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How to Make a Half-Lap Joint with a Miter Saw

How to Make a DIY Half Lap Joint using Miter Saw

Want to add another joint to your woodworking skillset? Today I’ll show you how to create a simple DIY half-lap joint with your miter saw.

How to Make a DIY Half Lap Joint using Miter Saw

Half-Lap Joint with your Miter Saw

Hi! It’s Kristen from In Her Garage and I am going to teach you an easy way to create a half-lap joint to add to your DIY skill set. The half-lap joint is versatile and super strong.

Wondering what a half-lap joint even is? Put simply, a half-lap joint is a joint between two boards that are halved together so that a flush surface results. Check out the pictures below for two popular ways half-lap joints are used. Best of all this joint only requires wood glue to hold it together.

   

I have used this style of joint when a butt joint or pocket-hole joint isn’t possible. It’s helpful to use when working with thinner material or in tight spaces. Let’s learn how to make a half-lap joint!

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Tools:

Instructions:

Step 1: Mark your boards

  • Place your boards over one another in the orientation they will be joined.
  • Mark out the width of the overlap on each board.

   

Step 2: Set up your miter saw

  • Place a sacrificial board against the miter saw fence, with the face flat (as seen in the video below).  This board should be flat and square. You will need this because you are not cutting through the board to be used in your project and thus the miter saw will not cut the back portion of the board you are cutting. The scrap piece will push your board out so that the miter saw will cut halfway down from the front to the back. If you do a test cut without the scrap board you’ll see what I mean.
  • Next, use your saw’s depth stop control and adjust the depth to cut approximately halfway down into the first board to be cut. Use a scrap piece of wood for this step to make sure you have the depth you want before using the board that will be used in your project.
  • Adjust the miter angle at this time as well if you are not planning to cut at 90 degrees.

Step 3: Cut the first board

  • With your depth set and scrap board in place make your first cut into your board. Make sure you are minding which side of the marked lines your blade needs to cut!
  • After the first cut move the board slightly (about 1/8”) and create another cut right next to the first.
  • Continue moving and cutting until you have created all the cuts needed between the two width lines you marked out previously.
  • Dry fit the second board into the first to make sure the width is correct and make any necessary adjustments.
  • Use sandpaper to smooth out any ridges left from the saw.

Step 4: Cut the second board

  • If you cut exactly halfway through the first board then you will not have to do any adjustments for this step and you can cut the second board exactly as you cut the first.
  • But, if you are like me you didn’t cut the first board perfectly and the depth will need to be adjusted slightly for the second board. This is simple.
  • The cut for the second board will need to be the depth of what you DIDN’T cut from the first board. Use a piece of scrap to fine-tune this depth before cutting the board you will use.
  • Now that the depth has been set for the second board you can cut the half-lap into the board just like you did for the first. Again, being mindful of which side of the lines your blade is cutting.
  • Dry fit the two boards together to be sure you have a snug fit and the boards create a flat surface.

Step 5: Glue together

  • Apply glue to both lap joints in each board and fit them together.
  • Apply downward pressure to the joint and allow the glue to dry.

There you have it!! You have expanded your talents and created a very strong half-lap joint for your next project. Nice work!

Pin this graphic for future reference:

How to Make a DIY Half Lap Joint using Miter Saw

New to using the miter saw or need a refresher? Check out the Pretty Handy Girl’s How to Use a Miter Saw tutorial to get you all caught up!

Hi! I’m Kristen, from In Her Garage, and I am a self-taught woodworker and DIY fanatic from Minnesota where I live with my husband and our two daughters. Between being a wife, mom, and registered nurse, I try to make as much time for DIY as possible. My love for building came after our family built our current home in 2015. After we moved in, we needed furniture, and instead of spending massive amounts of money to order the items we wanted I decided that I would build them myself. I started with a buffet table plan from the fabulous Ana-white and quickly set out to remodel my entire home office.

Since then I have started a side business building furniture for the people in my community. I love hearing my clients talk about the pieces they wish they had whether it be a rustic buffet table, a one drawer side table, or a toy box and then making it a reality for them. While starting my small business it made perfect sense that I would document my building journey so I simultaneously launched the In Her Garage blog and I love sharing my plans, tips, and tricks.

I am so glad that you found me here and please feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook to see what I am working on right now.

Check out my latest blog post about building a DIY Folding Craft/Sewing Table! This table is large enough for any craft project but folds down when you don’t need it. Perfect for anyone with a small space but large crafting ambitions!

