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Woodworking Scrap Projects (Whittle Down the Pile!)

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.

Use up your scrap wood with these DIY projects

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:

  1. 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).
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Versatile: Scrap wood can be used for a wide variety of woodworking projects, from furniture and home decor to outdoor DIY like birdhouses and planters.
  5. 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.
  6. 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 laying 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…

Woodworking Scrap Projects

With a little creativity and effort, scrap wood can be turned into beautiful and useful household items. Get inspired with these 40 DIY woodworking scrap projects.


Which of these woodworking scrap projects is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below. Then check out these other great DIY projects using wood: