Don’t throw away those extra wood pieces! Scrap wood can be turned into beautiful and useful household items with a little creativity and effort. Here are 40 DIY woodworking scrap projects to inspire you.
If you’ve completed any woodworking projects in the past, you probably have a nice little pile of extra wood scraps. Don’t throw them away, you can definitely use them to create something beautiful! Here are six reasons you should be using scrap wood for your DIY projects:
Cost-effective: One of the biggest benefits is that it’s usually free or very cheap. You can often find it for free on the side of the road, near construction sites or at the lumber yard (remember to ask before taking it home).
Eco-friendly: By using scrap wood, you’re reducing the amount of material that ends up in landfills. This is good for the environment as it reduces waste, and also helps to conserve natural resources.
Unique & creative: Scrap wood can have a lot of character and can be used to create unique and one-of-a-kind pieces. The variety in texture, color and grain can make for a beautiful finished product.
Versatile: Scrap wood can be used for a wide variety of woodworking projects, from furniture and home decor to outdoor DIYs like birdhouses and planters.
Perfect for practice: If you’re just starting out with woodworking, using scrap wood can be a great way to practice your skills without wasting expensive lumber.
Sustainable: It reduces logging in forests thereby promoting sustainability.
If you plan any woodworking projects in the future, you should definitely consider using up any scrap wood you may have lying around. When you’ve finished, make sure to save any leftover pieces for your future projects — you’ll be glad you did!
Scroll down to see 40 woodworking scrap projects I’ve collected and get inspired.
1
www.anikasdiylife.com
Spice Rack or Craft Storage
Make a DIY spice rack with this easy tutorial. This wooden spice rack is made from scrap wood and can be set on the countertop or mounted on the wall! Or use it for craft paint storage!
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2
www.agirlandagluegun.com
State Cutout Art
I love this idea! Kim used a unique way to hold the scrap wood together in this Idaho-shaped wall art. You should check it out…
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3
Modern Wall Art
Add a pop of color to your kitchen with this simple modern, wooden wall art. Learn how to make it with scrap wood using this tutorial.
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4
barleyandbirch.com
Toy Cars and Trucks
Get your kids involved in coming up with the shapes and styles for toy vehicles. Then you can make them come to life with scrap wood!
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5
DIY Beer Caddy
This wooden DIY beer caddy is easy to make! Grab the plans here; it's a perfect gift idea.
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6
Felt Christmas Wreath
Use up felt scraps in addition to a piece of scrap wood with this felt Christmas decor! This would be a cute addition to a mantel or side table.
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7
thistlewoodfarms.com
Message Board
I love using Scrabble tiles in decorating! Karianne used pieces of scrap wood and supplies from the craft store to make this tile message board. It's too cute!
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8
www.woodshopdiaries.com
Two Tone Clock
Use two different types of scrap wood for this project. I love the modern design of this clock!
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9
DIY Doormat with Mid-Century Style
Make a DIY wood doormat using wood slats, wood beads, and rope! You can also decorate with fabric. It’s easier to do than you might think.
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10
sawsonskates.com
Vintage Camper Napkin Holder
Use up some scrap wood and a little paint to make a vintage camper napkin holder. Complete plans are downloadable on this site.
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11
www.woodshopdiaries.com
Drink Coasters
This is an easy (and affordable) DIY gift idea! Shara shows you how to make these two-toned wood coasters along with a stand for storing them.
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12
www.woodshopdiaries.com
Guitar Bookends
Want a quick and easy wood project to kill some time and relieve some stress? Grab the tutorial for these scrap wood bookends shaped like a guitar.
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13
thehandymansdaughter.com
Watermelon Slice Decorations
Use up some scrap wood to make some colorful summer decorations for your home. This watermelon craft looks good enough to eat!
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14
Easy Wood Sign
Learn how to make this easy wooden sign in just a few steps! This DIY home decor project is simple even if you've never made anything else before.
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15
www.blesserhouse.com
Cutting Boards
Learn how to make your own cutting boards using scrap wood you already have in your stash. You can repurpose in your kitchen or give away as homemade gifts.
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16
www.littlehouseoffour.com
Rustic Photo Hanging
Use Mod Podge to put a favorite photo on a piece of canvas fabric and then hang it between pieces of scrap wood. This one has a rustic flair, but you could also make it look more modern if you like.
