There are many different kinds of crafts that can be completed with wood, but if you have never worked with it as a material before then the idea can be very overwhelming. After all, you might think, wouldn’t it be necessary for you to have certain materials like a wood saw in order to pull off any type of woodworking?
While this may be the truth in some cases, there are many wonderful projects out there that will only require materials that you already have around the house. In this article, we will present an array of project ideas, all involving wood, that can be attempted by both amateur and budding crafters alike.
Simple and ingenious Wood Craft Ideas
Wooden Date Block
Now, more than ever, it is important that we have some way to quickly reference the date. After all, as we move along throughout the 21st century time seems to be moving faster than ever. Keep yourself up to date (literally) with these adorable and easy-to-make date blocks from Practical and Pretty.
Decorative Sign
Your home is your place to express yourself, and what better way to do that than with a personalizable wooden sign? While this example from My Happy Simple Living shows the sign being used for autumn decor, you could theoretically fill it with any message that you desire. The best part is that all of these materials can be found at the dollar store!
Photo Plaques
Some of the easiest crafts that can be done with wood is by using them as plaques, to either hold messages or photographs. Follow this tutorial from Oh My Creative to see how wooden plaques can be the perfect backdrop for your favorite photographs, especially if you take the extra time to paint or distress them.
Wooden Crayon Holder
Here is a wonderful project for any adults with children! If you find that your children’s crayons are always rolling all over the floors and wreaking havoc, then you can make a simple holder for these crayons out of wood, as seen here at Jaime Costiglio. For a fun weekend project, you can even get your child involved in painting the front of it.
Sofa Sleeve
Now here is something that you have likely never seen before! A “sofa sleeve” is a creative way to turn your fabric couch sides into practical shelves for coffee mugs, remotes, or anything else that you feel compelled to keep by your side while you watch the television. Get the lowdown from Sawinery.net.
Wooden Crate Coffee Table
If you are feeling nervous about diving into a complex woodworking project, a great place for you to start may be to attach a few wooden crates together! And we don’t mean attaching them aimlessly, either. We mean putting them together in a straightforward way that will result in a beautiful coffee table that could be used in either an indoor or outdoor space. Get more information from Vintage Chic.
Simple Bird House
With all of this talk about our own homes, we should recognize that birds need a home of their own too, right? With just a little bit of effort and creativity, you can follow this tutorial from Skip to My Lou that is great for beginners. If you have a cat, placing this outside of a window is sure to result in some excellent cat TV!
DIY Christmas Trees
Whether the holiday season is fast approaching or you would like to prepare for it far in advance, these wooden Christmas trees made of scrap wood are great for anyone who is looking to bring a bit more of the festive spirit into their lives. We love the way that Crafted by the Hunts shows how you can make wooden trees in a variety of sizes!
DIY Cornhole Boards
Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned game of corn hole? For the uninitiated, here is a brief overview: cornhole, sometimes known as bean toss, is a type of party game that involves playing against another team and throwing a weighted sack (usually filled with beans) into the hole of an opposite board. It is a popular game at weddings, company parties, and general backyard summer hang-outs. Get the instructions from the Happier Homemaker.
Easy DIY Entryway Bench
Even if you do not have a large entryway in your home, it is still in your best interest to concoct some kind of receptacle in the general area. Failing to do so could result in boots and hats and coats thrown every which way, which does not provide a great first impression for anyone who is entering your home! Even the most novice of woodworkers are capable of making this small but practical wooden bench as seen over at Never Skip Brunch.
Wooden Lanterns
Not every wooden craft has to be a piece of furniture! Sometimes, you may want to use your skills to make something decorative. This free wooden lantern pattern from Jaime Costiglio is sure to rev up your creative juices and inspire you to create a beautiful centerpiece for your indoor or outdoor spaces.
Outdoor Planter
These DIY outdoor wooden planters from the Inspired Workshop look so professional that your friends will be shocked that they weren’t an expensive purchase from the Home Depot or Lowe’s. Believe it or not, they are actually homemade from reclaimed wood —and could even be made by you!
DIY Wooden Crates
Wooden crates are one of those around the house items that, although you may not be able to pinpoint a specific purpose for them in advance, you will always end up using them for something. While you could go to Ikea or a similar homegoods store to purchase pre-made wooden crates, they are also incredibly easy to make on your own. See how at Maria Louise Design.
DIY Plant Stand
If you consider yourself to be a proud plant parent, then you need to have an appropriately loving place to store your plants! What says “I love you” more than handcrafting a wooden plant holder? We love the way that this planter, as seen over at the Merry Thought, is as decorative as it is practical.
MiniatureWooden Houses
This project is similar to the Christmas trees that we featured above! However, unlike the Christmas trees that are holiday-themed, these miniature houses made of wood can be placed to spruce up a room throughout the entire year. They are adorable, and also oh-so-easy to create! See it over at Love Create Celebrate.
Miniature Pallet Coasters
We cannot get over how cute these miniature pallet coasters from the Crafty Blog Stalker are! While the example shown on this website incorporates small inspirational phrases into the coasters, you could also forgo this if it’s not quite your style.
DIY Scrabble Message Board
While foam boards with removable plastic letters have become quite popular in recent years, there is another approach you can take to having a general message board, and it’s much more environmentally friendly, too! We love the way that this message board from Thistlewood Farms pulls its inspiration from everyone’s favorite word game, Scrabble.
DIY Wooden Mosaic Table Top
Sometimes, a regular wooden coffee table or end table just doesn’t cut it. Sometimes we just need a splash of color to successfully brighten up our rooms. If color isn’t so much your style, though, you can always instead use a pattern as a focal piece. This wooden mosaic tutorial from Abbots at Home is a great example of what can be done with wood!
Wooden Cake Knife
And now for something a little bit different! Anyone who has cut a cake before knows that it isn’t exactly as easy a project as you might imagine it to be. This is especially true if you have a large amount of eyes on you at a party! Having the right knife can go a long way in helping you cut a cake successfully, and it is actually possible to make a wooden knife out of scraps. See how at Lazy Guy DIY.
Wooden Toy Owls
Owls are one of the most beloved animals among kids of all ages, and these adorable wooden owl characters that are available from French retailer Interieure Objets pays testament to this. However, we bet with a little bit of innovation, you could make your own wooden owls at home!
Working with wood can seem daunting at first, but it doesn’t have to be! Once you have taken on a project or two, you will feel much more well-equipped to take on woodworking projects that are progressively more complicated. The possibilities are truly endless!