Woodwork Center

What Is Woodworking Projects

What is woodworking projects ? Woodworking projects refer to the art and craft of creating items or structures from wood, using various tools and techniques. From ancient times to modern day, woodworking has been an essential skill, evolving from a necessary craft for survival to a popular hobby for many enthusiasts.

Woodworking projects encompass a wide range of activities, including building furniture, crafting decorative pieces, constructing wooden structures, and more. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced woodworker, understanding the basics of woodworking projects is essential for successful and enjoyable creations.

In this article, we will delve into the history of woodworking, explore the different types of woodworking projects, discuss the essential tools and equipment needed, provide a step-by-step guide on how to start your own project, share tips and tricks for success, highlight common mistakes to avoid, and outline the benefits of pursuing woodworking as a hobby or DIY endeavor. So let’s embark on this journey to uncover the fascinating world of woodworking projects.

Table of Contents

The History of Woodworking

Woodworking has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to ancient civilizations. The art of woodworking can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, who were known for their intricate wood carvings and furniture. Throughout history, woodworking has evolved from a necessity for survival to a beloved hobby and craft for many enthusiasts.

During the Middle Ages, woodworking became a prominent trade as skilled artisans crafted elaborate furniture, intricate carvings, and functional tools. The Industrial Revolution brought about significant changes in woodworking, with the introduction of mass production and machinery. This led to a shift from handmade craftsmanship to factory-produced goods.

In modern times, woodworking has experienced a resurgence as more people embrace the art of making things by hand. With the popularity of DIY culture and the rise of artisanal crafts, woodworking has become a beloved hobby for many individuals seeking a creative outlet.

From traditional hand tools to advanced power equipment, woodworkers today have access to a wide range of tools and resources to bring their projects to life. Woodworking has truly come full circle from its origins as an ancient craft to a modern-day hobby cherished by enthusiasts around the world.

Types of Woodworking Projects

Woodworking projects encompass a wide range of items that can be created using wood as the primary material. From functional furniture pieces to decorative items, the possibilities are endless when it comes to what can be achieved through woodworking. Whether you are a seasoned woodworker or just starting out, understanding the different types of woodworking projects available can help you find inspiration for your next creation.

One of the most popular and practical types of woodworking projects is furniture making. This can include anything from simple tables and chairs to more complex pieces like cabinets, bed frames, and shelving units. Furniture making allows woodworkers to showcase their craftsmanship while creating pieces that are not only functional but also beautiful.

Decorative Items

Woodworking projects also include a variety of decorative items that can add charm and character to any space. This category encompasses items such as wooden clocks, picture frames, wall art, and decorative boxes. These projects often allow for more creativity and experimentation with design, as they are meant to enhance the aesthetic appeal of a room.

Outdoor Structures

Another type of woodworking project involves creating outdoor structures such as decks, pergolas, gazebos, and garden furniture. These projects typically require a good understanding of outdoor conditions and how different types of wood hold up against the elements. They can add functionality and visual interest to outdoor spaces while showcasing the natural beauty of wood.

Exploring different types of woodworking projects allows hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts to find their niche within this versatile craft. Whether you are drawn to functional furniture pieces or enjoy creating decorative items that showcase intricate details, there is no shortage of inspiration when it comes to what is woodworking projects .

Essential Tools and Equipment for Woodworking Projects

When it comes to woodworking projects, having the right tools and equipment is essential for success. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced woodworker, having a well-equipped workshop will make your projects more enjoyable and efficient. Here are some essential tools and equipment that every woodworking enthusiast should have:

Power Tools

Power tools are indispensable for any woodworking project. A quality table saw, compound miter saw, jigsaw, and power drill are some of the basic power tools that you will need. These tools will help you cut, shape, and assemble wood with precision and ease.

In addition to power tools, having a set of high-quality hand tools is crucial for woodworking projects. Hand planes, chisels, clamps, hammers, screwdrivers, and measuring tools are just some of the hand tools that you should have in your workshop. These tools are essential for fine detail work and perfecting the finishing touches on your projects.

Safety Equipment

Safety should always be a top priority when working with wood. Safety goggles, ear protection, dust masks, and work gloves are all necessary safety equipment to protect yourself from potential hazards while working on woodworking projects.

Miscellaneous Equipment

Other essential equipment includes a sturdy workbench, a reliable level, sandpaper in various grits, wood glue, a tape measure, and sharpening stones for maintaining the sharpness of your cutting tools.

Having these essential tools and equipment in your workshop will ensure that you are well-prepared to tackle any woodworking project with confidence and skill. By investing in quality tools and taking proper safety precautions, you can enjoy the process of creating beautiful woodwork pieces that showcase your craftsmanship and creativity.

Step-by-Step Guide

Woodworking projects can be an enjoyable and satisfying hobby for those who are interested in creating their own furniture, decor, or other wooden items. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience with woodworking, starting your own project can be a rewarding endeavor. This step-by-step guide will provide you with the necessary knowledge to begin your woodworking journey.

The first step in starting a woodworking project is to decide on the type of item you want to create. This could be anything from a simple shelf to a more complex piece of furniture. Once you have decided on your project, it is important to gather the necessary tools and materials. These may include saws, sanders, drills, clamps, wood glue, and of course, the wood itself.

After gathering everything you need for your project, it’s time to carefully plan out the design and measurements for your creation. This step is crucial in ensuring that everything comes together properly in the end. Take the time to measure twice and cut once to avoid any mistakes or wasted materials.

Lastly, as you start working on your project, take your time and pay attention to detail. Woodworking requires patience and precision, so don’t rush through any steps. Enjoy the process and embrace any challenges that may arise along the way. Remember that practice makes perfect when it comes to woodworking projects.

Tips and Tricks for Successful Woodworking Projects

Woodworking projects can be a rewarding and fulfilling hobby for many individuals. However, it does require a certain level of skill and knowledge to ensure successful outcomes. Here are some tips and tricks to help you achieve success in your woodworking projects.

Firstly, it is important to carefully select the right type of wood for your project. Different types of wood have different characteristics and it’s important to consider factors such as durability, color, and grain pattern. Additionally, understanding how to properly prepare and finish the wood will greatly impact the overall quality of your project.

Another important tip is to invest in high-quality tools and equipment. Having the right tools for the job can make a significant difference in the outcome of your woodworking project. From saws and chisels to sanders and clamps, having the appropriate tools will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Additionally, precision is key when working on woodworking projects. Taking accurate measurements, following detailed plans, and executing precise cuts are essential for a successful outcome. Patience and attention to detail are crucial in woodworking, so take your time with each step of the process.

By following these tips and tricks, you can enhance your skills in woodworking projects and increase your chances of achieving successful results. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced woodworker, implementing these strategies can help you take your projects to the next level.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Working on Woodworking Projects

When taking on woodworking projects, it’s important to be aware of common mistakes that can occur during the process. By understanding these pitfalls, hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts can avoid frustration and ensure a successful outcome for their projects. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when working on woodworking projects:

1. Not measuring accurately: One of the most crucial aspects of woodworking is accurate measurement. Failing to measure properly can result in ill-fitting joints, uneven surfaces, and overall structural instability. To avoid this mistake, always double-check measurements before making any cuts or assembling pieces.

2. Neglecting wood selection: Different types of wood have varying characteristics in terms of strength, durability, and appearance. Neglecting to choose the right type of wood for a project can lead to issues such as warping, splitting, or difficulty in finishing. It’s essential to consider the intended use of the project and select a suitable wood species accordingly.

3. Rushing the sanding and finishing process: Proper sanding and finishing are essential for achieving a smooth and professional-looking result in woodworking projects. Rushing through this stage can result in visible scratches, uneven stain absorption, and an overall unrefined appearance. Take the time to sand thoroughly and apply multiple coats of finish for a high-quality outcome.

By being mindful of these common mistakes, woodworking enthusiasts can enhance their skills and achieve more satisfying results in their projects. Paying attention to details such as accurate measurement, wood selection, and proper finishing techniques will contribute to the success of any woodworking endeavor.

  • Measure accurately before making any cuts
  • Choose the right type of wood for the intended use
  • Take time with sanding and finishing for a professional result

The Benefits of Woodworking Projects for Hobbyists and DIY Enthusiasts

Woodworking projects offer a wide range of benefits for hobbyists and do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiasts. Engaging in woodworking can be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experience, providing both mental and physical advantages. Here are some of the key benefits of woodworking projects for those who enjoy working with their hands and creating with wood:

  • Stress Relief: Woodworking projects provide a therapeutic and calming outlet for individuals to escape the stresses of everyday life. The process of crafting, shaping, and creating with wood can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
  • Sense of Accomplishment: Completing a woodworking project , whether it’s a simple shelf or a more complex piece of furniture, can bring a strong sense of achievement. The feeling of creating something tangible and functional with one’s own hands is incredibly satisfying.
  • Creative Expression: Woodworking allows hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts to express their creativity through the design, construction, and finishing of their projects. Whether it’s experimenting with different types of wood or adding unique embellishments, woodworking provides a platform for artistic expression.

Not only do woodworking projects offer personal rewards, but they also come with practical benefits. By honing their skills in woodworking, hobbyists can save money by creating custom pieces instead of purchasing them from stores. This not only allows for personalized designs but also provides the opportunity to produce high-quality items that meet individual needs and preferences.

Lastly, engaging in woodworking projects can foster a sense of community as hobbyists connect with others who share similar interests. This can include joining local woodworking groups or online communities where individuals can learn from each other, share ideas and techniques, and even collaborate on projects. Overall, the benefits of woodworking extend beyond the finished product, making it a valuable pursuit for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts alike.

In conclusion, woodworking projects offer a unique blend of artistic expression and practical craftsmanship. Whether it’s building furniture for your home, creating decorative items, or simply honing your woodworking skills, the art and craft of woodworking projects have a rich history and a promising future. From ancient times to modern hobbyists, woodworking has been a beloved pursuit for those who appreciate working with their hands and creating something beautiful yet functional.

As we’ve explored in this article, understanding the basics of woodworking projects is essential for anyone looking to embark on this fulfilling journey. The history of woodworking shows us how this craft has evolved over time, from being a necessary skill for survival to becoming an enjoyable pastime for many. With the right tools and equipment, anyone can start their own woodworking project and bring their creative ideas to life.

It’s important to remember that success in woodworking projects requires patience, practice, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. By embracing the tips and tricks shared in this article, you can avoid common pitfalls and achieve more satisfying results in your projects.

Whether you’re a hobbyist or a seasoned DIY enthusiast, the benefits of woodworking projects are endless – from improving mental well-being to creating personalized items for yourself and others. So, if you’re still asking “ what is woodworking projects ,” it’s time to pick up those tools and start experiencing the fulfillment of working with wood firsthand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a woodwork project.

A woodwork project involves creating objects or structures using wood as the primary material. It can range from small-scale projects like making furniture or cabinets to larger-scale endeavors like constructing buildings or houses.

What Is an Example of Woodworking?

An example of woodworking is crafting a wooden dining table from scratch. This would involve cutting, shaping, and assembling pieces of wood to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing piece of furniture.

What Is the Concept of Woodworking?

The concept of woodworking encompasses the skill and art of working with wood to create useful and decorative items. It involves understanding the characteristics of different types of wood, using various tools and techniques to shape and join pieces together, and applying finishes to enhance the natural beauty of the wood.

Fred Liggett

Hi everyone! I’m a woodworker and blogger, and this is my woodworking blog. In my blog, I share tips and tricks for woodworkers of all skill levels, as well as project ideas that you can try yourself.

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What Is Woodwork Project: A Comprehensive Guide

What is woodwork project.

A woodwork project refers to a DIY (do-it-yourself) carpentry endeavor that involves working with wood to create furniture, construct buildings, or build various decorative or functional objects.

Woodwork projects utilize specific woodworking tools, techniques, and woodworking plans or designs to ensure precise measurements, accurate cuts, and proper finishing.

what is woodwork projects

These projects offer individuals the opportunity to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship while utilizing their woodworking skills.

Did You Know?

1. The ancient Egyptians were skilled woodworkers and used advanced techniques such as dovetail joints and mortise and tenon joints in their furniture construction as early as 2500 BCE.

2. The world’s oldest known wooden structure is the Neolithic trackway called the Sweet Track, built in the Somerset Levels, England, around 3807 BCE. It was made from planks of oak and is still preserved today.

3. The Japanese woodworking technique known as “yosegi” involves the art of creating intricate geometric patterns by veneering different types of wood together. This technique originated during the Edo period (1603-1868) and is still practiced by artisans today.

4. Woodworking projects can have various benefits for mental health, including reducing stress and anxiety. Engaging in woodworking activities can promote relaxation, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment, making it a therapeutic hobby for many.

5. The world’s tallest wooden skyscraper, named “Mjøstårnet,” is located in Brumunddal, Norway. Standing at a height of 280 feet (85.4 meters), it was completed in 2019 and showcases the increasing trend of using wood as a sustainable and eco-friendly material in modern construction.

Introduction To Woodwork Projects

Woodwork projects have a long history, spanning centuries, and continue to be a popular means of expressing creativity while constructing tangible objects. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned carpenter, woodwork projects offer an opportunity to refine your skills and produce stunning furniture and decorative pieces. The realm of woodworking projects encompasses a wide array of abilities and techniques, ranging from fundamental carpentry to intricate joinery and finishing touches.

Within this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the realm of woodwork projects, investigating essential tools and techniques, construction and building practices, design and planning considerations, as well as the mastery of finishing techniques.

Woodwork projects involve primarily working with wood to fabricate a diverse range of items such as cabinets, tables, chairs, shelves, and more. These projects can be pursued as hobbies, home improvement ventures, or even as professional pursuits within the fields of carpentry or custom furniture making. Woodworking not only enables the creation of functional pieces but also allows for exploration of creativity and the demonstration of craftsmanship.

  • Woodwork projects span centuries and provide an outlet for creativity.
  • They can be pursued by anyone, whether novice or expert.
  • These projects encompass a broad range of skills and techniques.
  • The guide covers essential tools, construction, design, and finishing techniques.

Essential Tools And Techniques For DIY Woodworking

To embark on a successful woodwork project, it is crucial to have a basic understanding of essential tools and techniques .

Some of the essential tools include:

  • A workbench
  • A variety of saws (such as a table saw, circular saw, and miter saw)

These tools are used for cutting, shaping, and joining wood . It’s important to invest in quality tools and maintain them properly for optimal performance .

Mastering woodworking techniques is equally important for DIY enthusiasts .

Some common techniques include:

  • Measuring and marking
  • Cutting and shaping
  • Joinery (such as dovetailing and mortise and tenon)
  • Sanding and finishing

It’s recommended to start with simpler projects to gain experience and gradually progress to more complex ones . Taking woodworking classes or watching tutorial videos can also help improve your skills and knowledge.

  • Practice using different tools and techniques regularly
  • Pay attention to safety precautions while working with wood
  • Use the appropriate safety gear, such as safety glasses and hearing protection
  • Always work in a well-ventilated area
  • Take breaks and rest your hands and body to prevent fatigue
“Investing time in learning and mastering woodworking skills will pay off in the long run. Don’t rush the process and remember to enjoy the journey of creating beautiful pieces of woodwork.”

Building And Construction: A Guide To Woodwork Projects

When it comes to woodwork projects, building and construction are at the core. Understanding the principles of structural integrity and stability is essential to create durable and reliable pieces. This involves studying different joints and their applications, such as butt joints, lap joints, and miters . Additionally, knowledge of wood types and their properties is crucial to select the right material for each project.

Planning and careful measurement play a vital role in successful construction. It is necessary to create accurate and detailed plans, including dimensions and assembly instructions . This ensures that the project progresses smoothly and minimizes mistakes. Safety precautions , such as wearing protective gear and using proper techniques while operating tools, should not be overlooked during the building process.

Design And Planning: Creating Custom Furniture With Woodwork

Designing and planning are crucial aspects of creating custom furniture through woodworking projects. While some enthusiasts prefer following existing plans or blueprints, many find joy in designing their pieces from scratch. This approach allows for personalization and the inclusion of unique elements.

  • When designing custom furniture, it is essential to consider factors such as functionality, aesthetics, and ergonomics.
  • Sketching the design and creating scale drawings or computer-generated models can provide a visual representation of the final product.
  • Taking accurate measurements of the intended space and considering the existing decor are critical elements of the planning phase.
“Designing and planning are key elements in creating custom furniture through woodwork projects.”

I hope this revised passage better conveys the importance of designing and planning custom furniture projects in woodworking.

Mastering Finishing Techniques For Professional Woodwork Projects

The finishing touches of a woodwork project can significantly impact its appearance and durability . Finishing techniques include sanding, staining, painting, varnishing, and applying protective coatings . Proper finishing enhances the natural beauty of wood while providing protection against moisture, wear, and tear .

To achieve professional-looking results , it is vital to properly prepare the wood surface before applying any finish. This involves sanding the wood smooth and removing imperfections . Choosing the right type of finish , whether it’s oil-based, water-based, or lacquer , depends on the desired look and purpose of the piece.

Woodwork projects offer a vast realm of possibilities for DIY enthusiasts, carpenters, and furniture makers. By understanding essential tools and techniques , mastering building and construction principles , honing design and planning skills , and perfecting finishing techniques, you can embark on fulfilling and successful woodwork projects . So, grab your tools, unleash your creativity , and embark on your next woodworking adventure !

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of woodwork.

Woodwork refers to the art, craft, or skill of creating objects using wood, commonly known as carpentry. It encompasses both the design and construction of various items, such as furniture, cabinets, and decorative pieces, using traditional woodworking techniques. Woodwork combines creativity with precision, as artisans shape and manipulate wood to bring their visions to life. From intricate carvings to sturdy structures, woodwork showcases the beauty and versatility of this natural material.

Moreover, woodwork also refers to the components made of wood that are used in construction, such as doors, staircases, and other architectural elements. These wooden elements add warmth, character, and a touch of natural elegance to spaces. Woodwork in this context highlights the durability and aesthetic appeal of wooden components, contributing to the overall design and ambiance of buildings and interiors. Whether it is an intricately carved wooden sculpture or a beautifully crafted staircase, woodwork holds a significant place in British craftsmanship and architectural heritage.

What are the stages of the woodwork project?

The woodwork project can be divided into three essential stages. The first stage is planning, where careful consideration is given to the design, measurements, and materials involved. This stage sets the foundation for the entire project and requires thorough attention to detail. The second stage is construction, where the actual assembly of the project takes place using the plan created in the previous stage. Here, precision and craftsmanship are key in executing each step accurately. Lastly, the finishing stage adds the final touches to the project, such as sanding, staining, or painting. This stage not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also protects and preserves the woodwork.

What are the examples of wood work?

Woodwork is a diverse art form that encompasses a wide range of creations. Examples include intricately carved hand drums, which not only produce beautiful sounds but also showcase the skilled craftsmanship involved. Totem poles, towering wooden sculptures that tell indigenous stories and histories, are another remarkable example of woodwork. Additionally, the art form can be seen in the form of carved animal figurines, folk carvings, and kachinas, which are ceremonial dolls made by Native American tribes. The creativity continues with embellished long house posts and clan house carved doors, which serve as impressive architectural elements. Woodwork can also take the form of chairs, relief panels, and bentwood boxes, each revealing the artist’s mastery in manipulating this versatile material. Other notable examples include snow goggles, red and yellow cedar seagoing canoe paddles, hunting hats, spirit masks, and bows and arrows, each reflecting the cultural significance and artistic ingenuity present in woodwork.

How do you draft a woodworking project?

To draft a woodworking project, it is crucial to begin by considering its function. Understanding the intended purpose of the project will guide the entire design process. Next, identify the materials required for the project, ensuring they are suitable for the desired outcome. Once the materials are determined, carefully plan the necessary tools and cutters needed to shape and manipulate them effectively.

Afterward, create and refine thumbnail sketches of the project, exploring various design possibilities and iterations. This iterative process allows for the development of a well-thought-out design. Additionally, consider the glues, fillers, and finishes required to assemble and enhance the final result. By carefully considering each step in the drafting process, you can ensure a well-planned and successful woodworking project.

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25 Best DIY Woodworking Projects for Beginners

what is woodwork projects

The Merrythought

There’s something so satisfying about creating something out of nothing. That’s why we think  woodworking  is one of the greatest hobbies out there. You can create your very own functional pieces and add your own flare to it, feeling accomplished and proud every time you lay your eyes on your project. Plus, it’s a great way to stay under budget when decorating your home or giving beautiful gifts. In the long run, the price of lumber and tools is far less than the price of buying a piece new that would be simple to build at home.

Woodworking can be intimidating, but you don’t have to start big with something like an entertainment center . Start small and, once you feel comfortable, work your way up. There are so many great tutorials perfect for beginner woodworkers, and these are some of our favorites!

Sofa Sleeve

If you live in a small or minimal space , it may not be practical to add end tables or TV trays everywhere in your space. Sofa sleeves can save the day. Sofa sleeves make it easy to lounge on the couch with a hot cup of tea. This tutorial will show you everything you need to make your own sleeve to fit your sofa.

Wooden Sofa Sleeve With Cup Holder  from  A Beautiful Mess

Wooden Wine Rack

There’s nothing like a simple, chic  wine rack to liven up your space. Or, if you’re not into wine, these elegant DIYs make excellent gifts. All you need is a few basic supplies and a little elbow grease to get started.

Simple DIY Wine Rack  from  The Spruce

DIY Beer Caddy

Are you more of a beer person? This is the perfect beginner woodworking project for you. Just like the DIY wine racks, these wooden beer caddies are great for gifting. They even come complete with a handy bottle opener!

Wooden Beer Caddy  from  DIY Candy

Wooden Arrow Tutorial

By no means does wall decor need to be complex to look beautiful. These DIY wooden arrows prove it. Hung above the bed, next to the front door, in the bathroom—this DIY will look good anywhere.

DIY Wooden Arrow Tutorial  from  Cherished Bliss

Wooden Doormat

Home is where the heart is, so you may as well make its entrance look good. You can do just that by following this tutorial to make your very own wooden doormat, a great way to dry off wet shoes without getting a soggy mat. Stylish, functional and budget-friendly? Sign us up!

DIY Wood Doormat  from  The Merry Thought

DIY Bathtub Tray

As many of you know, bathtime isn’t just for getting clean. Add a good book, a glass of wine, and your favorite candle and you’re set for a relaxing evening of self-care. It’s hard to accomplish all of this without a handy bathtub tray. That’s where this tutorial and your woodworking skills come in.

DIY Bathtub Tray  from  Love and Renovations

Serving Tray

Make breakfast in bed even better with a customized DIY wooden serving tray. Follow the steps listed in this tutorial to create your one-of-a-kind piece.

Simple Serving Tray  from  Fox Hollow Cottage

Decorative Earring Holder

Instead of splurging on fancy wall art, display your beautiful jewelry to add a pop of color and elegance to your bedroom. Make things easy by creating this beautiful wooden stand to show off your stylish earrings, even when you’re not wearing them.

Easy DIY Earring Stand  from  Houseful of Handmade

DIY Lawn Dice

When the clouds clear, it’s time to bring the entertainment outdoors. Summertime barbecues and family gatherings are made even better with these adorable and fun-for-all lawn dice.

DIY Lawn Dice  from  The Spruce

Cute Wooden Key Holder

Let’s face it, we all lose our keys at one point or another. It’s time to put an end to the frantic searching with some DIY! Use beginner woodworking skills to create this wooden key and mail holder to hang in your entryway for a handy (and adorable) key storage solution.

Farmhouse Style Shiplap Wall Key Holder  from  Sawdust Sisters

DIY Candle Holder

Wood pallets can be used to create so many DIY projects, including this pretty tea light holder. This DIY woodworking project is so simple, you only need one power tool to get the job done.

DIY Pallet Wood Candle Holder  from  DIY Huntress

Basic Cutting Board

There are many complex cutting boards and cheese boards on the market these days, but you can make your own with simple woodworking. A quality cutting board doesn’t need to be intricately designed—follow this tutorial to see how it’s done.

DIY Cutting Board  from  The Spruce

Lap Desk DIY

Working or studying in bed is a dream come true, but it can be difficult without a lap desk. Never fear! You can make one using only one wooden board.

Folding Lap Desk From One Board  from  The House of Wood

DIY Mid Century Nightstand

Add flair to your space with classy mid-century furniture. It may look complex, but most mid-century furniture is an easy DIY away. Take this nightstand for example.

DIY Mid Century Nightstand  from  Burkatron

Wooden Photo Holders

Display your favorite photos with these creative DIY wooden photo holders. They’re small and simple but pack a mighty design punch. Not to mention, they’re a lot less expensive than buying fancy frames.

DIY Wooden Picture Holders  from  Passion Shake

Wooden Tic Tac Toe

This DIY will be a hit with the kids, allowing you to take the classic game of tic tac toe to new (and bigger) levels.

Oversized Tic Tac Toe Game  from  The Tool Belt

DIY Pet Bed

If you have a furry friend, you know how important their comfort is. You can make sure they are comfy and cozy in their own customized wooden bed complete with fluffy pillows to ensure a great night’s sleep.

Pet Bed DIY  from  Prodigal Pieces

Pencil Holder

If you have an electric drill, this DIY will be easy. Simply drill a number of holes into a piece of wood to create a unique pencil holder. Not only is this craft full of style, but it also serves as a constant and helpful reminder to stay on task.

DIY Wooden Pencil Holder  from  Cherished Bliss

Beautiful Wood Sign

Decorative wooden signs add charm to any space, but don’t knock them because of the high price tag. Say “no” to manufactured wooden signs and make your own. The process is easier than you think!

DIY Large Wood Sign Tutorial  from  Christina’s Adventures

Modern Coffee Table

Thanks to many furniture retailers, unassembled hairpin legs are easy to come by. It’s a good thing, too, because most modern furniture utilizes them. Buying them unassembled makes DIY projects like this herringbone wooden coffee table an easy feat.

DIY Wood Herringbone Coffee Table With Hairpin Legs  from  Remodelaholic

Wooden Address Planter

Your woodworking skills will be the first thing your guests see as they visit your home if you create this DIY address number hanging. A nice plant adds a multimedia touch that makes this project look impressive without requiring expert DIY skills.

DIY Address Number Wall Planter  from  Shanty2Chic

DIY Plant Hanger

Implementing plants into your home gives the space life and a calming vibe. Add plants to your home in style while showing off your woodworking skills with a cool DIY plant hanger like this one.

Mid-Century Inspired DIY Plant Hanger  from  Bigger Than The Three Of Us

Mountain Wall Hooks

Having trouble expressing your love for nature? That’s a quick fix. Install these wooden mountain wall hooks to enjoy nature in the comforts of your own home.

Mountain Wall Hooks  from  Ana White

DIY Lawn Chair

You can never have enough lawn chairs, especially when they look as good as these do. Find the plans you need to make your own outdoor chair , aside from the materials, in this easy-to-follow tutorial. A quick trip to the hardware store will take care of the rest.

DIY Modern Outdoor Chair Free Plans  from  Cherished Bliss

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These 15 Woodworking Projects Are Awesome for Every Skill Level

From novice to advanced, these woodworking projects will challenge and delight.

Headshot of Popular Mechanics Editors

🛠 Want instant access to the DIY projects below? Become a Pop Mech Pro member today .

Here are 15 woodworking projects taken straight from the pages of Popular Mechanics , and they're accessible to woodworkers of all skill levels—whether you're a novice DIYer or seasoned pro. All of these projects include full plans, plus materials and tools lists, so you'll have everything you need to get started.

But Before You Get Started, Here's:

  • How to Take Apart a Pallet in Under 5 Minutes
  • How to Get Started in Furniture Building
  • How to Turn Your Basement into a DIY Utopia

Magazine Rack

15 awesome woodworking projects for every skill level

Two or three evenings puttering around the workshop is all it takes to build this magazine rack, and it's a great way to relax. It also produces a means of keeping magazines off your living room coffee table or the nightstand in your bedroom. It consists of a pair of identical 3-piece frames that are joined together with a self-locking half-lap.

🛠 How to Build a Magazine Rack

Practically any wood can be used for this piece, but we chose yellow poplar. It works easily, and when finished with a clear topcoat, it takes on a cream color tinged with green. Poplar is widely available, and it is more reasonably priced than other cabinet-grade woods.

Floating Shelves

15 awesome woodworking projects for every skill level

Small homes need to take advantage of every inch possible—and that includes those precious inches behind your drywall.

🛠 How to Build a Floating Shelf

Following these plans will create great storage and also an architectural statement for any room. And the best part? It'll only take a few tools, a little bit of lumber, and an afternoon.

Ice Cream Maker

15 awesome woodworking projects for every skill level

It's as easy as pie—er, ice cream .

Hand-crank mixers connect you to the task, says Brian Smith, owner and instructor at Ample Hills Creamery. "That's what we use in our ice-cream-making classes. I love the community aspect of making it the old-fashioned way, taking turns churning."

🛠 How to Build an Ice Cream Maker

To make ice cream, layer a cup of rock salt and ice between the coffee can and the paint can. Pour the cream into the coffee can and crank for about ten minutes (or until the cream thickens to soft-serve consistency).

Backyard Lounger

15 awesome woodworking projects for every skill level

The backyard is an ideal place for relaxation and reflection, and for that you need a good, comfortable chair. But why buy one when you can build one with little more than a circular saw and cordless drill ? This backyard lounger isn't just easy and affordable to build; it's also both rustic-looking and super comfy.

🛠 How to Build a Backyard Lounger

This lazy-boy lawn lounger is loosely based on a traditional 1903 Westport plank chair, which was the predecessor to the classic Adirondack chair. Our version, however, is much quicker and simpler to build. Plus, you can construct this chair from just two 10-foot-long pine 1x10s, and it shouldn't take much more than a couple of hours

15 awesome woodworking projects for every skill level

The most-treasured children's gifts are handmade wood toys. And when they're as sharp-looking as this red wagon, they'll be cherished for generations.

🛠 How to Build a Wood Wagon

A hand-built toy wagon is the quintessential child's gift, even in this digital age. It doesn't require an app or batteries, it'll never become obsolete, and it's nearly indestructible. Your kids or grandkids will love hauling around their toys, siblings, or the dog!

Bocce Court

15 awesome woodworking projects for every skill level

Let the games begin!

Building a basic bocce court is pretty simple. It's mostly fun to build, although not every step is fun. But it's always fun to use, bocce being an ancient recreation played on sun-dappled afternoons by weathered Italian men wearing panama hats and drinking jug wine.

🛠 How to Build a Backyard Bocce Court

The construction requires not much more than marking out a big rectangle, some digging, and spreading and compacting granular materials. It's a little work, but a court gives your game the predictability that rolling a ball on a lawn never will.

15 awesome woodworking projects for every skill level

This stout, sturdy—and beautiful—workbench is the perfect workshop companion for building projects of all sizes.

🛠 How to Build a Workbench

"When Popular Mechanics asked me to design and build a workbench as a project and as a centerpiece of its New York workshop and studio, I knew the bench had to reflect the brand and its no-nonsense heritage. I wanted it to have crisp lines and pleasing proportions, but most importantly it had to be functional," Richard Romanski, a Pop Mech contributor, says.

The bench is built out of construction lumber: clear Douglas fir, LVL (laminated veneer lumber) joists sawed into narrow strips then glued into a slab, and MDO (medium density overlay), a form of plywood with a laminate surface.

This is an ambitious project, no doubt. But, any experienced woodworker who owns a table saw and planer can build it. Here's how to build one for yourself.

Redwood Planter Box

15 awesome woodworking projects for every skill level

One of the quickest and least expensive ways to upgrade the looks of your home—indoors and out—is by adding a handsome planter box or two. The three designs shown in this project are built from redwood. California redwood is an excellent choice for planters. It boasts the unbeatable combination of natural beauty and superb durability. Redwood is resistant to decay and to attack by insects.

🛠 How to Build a Redwood Planter Box

To determine durability against such attack, redwood is graded by its color and other factors. The reddish-brown heartwood from the inner portion of the tree contains extractives, which render it durable. The cream-colored sapwood that develops in the outer growth-layer of the tree, like most whitewoods, doesn't have the same degree of resistance to decay and insects as the heartwood does.

When building a planter, choose one of the all-heartwood grades. There are also grades available containing some sapwood, which will be a bit cheaper.

Stackable Sawhorses

15 awesome woodworking projects for every skill level

Every workshop needs a pair of sturdy sawhorses. And this thoroughbred pair is built from a few 2x4s. And these sawhorses are strong, easy to build, and they conveniently stack for easy storage and transportation.

🛠 How to Build Stackable Sawhorses

Sawhorses are indispensable for use as a cutting and drilling station, for holding lumber or painting a door. And when topped with plywood, they become an instant worktable. We've highlighted a few popular sawhorse designs (including our own), but this particular sawhorse pair might be our favorite so far.

Built entirely out of 2x4s, this style of sawhorse is popular on construction sites and can be fastened together with nails or screws. We first saw this design used by Mark Clement of My Fix It Up Life and we like the updated version from Jay Bates , which allows for clamps to be used on the ends

A-Frame Toolbox

15 awesome woodworking projects for every skill level

Traditional A-frame toolboxes have been used by generations of tradespeople, including carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and mechanics. So, we decided to show you how to build not one, but five different versions of A-frame toolboxes, each customized for a particular type of work and worker.

🛠 Make an A-Frame Toolbox

The open-top designs of A-frame toolboxes are preferred to boxes with hinged lids because they provide quick access to the tools. Sure, they may look a little rough and ready, but these boxes are workhorses, not works of art.

three ways to make a box

Box-making is an essential skill for woodworkers of all skill levels. And while many wooden boxes have been used in and around the shop and home, there's just something beautiful and enduring about a handcrafted wooden box. Here, we'll show three different ways to build a box: with box joints, spline joints, and rabbet joints.

🛠 How to Build a Simple Box

Once you hone your skills for making wooden boxes with tight joints and perfect proportions, you can create far greater things. We asked three expert woodworkers to build a simple box to see how each would approach the task. Very differently, it turns out—despite giving them similar design guidelines. The outside dimensions had to be 8 inches high x 12 inches wide x 16 inches long, and they could only use tools and materials found at their local home center. We ended up with three boxes with three distinctive joints—all equally awesome.

15 awesome woodworking projects for every skill level

It's safe to say that many people who buy wine by the case like to display their stock as part of their home decor, but not any wine rack will do.

🛠 How to Build a Wine Rack

Whether you're looking for a mediterranean feel, a rack that can withstand the outdoors, or if you need to store a lot of wine, these three wine racks—created in the Popular Mechanics workshop—are just what you're looking for.

Kitchen Table

15 awesome woodworking projects for every skill level

It often seems that things aren't what they used to be, and this feeling holds true for furniture as it does for other aspects of our lives. Some contemporary designs force us to think of furniture as art—or, at the very least, as decorative embellishment—and in the process, seem willing to leave the comfort and function of furniture behind. This is why we thought it might be refreshing to hearken back to the days when a table was a table, simple and functional, yet beautiful.

