Furniture & Maker Editor
Niklas builds the things other people only sketch. He covers parametric furniture design, joinery, and the CNC cut-sheet workflow that takes a piece from screen to shop floor.
Comparing seven parametric furniture design workflows—from Grasshopper to spreadsheet-driven CAD—on cost, learning curve, and CNC-readiness.
By Niklas Ekstrand · October 8, 2026
New to parametric furniture design? Learn what it actually means, how it works, and how to start designing adjustable, CNC-ready furniture from scratch.
By Niklas Ekstrand · October 7, 2026
Comparing 7 practical paths for beginners to learn interior design—from free apps to hiring a designer—so you can pick the right tool for your budget and skill.
By Niklas Ekstrand · September 28, 2026
A beginner's explainer on the essential types of wood joints, how each one works, and how to choose the right joint for your next furniture project.
By Niklas Ekstrand · September 21, 2026
Comparing the top wood species for furniture making by durability, cost, workability, and finish — a practical buyer's guide for your next build.
By Niklas Ekstrand · September 12, 2026
New to furniture building? Learn how to choose the best wood for your project with this beginner's guide to hardwoods, softwoods, and plywood.
By Niklas Ekstrand · September 11, 2026
Comparing seven realistic starting paths for beginner furniture builders — from flat-pack kits to CNC files — by cost, skill, and tools needed.
By Niklas Ekstrand · August 29, 2026
New to woodworking? Learn the essential steps, tools, and mindset for building your first piece of furniture with confidence.
By Niklas Ekstrand · August 28, 2026
Learn to read and draw floor plan symbols with this beginner's guide covering walls, doors, windows, fixtures, and electrical marks.
By Niklas Ekstrand · August 26, 2026
Compare 7 proven small bedroom layouts—from bed-in-corner to loft-style—to find the arrangement that best fits your room's shape, storage needs, and traffic flo
By Niklas Ekstrand · August 17, 2026
A beginner-friendly, step-by-step guide to arranging furniture in a small bedroom for better flow, more storage, and a calmer feel.
By Niklas Ekstrand · August 16, 2026
Comparing seven ways to source CNC furniture plans—free repositories, paid marketplaces, parametric generators, and custom design—so you pick the right one for
By Niklas Ekstrand · August 11, 2026
New to CNC furniture plans? This beginner's guide explains what they are, how they work, and how to read, buy, or prep one for your first build.
By Niklas Ekstrand · August 10, 2026
Comparing seven ways to DIY furniture for small spaces—kits, CNC-cut files, upcycling, and more—so you can pick the right build method for your skills and time.
By Niklas Ekstrand · August 9, 2026
New to building furniture for a tight apartment or studio? This beginner's guide walks through simple DIY projects, materials, and planning steps for small spac
By Niklas Ekstrand · August 8, 2026
New to 3D texturing? Learn what normal maps and bump maps actually do, how they differ, and how to choose the right one for your furniture or interior render.
By Niklas Ekstrand · August 6, 2026
New to bathroom planning? Learn how to design a small bathroom floor plan step by step, from measuring the room to placing fixtures for real comfort.
By Niklas Ekstrand · July 31, 2026
Learn the fundamentals of cozy interior design, from layered lighting to texture and furniture placement, with practical steps for any room.
By Niklas Ekstrand · July 23, 2026
Oil-based, water-based, gel, or pigment vs. dye — compare the main wood stain types, tools, and use cases to pick the right one for your furniture project.
By Niklas Ekstrand · July 16, 2026
Learn how to stain wood furniture the right way with this beginner-friendly guide covering prep, tools, application, and common mistakes to avoid.
By Niklas Ekstrand · July 15, 2026