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33 Bathroom Upgrades You Can DIY

Does your bathroom need a little sprucing up? If you’re anything like me, you get a little tired of the same boring thing year after year. The 33 projects in this collection are inspiration for how you can DIY Bathroom Upgrades!

Bathroom Upgrades You Can DIY

If your how was built with builder-grade materials and you’re looking for ways to upgrade different things to make it more personalized and beautiful, today is the day to get some inspiration to make a change in your bathroom. The good news is these are all projects that you can put together with just a few supplies and a little time and elbow grease.

Create more beautiful storage in your bathroom with these easy bathroom shelves.

Provide a little privacy without blocking light by applying this privacy film to your bathroom windows.

Build this DIY bathroom wall cabinet to create another place to store toiletries and towels.

Learn how to install cement tiles on your own so you can create the floor of your dreams!

If you need a place to hang some towels, build this simple rustic ladder for your bathroom.

Plenty 'o Storage from One Board | Pretty Handy Girl Plenty 'o Storage from One Board | Pretty Handy Girl

Build a simple storage box to put bathroom essentials out of sight using only ONE BOARD!

diy rolling racks by hazel and gold designs

Another option for towel storage is this rolling bathroom towel rack; perfect if you don’t have ample wall space.

Learn how to install and update cabinet hardware for a more modern look to your bathroom.

Rustic Wood Bathtub Tray | Pretty Handy Girl

Make this beautiful and useful wooden bath tray that will hold your phone while you bathe. It’s great decor too!

Update your bathroom with customized towel hooks rather than rods.

If you’re looking to change your mirror, consider learning how to hang a frameless oval mirror.

If you like the rustic look, consider updating with unique things like this branch towel bar.

Add a beautiful rustic and warm touch by planking one wall in your bathroom.

Install a beautiful backsplash inside a cabinet or on a wall.

Repurpose an old window to update your bathroom with an awesome bathroom storage cabinet.

Upgrade your plain walls with DIY shiplap in your powder room.

If you’re looking for more organization, update your bathroom drawer storage with DIY drawer dividers.

Give your bathroom walls an upgrade by installing beadboard on the bathroom walls.

Decorative industrial shelves are the perfect upgrade for your bathroom.

This stick-on bathroom mirror frame makes such a huge impact and you can absolutely make it yourself.

Build your own small DIY bathroom vanity so you have exactly what you need.

diy-drawer-dividers

Add built-in dividers to your bathroom drawer to improve organization.

Upgrade your old cabinets by doing a vanity makeover with paint!

Change up your bathroom by painting a faux concrete wall and making it look more customized.

Apply floral wallpaper to one bathroom wall to make a huge visual impact without overwhelming.

Build an awesome wooden DIY rustic mirror frame to upgrade a simple mirror.

Add some simple storage by installing creative organization to the walls.

Want to change your floors without tiling? Use floor stickers to update your bathroom flooring with a whole new look.

DIY Adhesive Tiled Walls

Apply tile to the walls in your bathroom for a beautiful, classy upgraded look.

Use stencils on the bathroom walls to create a faux wallpaper look.

Add Frameless Oval Mirrors to Your Bathroom

Create simple wall frames to upgrade those plain walls and make them prettier.

under sink organizaiton

Add custom storage under any sink to get more organization out of your bathroom.

Give your bathroom a whole new look by applying these beautiful patterned tile stickers.

I hope you loved these ideas and found inspiration on how you can create something similar for your home. Comment and let me know what you think! Which is your favorite?

Hi, I’m Sheri from Hazel + Gold Designs. Here are a few fun stats about me: I like love chocolate and peanut butter (together of course.) If you like stats, I have been crocheting for about 16 years, crafting for 20, and woodworking for about 4 years. I found a passion in making and being creative and began documenting my projects online at Hazel + Gold Designs.

When not working on projects, I enjoy spending time with my husband, four children, perfect dog, and ornery cat. You can find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.

Read all of Sheri’s tutorials.

~Find more of Sheri’s projects here ~

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Tour of the 2020 HGTV Dream Home in Hilton Head – Part 2

Welcome back to part 2 of the 2020 HGTV Dream Home tour. I hope you enjoyed seeing the kitchen, living room, foyer, and master suite on Monday. Today I have photos of the mudroom/laundry room, the upstairs bedrooms, lounge room, and the backyard. Bryan Patrick Flynn is the interior designer for this dream home and he did a fantastic job of combining bright colors, natural elements, and classic style.

(Disclosure: I’m not sponsored by Cabinets to Go, the HGTV Dream Home sweepstakes is sponsored by them. I was provided with an invitation to tour the home and Cabinets to Go paid my hotel expenses.) There’s so much to see, let’s get started!

Tour of the 2020 HGTV Dream Home in Hilton Head – Part 2

When I left you on Monday we had just finished touring the master suite. Let’s head over to the opposite side of the house.

Down the hallway from the foyer you get a peek into the combined laundry room/mudroom space. Like the rest of the house, art and sculptural installations line every wall. These vintage oars warm the cool blue walls. Want to know a secret? You can make your own faux vintage boat oars for next to nothing by following my tutorial here.

On the opposite side of the hallway are these beautiful paintings by Felicia Higdon, a local painter.

And now you’ve reached one of my favorite spots in the house. Although it’s a hard-working room, this mudroom and laundry room is bathed in sunlight and has a view of the marsh teaming with wildlife. I could see my kids hanging out at this table playing games while us parents talk about “boring stuff” in the living room area.

The wall color in the mudroom/laundry room is Restful HGSW2285 by Sherwin Williams

In the corner of the room is a large dog crate, but I bet you could remove the spindles and add some shelving for additional storage if you don’t have a dog (or your dog refuses to be crate-trained. Ahem…Bandit!)

On the other side of the door is the laundry center. The cabinets are from the Chelsea Linen line from Cabinets to Go.

Across from the washer and dryer is a deep utility sink that doubles as a dog washing station (if you have a small dog. LOL.)

The unexpected elegance in this room is a showstopping tile backsplash wall that climbs to the ceiling. I’m thinking my laundry room needs a tile backsplash like this or at least a fun wallpaper that emulates this look. After all, my laundry room is the first thing you see when you come in our side door.

Here are the mudroom/laundry room sources for you. (I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Silver Sky Encaustic Tiles | Woven Mirror | Chelsea Linen Cabinets | Wicker Storage Basket | Cabinet Pulls | Wall-Mounted Coat Rack | Port Hole Mirror | Pedestal Table | Round Area Rug | Laundry Goods Tote | Dog Crate | Coastal Round Basket Set | Dog Bed

Now that we’ve seen downstairs, let’s head upstairs to see the two bedrooms, the lounge room, and more!

At the top of the stairs is a little game area and through the open doorway awaits a multifunctional (aka lounge) room for relaxing and TV binge-watching.

The vintage deconstructed airplane wing is amazing, is it not? I bet that was an exciting find during a long antiquing excursion. It makes me want to go junking right now!

The wall color in this room is Gristmill Greige HGSW2485 by Sherwin Williams.

If you saw anything you liked, here are links to the sources in the lounge room:

Hurricane Vase | Rope Serving Tray | Chandelier | Console Table | Airplane Wall Art | Sofa | Hand-Woven Area Rug | Armchair | Coffee Table

Just off the multifunctional room is an elevated porch area. If I could, I’d hang out here all day and all night.

The circular patio seating is beautiful, but give me a hanging daybed here and I foresee lots of naps and relaxation on this porch.

Back inside are two more bedrooms. This island-themed room has bright colorful walls while maintaining a breezy coastal vibe. The entire room (from walls to ceiling) is painted Restful HGSW2285 by Sherwin Williams.

Normally I’m not a fan of print fabric headboards, but this tropical frond upholstered headboard works beautifully in this room.

Want to create your own tropical retreat? Here are the sources for you:

Upholstered Bed | Ceiling Fan | Sea Coral Wall Art | Natural Jute Rug | Green Throw | Pillow | Lamp | Fiddle Leaf Fig | Directors Chair | Round Side Table | 3 Drawer Dresser

Across the hall from the tropical bedroom is a coordinating bathroom. The room functions perfectly inside a standard five-foot wide bathroom space.

I enjoyed the textural effect created by using different size tiles that share the same color palette.

The Metro Gloss White vanity is a beautiful shiny and sleek white cabinet from Cabinets to Go. It surprised me the same driftwood cabinets weren’t chosen in this room, but the white vanity continues the white trend in here.

The loft connecting the two bedrooms is furnished with serious competition in mind! You’re sure to pull up a chair for a board game or challenge your kid to a game of foosball!

The second bedroom upstairs is monochromatic with beautiful shades of blue. The color is Mint to Be HGSW2327 by Sherwin Williams. You might recognize this color from the kitchen ceiling. I feel like the color is more blue than mint, but no one asked me.

The vibe in this room is purely restful and calm.

Here are the sources for this beautiful blue-toned bedroom:

Sculpted Bed Frame | Navy Loom Rug | White Sculptural Wall Decor | Sail Ceiling Fan | Navy Quilt & Sham Set | Diamond Pillow | Navy Throw | Table Lamp | Table Top Clock | Rope Mirror | 3 Drawer Bedside Chest  | Rattan Lounge Chair | Herringbone Dresser

The second bathroom upstairs is tiled in beautiful navy subway tile. Although the ceiling is sloped, the room still feels big enough to house a gaggle of sandy kids.

Like the navy subway tiles? Here’s the blue tile source.

The Finian Blue HGSW2384 by Sherwin Williams paint color complements the tile nicely.

I think I mentioned before how much art is in the dream home. By far, my favorite art is the graphic paintings by Colleen Elizabeth.

This completes the tour of the rooms upstairs. Want to head out back for the crowning jewel of this property?

The back deck spans the full length of the house and offers a commanding view of the pool and marsh beyond.

The floating spheres light up at night! I bet that would be a sight to see.

You’ll never run out of places to sit, eat, and relax with three seating areas on the back porch and more in the back yard.

But, wait, there’s one more area to chillax. The spot that called to me was near the water’s edge. As the wind swayed, the hammocks gently rocked in the breeze. How could you walk away from this beautiful setting?

Sadly it’s time to leave, but I enjoyed taking the tour with you. What was your favorite room? You do know you can enter to win this HGTV Dream Home in Hilton Head, SC? Enter to win this house by entering daily here. The last day to enter is February 19th, 2020. Good luck!

Disclosure: I’m not sponsored by Cabinets to Go, the HGTV Dream Home sweepstakes is sponsored by them. I was provided with an invitation to tour the home and Cabinets to Go paid my hotel expenses.

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15 Ways to Make a DIY Vertical Garden

15 ways to make a DIY vertical gardenA vertical garden can be a perfect solution for a small porch, apartment, or any other space-limited space that needs a little sprucing up. You can build one to plant herbs, succulents, flowers or whatever else you want to use to bring a little greenery to your space. And if you create one indoors you can enjoy your garden year round! Here are 15 Easy Ways to Make a Vertical Garden to inspire you and give you ideas on how to can customize the perfect vertical garden for your home.

diy vertical garden with drip watering system by houseful of handmade

Build a large vertical garden for herbs and plants that includes a drip watering system.

 

diy vertical gardenRepurpose an old ladder an some galvanized buckets to create this rustic vertical garden.

 

tower garden

Give your garden some modern style by creating this unique DIY Tower Garden.

 

Repurpose an old shutter then add hooks and small buckets to create this whimsical vertical garden for succulents.

 

Build this amazing DIY Vertical Garden Wall Planter using cedar boards and french cleats.

 

diy wall planterOld wire shelving is the perfect material to repurpose to make this modern DIY Living Wall Planter.

 

vertical herb garden planter

Use some boards and metal brackets to create this amazing rustic Vertical Herb Garden Planter.

 

tiered garden planterWith lumber, lattice and corner braces you can make this beautiful DIY Tiered Garden Bed.

 

Make a chic DIY Vertical Plant Hanger with a board and some terra cotta plants.

 

hanging herb garden

Make a Custom Potted Hanging Herb Garden for any room of your house.

 

pvc pipe vertical planterCreate this unique colorful vertical garden using PVC pipes.

 

Build this rustic DIY Wooden Hanging Planter to hold any number of plants or succulents.

 

Make this simple and pretty DIY Wall Planter Ladder and add gorgeous flowers to any fence.

 

Build this tall and skinny DIY Vertical Planter with a strong base and fun, colorful pots.

 

Use a rustic old ladder and make this lovely DIY Vertical Ladder Flower Garden.

 

I hope you loved these ideas and found inspiration on how you can create something similar for your home. Comment and let me know what you think! Which is your favorite?

Hi, I’m Sheri from Hazel + Gold Designs. Here are a few fun stats about me: I like love chocolate and peanut butter (together of course.) If you like stats, I have been crocheting for about 16 years, crafting for 20, and woodworking for about 4 years. I found a passion in making and being creative and began documenting my projects online at Hazel + Gold Designs.

When not working on projects, I enjoy spending time with my husband, four children, perfect dog, and ornery cat. You can find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.

Read all of Sheri’s tutorials.