🛠 How to Build a Kitchen Table

Our kitchen table's straightforward construction and clean lines are reminiscent of Shaker furniture. And, in the Shaker tradition, the table was also designed to serve both as a utilitarian workstation, for preparing a meal, and as a dining table. It's dimensioned to seat four diners or, in a pinch, accommodates up to six.

15 awesome woodworking projects for every skill level

Create an inviting outdoor living space with this easy-to-build backyard pergola. Its unique architectural design places you both inside and out at the same time.

🛠 How to Build a Pergola

Pergola plans are an enduring favorite in Popular Mechanics (we've been publishing them since the 1920s), and it's easy to see why. The finished product is a blissful addition to any yard, a shady place to sit and read, eat and drink with friends, or zone out on a summer's day. From a DIY point-of-view, the return on investment is high: a small pergola can be built in a weekend and requires reasonably inexpensive materials, and only basic carpentry skills and tools.

A simple pergola consists of a four-post layout in a square or rectangle, and then topped with crossbeams, rafters, and lattice. Here, we present eight essential building steps, as well as DIY plans for building your own pergola. Either way, you win, because a pergola is as enjoyable to build as it is to share with family and friends.

Table for Two

15 awesome woodworking projects for every skill level

Although this uniquely designed furniture piece looks as if it came from a contemporary art museum, it's actually an updated version of a project that first appeared in Popular Mechanics back in 1939!

🛠 How to Build This Table for Two

Talk about an instant classic. And you can build it in a single weekend from just four 8-foot-long 2x4s, a sheet of plywood, and some hardwood scraps.

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Woodworking 101: A Beginners Guide to Getting Started

Woodworking Earth

By Kristin Arzt

← Earth Articles

Woodworking Techniques & Tips for Beginners

Woodworking Finishing Techniques

From building chairs to cabinets, woodworking spans a limitless number of projects and thousands of years of craft. There is much to learn and explore—different types of woods, appropriate techniques for working with them, and infinite designs. Here we will cover the basics and tell you exactly how to start woodworking.

What is woodworking?

Woodworking is the process of making decorative and useful objects from wood, like cabinets, fine tables, instruments, bowls, and more. It encompasses techniques like wood carving, joinery, and woodturning. It is relatively simple to learn basic woodworking skills, and with every project you will gain new expertise.

Wood was one of the first materials used by early humans for tools and utensils, and use of the materials is closely tied to the development of aspects of modern human life. Early civilization is known to have used wood to build hunting tools, vessels, coffins, chairs, idols, and more.

As civilization has advanced, so has woodworking as a craft. While the fundamentals remain largely unchanged, woodworkers are using modern technology to build new equipment and tools and create more advanced projects.

woodworking

Common woodworking terminology

When you are first starting out as a woodworker, you will hear a number of phrases that represent common techniques. Below is a glossary of essential woodworking terms to get started.

Jointing is the process of preparing the edges of wooden boards for gluing them to another board. It is commonly used for both flat surfaces and angled joints.

Planing is used to smooth and remove excess material from wooden surfaces using a planer machine or hand tool.

Routing is the process of shaping, cutting, and trimming wood. The technique produces finished edges and shapes using a tool called a router, which is commonly used for cutting grooves in cabinets and furniture.

woodworking

Almost every woodworking project starts with cutting down wood with a sawing technique. There are many different types of saws used for different types of projects.

  • Handsaws are lightweight, portable, and do not require a power source. They come in many shapes and sizes with a variety of blades.
  • Circular saws are efficient, easy to use, and portable. They are particularly effective at cutting straight lines through the wood.
  • Table saws are versatile, fast, and precise. The blade is exposed from below the work surface, and the material passes over the table to be cut. You can easily adjust the blade angles and depth for precise cuts.
  • Chainsaws are portable saws used to cut wood using a chain, powered by gasoline, electricity, or a battery. It is best for initial rough cuts to shape a project, or for sourcing wood when felling or pruning trees for the material.
  • Bandsaws are great for cutting curves, rounded edges, intricate shapes, and more. They come in many sizes, depending on the sizes of the stock you plan to cut and the intricacy of your project.
  • Jigsaws are electrically powered and cut with a back and forth or up and down motion. The narrow blade makes them best used for cutting rounded shapes and curves.

woodworking

Drilling creates holes in the wood using a drill and bit. The drill driver spins the drill bit clockwise or counterclockwise. The type of drill bits you use will depend on the size of hole you need to create, the material you are working with, or the speed of the bit. The range of sizes of drill bits varies vastly across 47 different sizes of standard drill bits.

Gluing wood joins two or more pieces of wood together to create a larger piece. When you glue two pieces of wood together properly, the glued joint is stronger than the wood itself.

Sanding is a finishing technique that smooths the surface of the wood using sandpaper. Woodworkers often start sanding with a medium grit, and work their way to a finer grit to finish.

Finishing is the process of refining or protecting a wooden surface by applying a penetrating finish or a surface finish.

woodworking

Intro to woodworking tools

Woodworking tools are used to cut, shape, join, and finish projects. Generally, there are many different types of each tool, and the type you choose will depend on the project you are interested in making. Here are some of the most common tools and equipment you will use when you start woodworking.

Just about every woodworking project starts with a saw. There are many different types that are meant for different materials, jobs, and more. A handsaw does not require any power and is very portable. Electrical saws span from more portable circular saws to heavy-duty table saws.

A key distinction between saw blades is the type of cutting they are used for. Coarse teeth are usually ideal for rip cutting, which is cutting in the direction of the grain. Finer toothed saws are used for cross-cutting perpendicular to the grain.

Drills can be hand-cranked or motorized, depending on the scale of your job. If you are working on a smaller project without access to power, you may opt to use a battery-powered drill. If your job requires more force and deeper holes to be drilled, you can invest in a drill press.

woodworking

Clamps are necessary tools for joinery and an essential tool in the woodshop. They work great as vises, or as an extra set of hands to hold your project in place. The type of clamp you use will depend on the size and scale of the job at hand.

Chisels have a sharpened metal blade and a handle and are often used in tandem with a mallet or hammer, to shape and cutaway solid wooden material. Different styles of chisels are used for different applications. Paring chisels are lightweight and are never malleted, while mortise chisels are thick, heavy, and ideal for removing material from hardwood.

Planers are used to smooth and remove excess material from flat surfaces. Power planers are electrical and can plane a large surface area quickly, while hand planers are operated by hand and focus on smaller areas at a time.

Sanders are used to smooth the surface of the wood using sandpaper, often applied in a sequence of grits beginning with a larger grit and finishing with a finer grit. Power sanders work well for fast jobs with large surfaces, and hand sanding is best for smaller projects.

woodworking

Woodworking as a career

Professional woodworkers design and build wooden objects such as cabinets, boxes, musical instruments, and furniture. Modern woodworkers are trained technically in the skill, and use different kinds of equipment and tools to complete their work. Once you have the fundamentals of woodworking under your belt, you may opt for an apprenticeship to learn from and work with a professional woodworker. There are also credential programs you can enroll in, such as the Woodworker Career Alliance , which offers educational programs and a network of woodworking opportunities.

How to start woodworking

Woodworking is a hobby that you can learn on your own with the proper tools and safety equipment. If you are brand new to woodworking, learn the fundamentals and more advanced techniques in a class . If you are just starting to use a new saw or piece of equipment, it is safest and ideal to learn from a professional woodworker before trying it at home.

Learn woodworking at The Crucible

The Crucible’s woodworking classes teach you to use hand tools and power tools, to carve and turn wood, and to apply this knowledge to make your own projects. Our classes teach you to become familiar with different types of woods, appropriate techniques for working with them, and enable you to gain an understanding of basic furniture-making and cabinetry design. Learning these techniques from a professional woodworker will empower you to work with wood safely and wisely.

woodworking

Woodworking FAQs

Is woodworking the same as carpentry.

Woodworkers and carpenters both construct objects from wood, using similar tools and materials in their work. However, there are a few key differences between the two practices. Woodworkers specialize in refined crafts such as cabinetry, building musical instruments, and other fine wooden objects. Carpenters often construct buildings, structures, and larger projects. Woodworkers primarily work with wood, while carpenters work with wood in addition to other materials, such as drywall, cement foundations, and more.

How much money do woodworkers make?

Many people take up woodworking as a hobby that provides supplemental income, but it is possible to make a decent living as a woodworker. There are many different variables that may feed into a woodworker’s salary, from how experienced you are to whether you work for a larger company. According to the Bureau of Labor, an average full-time woodworker’s annual salary is $33,750, or $16.23 per hour.

Is woodworking an expensive hobby?

The cost of woodworking as a hobby depends on the type of projects you plan to build, tools you will need, and the materials you source. It is best to start with small, simple projects to learn the fundamentals and get to know the material. Once you have a solid understanding, you can expand your workshop, upgrade your equipment, and take more advanced classes.

Can you woodwork at home?

Yes, you can set up a small woodshop at home for woodworking. Woodworking equipment can take up a large footprint in your home, so consider starting with handheld or bench-top tools. Always keep safety at the top of your mind, and work in a space with proper ventilation and dust collection.

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about the crucible

The Crucible is a fine and industrial arts nonprofit in Oakland, CA that teaches classes in blacksmithing, ceramics, neon, glass blowing, and more. In these guides, we collect the expertise of our 150+ faculty and master craftspeople to share with anyone interested in learning how to make their own objects by hand.

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what is woodwork projects

Woodworking Projects for Beginners

Here's 50 great beginner woodworking projects that will get you comfortable with the basics of building with wood.  Some of the projects below can be completed in a weekend and others in just a few hours, either way all the projects will help you create something great out of wood.

Fireplace Insert

Fireplace Insert

by mikeasaurus in Woodworking

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Techniques for Making a Few Simple Boxes

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How to Make a Wooden Spoon, the Viking Way

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Building Plyometric Boxes (Plyo Boxes)

Building Plyometric Boxes (Plyo Boxes)

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The Awesomest Jelly Bean Dispenser Ever

The Awesomest Jelly Bean Dispenser Ever

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Simple Storage Box

Simple Storage Box

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Wooden Beer Mug

Wooden Beer Mug

by André B in Woodworking

DIY Wooden $5 IPad Dock / Stand

DIY Wooden $5 IPad Dock / Stand

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Awesome Cutting Boards!

Awesome Cutting Boards!

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Wooden Candle Holder

Wooden Candle Holder

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How to Make a Bookshelf Mountain!

How to Make a Bookshelf Mountain!

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Make a 'natural Elbow' Boomerang

Make a 'natural Elbow' Boomerang

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Cigar Box Ukulele

Cigar Box Ukulele

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Homemade Tobacco Pipe

Homemade Tobacco Pipe

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Red Oak Pyramid Bow

Red Oak Pyramid Bow

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Picnic Table

Picnic Table

Building a Real Woodworker's Workbench

Building a Real Woodworker's Workbench

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Make a Quick Box Using Box Joints

Make a Quick Box Using Box Joints

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Wooden Beer Bottle Crate

Wooden Beer Bottle Crate

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How to Turn a Wooden Pen on a Lathe

How to Turn a Wooden Pen on a Lathe

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How to Make a Floating Wine Bottle Holder

How to Make a Floating Wine Bottle Holder

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Scrap Wood Cutting Board

Scrap Wood Cutting Board

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Cedar Treasure Chest

Cedar Treasure Chest

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How to Make a Stackable Wooden Storage Box

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Make a Boomerang That Actually Comes Back!

Make a Boomerang That Actually Comes Back!

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Rainbow Wood Magnetic Knife Strip

A Bandsaw Box KIDS Can Make

A Bandsaw Box KIDS Can Make

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"Phi" Wall Art

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Making a Homemade Puzzle, or "Why I Love My Jigsaw"

Making a Homemade Puzzle, or "Why I Love My Jigsaw"

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How to Make a Bowl From a Flat Plank

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Firewood Rack

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Wooden Wardrobe

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Simple Plywood Box...

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The Illusionist's Heart

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Wooden Airplane

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Wooden Sheath for Cook's Knife

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Easy to Build WINE RACK

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Cub Scout Project: Wood Tool Box

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Make a Hide - a - Key (stash Spot)

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Solid Wood Frame

Solid Wood Frame

Tiny Wooden USB Drive

Tiny Wooden USB Drive

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Nice Candleholders From Scrap Wood

Nice Candleholders From Scrap Wood

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Bandsaw Taxidermy

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Business Card Holders (for Your Pocket)

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Planter Boxes for Windows With Bars

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Hardwood Chopstick Rest

Hardwood Chopstick Rest

Wood Ring

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Wood Induction Charger

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Bent Wood Ipod Stand

Bent Wood Ipod Stand

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Making Manzanita

43+ Beginner Woodworking Projects That You Should Try

by Chelsea @ Making Manzanita

Posted on April 2, 2020 Last modified on August 1, 2022

Are you a newbie woodworker looking for some easy and small beginner woodworking projects to try? You’re going to love this round up with so much inspiration!

If you’re just starting out and learning how to do woodworking projects at home, you’re probably looking for some simple woodworking projects to try out that don’t require a ton of woodworking tools or different types of saws !

Like any other new hobby, it can feel a little overwhelming and scary at first. Especially when you go to the store to buy the wood, so be sure to check out our tips for buying lumber.

You may also be confused about things like nominal vs actual lumber dimensions (we break it down in this article) or what the difference is between a brad nailer and a finish nailer (learn the simple way to tell the difference in that article).

Most of these beginner woodworking projects even use very standard and easy-to-find types of wood .

Today’s post is full of SO many ideas for your first wood project as a beginner. Many of these use a limited amount of tools and are smaller projects.

If you want even more help with what to build with wood for beginners, you may want to try some projects that have free plans that go along with them so you have something detailed to follow.

Woodworking is one of those hobbies that just keeps on giving. If you start small and simple, you only need some basic skills and tools to get started!

Once you finish one of these easy DIY wood projects for beginners, you’ll just want to keep going and try more. These ideas add not only functionality to your home, but help make your home more beautiful!

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Easy Beginner Woodworking Projects

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Super Easy DIY Crate Bookshelf for $100

I'm starting with this one because it is DEFINITELY the easiest woodworking project we've ever done. There isn't even any cutting involved! Make your own DIY wooden crate bookshelf for just $100.

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How To Build Bathroom Floating Shelves

Need some extra bathroom storage? Here's an easy tutorial on how to build bathroom floating shelves.

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DIY Men's Watch Holder

Looking for a present for dad for the holidays? How about making him this DIY watch and accessories display? He’ll love it! This simple project uses pocket hole joinery and incorporates a section that is routed out for the dish, but this part could easily be left out if you don't have a palm router or routing table yet.

what is woodwork projects

DIY Bottle Opener

Speaking of great gift ideas for dad, he'll love this DIY bottle opener ! These are so simple and inexpensive to make using reclaimed wood.

what is woodwork projects

DIY Rustic Candle Holders

These DIY rustic candle holders can easily be adapted to fit any style. If you aren’t into the rustic look, try painting the wood with spray paint or used different rocks or filler for your jars. This one is so simple and easy!

what is woodwork projects

DIY Kids Picnic Table Plans

Looking for a fun and easy DIY project to tackle this summer? Make a picnic table for your kids! We're giving away the kids picnic table plans for FREE so you can follow along and build yours just like (even if you're a beginner!)

what is woodwork projects

DIY Lawn Dice

These lawn dice are so easy to make and will bring hours of summer fun! All you need is a 4x4 and cut it down to size, which makes it a perfect fit on this beginner woodworking ideas list.

what is woodwork projects

Easy DIY Storage Shelving for Less Than $70!

These storage shelving units are easy to build (incorporating pocket hole joinery & lots of 2x4s) and set up next to one another to hold all of your storage bins in your garage.

what is woodwork projects

2×4 Plant Stand

This project is so simple to build with 2x4s. Although it's called a plant stand, it could really be any type of shelf or even a book shelf!

what is woodwork projects

Wood DIY Earring Holder

Earrings a jumbled mess? Make this easy DIY earring holder! This wood picture frame-style stand is an attractive way to organize studs, hoops and more.

what is woodwork projects

Christmas Tree Box Stand with Shiplap

This DIY Christmas tree collar was so easy to build and we're show you the whole process in this Christmas tree box stand step by step tutorial.

what is woodwork projects

$10 Art Ledge Tutorial

This art ledge is so simple and cheap to build! 6 simple steps!

what is woodwork projects

DIY Desk Calendar & Wooden Pencil Holder

Looking for a fun DIY wooden Christmas gift that will work for just about anyone? This DIY desk calendar and wooden pencil holder is perfect! The best part is that we're giving away the free woodworking plans for this DIY table calendar holder so even beginners can try this build.

what is woodwork projects

Board and Batten Wall Tutorial

Wall treatments a great place to start if you're interested in getting more into the woodworking and DIY world and looking for basic woodworking projects! This one is so easy and even works if you have textured walls.

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Easy DIY Plant Pot Cover with Fluted Texture

You'll love this super duper easy DIY plant pot cover ! We decided to add half round trim to mimic fluted furniture texture and I love how it turned out! The only "woodworking" this project requires is simply cutting the trim pieces down to size, couldn't get any easier!

what is woodwork projects

X Sofa Table

I love the look and functionality of this X sofa table! Even though it has angled cuts, they break it down step by step in the tutorial to explain the angles very clearly, so it's a perfect fit on this list of easy beginner woodworking projects!

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Easy DIY Sofa Table

Speaking of sofa tables, this one is another great build! This incorporates stair spindles for legs, so it's a very simple woodworking project for beginners!

what is woodwork projects

DIY Dress Up Storage for Kids

Do you have dress up clothes all over the place in your kid's spaces? Make this easy DIY dress up storage rack for kids using our free woodworking plans and tutorial. Your little ones will love this DIY dress up closet!

what is woodwork projects

Easy Blanket Ladder

If you're looking for a fun way to display and store blankets in your house with a modern farmhouse style, you're going to love this simple tutorial for a DIY blanket ladder ! It's so simple and inexpensive to recreate this for your home.

what is woodwork projects

Easy Wooden Serving Tray

This project just may be the easiest wood project on this list! It only requires that you cut one piece of wood and drill a couple of holes for the hardware. It also makes a great gift!

what is woodwork projects

DIY Giant Pegboard Wall

This giant plywood pegboard DIY turned out so well. The unique abstract color blocks give a practical solution a little personality too!

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How To Build A Hallway Cabinet (with no complicated joinery!)

This one may be a tad more complex than the other beginner woodworking projects on this list, but if you're ready to start building cabinets - this is the way to start because we didn't use any complicated joinery.

what is woodwork projects

Easy Wood Lantern Centerpieces

This is a very simple DIY project perfect for any skill level and makes a huge impact in the reception space or even just at your home!

what is woodwork projects

Easy DIY Wood Crate Desk

Do you need a homeschool desk or a desk for working from home? Build this simple wood crate desk ! This easy DIY desk is cheap to build and has storage for school supplies and books.

what is woodwork projects

DIY Wall Coat Rack

This colorful and cute wall coat rack is very simple to create, so it's perfect for beginners. It uses pocket hole joinery and is perfect for your entryway.

what is woodwork projects

Kids at Play Yard Sign

This is a super easy build, so if you’re a woodworking beginner, it’s a great project to practice your skills on! It uses 2x4s and plywood sheets.

what is woodwork projects

DIY Build for Outdoor Vertical Garden Pots

Looking to add more character to your backyard ? Build a wall for vertical garden pots! This beginner woodworking project turned out SO good! We're also giving away the free woodworking plans for this one !

what is woodwork projects

DIY Frame For Printables

These DIY frames couldn't be any easier! If you’re looking for a really easy DIY frame for printables, you’re going to love this tutorial! Learn how to make a DIY poster frame that is cheap and simple! Also, you can download these free bathroom printables to put in the frames!

what is woodwork projects

Rustic Industrial Desk

This easy desk has a simple design with a custom size and is very easy to make! It's perfect for a beginner. There is just one piece of wood on the top and it's hung on brackets.

what is woodwork projects

Wooden Box Centerpiece

Learn how to make a simple wooden box centerpiece that you can use to adorn your table for all your special events.

what is woodwork projects

Easy Rustic Coffee Table Tutorial

I’m loving the simplicity of this DIY rustic coffee table. She uses two wide planks for this table top, but you could easily make a coffee table top with several planks of wood in this style. Best of all, it’s an easy build requiring few tools and not a lot of time to build. 

what is woodwork projects

Easy DIY Bench For Small Entryway 

Want to learn how to build a DIY bench? This post has a video tutorial and free wood bench plans for you to download so you can make your own small entryway bench.

what is woodwork projects

DIY Modern Rustic Bookshelf

Need a little more storage space in your home? Why not build a bookcase? This rustic bookshelf also has a gorgeous modern feel. It’s a simple DIY project that can easily be customized to your home’s style.

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Easy Live Edge Tables

These live edge tables are SO cool! They are very simple and easy to make and look so good!

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DIY Hanging Shelf

Shelves are a great place to start if you're looking for basic beginner woodworking projects and this one is no exception! All you need is a piece of wood, macrame cording and a drill!

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Picture Ledge DIY

Looking for another shelf idea that's still a very easy woodworking project for beginners to try? Build this picture ledge DIY using our free woodworking plans. These shelves are a great way to decorate your walls.

what is woodwork projects

How To Make A Wooden Box In Any Size

Easy step by step tutorial for making a DIY wooden box in any custom size you want. Learn how to make a wooden box that will fit any shelf or spot in your home.

what is woodwork projects

DIY Wall Art with Scrap Wood and Wood Shims

These easy DIY wall art project is the perfect solution to fill in an empty space. With scrap wood , I created this piece of wall decor with plywood and wood shims.

what is woodwork projects

DIY Planter Box For Front Porch

Want to add some life to your front porch? Download these easy DIY planter box plans and learn how to build these modern farmhouse planters .  

what is woodwork projects

Wooden DIY Barn Star Art – Pottery Barn Knock Off

Wall decor is a great place to start for woodworking for beginners! You can start by building this beautiful Pottery Barn knock off wooden DIY barn star for less than $20 in lumber. Yay!

what is woodwork projects

DIY picture frames

These DIY wooden picture frames are simple to make and a fun way to display photos. The burned wood finish is achieve to a heat gun.

what is woodwork projects

DIY Menu Board

Make meal planning easy and FUN with this DIY Chalkboard Menu Board! It’s simple to make, and only takes minimal DIY skills, which makes it a great one for beginning woodworkers.

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DIY Table Top For Beginners

Are you looking to build a new tabletop for your kitchen table? This one is super simple to build (even for beginners) and we're giving you the free woodworking plans too!

They are all SO good! My cup is overflowing with inspiration!

Which of these easy woodworking projects for beginners do you want to try?

Let me know in the comments below.

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9 Gorgeous Shiplap Ceiling Ideas

image collage of nine DIY wainscoting ideas

16 Trendy DIY Wainscoting Ideas

what is woodwork projects

15 Genius Small Entryway Shoe Storage Ideas

Stuffed animals spilling out of an Ikea STUVA drawer

19+ Genius Ideas on How To Store Stuffed Animals

7 thoughts on “ 43+ Beginner Woodworking Projects That You Should Try ”

My daughter would love that earring holder. I’m definitely going to try to make that this weekend

Yes, that earring holder is so great!

As a beginner, I was looking for some easiest diy wood craft ideas for my upcoming DIY project. Your blog really help me a lot to get comprehensive idea about it. Thank you so much.

Thank you for your ideas! I recently took up Woodworking and started selling on etsy with basic projects I have been making. But, your list has inspired me to go beyond my basics and try some new things! You are amazing!

I think you should make a lap table… You can use it to write on or color… I’m in the progress of making one now…

Great idea, maybe we’ll try that in the future!

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Home / Blog / Projects / 52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners

When I first started woodworking, I had a sawzall , a palm sander , a miter saw (if I’m feeling fancy) and some random hand-tools someone gave me as a house-warming present. I literally couldn’t do complex woodworking if I wanted to.

I am fortunate for those humble beginnings. It really forced me to learn the basics of woodworking by finding the simplest projects I could think of.

It also taught me the value of simple design and I can honestly attribute my minimalist style to those “poor man’s” projects.

To pay homage to those character-building years, I have compiled a list of 52 of the easiest woodworking projects for beginners .

1. Simple Pallet Shelf

Pallet Shelf

The best projects are those that can be completed quickly, but still look incredible and have people asking “where did you buy that?!” 

This easy woodworking project is easier and quicker than you think to make. It covers the woodworking basics and costs virtually nothing if you have a pallet and a circular saw laying around. 

2. Makers Kit Wood Craft

Makers Kit Wood Craft

3. Wooden Sofa Sleeve Cup Holder

what is woodwork projects

This is one of those, “why didn’t I think of that”, kinds of projects. Literally, if you can put three pieces of reclaimed wood together and cut a hole in it, you can make this wooden sofa sleeve cup holder.

Seriously, why didn’t I think of that…

4. Rustic Candle Holder

rustic candle holder

  (Source)

This is an awesome rustic candle holder that brings a little southern charm into any home.

The use of the horseshoe for the legs just pushes it over the top. It’s just so creative!

5. Address Number Wall Planter Box

address number wall planter

  (Source)  

This address number wall planter box is simply blooming with style, and is sure to add a boost to your curb appeal.

6. Wooden iPad Dock

iPad Dock

I am always amazed by the things people come up with using one simple piece of wood.

I just love the idea of being given one small piece of wood with the instructions “make something”. It’s a real challenge, but some of my favorite creations are made up of one small piece of wood.

So if you want a challenge, just imagine me handing you a small piece of wood and saying, “make something”.

Click here to learn about the best router for woodworking.

7. Tiny Wooden USB Drive

wooden usb drive

 (Source) 

Generally, the smaller the piece, the more difficult it is to work with. The USB drive woodworking project, however, is rather simple.

It will take patience and a steady hand, but I have the utmost confidence in your ability.

8. Floating Wine Bottle Holder

Floating wine bottle holder

I’ll admit I love magic. David Blaine is my favorite for sure. However, optical illusions have always vexed me. Seriously, they make me feel so dumb, and I hate feeling dumb (I assume I am not alone).

Honestly, I still have no idea how this floating wine bottle holder works, and I guess we’ll have to try it out to learn its secrets.

I just have one question for the creator of this headache-inducing wizardry…

Why isn’t it falling over?!?!

9. Simple Boxes

Simple Boxes

Simple boxes are the perfect place to start for the woodworking beginner.

Building boxes will educate you in the basic forms and engineering , and give you the basic tools to take on more complex projects.

10. Wooden Arrow Wall Art

wooden arrow wall art

This project will neither break the bank, or stress your mind.

11. Easy Wooden Bird House

easy bird house

Any Boy Scouts out there? If not, I’d say a great majority of us have built a bird house. I can’t think of a better DIY woodworking project to share with the kids.

This project is an easy way to have fun, and share a unique experience with our kids.

12. Wood Plank Wine Rack

Wood plank wine rack

Have an extra plank of wood lying around? A wood plank wine rack is the perfect solution.

Displaying wine bottles has become a kind of art of its own. My favorite ideas are the ones that seem too easy.

Sometimes it can be more difficult to think “simple” rather than over complicate our projects. This world is complicated enough I think.

13. Simple X Table

what is woodwork projects

Want to accomplish your summer DIY project over the weekend? The “X” table is the perfect place to start.

14. Wooden Door Mat

wooden door mat

I’ve seen plenty of doormats with funny sayings and clever ways of expressing “welcome”.

This wooden doormat is unique and a great way of welcoming visitors into your home.

15. DIY Lazy Susan

lazy susan

I wonder who this “Susan” lady is, and how she got the reputation for being so lazy. The truth is, many inventions stem from our constant ambition to make things easier.

The Lazy Susan has been around for a long time and you can make a simple version from scratch.

We all thank you Susan. You’re laziness lives on in all of us.

16. Baseball Coat Rack

Perfect for the kids room, this baseball coat rack are not only easy, but creative. They’re so easy all you need is a hand tool.

17. Unique Hanging Basket Frame

hanging basket frame

We all know you can just hang your baskets above your porch. But, who wants to do what everyone else does? I sure don’t.

This hanging basket frame will give your porch a warm and inviting feel.

18. DIY Jelly Bean Dispenser

jelly bean dispenser

This craft brings back a classic in this DIY wooden candy dispenser. The original uses jelly beans, but honestly, any candy that is similarly sized will work (I’d use Skittles, or Reese’s Pieces).

I had one of these growing up and it’s always something I will remember from my childhood. Make your own, and maybe you can create memories that will last a lifetime.

19. Scrap Wood Candle Holder

scrap wood candle holder

This salvaged wood candle holder is so simple I’m not sure it doesn’t make itself.

I suggest staining each layer of wood with a different finish before assembling to further customize and make this project your own.

20. Wooden Bookends

wooden bookends

(Source)  

The best, and some of the coolest, projects are those that don’t require accurate measurements and precise techniques. The rustic bookends fit the bill.

It’s hard to believe something so simple comes from one piece of wood!

21. Primitive Wooden Spoons

what is woodwork projects

This craft is a different kind of simple. ​  It presents the art of primitive woodworking with these wooded utensils made with just a few simple (non-power) tools,

Woodworking without power tools is definitely a challenge. There is just such an intimate knowledge you develop after working with wood in this discipline.

Although this isn’t the “easiest” woodworking project, I believe its important to understand the origins of woodworking. If nothing else, it will help you appreciate how far technology has come.

22. DIY Hanging Planter

hanging planter

I have always been a fan of mid-century architecture and design . So, when I saw this mid-century inspired hanging planter, I knew I had to add it to the list.

23. Metal Pipe Table

metal pipe table

I’ve been noticing the use of iron pipes and connections lately for woodworking and furniture projects.

The mixture of simple design and industrial materials is perfect for the modern professional.

24. Office Supply Tray

office supply tray

Here we have a woodworking project that takes some patience. You will have to make plenty of cuts, and of course, measure twice before each of them. The end result will certainly be worth it.

For the ultra-organized, this DIY shows us where everything needs to go, and gives us the plans to build it.

25. DIY Bottle Vase

bottle vase

Hopefully you are a visual kind of learner… This post comes from our Bavarian friends at and all of the instructions are in German.

However, to satisfy those who prefer books with pictures, there is plenty of visual instruction to guide our path.

26. Side Table For Under $20

side table

Another project that might challenge the beginner, this is an intermediate-level project for the beginner woodworker looking to expand their abilities.

Even better, this project comes well under $20.00, which is definitely cheaper than what you would pay for a side table as cool as this.

27. Simple Napkin Holder

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: napkin holder

Perfect for keeping the napkins on the table during your outdoor picnic, this little napkin holder is a treat of simplicity.

This project represents exactly what this post is all about. Easy, simple, minimalist, and functional, this is why I fell in love with woodworking.

28. Cutting Board and Serving Tray

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Chopping Board and Serving Tray

This is perfect for preparing and showcasing your culinary creations!

This cutting board and serving tray is the definition of easy! A great choice for any beginning woodworker that doesn’t know where to start. All you need is a table saw, sandpaper, and untreated hardwood! If you want to make this cutting board and serving tray food-safe, you want to be sure to use mineral oil that is food grade.

29. Repurposed Picket Picture Frame

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Picket Picture Frames

With just a saw and a small drill you can turn old fencing into picket-styled picture frames!

Finish off the frames by hot-gluing clothespins or bulldog clips to hang your prints.

30. DIY Mail Organizer

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Mail Organizer

This DIY mail organizer is the perfect beginner woodworking project! The original maker used power tools to create this project but if you’re brand new to woodworking and are uncomfortable with using power tools, good news! This project is great for the novice woodworker since it can be made with hand tools, no power tools needed!

31. Vintage Step Stool

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Step Stool

This step stool require a little more work in comparison to other projects on this list but it’s definitely worth it!

All you need is some scrap wood, nails, and wood glue!

32. Jewelery Holder

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Jewelery Holder

This is a very simple project! With scrap wood and a few other materials you can create a great piece that will organzie and display your jewelery at the same time!

This also makes a great gift!

33. Entryway Shelf with Hooks

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Entryway Shelf with Hooks

This is by far one of the easiest beginner woodworking projects on this list, and it looks amazing!

34. Feeding Station

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Feeding Station

This feeding station can be put togehter in under an hour! You can customize and style it to fit your space with paint, stain, etc. Add your dogs name or images of their favorite toys. The possibilities with this wood project are endless!

35. Beer Caddy

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Beer Caddy

Are you more of a beer person?

This beer caddy is really easy to make and it’s a great project for yourself. You could even use pallet wood to make this. But, just like the wine rack, it’s also a great gift!

36. 3 Kitchen Organization Projects

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: 3 Kitchen Organization Projects

Are you looking for ways to keep your kitchen more organized?

If so, these beginner woodworking projects are perfect for you! They’re very easy to make and don’t require many tools and some wood glue.

37. Simple Side Table

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Simple Side Table

Believe it or not, beginner woodworking projects can involve furniture! You don’t have to be an expert to make furniture, it is possible to make furniture even if you’re a beginner!

You can make this simple side table with a wood slab and hairpin legs!

38. Wood Round Headboard

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Wood Round Headboard

This headboard would make a great statement piece, it really sets the tone for the entire room!

It’s really easy to make the project, and allows you to grow your woodworking skills. All you need is wood rounds, 4×8′ sheet of plywood, Four 8 foot 2×4″s, and clear poly!

39. Bathtub Shelf

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Bathtub Shelf

Are you someone who likes to read or watch movies when you take a bath? If so, you might know that this can be hard because you have limited options to place things. You can create a safe place to put books, electronics, food, and drinks with a bathtub shelf!

40. Simple Shoe Rack

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Simple Shoe Rack

If you share a house with several people, you know that shoes are always an issue. They’re thrown everywhere, they get mixed up with other people’s shoes, and you might even lose one! A shoe rack will solve all of this, it keeps everything organized!

41. Coat Rack

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Coat Rack

Making a coat rack has never been easier! All you need is lumber and a few woodworking tools. It may look plain but it is so useful! You can hang coats, bags, scarves, mittens, hats, etc. Be sure to add your own flare to it with stain or paint.

42. Magazine Holder

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Magazine Holder

Having magazines strewn across the house is vever fun. Keep things tidy with this gorgeous magazine holder! All you need is two rectangular wood planks of equal size, a ruler, laser wood saw, and a pencil.

43. Triangle Shelves

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Triangle Shelves

Let’s be honest, normal shelves can get boring. These triangle shelves are easy to make, they only take about 10 minutes to complete and will add a modern feel to your home!

44. Simple Stacked Plywood Bench

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Plywood Bench

This simple woodworking project comes out looking professionally made! You can pair it with hairpin legs for a modern look or u-shaped legs for a more industrial look.

45. Decorative Earring Holder

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Decorative Earring Holder

Instead of purchasing an expensive piece of wall art that will just sit on your wall, make this decorative earring holder that can organize your earrings and be a decorative piece. It would also be a very thoughtful gift!

46. Lawn Dice

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Lawn Dice

This is a DIY project the whole family will love! Lawn dice are super easy to make and are great for families who love yard games. You can easily bring these to family vacations, the beach, parties, camping, etc.

47. Lap Desk

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Lap Desk

Working or studying from the couch or your bed is a dream come true. However, it can be awkward and uncomfortable. This is where lap desks come into play, lap desks make working in these areas so much better.

48. Mid-century Nightstand

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Mid-century Nighstand

Just like the side table listed previously, this mid-century nightstand is very easy to make. It may look complicated but I promise you it isn’t, it’s one of the easier beginner woodworking projects on this list. All you need is a plywood sheet, hairpin legs, wood glue, nails, and a screwdriver. It’s a great way to add modern flair to your space!

49. Wooden Photo Holders

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Wooden Photo Holders

Display your favorite pictures with these wooden photo holders! They’re a lot cheaper to make than buying expensive picture frames and you can customize them to fit your needs!

50. Pencil Holder

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Pencil Holder

If you have an electric drill lying around you can make this pencil holder in a few minutes. You can customize it to fit the writing utensils you use most and add inspirational words or quotes to motivate you while you get your work done! If you’re looking for a gift, this would be perfect for teachers!

51. Moutain Wall Hooks

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Moutain Wall Hooks

Do you love nature decor? If so, this is the perfect project for you! This beginner project will add a rustic touch to any room. All you need to make this is a small piece of scrap wood and hooks.

52. Modern Bookshelf

52 Easiest Woodworking Projects For Beginners: Modern Bookshelf

Create this modern bookshelf in 5 simple steps! It looks amazing and takes no time to make. It can be used as a display shelf for your favorite knick-knacks or books!

Are you looking for more DIY wood projects, free woodworking plans, or other resources? Check out some of the other articles I have written:

  • Lacquer vs Polyurethane: What is the Difference?
  • Different Types of Hammers and How to Use Them
  • The Best Whittling Knives in 2021
  • The Best Multimeters in 2021 – Review & Buyers Guide
  • Best Random Orbital Sander – Reviews And Comparisons
  • 22 Artistic & Creative DIY Pallet Sign Ideas
  • DIY Gifts for Friends That Have Everything
  • 22 Doable DIY Projects for Men That Still Look Cool
  • The Best Harbor Freight Circular Saws in 2021
  • The Best Ryobi Table Saw Parts: Buyers Guide
  • The Best Craftsman Chainsaws in 2021
  • Miter Saw Uses

what is woodwork projects

About Brandon Potters

Hi, I’m Brandon and I can’t express how excited I am that you chose The Saw Guy as your resource for project ideas , tool reviews , and all-around guide to the world of DIY. I spent years in the construction industry refining my knowledge of various trades and even spent a few years working at a major hardware store. ​If there is anyone who can help you make a well-informed, unbiased, budget-conscious decision, it’s me and my team.

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5 thoughts on “52 easiest woodworking projects for beginners”.

Dear Mr Jake,

Thank you so much for the beautiful simple designs.

Basically I am a mining engineer but carpentry is my hobby, and i have done a lot of

similar designs during my spare time

I can’t wait to try these out!

kool ideas thanks

I decided to make wooden bookends 🙂 The example here is not good, I think. I have a more beautiful design in mind. Thank you for all your ideas.

All of these ideas are great!!! I will have to make all of them : )

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50 Woodworking Projects that Sell (Start a Great Side Hustle Doing Something You Love)

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Woodworking building a wooden chair.

What are woodworking projects that sell?

They are anything you can create out of wood that you stand a reasonable chance of selling either locally or beyond.  It can be a one-off creation or something you plan to replicate and turn into a full-fledged business.  For example, if come up with a great chair design people love, you can cut your costs by creating dozens, hundreds or more of them like a min-factory and sell them both locally and beyond ( Etsy , Amazon Handmade or any similar site to Etsy are great places to sell your woodworking projects).

Related:   Things to Make and Sell for Profit | Crafts You Can Make and Sell | eBay Alternatives | Sewing Projects for Beginners | Selling Used Furniture

How did we come up with our list of woodworking creations you can sell?

We spent a great deal of time analyzing sites like Etsy and Amazon Handmade checking out what sells reasonably well. If it sells well, it made our list.

Are you passionate about woodworking and looking to make a little cash on the side? You can put your creative outlet to good use because woodworking projects are not only fun to create, but there are a ton of different items you can make that will turn a profit. Consumers love to purchase things that will last. Wood is one of those materials that makes people feel good about their investment: it’s solid, not easily broken, and lasts a long time.

Also, wooden items are really popular right now because many people decorate their homes with a farmhouse influence or industrial rustic. Wood items work well in this space. To give you an idea of what items you can create that will sell, here is a list of 50 woodworking projects for you to take a look at. Of course, these aren’t the only ones that do sell. Get your creative juices flowing and turn your creative pursuit into cash in your pocket! Get that Etsy or Amazon Handmade shop up and running, or find a local craft fair and get a table, and start turning your passion into cash!

Household Items

Serving tray.

Serving Trays

Source: Etsy

This shallow tray is super easy to put together. Just grab a solid piece of wood for the bottom, about 12” x24 ” sand it down and attach 4 sides to create a lip. Add some handles, and you’re good to go! This would be great at a craft fair or any online eCommerce site for handmade items!

Tissue holder

Tissue holder

Easy to make and simple to market, this wooden tissue holder is a box with no bottom and a hole in the top. Sand and stain it or get your creative juices flowing and stencil holiday designs or freehand an ombre effect. Think about the design aesthetics in people’s homes – for a beachy feel, add seashells. For a more industrial vibe, think about adding iron fittings to the corners.

Wine Rack

Who doesn’t love a good wine rack? This project only requires a bit of wood and some know-how! Start like you’re creating a box, and just build up the three sides. Add an additional length at the bottom and cut slits wide enough to slide wine glass stems through, and add a single piece of wood across the front to keep bottles from falling off the shelf! This would make a great housewarming or wedding gift!

Coasters

Everyone needs coasters to protect their furniture from glass rings. Fortunately for you, these are super easy to make and you can do anything with them! You can wood burn them, laser cut them, or engrave them to customize for your customers. Additionally, you can stencil them and seal them with a nice clear coat. Don’t forget to sand them down well so they don’t scratch the surface of the table!

Cutting Boards

Cutting Board

Another item that every household needs to have is a cutting board! Many people love to give beautiful custom cutting boards as gifts, especially to the cooking lover! Again, these can be personalized with laser engraving or woodburning , but I really like the idea of gluing different types of woods together and then sanding and coating. That creates a cool, unique pattern that you won’t find anywhere else.

Doormat

When it comes to woodworking projects that sell, it doesn’t get much easier than this! All you need are thin pieces of wood that are all roughly the same size and some rope. Drill holes through the tops and bottoms of each wooden length and run your rope through them. Ta-da ! An easy wooden doormat that people will love!

Sofa Armrest Table

Sofa Armrest Table

Super easy and super functional, people won’t even realize that they needed this until they see it! This armrest table fits over the sofa arm for instances when you don’t have room for a side table, or if you prefer to not have one at all. This allows you to bust out your journal and have your cup of tea right next to you, without having to put it on the ground and risk kicking it over. Simple to construct with just a few pieces of wood and some elbow grease and you’ve got a product ready to take your craft fair by storm!

Trivet

Another super easy but profitable woodworking furniture project are trivets! Trivets are meant to protect your table from hot dishes when serving them. These wooden ones are easy to make and feature a variety of different stains to keep them interesting. They’re constructed similar to a pallet, with two supports running down the back that they’re nailed to.

Kitchen Utensils

Kitchen Utensils

These make awesome wedding gifts for the couple that has everything! You can whittle and carve these yourself, or you can buy in bulk and focus on the customization part. Offer custom etching to personalize them with the Couple’s names and wedding dates. Or, for Holidays, you can use wood burning stencils to add designs and sayings for gifts!

Record holder

Record holder

Forget milk crates! Your customers will love these custom record holder racks and you’ll love how easy they are to make! Record collecting is having a bit of a revival as of late, and what better way to display your collection than this easy to create a stand. Just four pieces of wood, constructed by wedging the side pieces into 45-degree angled notch.

Whiskey Barrel Chairs

Whiskey Barrel Chair

The ultimate man cave or whiskey lover’s gift is this awesome whiskey barrel chair. Utilizing old whiskey barrels, you can upcycle them by cleaning them up, and cutting them down to create the back of a chair. Add supports for a seat and a couple of upholstered pillows, and you’ve got a piece of furniture that is unique and custom, and you can charge a premium for!

Stepstool

Stepstools make great items to sell at craft fairs. You can churn them out pretty quickly with the right tools – a skill saw, some wood glue, and a nail gun. Sand them down and seal them or use chalkboard paint and distress them. Folks with farmhouse influenced homes will love putting these in their bathrooms or using them as footrests!

Bench

The gorgeous benches can be big money! A lot of folks enjoy the raw edge look, so you don’t have to go too crazy with the finish. You have options with legs, you can either construct totally out of wood or use steel brackets or hairpin legs. Whether you leave it as-is with the raw edges or if you decide to stain, make sure you sand it down well – no one wants a splinter!

Upcycled Pallet Table

Upcycled Pallet Table

If you’re looking for something that’s low on the cost to make but has a high return, check out this pallet table! You can buy wooden pallets , but I’d recommend trying to hunt down used ones that you can upcycle . All you need to do is reinforce the structure of them, sand and stain, and add legs. Casters or hairpin legs bring together the rustic industrial vibe that a lot of people are looking for!

Wall Sconces & Lamps

Wall Sconce

Building a lamp is super easy. All you need for this one is a couple of pieces of reclaimed wood and a light swag kit. Simply drill a large enough hole into one of the pieces of wood and secure the light fixture. Add a cool Edison bulb for that rustic/industrial effect and watch your customers line up!

Chalkboard banner

Chalkboard banner

Super easy to make, this chalkboard banner uses reclaimed wood slices with chalkboard paint painted on one side. String them together to create a customizable banner! People will love this idea, and the fact that they can change it out as the seasons go by, from “Happy Fall” to “Merry Christmas”! This is the type of decor that works year-round!

Candle Holders

Candle Holders

Another super easy project that sells is these awesome candle holders. Again, using reclaimed wood, you can leave the bark or strip it off, sand and shellack . Just carve out a divot in the top to set a votive candle, and you’ll have a nice, rustic-inspired piece that people will go crazy for!

Wooden Framed Magnetic Chalk Board

Wooden Framed Magnetic Chalk Board

Great for home kitchens or entryways, this wooden framed magnetic chalkboard is awesome and simple to make. Just grab some wooden frame parts, a piece of galvanized steel, and some chalkboard paint. A little heavy-duty adhesive and you’ve got a great household piece for weekly menus, grocery lists, or to remember appointments.

Mug rack

You’d be surprised how many people collect coffee mugs. I love to collect and display them in my home in my coffee nook. This coffee mug rack is simple to put together with just a few pieces of wood and some heavy-duty mug hooks. Use stencils to put a cute saying across the top, and watch your customers come running!

Welcome Home key shelf

Welcome Home key shelf

This convenient entryway key shelf is great for holding all your things when you come in the door. It’s easy to create with just joining together two pieces of wood, and then adding some small hooks on the bottom. Feel free to customize with sayings or things like, “His”, “Hers”, “Woof” so there’s a spot for everyone’s keys and Fido’s leash!

Personalized bottle opener

Personalized bottle opener

Take a plank of wood and a metal bottle opener, and you’ve got yourself a product that can sell! You can add a small box at the bottom to catch the bottle caps or even a hidden magnet that grabs the caps as they fall! Get creative and engrave sayings like “It’s Beer O’Clock ” or offer a variety of sports team logos, and you’ve got a product ready to sell!

Frame

Since the rustic country farmhouse vibe is in right now, take advantage of that by creating woodworking projects that are simple to make and that get a quick return on your investment. These frames are just simply a well-sanded piece of wood with a claw clip to hold a picture. Drill two holes in the top and string some twine through so you can hang it. You can also use chalk paint or distress them, or let them be al-natural.

Planter Boxes

Planter Box

Another easy project, you can display your planter boxes by putting succulents in them, adding stenciling or painting them, or just leaving them as-is. All you’re doing is constructing a box and putting drain holes in the bottom. If you want to get creative, sell these with the plants already in them. People will love the fact that this is a gift ready for giving!

Custom Wood Portraits

Custom Wood Portrait

If you’re looking to market custom and personalized items, taking people’s photographs and transposing them onto wood is a great and profitable business. With low overhead, you’ll just need to make a few samples. Very easy to do: just print out the photograph on an inkjet printer, cover in Mod Podge , and lay it on the wood. Cover in more modge podge and wait. After 24 hours, wet the paper and carefully scrape it off. It’ll leave the image on the wood, which you can then seal in. Custom art at very low overhead – a great idea for your side hustle!

Wall Art

If custom portraits aren’t your thing and you’d like to create some inventory, wall art might be a better way to go. It’s very simple – just grab a few pieces of wood and attach them to two support pieces in the back. Then identify a catchy quote or saying, and stencil it on there. If you have access to a vinyl printer, you can do that instead of painting. Wall art is hot right now, so you can get in there and make some money!

Floating shelves

Floating shelf

I love these floating shelves because of the industrial touch of the iron fixtures! Farmhouse chic is a thing and these fit the bill! Just take a solid block of wood that’s sturdy enough to drill into and attach the fixtures. Sand and stain, or paint and distress it. There’s a ton of options that you can do with this simple project that would appeal to a variety of customers!

Coat Rack

Sand and stain a simple plank of wood and add some cool hooks, and you’ve got yourself a great item that people would love to put in their home! You can add other personal touches like stencils or wood-burning, or switch it up with a variety of different hooks to give your customers options! A simple 1-hour project can put some cash in your pocket!

Babies & Children

Baby gym

People love buying toys and things for babies that are handmade, solid pieces that will last a lifetime. This baby gym is made using a wooden dowel, 4 legs, and some twill tape. It opens and collapses just as easily as it is to build. Instead of wooden toys hanging from the above dowel, think about stuffing felt animals instead. Be sure to sand this well, though – the baby doesn’t want a splinter!

Toybox or Storage Chest

Toybox or Storage Chest

Another item that people will fawn over is these toy chests. Easy to build, you can keep it simple by creating just a box with hinges and a clasp. Or, if you want to take it one step further, bust out your skill saw and carefully cut plants to give the box a rounded top like a pirate’s treasure chest! If you offer personalization, that’s great! Use vinyl or stencils to add the child’s name on it.

Children’s toys

Children’s toys

Wooden toys recall an era where life was simple and things were made to last. When it comes to children’s toys, you can create cars, ducks that roll, and figurines. But don’t just limit yourself there. This wooden laptop is super cool! Two well-sanded pieces of wood, hinged together, a little chalkboard paint and a carved container for the chalk on the bottom, and you’ve got yourself the modern version of the everlasting wooden toy!

Height chart

Height charts

Provide parents a way to track their children’s growth with this height chart! All you need is a plank of wood and some paint or vinyl. Measure out exactly up to 6’ tall, recreating a giant ruler, and add some hardware for mounting to the wall. An easy and extremely marketable woodworking project that sells!

School photo display

School photo display

Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles – the market for this is really for anyone with kids in their lives! Super easy to make, too! Just a solid piece of wood, paint, stencils, and either a piece of twine with clothesline clips or attach claw clips under each grade! This is a super simple, but marketable, the product you can make and sell!

Puzzle

I remember these as a kid and people still love to give these as gifts! All you need is a scroll saw to cut out the letters. Use a thicker piece of wood for the base, trace the letters and carve out the middle about a ½” so that the letters fit in nicely. Wooden name puzzles make great personalized gifts for Christmas, birthdays, or baby showers!

Personal Items

Rings

Rings are very easy to make with wood shavings, glue, and a little knowhow. While rosewood and maple are great options for wood types, you can also use oak. Mix materials by gluing them together first and then molding your ring using a ring size mandrel. Smooth it out, sand it, and you can even crush up precious stone mixed with resin to add some flair!

Earrings

If you have access to a laser cutter, really the possibilities of the jewelry you can make are endless! Get your creativity flowing and design gorgeous earrings, get them laser cut, and just add the fasteners. Folks will love how delicate they look and how eco-friendly they are!

Necklace

If you can get your hands on some small, thin pieces of wood with the bark still attached, you can create some amazing necklaces! Mix glitter with resin to get some color in there or add some dried flowers instead, drill a small hole, and add a leather strand to hold around the neck. These are beautiful, custom pieces that people will swoon over!

Laptop Case

Laptop Case

If you’re looking for unique, high-end items that you can make and sell, check out this laptop case! Made of plywood , it’s sewn together using strong, wax thread! Use leather or wool to create the flap and add a metal clasp or tuck lock, and you’re good to go! You can sell these at a premium because they are truly unique!

Walking sticks

Walking stick

Though very utilitarian in use, walking sticks can be created with any kind of wood you find, and you can let your creative juices flow. You can intricately carve the top into a hawk or snakehead , or add decoration as you wish. I like to Woodburn walking sticks and then go in with colored pencils afterward to add some color. Just remember to put a nice thick coat of sealant on it, so that the color doesn’t fade away! People will love how this useful item is a work of art!

Memory or Keepsake boxes

Memory or Keepsake box

These are super simple to make, and you can let your creative juices flow! Simply construct a simple small box and decorate as you wish! Woodburn or engrave the top and sides, paint them, or offer customization like adding a customer provided picture on the cover. It’s simple to do this by printing out the picture with an inkjet printer and using ModPodge to decoupage it to the top. Coat in a thick clear seal and you’re good to go! Line the box with velvet for that upscale feel!

Valet

Valets are shallow trays that people can throw their jewelry, change, watches, and cellphones in. They are usually on nightstands or bureaus. These are super easy to make: focus on smoothing the wood down and coat with a clear finish that won’t chip or dent. These make beautiful gifts and you can even personalize them if you’re up to it!

Guestbook

When it comes to weddings, the more unique and custom an item is, the more a bride wants it! If you’re good at woodburning , create a design and offer to customize with the couple’s name and wedding date. These create gorgeous mementos that they can put in their homes and remember all their friends and family on the best day of their lives.

Cornhole Boards

Cornhole Boards

A popular lawn and beach game, cornhole boards are easy to make and can be customized any way you can think of! You simply build a 5” high platform and add pivoting legs on the top of it, cut a hole in the top middle of the board, and you’re good to go! Customize with stencils or vinyl, and you’ve got a product to market at wedding expos, craft fairs, and online retailers!

Ring holder

Ring holder

Country rustic is a hot wedding theme right now, and these ring boxes are hot! Super simple to make, all you need is a tree limb anywhere from 3 to 5” in diameter, and using a skill saw just cut a 2” slab and a 1” slab. Sand down each, leaving the bark in-tact, and carve out a shallow 1” indent in the thicker piece. Attach with a bracket, and you’ve got a custom rustic ring holder for the discerning country bride!

Beer Caddy

Great for a groomsmen’s gift, these beer caddies are simple to make. All you need is to put together a box and knot rope for the handle for a rugged look. You can market these on Etsy or at a Wedding Expo to soon-to-be brides and grooms. Display them with empty bottles of craft beer for full effect, and offer custom engraving for a personalized touch!

Unique Woodworking Projects

Peg Dolls

Personally, these are my favorite! These little wooden peg dolls are so adorable, and if you’re creative, you can make dolls for anything. This Nativity Scene features 14 dolls plus a custom stable. If you’re on the artistic side this is profitable. You can do characters from children’s movies or the hottest television shows, like Big Bang Theory or Friends! The possibilities are endless!

Christmas ornaments

Christmas ornaments

Laser cutters and engravers can take your woodworking side-hustle to a whole new level. There are so many options you can choose from. These Christmas Ornaments are personalized with engravings for “First Christmas Together” and “New Home” with the date and name. If you can get into laser cutting, go ahead and create special shapes like snowflakes or stockings, and add details with engraving or wood burning! The options are endless!

Bookmarks

If you have access to a laser engraver, really the things you can do are endless. These simple bookmarks are created using thin pieces of wood. Drill a hole in the top for a leather strap, and engrave famous quotes from popular books! Anything from Harry Potter or Game of Thrones to classics like Moby Dick and Shakespeare would be popular picks!

Wood covered journals

Wood covered journal

With two thin pieces of plywood, you can create a custom covered journal to sell. You can get cheap journals in bulk, rip the covers off, and replace them with these custom ones. Use a wood-burning technique or laser cutting or engraving, and create a gorgeous piece of artwork for artists and writers to fill with their creativity!

Chess Set

Whittling and carving individual chess pieces takes a lot of time and skill. However, this handmade wooden chess set utilizes a modern aesthetic. The variety of different pieces are represented in abstract form, rather than in detailed carvings. As long as all your knights can be identified as such, you don’t have to get that detailed. To make the chessboard, just use two different types of stain and glue them in the required pattern. Sand it down smoothly and use a thick, polyurethane seal to finish the look!

Golf Club Rack

Golf Club Rack

Perfect for the golf lover’s man cave, this golf club display rack is simple to make. Construct a wider bottom for the golf club heads to sit in, with a lip to hold them up. At the top, create evenly spaced cubbies to keep the handles in place, so when you lean the golf clubs against them, they stay upright.

Tips for coming up with woodworking product ideas to sell

Smaller is better (if shipping):   Shipping larger items as an individual or start-up is not easy (i.e. cheap) to arrange. I know because my brother, a woodworker, looked into it.  One-off shipping of large items is very costly – too costly for a business.  But if you create and sell smaller items, shipping is much more feasible and cost-effective.

Ability to scale:   If you want to turn your woodworking into a business, you need to create products that are in demand.  You are better off selling one product 1,000 times than four of 250 different products.  By narrowing your product range, you can cut your cost per product and train people to build them to your specifications.

Business vs. hobby:   If you want to keep it as a hobby, that’s great.  Sell what you make as you make them without much worry about making money.  But if you want to turn it into a business, your role will change.  You will eventually not be doing much woodworking but instead will be running a business which includes hiring and training, marketing, procuring materials, analyzing numbers and everything else that involves “running a business” instead of doing woodworking.  It’s perfectly normal to start as a hobby and have it evolve into a business.

Simple is better than complicated (if scaling):   If you’re scaling, choose a simple-to-make product without a lot of steps or parts.  This will speed up how quickly you can make it, the cost and training.  It’s fun to create intricate woodworking projects that test your skill but if you’re going to make 1,000s of them, simple is better.

Don’t be afraid to ask for higher prices: If your stuff is selling fast, increase your prices.  Don’t be afraid to.  Increase them until people no longer buy them.  Remember, you’re selling something unique or somewhat unique and chances are you’re using better materials than the mass-manufacturers so be sure to price accordingly.

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50 Must-See Easy Small Wood Projects

50 beginner home DIY woodworking projects

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​I’ve put together 50 different simple woodworking projects ​for you to tackle today. These easy scrap wood projects plans might surprise you with how easy to follow they are. Find one or two beginner woodworking projects to try today!

1. Wood Cup Holder Sofa Sleeve

2. five-candle holder, 3. tealight candle holder, 4. wood business card holder, 5. address number plaque and wall planter, 6. small arrow yard signs, 7. wood flash drive, 8. magazine organizer, 9. small x-shaped magazine holder, 10. floating wine bottle holder, 11. modern wine rack, 12. wood bottle opener, 13. wood ring, 14. wood hoop earrings, 15. wood bangles, 16. small wood bookends, 17. wood ladder storage, 18. wood valance, 19. wood batch caddy, 20. state cutout decor, 21. twig monogram, 22. twig jewelry board, 23. small bird feeder, 24. pencil holder, 25. makeup brush holder, 26. wood picture holder cubes, 27. wood photo display, 28. small minimalist frame holder, 29. plywood quote artwork​, 30. scrabble tile wall decor, 31. thin birch slice coasters, 32. bungee wall organizer, 33. driftwood necklace holder, ​34. wood wall clock, 35. wood painted place mats, 36. hexagonal tray, 37. scrap wood phone or tablet stand, 38. wood smartphone speaker, 39. wood tablet dock, 40. paper towel holder, 41. napkin holder, 42. utensil organizer, 43. small wood cutting boards, 44. magnetic wall rack, 45. small monogrammed tags, 46. wood guitar picks, 47. scrap wood rulers, 48. oversized wood dice, 49. small scroll saw lantern.

  • 50. Small Wood Centerpiece​

​Conclusion

Small wood projects.

Brownies on a wooden board

This wood cup holder goes perfectly on your sofa’s arm.

Cup holder

Check out these easy beginner wood projects here: ​ abeautifulmess.com

If you’re already into woodworking but have yet to polish your skills, this five-candle holder small DIY project will give some of your leftover chunks of scrap wood a new lease on life.

Wooden tealight candle

More about this DIY project here: ​ simplycountrylife.com

How To Use a Jigsaw For Your DIY Home Improvement Projects

This little candle decoration is perfect for a cozy day.

Candle holder

​Learn more about this DIY:  instructables.com

If you are looking for easy small wood project ideas, this one might be perfect. Comprising of only seven steps, this tutorial is easy to understand. You could even go on to sell this wood project .

Wooden business card holder

​Make this at home:​  instructables.com

This one is for fans of easy beginner wood projects. An address number display is a luxurious décor that will make your house unique. If you want to save more money, you can even use some  used pallets to create this sign .

It even comes with a mini plant stand for a succulent or two.

Address number planter

Full tutorial here:​  shanty-2-chic.com

This project is another one for the exterior of your house, and its construction doesn’t require a lot of power tools.

It can be used as a legitimate arrow to point to your house or as an added detail to your house décor. Or, its the perfect solution to hang it from  your scrap wood fence .

Details at:  simplycountorerylife.com ​​​

Arrow with labels

A perfect union of nature and technology. This tutorial details how to do this project with simple tools.

USB

Details and instructions found here:​  instructables.com ​​​

This one might not be best for fans of easy DIY woodworking projects as it requires a little bit more work.

You’ll have to mark the wood, make some cuts, and then, nail pieces of scrap wood together.

Magazine rack

For a detailed view, visit:​​  familyhandman.com

This tutorial will show exactly how easy it is to make this x-shaped magazine holder. It doesn’t require that many beginning woodworking supplies. The only required advanced tool is the laser wood saw.

X magazine holder

To see the layout, visit:​​ ​ homedit.com

This wine bottle holder, which is among the harder easy beginner woodworking projects on my list, has the ability to draw a lot of compliments from people and is a good conversation starter.

Wine holder

​Full details of the plans on:​​ instructables.com

Apart from being able to store more bottles of wine than a previous contender on my list of easy small wood projects for beginners, this  DIY wine rack  is also easier to make.

Modern wine holder

​Create your own version: ​​​ kj.com

I know just what would go beside your wine rack and wine bottle holders: this wood bottle opener.

Bottle opener

Make this one at home:​​ ​​ manmadediy.com

A quick and easy project, it requires only 15 minutes to make, making it one of the shortest tiny woodworking projects on my list.

For how little it is, this wood ring might take you 2 hours at most.

Wooden circle

Learn more about this DIY:​​ ​instructables.com

One type of earrings is particularly trendy nowadays. It’s the hoop earrings.

Wooden hoop earrings

Find more tips at: ​​ themerrythought.com

This is one of those small wood craft ideas that will only take up 10 minutes of your time and not a lot of materials, but it will result in what could possibly be a part of your daily accessory rotation.

Take it from Gucci who’s already made a signature out of their wood bag handles.

Wooden bangles

For the detailed small woodworking plans, visit​: ​ alisaburke.blogspot.com

These fancy bookends are a product of a great beginning woodworking project. It reminds me of thrifted ornaments or  Christmas scroll saw decor pieces  combined.

Bookend

Check out ​how it’s made: ​ build-basic.com

You’ve probably seen a wood ladder being used for indoor décor and as an appealing storage solution. As opposed to the  ladder’s almunium and fiberglass counterparts , these scrap wood projects can be seen all over the interior design blogs.

However, you don’t have to buy a new one – you can create it all on your own!

Wooden ladder

Check out the full plans on: blog.jennasuedesign.com

There are certain ways you can improve the look of your home without doing a full makeover. This wood valance, for instance, can  upgrade your bathroom  if you put it over your tub or shower area as this tutorial demonstrates.

Essentially, it’s just a piece of scrap wood with fancy curves, so it would only take you about 30 minutes to make.

Wooden valance

For a detailed view, visit: ​ blog.jennasuedesign.com

This bath caddy adds to the cozy and rustic look. It will go well with the valance and ladder for the bathroom. Compared to the first two small woodwork projects ideas on my list, this one requires even less time.

Wooden caddy

Visit this website for project plans: ​ blog.jennasuedesign.com

This cutout décor in the shape of your home state is a favorite of the simple woodworking projects on my list. Leave it as bare wood or paint it to match your wall decor.

Wooden state decor

Check out the easy beginner wood projects to make: ​ agirlandagluegun.com

This woodworking project doesn’t require a drill, screws, or advanced tools.

You just need to collect some good old twigs and use them to form your letter of choice, whether it’s your or a loved one’s initials.

Wooden monogram

Learn how to make it yourself:​​  thehappyhousie.porch.com

Just like the monogram twig, this jewelry board is another quick and easy project that won’t take more than 30 minutes, though it requires a drill and screws.

Jewelry hanger

Get to ​painting:​​ ​rebeccasdiy.blogspot.com

Bird feeders are not the hardest to make, and this simple project will take 20 minutes.

Having this DIY project in the backyard of your home ​ can have a huge bearing on the life of birds who will benefit from it.

While you’re at it, take a look at my DIY deer feeder ideas .

Bird feeder

Details at:  100things2do.ca

This pencil holder is handy for anyone regardless of the nature of their job and finishing it only takes about 20 minutes. It also serves as a source of motivation!

Pencil holder diy

Check out the full tutorial ​on​ cherishedbliss.com

You can use this stylish brush holder for your makeup tools.

Make up brush holder DIY

Need more tips? Check the measurements and instructions here:​​ natalme.com

Printed photos are an excellent idea to decorate your space. Propping them up on an equally special décor piece like this DIY wood picture holder cube is personalization at its best.

Picture holder DIY

Full tutorial over at:​​  passionshake.com

This one is a bit more difficult than the previous one, but the result is even better!

Laser printed wooden rounds

Learn to make these easy DIY wood projects:  apartmenttherapy.com

This wood frame holder is a little bit different from the frames you’re familiar with; however, it’s a relatively quick and easy project – you’ll need only 10 minutes. Its a great project to use up leftover scrap wood.

Glass holder wood

Check out the complete tutorial here:  thethingsshemakes.blogspot.com

​​This plywood artwork provides a large display that will attract your attention and instantly lift your spirits up.

Wooden quote rounds

For the steps and measurements, go to​​: realitydaydream.com

Scrabble letters are easy to make , and these enlarged versions for wall hanging are even easier because the larger scrap wood pieces have convenient shapes, requiring only a few cuts.

Giant wooden scrabble letters

Make your own version for the home​​: thekimsixfix.com

These dipped birch slice coasters are not only functional coasters, they’re also a sight to behold. Birch is a glorious kind of wood that looks clean and elegant when polished.

Just  cutting down a branch into pieces  will already give you a set, but dipping them on different paints will give them an extra play on textures and colors.

Birch tree coasters

To make this, visit: danslelakehouse.com

This wall organizer uses a bungee cord, which can make this storage solution appealing for both men’s and women’s interior tastes.

Organizer DIY

Learn to make this yourself​​: ​​brit.co

This driftwood holds a lot more than necklaces when put up in a room. It holds a lot of personality in itself and reflects your quirky taste for décor in the process. Its a fun way to add a rustic look to you home while making use of old, scrap wood.

Necklace hanger DIY

For the full detailed view, check out​​: visiblymoved.blogspot.com

Learn how to make a clock in just about 30 minutes to an hour.

It’s better to make your own with scrap wood,  specifically a raw slice from a log  or a tree branch.

Wooden clock

Check out the tutorial here​​: designsponge.com

​This tutorial copies the quirkiness of fabric or plastic placemats and  turns the unfinished scrap wood into something of the same kind with just paint .

Wooden painted mat

Take a look at the full tutorial on​​: abubblylife.com

This wood serving tray can be used for your favorite drinks like cranberry juice and plates of food – you won’t have to worry about wet stains or food crumbs. Finish with mineral oil so that its safe for food.

Wooden tray

More details over at​​: mylove2create.com

You can make a wood phone or tablet stand on your own with this tutorial in about an hour or two. An incredibly simple woodworking project that takes full advantage of leftover scrap wood.

Phone stand

Make this at home​​: wwgoa.com

Here’s another “stand” that can do more than just hold your phone upright.

Phone speaker DIY

​Play music at home: manmadediy.com

This dock is suitable for tablets. You can make several versions of it for every slanted position.

Tablet holder

Create your own version​​: instructables.com

This paper towel holder steadies the roll so that it’s easy to get a few pieces using just one hand.

Napkin holder

Build it yourself: wwgoa.com

If you need the paper towel holder in the kitchen, there should be an alternative for it that’s more appropriate for the dining area.

This napkin holder looks much better to be put on the  dining table , and all you need is a little scrap wood.

Napkin holder

Make one for your kitchen: theinspiredhive.com

​​It’s not only paper towels and table napkins that need a home in the kitchen and dining area. Your utensils could also use a permanent home if they don’t already have one.

Utensil caddy DIY

Check out the tutorial here​​: abeautifulmess.com

Wood cutting boards can come expensive especially when it carries a big brand name. This project is very easy to make and finish in one afternoon.

Wooden chopping board

Check out the tutorial here​​:​​ tosimplyinspire.com

The wood rack’s size will depend on how many kitchen tools you’d like to store on it, but in general, the shape of the rack and the method to create this project is relatively easy to get done in less than an hour.

Hanging knife DIY

For more tips about the construction check​​: e-how.com

The letter in this little monogrammed wood keychain is formed by burning the wood according to its outline.

Wooden name tag

This is an  easy last-minute gift  because of how fast you can make it – about 15 minutes, though you’ll need a drill.

Check out the tutorial here​​:​  anikasdiylife.com

Unless you’re really waiting to cop a certain star’s collectible guitar pick, there’s no sense in buying what you can do on your own in five steps and about 15 minutes.

They make a great gift for the music lover in your family.

DIy guitar pick

Play a tune​​:​  instructables.com

Since a ruler is simply a long piece of scrap wood with measurements along its length, it’s pretty easy to understand how to make it.

Ruler

Check out the ​details here​​:​ ​ sawdustgirl.com

​This is one of those DIY wood projects that is all about the very easy process of creating oversized dice. It only takes three items so you can make plenty of this in one go.

DIY Dice

Craft some for your space​​:​ ​ thriftyandchic.com

Scroll saws  are one of the most common woodworking tools that can be used by beginners and experts alike. This wood lantern made using a scroll saw something a beginner can take on.

Lantern

Get the free plans here:​  justthewoods.com

50. Small Wood Centerpiece ​

Essentially, it’s just another vase centerpiece but it’s actually different from what you usually see.

Floral centerpiece DIY

Enchant your guests with this centerpiece​​: ​ infarrantlycreative.net

With all these easy beginner woodworking projects , you can really tell that it’s easy and fun way to get into woodworking. Make use of your old reclaimed wood and use your limited time on a couple of these small scrap wood projects. You’ll enjoy these insanely simple beginner woodworking projects and cool woodworking projects.

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Jared Bauman

Raised with a fix-it and improvement mindset, my wife and I completely restored our Craftsman-style home. Learning how to DIY a variety of home improvement projects, I started SawsHub with my father. He's the fine woodworker, I'm the DIYer!

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60 Best Beginner Woodworking Projects

As a matter of fact, there are so many beginner woodworking projects that we put together a list of 60 of the best. Start with any project that you want and work your way up to more complicated projects as you go. Before you know it, you will be on your way to creating all the wooden homemade crafts that you could want while sharpening your woodworking skills.

There are hundreds of woodworking ideas out there for do-it-yourself woodworkers out there. Planters, kitchen storage items, even workbenches are all easier to make than you realize. You can give your home a custom look that fits your needs and gives you the aesthetic that you have been looking for.

1.) DIY Modern Bookshelf

bookshelf

More and more people are looking for a modern aesthetic. So what better way than to take on a DIY modern bookshelf ? It looks great, takes no time or major woodworking skill and can be used to display your favorite pictures, books, and more. With a little bit of stain, you can even match the aesthetic of the rest of the room for a seamless addition.

2.) Photo Holders

what is woodwork projects

Anyone can have picture frames but how many people create their own picture holders ? You can paint and style these blocks to fit the overall design motif all while holding your favorite memories. Best of all, you can switch up sizes to accommodate different areas in your home. One of the quickest and easiest of the do-it-yourself projects on the list.

3.) Simple Wall Shelf

shelf

If you want to stick to a true beginner project, one of the staples of introductory woodworking is a simple wall shelf . Whether you decide to make it entirely straight or cut the legs at an angle is up to you but the result will be a simple yet elegant shelf. Add a little stain and you can create the perfect complement to any room.

4.) Wall Hooks

wall hook

The fun thing about wall hooks is that they can be as simple or creative as you want. You can also make them stand alone and mount them in the wall or have a wooden backplate that holds all of the hooks in one piece. Also, hooks or knobs will work, making for a versatile spot to hang coats, hats, bags, oven mitts, or anything else that you can think to hang. All in a simple and convenient project

5.) Pen or Pencil Holder

pencil holder

Most of us probably throw our spare pens and pencils into a random drawer and hope to find them when we need them. But what if you could have a dedicated space for them that fits in with the rest of your design motif? A custom pencil or pen holder can fit that need. Even better, you can get familiar with cutting holes, creating a simple do-it-yourself work that is not 100% beginner. It is a perfect starter piece for those new to woodworking. 

6.) Night Stand/End Table

night stand

Don’t want to start with something small? An end table or nightstand could be the perfect place to get your creative hands dirty. Nightstands don’t have to be ornate and difficult pieces. With a little bit of beginner’s work, you can create a custom nightstand or end table that fits perfectly with your furniture and helps to bring the look of the room together.

7.) Sofa Sleeve

what is woodwork projects

More than a few of us have had the same dilemma: sitting on the couch and nowhere to put our drinks. It can be frustrating to either hold it the entire time or to have to get up and place it on a nearby table. But with a sofa sleeve , complete with a cupholder, you can create a stylish DIY holder that fits snugly over the arm of your couch. Now you can enjoy time on the couch in greater comfort and convenience.

8.) Wine Rack

wine rack

Wine lovers often tend to love the more rustic look that wooden creations bring. So, it should come as no surprise that wine racks are a favorite for beginner DIY woodworkers. These racks don’t have to be anything major, just enough to hold a few bottles at a time. They can fit perfectly onto countertop spaces, allowing for easy access while adding to the rustic aesthetic.

9.) Wooden Doormat

what is woodwork projects

You can grab a doormat at any big box store for a few bucks. They all say the same things on them, too, making them a dime a dozen. But what about a custom-made doormat constructed of wood ? You can create the high-end appeal that custom woodworking brings with it while delivering a customized message to visitors.

10.) Lap Desk

bench

Working from home has become commonplace in today’s world. There is no longer the need to be chained to a desk, sitting in an uncomfortable chair for hours on end. But working on the couch or in bed isn’t quite as practical. But with a simply made lap desk , you can create an even, flat surface to work on while enjoying the comforts of your space.

11.) Simple Bench

what is woodwork projects

You would be surprised at what you can get done with a miter saw and a little bit of plywood. This bench works to seat two while creating a rustic, custom-made look. You can find table legs of your choosing anywhere online or locally for cheap, too. A copper or even a brushed nickel would look great to complement the woodworking done on the main part of the table.

12.) Coat Rack

coat rack

The great thing about this project is that it has options depending on your comfort level and design choices. You can either carve the hooks right into the body of the wood itself for one seamless piece or have arms extend out from the body. The former brings a touch of modern to an otherwise rustic look. When the weather turns chilly, you will have a stylish place to hang your coats .

13.) Bathtub Tray

batthub tray

Taking a bath can be a great way to relax after a long day. But what if you don’t have any place to put your drink or hold your book while you get in and out of the tub? This tray can be super simple, just cutting a piece of wood of your choosing to stretch from one side of the tub to the other. Stain it to ensure that it looks right and will keep moisture out, lasting for a long time to come.

14.) Earring Holder

what is woodwork projects

Woodworking means having a lot of options. You can create any shape and style that you want, though the best option for beginner woodworkers would be to create a flat base with a frame that attaches on top. A mesh backing will hold your earrings in place , creating a decorative space for your jewelry. Even better, you can see what you have and never have to worry about anything getting lost in a drawer.

15.) Key/Mail Holder

what is woodwork projects

Though this is a simple project by nature, you can use it as a chance to get creative. Whether you go something simple like plywood or a more stylish wood, you can stain it to give it the high-end rustic look that is highly sought after. You can work on your wood engraving skills as well, using a decorative font to write “mail” or even the family name on the front.

16.) Candle Holder

candleholder

Though this is an easy DIY project, it can really stand out in your home. Your woodworking skills will be put to the test by punching out evenly spaced holes across the top of the wood beam that you use. Just remember that you need to taper the hole so the candles don’t fall through. You can also add a rustic touch on the end for your legs — horseshoes are particularly popular in a rustic home. The possibilities are endless .

17.) Monitor Stand

monitor stand

Organization is imperative in a workspace. While you can certainly allow your computer monitor to sit right on your desk, there is sometimes a need for a little bit of space and organization. Using either wooden legs or a thin metal (black looks particularly sharp here), you can create a small stand for your monitor to rest on. If you want to get really fancy, you can punch out a small hole in the back to run cables through.

18.) Wall Planter

planter

This might be one of the simplest do-it-yourself woodworking projects on the list. That said, it doesn’t have to look simple. You will need to learn how to cut to a specific depth in order to have enough space for your plants , but that is about all that needs to be done. You can stain the wood to give it a better quality finish or to match the aesthetic that you are looking for. It can be as simple or complicated as you like.

19.) Book/Tablet Holder

tablet holder

How many times have you been trying to cook, following along a recipe on your tablet or a cookbook, when the reading material gets in the way? You can create an easy DIY book or tablet holder to keep your recipes ready and out of the way. All it needs is a little lip to ensure that your book or tablet won’t go anywhere. You could create a DIY book or tablet holder inside of an hour if you have a little bit of experience.

20.) Bird House/Feeder

birdhouse

Perhaps the OG when it comes to woodworking projects. It is such a classic that it would be taught in shop classes everywhere. If you are just starting out as a do-it-yourself woodworker, you can create a simple little box with a simple roof. But if you want to get a little more creative, you can paint it however you want or even adding a cool little entrance for the birds to come in or out.

21.) Cutting Board

cutting board

Not every woodworking project has to be complex or take a lot of time. If you are brand-new to the world of DIY woodworking, why not go as simple as you can? A cutting board is a great way to keep it simple yet get something totally useful for your home. You can experiment with cutting radiuses and stain the board to give it a more high-end feel than you would have otherwise had.

22.) DIY Pet Bed

pet bed

Though this sounds like it might be a more complicated endeavor, it is actually quite a simple process. With some pine boards and finishing nails, you can create a simple yet attractive bed for your favorite furry friend. For even the most beginner of woodworkers, it should take no more than a few hours at the most to create a stylish pet bed. 

23.) Decorative Sign

sign

We have all seen those mass-produced signs at our local big box store. They all have the same messages, some of which can feel really cliché. But what if you could make your own decorative sign as a woodworking project? The cool thing is that you can either cut right into a plank of wood or create a frame for a custom burlap print. The possibilities are endless.

24.) Simple Shoe Rack

shoerack

Sometimes practicality makes for a better design than something complex. When it comes to something like a shoe rack , you want it to have practical use. A durable wood, like pine, would be great for holding up to daily use. You can create as many cubbies as you need to accommodate your home’s shoe use and create a custom, stylish storage option.

25.) Wood Headboard

headboard

Really love the rustic look? Bring the outdoors inside with a wood headboard . You just need a big panel of wood (your choice) to host as the base. From there, you can make whatever design you want, even using chunks of pre-cut wood. You can use super-strength wood glue or really long nails to adhere them to the plank, bringing the outdoors right into your bedroom in a stylish look.

26.) Kitchen Organizers

kitchen organizer

There can never be too much organization in the kitchen. Whether it be for silverware, storing cookware, or something else entirely, all the options that you can are welcome. Keeping your cutlery drawer organized is key, so no better option than to create an organizer for your drawers. You can customize it to have as many spaces as you need to fit your cutlery storage needs.

27.) Tree Swing

Tree Swing

Another on the list of super-easy options, the farmhouse life can come to your home with this simple tree swing . With a little bit of rope and a plank of your favorite wood, you can have a swing ready inside an hour. You might want to add a little bit of padding to it as well to make for a more comfortable swing experience.

28.) Lazy Susan

lazy susan

There are lazy Susans that are built into counter spaces, allowing for easier access to food at the back of the pantry. While this isn’t as big or comprehensive as that, it serves the same purpose. Learn to cut radially, cutting small and big pieces that are screwed together and allowed to spin freely for easier access.

29.) Hanging Plant Stand

DIY hanging plant stand

A hanging plant stand is a perfect way to showcase your favorite plant. All you need to do is pick a wood that fits your aesthetic, cut them into the shape of a frame, nail them together, and stain it all so that it holds up to the outdoors. Screw a hook into the underside of the top and you have a beautiful, custom basket stand.

30.) Simple Step Stool

simple step stool

A simple and portable step stool is a must-have in any home. You’ll be surprised how many times you’ll need the added height or a makeshift table to place items on as you complete DIY projects around your house. We particularly love this beginner woodworking project because of the simplicity in the materials, needing only one 8ft 2×4.

31.) Plant Hanger

plant hanger

Feel like you’re just above a DIY beginner and want to show off a little bit? Cut smooth radiuses and hang the entire thing using a rope of your style and choosing to create a beautiful hanger . It is a little more advanced than some of the others on the list but not so complicated that you can’t create something stylish and unique in just a few hours.

32.) Lawn Chair

lawn chair

Most of us enjoy spending time outside with friends and family when the weather permits. So why not fill your space with custom-made lawn chairs ? All you need is a table saw, an impact driver, some screws and the wood of your choice. If you want to get even more creative, you can add an angle to the backing to make it recline.

33.) Beer Caddy

beer caddy

If you are looking for a do-it-yourself woodworking project that is easy but doesn’t look quite that simple, this might be the one for you. Having a stylish beer caddy can really be quite simple. It involves a few angled cuts, but with a drill and a table saw, you can make the chic kind of beer caddy that enthusiasts would love to hold their favorite crafts or lagers.

34.) Pet Feeding Station

You would be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t love pets these days. Moreover, there are many who have multiple pets. When it comes to feeding time, things can get messy. But with some hairpin legs, your favorite plank of wood, and a tapered bevel, you can create a simple yet effective feeding station .

pet feeder

35.) Vintage Step Stool

stool

Part of having effective home storage means keeping things out of the way. While that is an afterthought most of the time, what are you to do when it comes time to grab those items up high? With a simple, effective vintage step stool , you can do just that. Rough the edges, rounding the corners, and apply your favorite stain to give it the kind of vintage look that is in right now.

36.) Triangle Shelves

triangle shelves

Shelving can be vital to conserving space. Whatever you can keep off of end tables or countertops makes for an effective option. Some shelves can be a little more complicated, so why not go with triangle shelves instead? A couple of quick cuts and finishing screws can give you simple yet effective shelving options that can be put just about anywhere in the home.

37.) Drawer

what is woodwork projects

Moved into a new home but don’t care for some of the cabinetry? You can create your own DIY drawers fairly easily. A few simple cuts, some screws on the interior to hold everything together, and a couple of brackets and you will have a fully functional drawer in no time. A lot easier than it looks.

38.) Coffee Bar

coffee bar

Most woodworking projects require a saw of some sort. But did you know that you can get it done with a hammer, nails, some boards, and a pallet? That’s right, you can create a completely chic, custom coffee bar in under an hour. It is the kind of modern aesthetic that is really in right now.

39.) Charging Station

charging station

If you are a DIYer of any type, you know how frustrating it can be to keep your tools stored. Whether they are corded or cordless, it seems like they are everywhere. But with some plywood and a few quick cuts, you can have a charging and organization station for all of your tools. Quick access means less clutter and less time spent finding the right tools.

40.) Bottle Vase Display

bottle vase

A bottle vase display is one of the easiest DIY woodworking projects there is. Use finishing nails to create a square box and then a bevel tool to punch out as many holes as you require in the top. Do the same at the bottom, but don’t punch all the way through the wood. You then have a handy space to hold as many bottle vases as you want for a truly rustic look.

41.) Wooden Spoon

Wooden Spoon

Perhaps you have been looking through this list and feel like there are way too many complicated options. So, instead of creating some complicated piece, why not go for one of the simplest options there is? Creating a straight handle is easy enough and then you can test out your round cut ability to create a simple yet effective woodworking piece.

42.) Candy Dispenser

candy dispenser

Another woodworking project that looks more complex than it is. Creating a stand is about making a few straight cuts and stacking different types and stains of wood. You will need to bevel out the middle so that your dispenser can pop out. Using a block with a custom handle, you can slide it in and out to dispense candy . Even better, you can make it to be whatever shape or design you want.

43.) Ironing Board Holder

ironing board holder

You might not find a simpler DIY project on this list. All you need is a square piece of wood to act as the base and two small pieces jutting out to either side. With a couple of screws to connect the pieces and a few more to anchor it to the wall, you can have an out-of-the-way space to place your ironing board until you need it next. 

44.) Fruit & Vegetable Storage Bin

food holder

Having fresh fruits and veggies around is something more of us should do. But what do you do with those that can be stored out on the counter? You create a custom DIY fruit and vegetable storage bin , that’s what. A few quick, simple cuts will give you the pieces you need and when they are screwed into place, you can have as many compartments as you need to store your fruits and veggies. 

45.) Paper Towel Dispenser

paper towel dispenser

Want to test out your ability to cut at a radius? Creating a paper towel dispenser is as easy as it gets. Cut a round base out of your favorite wood and then bevel out a whole in the middle (but not all the way through). Then, find a wooden dowel to slot in. Before long, you have a cool DIY paper towel dispenser.

46.) Floating Shelving

simple floating shelf

Shelving is so versatile and simple that even the most beginner of DIY woodworkers can make them. You can be as simple as you want to be, making quick simple cuts to create a beautiful floating shelf. Depending on how fancy you want to get, you can start to implement angles, make rounded corners, and a thousand other things.

47.) Crates

simple step stool

Some simple household items are actually quite chic and trendy. Crates are one of those . People don’t really have crates in their homes anymore but if you want to create a truly rustic look, implementing them is easy. Best of all, it is all straight cuts and finishing nails, which means you can skip needing a saw if you find the right size boards. If you want to go even simpler, then find wood panels that you can cut down to size.

48.) Outdoor Steps

outdoor steps

Outdoor steps are typically concrete. But they are also quite expensive. So, if you need to create a step up from the ground into your home, a DIY set of steps is a great option. Find the boards that suit you best, stain them to hold up to outdoor use, and screw them all into place. Within a few hours at most, you will have stylish, effective wooden steps.

49.) Shutters

diy wood shutters

Shutters no longer serve much practical use. They can offer protection from high winds and debris but they are more about style now than anything else. Create your own slats and paint them any color that you want to create a beautiful complement for your home. Wooden shutters can be nailed in place, serving a purely aesthetic function that can provide a nice color addition to the exterior of the home.

50.) Trash and Recycling Storage

trash bin

Trash and recycling storage is important. Not all of us like to see garbage cans, either. So, creating a tall storage box with compartments for each can make for a simple woodworking project. Depending on the dimensions, you may be able to find boards that save you from having to make cuts. Just make sure that they are screwed together using wood screws to support the weight.

51.) Food Tray

food tray

Not every meal has to be eaten at a kitchen table. Whether watching the big game or enjoying your favorite show on the couch, we still need a reliable surface on which to eat. With some hairpin legs and a board of your choosing, you can have a beautiful, functional food tray in a few hours at the most.

52.) Workbench

workbench

Need a place to work on your favorite projects but don’t want to shell out for a workbench? Create one of your own! Find a sheet of your favorite sturdy wood and some steel legs. With a few quick screws, you can have a simple workbench that gives you the space that you need to work on your projects. If you want to get really creative, you can build drawers as well to house all your tools.

53.) Plywood Cart

cart

Retro is in and there may be no better way to acknowledge that style than with a plywood cart . You can add wheels if you like but they are not a necessity. Whether you want to create a simple station to store your drinks or something more complicated to show off your abilities, you can do just that.

