21 Outstanding Reader Projects

Reader Doug Swanson has two lucky dachshunds. He built a custom ramp with window seating and a safety railing so they can look out the window despite one of the pet’s back issues. The ramp also features built-in storage cabinets and casters, so it can be moved easily when it’s time to vacuum the floor.

Reader Janice Ferguson and her husband made changes to their existing pond based on a few ideas they found in The Family Handyman’s Plan a Low-Maintenance Pond project, originally published in the April 2005 issue. They lowered the water level, making it more accessible for birds, and added a small waterfall. What a great water feature!

Reader Dale Lockwood built an amazing creative studio building for his wife. It includes double front doors, three sliding windows that face a nearby lake, an interior loft for storage, window boxes, a weathervane and a woodchip pathway. It’s the perfect space for bringing creative projects to life.

Reader Brian created this remarkable arcade in his basement. From the video games to comfortable seating to foosball and air hockey tables to the well-stocked snack corner and retro décor, the space is a dream for any game lover. What a cool room, Brian!

Reader Billy Keith built an amazing storage bench for his outdoor space. He used teak, which features excellent water-resistant qualities, for the exterior and cedar, which features natural deodorizing qualities for the interior. The finished piece looks flawless, don’t you think?

Talk about taking advantage of unused storage space! Reader John White constructed this skinny shop cart for storing his surplus sheet goods. It features an open frame on four small casters, and it fits perfectly in the open space behind the lower cabinets in his workshop. Excellent idea, John!

This creative cottage-like shed was built by reader Alan Luebs. He used our Dream Shed plans, originally published in the July/August 2013 issue of The Family Handyman. He modified the doors and windows and added awesome siding materials and colors. We absolutely love it!

This TV cabinet project was executed perfectly by reader Ronald Berg. He used plans from The Family Handyman’s November 2012 issue, adding that he learned how to use a Kreg pocket-hole jig for the first time and loved it. We love your work, Ronald!

This pirate ship-inspired tree house must be the talk of reader Douglas Goble’s neighborhood! It’s amazingly executed—from the pretend cannon to the sail to the helm that spins. It provides his kids with hours of outdoor fun.

“My entertainment center is by no means perfect, but it is by far the nicest thing I have ever built,” says reader Matt Godsey. “It fills me with pride every time I get a book down from the shelf to read to our kids, or I watch one of them get a movie out of the cabinet for family movie night.” Matt crafted this beautiful rendition of The Family Handyman’s Classic Bookcase project, originally published in the December/January 2014 issue.

Built using plans from the Ultimate Garden Shed article in The Family Handyman magazine, reader Bill Derby says his Taj Ma-Shed was a challenging yet very rewarding project to complete. He even added to it by building a deck for the base of the shed!

From trash to treasure is an understatement for this project by reader Dallin Pedersen. He salvaged a pile of 3x3 unfinished Ipe boards, turning them into beautiful and unique decking. After reshaping the boards and a lot of sanding, Dallin added an oil-base wood toner. The deck looks spectacular!

Reader Nick Ross created this cheerful yellow shed using plans from The Family Handyman magazine. The concrete ramp in the front is a nice addition and will be perfect for rolling a lawnmower and other outdoor power equipment inside the shed. And, of course, the bright yellow color is awesome.

We’re impressed with reader J. Macpherson’s modifications to The Family Handyman’s Outdoor Storage Locker project from March 2008.