Rustic Branch Furniture & Pergolas

Branch Chairs

• Nothing says rustic like a chair made from branches. You’ll want thick branches for the legs and back of this chair, ideally 1 1/2 inches in diameter. To create a very natural look and give the chair some natural curves, use long branches for the back legs and back rest. For guest comfort, consider making the seat from sanded natural wood slats and remove the bark from the back of the chair.

Branch Table

• Making your home’s tables from branches is not only inexpensive but also fun. Choose a distinct wood such as aspen pine or teak and form the table legs. For the top of the table, you can use either branches laid across a frame or a solid, naturally colored wood piece. If you have young children, consider placing a piece of transparent thermoplastic over the top of the table for easy cleanup.

Branch Lamps

• If you know how to bore, then you can make your own rustic branch lamp. Find a thick stump, and bore a hole into the middle. Insert the lamp fitting wires, and screw a lampshade holder into the top. Make or buy a wood lampshade to finish off the look.

Pergola

• A rustic pergola does not use the standard pressure-treated wood that most builders use. Instead, rustic pergolas use natural wood stumps, branches and twigs. Make sure that you find hardwood branches and stumps; otherwise, the pieces will not last long in the weather. For an even longer-lasting pergola, consider planting trees for your main support posts and weave the pergola roof onto the trunks.