~Find more of Sheri’s projects here ~

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Make Your Own “Living Blinds”

Living blinds


Make Your Own “Living Blinds”

Looking for privacy or a way to decorate dormer windows? Look no further, because today I’m going to show you how to make these bohemian style living blinds!

I have two dormers in my house and styling them is a challenge because the space is so small.  Rather than try to fill the nook with furniture, I decided to play off their best feature, the east facing window.  Let the light in and let my hungry houseplants soak up the early morning sun while also creating a bit of privacy.

Living blinds are what I am calling custom-made shelves attached directly to a window frame or dormer.  They are best in windows that require some, but not a lot, of privacy. They are also great for spaces that don’t need blackout coverage.  The beauty of these living blinds is that you can add or subtract plants depending on how much light you want to let in, and you can swap out plants for different seasons to keep your décor fresh.

Materials:

  • 1×6 pine or other finished board (enough for the desired number of shelves plus supports)
  • Screws
  • Sand paper
  • Plants.  Lots of ‘em!

Tools:

  • Tape measure
  • Rubber mallet
  • Miter saw
  • Drill
  • Screwdriver
  • Stud finder

Instructions:

Step 1- Determine shelf placement

This is important, and what you should NOT do is divide your window into thirds and attach your shelves there.  Instead, think about your plants (tall, short and in between), the privacy you are creating, and also the design of your window.  The best way to do this is hold up a few plants and mark where you think they look the best.

Now, measure the distance between the wall or window frame at each location you want to place a shelf.  Measure each shelf location independently because your window frame may not be a uniform width from top to bottom.  For example, my window is almost 3/4 of an inch wider at the top than the bottom.

Step 2: Cut and prepare your shelves and supports

Cut the 1×6’s to the length of the measurements.  Be exact so the shelves fit tightly between the walls or window frame.  The remaining 1×6 will be cut to make your supports. Cut 1/2 inch thick pieces off the 1×6. Cut enough so you have two supports for each shelf.

Materials on chair

I only ended up using supports on my top shelf because I utilized the trim attached to my wall as the support for the middle shelf, and I attached the bottom shelf directly to the windowsill.  You’ll need to determine what is best for your window.

It’s a good idea to sand and paint your shelves and supports before attaching them to your window.

Step 3- Place your shelves

Place your top shelf and level it.  Leave enough space between the shelf and the window so you can open and shut the window easily. 1½ inches between the window and the back edge of the shelves should be sufficient space. Draw a line under the shelf from front to back on both sides.  Now remove the shelf so you can attach the supports.

Use a stud finder to locate a stud at any point along the lines you just drew.  Ideally, this is where you will screw your support to the wall.  If you don’t have any studs, you’ll need to use wall anchors to attach your support pieces.  Align your support to the line, pre-drill, and screw to the wall.

Follow the same steps for your remaining shelves.  Use a rubber mallet to tap your shelves into place.  My shelves were so tight between the two walls that I didn’t need to nail or glue the shelves to the supports, but if you have even the tiniest bit of wiggle room, I would recommend using a bead of adhesive or small nails to secure the shelf to the wood supports.

Tip: Dab a little bit of paint on the the screw heads after they are in place and they will be nearly invisible.

I placed my last shelf directly on top of my windowsill with two screws.  If you don’t like the idea of drilling into your windowsill, you could place your bottom shelf above the sill or just use adhesive.

Now add your plants and admire your hard work!

Suggestions for Plant Placement:

Small plants and succulents are great on the top shelf.  Vines and cascading plants are perfect for the top two rows to provide more window coverage. And don’t be afraid to mix in a few faux plants as well…  can you tell which ones aren’t real?

Living blinds

Hi!  I’m Lara, the creator of The Unprofessional blog and YouTube channel. I am an aspiring handy-woman with little to no experience building, tiling, landscaping, demolishing, and what have you.  I’ve drilled holes in the wrong places, cut on the wrong lines and stripped more screws than I care to count.  And yet, I’m on my way to customizing my home, project by project.  I believe you can do pretty much anything with a few good tools, a stack of wood and a half-baked
idea.

I like to find challenges and solve them with my miter saw. When my 3-year-old son complained that he couldn’t reach the picnic table, I designed an easy-to-build folding booster seat perfect for camping trips and beer gardens. When the low ceilings in my cape cod wouldn’t accommodate a bulky barn door, I found an alternative approach to turn any interior door into a space-saving barn door. I love to share these solutions with others in hopes that the empowerment and love of power
tools spreads.

You can connect with me on Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.

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