A step-by-step guide to making your own dowel shelf

The first step is to outline the curve shape and then carefully draw it at the ends of both boards. Photos: AIDA IHSANI

Are you endlessly scrolling through Pinterest, dreaming of picture-perfect home decor? Have you binged every home makeover show on Netflix and subscribed to woodworking YouTube channels? It’s time to turn those dreams into reality with your own two hands!

Join me, Aida Ihsani, Malaysia’s self-taught DIYer and woodworker with over eight years of experience. Through my Malaysia’s First Women’s Woodworking Workshop, I’ve empowered over 1,000 incredible women of all ages from all walks of life to be confident in using power tools and start their DIY journey.

Beginning October, Aida Ihsani will be sharing a DIY project with readers every month.

DIY isn’t just about creating; it’s about crafting confidence, unleashing creativity, and shaping a future where anyone can be a maker. So put down that remote, pick up some power tools, and let’s transform your home with Pinterest-worthy decor that you can make with your own two capable hands.

Three must-have power tools

Armed with these three fundamental power tools, even a beginner will confidently tackle various tasks at home, from building new furniture, refurbishing old fixtures, to fixing various items around the house.

1- Drill driver

2- Jigsaw

3- Sander

Personal protective equipment (PPE)Think of personal protective equipment as your trusty sidekicks on your DIY adventure to ensure your safety while using the power tools.

l Mask

l Goggles

l Gloves

l Earmuff

Get your hands on these power tools and PPE to start building your own home decor items and realise your makeover dreams with me in my monthly Must Make Stuff column.

PROJECT - DIY DOWEL SHELF

Materials

l 3 pieces of 30cm x 90cm boards

l 4 pieces of 2-inch dowels at 90cm

Tools

l Flexible ruler

l Jigsaw

l Drill driver

l Sander

Steps:

I’ve chosen to use three rubberwood boards and four Nyatoh dowels to create a striking colour contrast, but feel free to select your preferred wood type and dimensions to suit your space.

Step 1

Using a long ruler, outline the curve shape and then carefully draw it at the ends of both boards.

Step 2

Make a marking on the sides of the boards with the ruler where the dowels will be attached.

Step 3

Using a jigsaw, carefully cut out the curved shapes. Don’t forget to wear your goggles and a mask. Safety first!

Step 4

Smooth the boards with a sander, rounding the edges too. For the dowels, wear gloves and use a sandpaper to sand the dowels by hand.

Step 5

Accurately mark where to drill holes on the dowels using the ruler.

Step 6

Drill holes into the dowels using a drill driver with a counter sink bit.

Step 7

Drive screws through the dowels with a drill driver and a Phillips bit until the screw tip emerges on the other side.

Step 8

Attach the dowels, aligning the screw tips with the marked spots on the sides of the boards.

Ta-da!

For more of Aida’s work, visit @iamaidaihsani on Instagram.