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17
www.ana-white.com
Storage Bed with Drawers
Create tons of storage with this queen size bed made from scrap wood! There's also a king version of the plan available.
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18
www.mom4real.com
Wreath
A wood wreath is a great idea! You can use it year-round and just switch up the ribbon or embellishments.
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19
modpodgerocksblog.com
Scrap Wood Art
Tell your family story with this unique scrap wood art! David used his favorite graphics from places he’s lived over the years. Very easy to make.
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20
www.uglyducklinghouse.com
Hairpin Leg Coffee Table
This DIY coffee table is made using scrap plywood and 2x4s with hairpin legs. I love the rounded edges on this table, and how quickly it came together (15 minutes).
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21
www.uglyducklinghouse.com
Air Plant Wall Art
Looking for a way to dress up your walls? This easy and creative DIY air plant wall hanging is made from wood scraps. Watch a video tutorial of this project as well.
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22
www.anikasdiylife.com
Step Stool
This is an easy to follow step stool tutorial that includes a video and also has plans you can download! I love the way the torched wood turned out for this stool.
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23
www.thedesignconfidential.com
Succulent Garden
Any piece of lumber can become a succulent planter when you add some fun paint colors. All you need to make the hole is a drill and some bits.
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24
jaimecostiglio.com
Patriotic Napkin Holder
This patriotic DIY is another fun scrap wood napkin holder. I love how the striped napkins work with the stars! You could really do any theme, or just leave it plain.
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25
Drawer Organizer
Learn how to make a DIY drawer divider with materials you have laying around the house! We made this organizer on the cheap with scrap wood.
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26
www.makingitinthemountains.com
Monogram
Use up your leftover 1×2's to make a rustic piece perfect for farmhouse decor. I like that this wood monogram is a bit different since the letter is cut out of the piece.
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27
modpodgerocksblog.com
Coffee Bar Sign
This DIY coffee bar sign project is EASY! Anyone can do it. You’ll use a piece of scrap wood, some vinyl lettering in your favorite font, and paint. Seal it all up with a coat of Mod Podge.
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28
www.drugstoredivas.net
Wooden Chicks
Sand, paint and glue some scrap wood together to make some cute little chicks for Easter decorations!
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29
ahundredaffections.com
Farmhouse Snowflake Sign
Kate already had the scrap wood, glue and paint – all she needed was $2 worth of dowels to make this cute winter project! It's an inexpensive version of a $250 Pottery Barn find.
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30
modpodgerocksblog.com
Valentine’s Day Decor
Leave sweet messages for your family with this love note Valentine’s Day décor, built with scrap wood and decorated with pretty papers.
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31
modpodgerocksblog.com
Baseball Bookends
Looking for an original idea for the sports fan in your life? Hit a home run with these baseball bookends that use scrap wood and Mod Podge to personalize.
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32
sustainmycrafthabit.com
Decorative Houses
Transform leftover wooden fence boards into adorable, decorative scrap wood houses that go with your autumn theme. I love how these homes are stamped with 'thankful thoughts.'
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33
Courtney SanchezG
Fall Sign
This pretty fall season sign was made with a piece of scrapbook paper (under $1!), scrap wood, and Mod Podge. It’s the perfect decor piece!
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34
DIY TV Riser
Learn how to make a TV riser stand on a budget! This is such an easy woodworking project.
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35
sawsonskates.com
Tablet Stand
Make a stand for your tablet for free using scrap wood! Perfect for watching videos, reading or following a recipe.
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36
www.theshabbycreekcottage.com
Utensil Caddy
A little scrap wood, mason jars and twine come together to make this cute utensil caddy. I love that it can be used for any themed party year round.
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37
modpodgerocksblog.com
Candle Holders
Learn how to make wooden candle holders using scraps! This DIY project is simple and you can customize it to any style.
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38
www.thecountrychiccottage.net
Picture Frame
This is an easy way to use up scrap wood: create a picture frame! You may not even need to make any cuts. You'll just need twine and some embellishments.
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39
prettyhandygirl.com
Laptop Stand
After a year of propping her laptop up on a pile of books, Anika finally made a stand for it using scrap wood! I love that there is room under it for storing items.
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40
salvagedliving.com
Personalized Napkin Rings
Create wood napkin rings and personalize them with initials using a heat stamp. Once you make these, they are the perfect addition to your holiday table.
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Which of these projects is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below. Then check out these other great DIYs using wood: