! Photo: Carle Davis
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Customized Showcase Wall
Reader Mike Farron’s version of our Showcase Wall project includes a larger size and a creative configuration of cubbies to suit his family’s needs. The arches he incorporated into a couple of areas give the unit a classy, attention-to-detail vibe that we love. Way to go, Mike! Photo: Mike Farron
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Dream Shed Spinoff
The Family Handyman reader Greg Reierson sent in a photo of his interpretation of our Dream Shed project, originally published in the July/August 2013 issue. He had to create a beefier base featuring a retaining wall to level out a space in his backyard, and he even added a lovely front porch with beams and pavers. Nicely done, Greg! Photo: Greg Reierson
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Step Stool to the Rescue
Reader Jeffrey Pease built this creative and very useful Flip Flop Step Stool, originally published in the April 2015 issue of The Family Handyman, for his granddaughter Robin. His son is a Batman fan, so the signature “R” and red and yellow colors of Batman’s famous sidekick were perfect personalized touches for Jeffrey to incorporate into the design. So clever!
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Classic Garden Bench Doubled
The Family Handyman reader Dan Kemper followed our Classic Garden Bench plans to a tee—twice! And he even added a matching corner table to connect the identical benches, making an amazing patio furniture piece. Thanks for sharing your work, Dan! Photo: Dan Kemper
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Lakeside Shed Plus Shelter
Reader Jim Reitenbach built this Shed Plus Shelter from plans originally published in the July/August 2012 issue of The Family Handyman. The front porch adds to the shed’s charm and makes a great sitting spot to enjoy the outdoors. Photo: Jim Reitenbach
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Copper Tubing Trellis
We love the way this trellis ages! Thanks, Chuck, for sharing a photo of the project that you built using The Family Handyman’s Copper Trellis plans circa April 2004. Photo: Chuck Davis
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North Woods Bench in White
Reader Keith Simpson followed plans in the May 2014 issue of The Family Handyman to create his version of the North Woods Bench. We especially like Keith’s process for creating a very durable, very smooth white finish. He used enamel primer and acrylic latex paint and sanded between each coat. Photo: Keith Simpson
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In Memory of a Woodworker
Reader Becky Christensen was determined to complete the Ikea Kallax Hack project from The Family Handyman’s March 2015 issue in memory of her late husband Todd, who was a stellar woodworker. She had to do some problem solving, such as figure out how to make the top removable to fit through her interior doorway, but she did it. The finished storage table looks amazing—a true labor of love! Photo: Becky Christensen
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Twin Adirondack Chairs
We are impressed with the style modification that reader Billy Keith made to The Family Handyman’s Comfortable Adirondack Chair plans, originally published in the May 2004 issue. The curved back of Billy’s chairs makes them look even more inviting—and perfect for sitting around his cozy patio fire pit. Photo: Billy Keith
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Green Garage Storage
Reader Jeanne Waggoner is holding up the September 2016 issue of The Family Handyman. She’s also standing in front of the project featured on the cover. Jeanne’s husband Wilbur built the green storage unit in their garage, and it works magnificently at corralling boots, sneakers, jackets and more. Photo: Jeanne Waggoner
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DIY Ultimate Garden Shed
Reader Frank Peterson tackled building The Family Handyman’s Ultimate Garden Shed, originally published in the July/August 2014 issue. He gave it his own twist by hooking up water and adding a sink. He also used slightly different windows and opted for a different roofing material. Nicely done, Frank! Photo: Frank Peterson
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New Twist on a Classic Workbench
We love the look of the top that reader Charles Brown chose to use on his version of The Family Handyman’s Super Bench project, originally published in the September 2012 issue. Butcher block is very durable, and the backsplash addition will help to protect the wall in Charles’ shop when he’s working on a project! Photo: Charles Brown
Originally Published: September 29, 2017