DIY designer furniture desktop
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Think big, spend small – DIY designer furniture

If you love the look of designer furniture but not the price tag, making your own small furniture pieces can be a smart solution rather than a compromise. For DIY beginners, projects like coffee tables, side tables, entry benches, planter boxes and compact shelving units offer the chance to create custom pieces that look stylish, suit your space and cost far less than buying ready-made designer furniture.

RYOBI AUSTRALIA Tue, 07/28/2026 - 12:27
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Small furniture projects are especially ideal for first-time DIYers because they are manageable in size, practical in purpose and forgiving enough to build confidence as you go. You don’t need a full workshop or years of experience to make something beautiful. With a few versatile tools, some timber and a simple plan, you can build pieces that feel personal, useful and surprisingly high-end.

That is the real appeal of DIY furniture for people with designer tastes and a DIY budget. You are not stuck choosing between cheap flat-pack pieces that don’t quite suit your style and expensive furniture that blows the budget. Instead, you can choose your own timber, finish, proportions and details, and work at your own pace. Want a slimline side table for a narrow hallway, a warm timber stool for a reading nook or a custom shelf that fits an awkward corner? Building it yourself gives you a level of freedom that off-the-shelf furniture often cannot.

There is also a practical advantage: small builds help you learn the core steps of furniture making without the stress of taking on a full-size table or entertainment unit. You will learn how to measure, mark, cut, drill, sand and assemble, all on a scale that feels achievable. If you make a minor mistake, it is usually easier and cheaper to fix. And once you finish one piece, you have gained more than just furniture. You have new skills and the confidence to try the next project.

 

DIY Fluted Coffee Table

Tools for the task

The right tools make that learning curve much smoother. A well-chosen set of cordless tools help beginners work more accurately, more comfortably and with less fuss, especially in a garage, on a deck or in a backyard shed or workshop. The following RYOBI tools cover the main stages of building small furniture, from cutting and shaping through to smoothing and assembly. What’s more ... they’re not confined to use only on small projects. You’ll have them for you next projects, too, regardless of their size or complexity.

18V ONE+ HPTM Brushless 184mm Circular Saw 

This circular saw is great for making straight cuts in timber and timber-based boards, which is exactly what you need for shelves, table tops, legs and cabinet panels. In simple terms, it is ideal for cutting larger boards and timber pieces down to size. Its strong brushless motor and generous cutting depth make it a handy all-rounder for beginner furniture builds that still need neat, confident cutting performance, especially when you are ready to take on a bigger project. 

ONE+ HP BL 184MM CIRCULAR SAW

Three things that make this Circular Saw stand out: 

  • Brushless motor – delivers the power to cut thick timber cleanly and helps you work through common furniture materials with less effort. 
  • Maximum cutting depth of 65mm at 90° – cuts a variety of materials from thick to thin. 
  • Adjustable bevel from 0–56° – makes it easier to add angled details or bevelled edges for a more custom, designer-style finish.
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18V ONE+ HPTM Brushless Compact Drill Driver

This compact drill driver handles the everyday jobs that hold small furniture projects together, from drilling pilot holes to driving screws into timber. Because it is light, compact and versatile, it is an approachable tool for beginners who want control without giving up power.

18V HP Compact Driver Drill

Three things that make this Drill Driver stand out:

  • Up to 60Nm of forward and reverse torque (twisting force) – provides enough strength for drilling and fastening while still being manageable for novice and experienced users alike. 
  • 2-speed gearbox – switch between faster drilling and slower, more controlled screwdriving, so you can match the tool to the task. 
  • 13mm keyless chuck and onboard LED light – makes bit changes quick and helps you see clearly when working in darker corners or tight spots.
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18V ONE+ HPTM Brushless Jigsaw

This jigsaw is great for cutting circles and curves, shaped edges and detail work that can give a small furniture piece a more refined or custom look. If you want to add rounded corners, decorative cut-outs or a softer shape to a stool, shelf or side table, this is the tool that helps you move beyond basic squares and rectangles.

18V ONE+ HP™ BRUSHLESS JIGSAW

Three things that make this Jigsaw stand out:

  • Brushless motor – delivers the blade speed needed for smooth, efficient cutting through timber and other common DIY materials. 
  • 4-stage pendulum settings – let you balance cutting speed and finish quality, from slower, cleaner cuts to faster, more aggressive cutting. 
  • 0–45° bevel capability and tool-less blade change – adds flexibility for angled cuts and makes blade changes quick and simple.
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18V ONE+ Detail Sander

This detail sander is great for smoothing timber surfaces, softening sharp edges and getting into corners that are awkward to finish by hand. For beginner furniture-makers, its compact size makes it an easy way to lift the final look of a project and make it feel more polished before painting, staining or sealing.

18V ONE+ Palm Sander Tool Only

Three things that make this Detail Sander stand out:

  • Pointed pad with orbital sanding action – helps you sand flat areas, corners and tight angles more effectively for a neater finish. 
  • Single-speed motor with fast oscillations – keeps performance consistent, which is helpful when you are still building confidence with sanding technique. 
  • Hook-and-loop sanding pad with dust collection port – makes sandpaper changes quick and helps keep your work area cleaner while you sand.
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18V ONE+ 16Ga C Brad Nailer 

This brad nailer is great for quick furniture assembly, attaching detailed timber trim, and fastening lightweight pieces. It is accurate, leaves behind very small holes that are easy to fill, and helps create cleaner, faster builds on projects like shelves, small cabinets, storage boxes and decorative furniture details.

18V ONE+ 16GA BRAD NAILER

Three things that make this Brad Nailer stand out:

  • AirStrikeTM technology – battery power removes the need for bulky compressors, gas cartridges and hoses, making it so much easier to set up and far less intimidating for first-time users. 
  • Accepts 16-gauge C brad nails from 19–63mm long – gives you flexibility across a range of small furniture assembly and trim jobs. 
  • Tool-free depth adjustment and jam release – make fine-tuning and clearing jammed nails much easier.
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Creating your own small furniture pieces does not have to feel out of reach. With approachable tools, manageable projects and the flexibility of the RYOBI ONE+ system, it is easier to turn designer-inspired ideas into real pieces for your home without blowing the budget, your space or your confidence.

Who knows, it might be the start of building even bigger pieces in the future. 

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