54.) Laundry Bin Storage Station

laundry basket storage

Very similar to the trash and recycling storage options. We don’t always want to see laundry baskets with all of our dirty clothes in them. So, by creating a bin, you can create a stylish storage option as simple as you want. There are not many easier DIY woodworking projects than this.

55.) Firewood Rack

firewood rack

Those that like to use firewood need someplace to store it. That can be easier said than done depending on the amount of wood there is and the space there is to store it. A simple rack — which means straight cuts — can work to keep your wood safely stored.

56.) Tiered Planters

tiered planter

Like to keep a lot of potted plants around your property? Why not make them look a little more stylish with a tiered planter ? All you have to do is create a series of boxes that are staggered in size. It just means finding your favorite planks of wood and using finishing nails to create a rectangular shape for your plants to sit in.

57.) Barstools

barstool

Think about any barstool that you have ever seen. They really aren’t that complicated and you can see that with this woodworking project. Get a few round dowels and work on your radius cutting skills to create the seat. Use a super strong adhesive to bring them all together for a quick, easy barstool .

58.) Bread Box

bread box

If you find yourself using bread a bit, you know that having an easy place to access it can be key. This brings us to the next easy woodworking project on the list. You can create a simple box that remains open or screw in some hinges and add a door for a more stylish look. 

59.) Dish Rack

dish rack

Though dishwashers have made life infinitely easier when it comes to washing the dishes, there are those who enjoy the quiet time spent washing the dishes. Which means having a space to dry them when finished. You can find small wooden rods, connecting them to simply cut legs to create a custom dish rack . Make sure to stain it or seal it to protect against water damage, though.

60.) Picnic Table

picnic table

Like to spend time outdoors? What about hosting gatherings with family and friends? Seating becomes a premium, especially when food is involved. Creating a DIY picnic table is easy; you just need some screws and your favorite wood boards. Before long, you have the seating and table space that you need to host all of your favorite people.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, you don’t have to be a veteran woodworker to create some pretty cool projects. You need a handful of tools — hammers, drillers, a miter saw — but those are all relatively cost-effective and are things you should have in your home workbench anyways. You can even create amazing and functional projects using scrap wood .

It takes a little bit of planning and patience but you can create almost anything that you can think of. And not long after that, you will begin to feel confident enough to take on even more complex woodworking projects.

When you start to feel greater confidence, there is no stopping you. Woodworking is about making precise measurements and taking the time to make accurate cuts. So long as you do not rush, you should be able to avoid major mistakes along the way. In the end, you will have woodworking projects that you can be proud of and show to friends and family alike.

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65 woodworking projects to sell cover

65 Profitable Woodworking Projects to Sell

Are you looking for the most profitable woodworking projects to sell? Whether you are starting woodworking as a beginner or you already have an established woodworking business, knowing what items are good to sell is a great place to start. Today we’ll share our 65 top bestselling woodworking projects so you can be successful in your woodworking endeavors!

Each of these projects are fairly simple to create and easy to scale as your business grows. If you want to make money woodworking as a full time business or maybe just want to support your hobby with some extra cash to buy some new tools and supplies this post will walk you through all of our proven projects that sell well.

Some of the wood crafts and projects on this list may seem intimidating at first, but most of these are pretty simple. Some of these projects are large in size, while others are smaller. All of them are much more simple to build than they may seem! With this list, you’re sure to find a niche for your woodworking business – and we’ve included some of our favorite project videos from YouTube that show how to make each of these step by step!

profitable woodworking projects that sell collage

1. Wall Signs

Wall signs are a great option for something to make, and they are very easy and customizable as well. You can take a piece of wood, such a 1×8 and then handpaint different quotes and sayings on it, or you can affix decorative items to it. You can often find a lot of decorative things in the craft sections of stores. Then, all you need to do is attach some hanging hardware to the back and it is ready to go on the wall.

The best part about these is they don’t take up a lot of space, so you can make several signs in a week and store them all even if you don’t have a large space for storage. These look fantastic on display at craft shows, or you can sell them online very easily because it is not cost prohibitive to ship since they are smaller in size.

You can also play around with different shapes and sizes – making them long rectangles, or making them squares, or even getting oval plaques at the store and decorating them to suite your market.

The only disadvantage to wall signs is this space can be competitive, so it’s a good idea to make sure your signs are unique that stand out from the crowd or keep scrolling to find even more ideas for woodworking projects to sell.

2. Rustic Log Candle Holders

These rustic log candle holders are really easy to make with hole saw bits for your drill. Simply take a log or piece of wood, and drill in holes large enough to hold a standard pillar candle or tea light. Pillar candles and tea lights are very inexpensive to buy in bulk, and you could easily make several of these in one day to sell online or at craft fairs.

3. Phone Charging Station

Almost everybody has a smart phone that needs charged, and a charging station is the perfect way to keep those devices and their cords organized. These are easy enough to make – simply create a space for a surge protector to plugin devices and holes for cords to easily go through.

You could also make a wireless phone charging station but that is a little more complicated as it requires putting in the proper wiring and some soldering, but it can be a very lucrative option if you can make one.

4. Wooden Clock

Clocks are not difficult to make, especially with many clock making kits available to use for the hands and gear mechanism. You can make all sorts of wood clocks, from very simple and rustic to more decorative and advanced.

5. Wooden Lantern

Wood lanterns are also a great option to consider, and you can include a flameless pillar or votive candle with the lantern. These make fantastic centerpieces and are often in high demand for weddings and other special events.

6. Wine Rack

Wine racks are simple enough to build and are a great way to display bottles of wine in the home. The one shown above doesn’t require any difficult cuts {you can always make the sides square instead of rounded if you wish} – and features an area below the bottles for hanging wine glasses.

These are a great item to make and partner with a local winery to sell on consignment in their shop, or of course you can easily sell these online or in your local market.

7. Bottle Opener Wall Hanging

All you need is a wood board and a metal bottle opener and some hanging hardware and you have a great home bar or kitchen accessory for someone who enjoys drinking different bottled beverages.

To add a decorative touch, you could customize with engraving or paint it with different sayings or quotes. These are definitely a great gift idea for many people, especially around father’s day and the holidays.

8. Coffee Mug Trees

Finding a way to store and organize coffee mugs can sometimes be a challenge, and building coffee mug racks provides a solution for many people looking to cut down on clutter while at the same time organizing their coffee mug collection. These can be freestanding racks that sit on a counter, or you can build a simple coffee mug rack that hangs on a wall or cabinet to hold the mugs.

9. Wooden Coasters

If you’re looking for a really small project to start with, wood coasters are simple to make and look great to hold drinks and protect other surfaces. You can make these as simple or as intricate as you wish – and don’t forget to build a caddy to hold the coasters and keep them organized when not in use.

10. Wood Cutting Board

Wood cutting boards are very popular for preparing and serving food. If you are making these, it’s a good idea to use a wood that is food safe and well known for being able to withstand the rigors of being a cutting board. See our post on types of wood for some ideas if you need help selecting the right type of wood for your cutting board project.

The nice thing about wood cutting boards is they don’t take up a lot of storage space. If you’re just getting started in your woodworking hobby or business and space is an issue, you can easily make several of these and store them without worrying about them taking up too much space.

11. Wooden Kitchen Utensils

Wooden spoons and scoops are always a popular item and are actually a lot easier to make than you might think. While a little more complicated because they do require a bit of carving, they always come out beautiful and people love to buy them to support a local business.

12. Napkin Holder

Napkin holders are still something people use and need, and there are a lot of different ways you can design them to match a number of different kitchen decor themes. You could also create a place for people to set down their salt shakers or even include a pair of salt and pepper shakers with the napkin holder. These make for a great practical centerpiece on any kitchen table.

13. Serving Trays

Serving trays are similar to wood cutting boards, and are as just as simple to make. The only main difference between a cutting board and a serving tray is that serving trays often have handles or they have an edge on the sides so items do not fall off the tray. Serving trays have a number of different uses, from holding decorative items on an ottoman to being used for entertaining guests.

14. Wood Trivets

Trivets are great to use when you have hot serving dishes you want to put on the table but don’t want to risk damaging the table. You can make a lot of different shapes and styles, from a simple slab of wood to even using rough cut lumber to give them a rustic feel.

Since these may come in contact with food {although minimal} – be sure to use a non-toxic food safe varnish with these.

15. Farmhouse Kitchen Table

Farmhouse style has stayed popular for some time and doesn’t look like its going anywhere anytime soon! A farmhouse table is very simple to build and you’ll have the double satisfaction in knowing this is where a lot of families will enjoy quality time together making memories.

Like some of the other larger pieces we’ve mentioned in this list, the main disadvantage to building and selling these is they do take up a lot of space and require a decent sized workshop to be able to easily build them. If you have the space, these are a great option that can give you a good profit return on supplies and labor.

16. Stove Cover

Many people don’t know what a stove cover is, but these are actually quite good sellers. You can easily make several per week. They are fairly popular, easy to build, and small so they don’t take up a ton of space in your woodworking area. They are especially popular in farmhouse style kitchens.

So what is a stove cover? It is very similar to a wood cutting board or a serving tray: basically a piece of wood that goes on top of a stove to cover up the stove burners. They are ideal for people who don’t use the stove very often, or are looking for a way to add extra storage to the kitchen. They are very portable and can be easily moved when someone does want to cook. It is important however to tell your customers that they are made of work and can burn: You don’t want to put them on top of a hot stove!

These can also double as serving trays, TV trays, and ottoman trays. There are a lot of ways to use this product and that can be a great way to help you gain new customers.

17. Spice Rack

People are cooking more at home than ever with so many closings of restaurants and a spice rack is a great way to organize and store all of your spices neatly and efficiently.

There are a number of different designs you could make, from a spice rack shelf that is freestanding on the wall or a spice rack that goes inside a cupboard door.

18. Magnetic Chalkboards

A simple magnetic chalkboard can be a great way for families to stay organized, and it adds a nice decorative touch to any kitchen, office, or kid’s room. To create these, you simply paint a piece of galvanized metal with chalk paint and then either affix to a piece of a wood or insert in a wood frame you build.

19. Message and Mail Station

A popular item for busy households, a message and mail station is a great way for everyone to stay organized and communicate with each other effectively. This item serves as a mailbox for each household member, a place to keep postage and envelopes and attaching a cork board or chalk board allows for people to easily leave messages for each other.

20. Rolling Cart

If the idea of building a rolling cart seems intimidating, don’t fret – it’s very simple to attach the rolling wheels to the legs. People love to use these for storage, as a drink station, a microwave stand or as a way to keep commonly used items portable.

21. Wooden Shelves

The options for shelving you can build is truly unlimited. You can build floating wall shelves, you can build a bookshelf….people always need shelves and they always appreciate shelves made out of real wood. If you’ve ever noticed how fast the laminate wood shelves break and fall apart {especially when moving them!} – you can understand why real wood shelves are high in demand and people are willing to pay well for them.

Most shelves are a basic box frame built out of wood. You can make them a number of different heights and widths. The only main disadvantage to selling bookshelves is they can be difficult to deliver and/or ship. One way to deal with this is to build it in a way where all the pieces are pre-drilled and you can offer on site assembly. You could also just sell shelving kits, where everything is sanded/stained/pre-drilled and your customers simply need to screw it all together.

22. Rustic Desk

This rustic desk is simple to build and you don’t even need to worry about drawers, since the open design allows for storage without worrying about drawer slides or door hinges. Made with simple cuts, you can easily build these and sell them for the home office, something that’s become more in-demand than ever with so many people working from home.

23. Vinyl Record Holder

Records are actually more popular than CDs now – I even saw records for sale at our local Target store! Many people want to keep their records neatly organized, and a record holder is the perfect way for them to do this!

This can be made as simply or as elaborate as you wish – from a basic wood box frame to simply creating something similar to bookends.

24. Blanket Ladders

Another easy woodworking project to make that is a beautiful accent for any home are blanket ladders. Blanket ladders aren’t functional ladders to stand on, but they are the perfect way to hold blankets, towels, or even clothes. They look fantastic in a bedroom and are also popular in bathrooms for holding towels.

Many people who collect quilts or have a shabby chic rustic style of decorating also use these to display different things and to soften the look of the room. Some handmade quilts are just so beautiful that it seems like a shame to put them in a closet when not in use – a blanket ladder solves that problem.

25. Rustic Bathroom Cabinet

The bathroom is sometimes a neglected place to decorate for some people, and a cabinet with a bar for towels is a great practical way to add some interest to a blank wall while being practical for holding items such as toiletries and even offers a place to hang a towel or shirt.

This shelf could also be used in a bedroom or even as an entry way item. Easy to build and versatility makes this a great option that can be sold for many different purposes.

26. Wooden Bath Mats

If you have a lumber supplier near you who can source bamboo, teak, or cedar, these wooden bath mats are very popular and are a beautiful aesthetic for any bathroom. Not only do they look nice, but they are better for most people, as they allow for water and moisture to evaporate and are easy to clean and care for. They’re definitely a big step up from rubber or cloth mats.

If you are worried about the mats slipping, you can get adhesive anti-slip rubber grips that go on the bottom of the mat so it doesn’t slide on surfaces such as ceramic tile or hardwood floors.

27. Soaking Bathtub Caddy

Is there anything more relaxing than a bubble bath? A bathtub caddy is in its most simple form a plank of wood that serves as a tray to hold items while someone is soaking in the bath. These sell for anywhere from $50 to $100 and are easy enough to make with minimal supplies.

The important thing in making these is making sure they will fit over a standard size soaking tub securely. You may also wish to offer these in different sizes, or do these on a custom order basis.

28. Wooden Hamper

Everybody wears clothes, and everybody needs a place to put their dirty laundry that looks neat and tidy. These wood hampers have a tilt out feature that makes it easy to move the clothes and sure do look a lot better than a pile of laundry on the floor! Make it so you can easily lift the laundry out with a heavy duty mesh laundry bag or tub and you’ve got a great product that people will be glad to have in their bathroom or bedroom.

29. Step Stools

One of my first woodworking projects that I was really proud of was a simple step stool I created in my 8th grade woodshop class. Stepping stools have a number of different uses and are especially popular for parents of small children who might need help reaching the bathroom sink or other places.

When building a stepping stool, it’s most important that it is sturdy. Putting anti-slip rubber grips on the bottom is also a good idea to prevent it from sliding on potentially slippery surfaces.

30. Natural Wood Soap Holders

It’s possible you’ve never seen a wood soap holder, but they are becoming more and more popular and there is not a whole lot of competition with this product. These are very simple to make and prevent bars of soap from becoming all slimy and sticking to the sink or tub.

One way to promote these would be to partner with a local soap maker who could buy them wholesale from you to package in with handmade soap sets. Of course, you could always buy the soap wholesale and sell the sets as well!

31. Essential Oil Shelf

Essential oils are all the rage, and no wonder – they have a lot of great aromatherapy benefits! People who use essential oils often find their collection grows pretty quickly {there are hundreds of different oils!} – and so having a nice shelf or rack to organize the oils to have them on display and easy to reach can be a huge benefit.

These are relatively simple to make and offers the perfect solution to keeping essential oils in place. This shelf could also be used to store nail polish or other items.

32. Table Lamps

Before the idea of wiring scares you off, these lamps are super simple to make with lamp wiring kits. To make these, you simply start with a wood base of your choosing, follow the directions of the kit and voila! you have a working lamp in no time at all.

Right now, the mason jar and fairy style lamps are super popular, you can also make upscale table lamps for a variety of other styles and tastes. Who knows? You could even make night lights or holiday light-up decorations.

33. Farmhouse End Tables

End tables are another simple woodworking project that are often high in demand, especially with farmhouse decor being quite popular for a lot of people. End tables sell extremely well and is a great way to get started in your woodworking business.

The simplest example of an end table you can build is this one which is built only out of 2x4s with some shelves for storage on the bottom. You can make them any size, ranging from 20 inches to 14 inches. They can easily fit in a number of different sized spaces. You’ll want to make them standard end table height, which is between 25 to 30 inches tall.

34. Coffee Tables

Coffee tables are another bestselling woodworking project that does very well. They come in a number of different sizes and shapes. You can build a really big square one, or you can build a rectangle shaped one. Oval ones are popular also, although that is not always an easy project for a beginner to start with.

One of the disadvantages to selling coffee tables is they are a lot larger than the other items we’ve talked about on this list, so you will want to make sure you have a good place to store them indoors while you wait for them to sell. If you don’t have a lot of storage space, this probably isn’t the best project for you, but if you do have the storage space these do sell very well and for a decent profit margin.

The nice thing about these tables is they are usually all square cuts, so you don’t have to worry too much about difficult angles or cuts. These are all very popular items to sell and do very well when listing on local marketplaces for sale.

35. Hanging Coat Rack

People need a place to hang their coats, and a simple hanging coat rack shelf is an easy DIY woodworking project you can sell without a lot of skills. Stain it or paint it and you have a functional piece with style that people can keep in their homes to organize coats, purses and more.

36. Mudroom Entry Way Bench and Hall Tree

Another popular item to make and sell out of wood are these mudroom entry way benches. These are a great item to have in your home and are perfect for an entryway or mudroom. They give you a nice place to sit down and take your shoes off and there is storage on top to place bags or a coat. They are a great solution for families and provide both style and function.

These are very simple to make and don’t require any complicated joinery. When finished, they measure about 18 inches tall and 48 inches long. These are made from a 2×4 or a 2×6 and a couple of 1x4s. That’s really all there is to these. You can then paint it or stain it.

37. Console Tables

The next popular best selling wood working project on our list are console tables. Console tables are a very versataile piece that can be used in narrow spaces in a home. You can put one in an entry way, you can put it behind a sofa, you can even set it up in a hallway or kitchen. Many people like to put them in the kitchen to hold appliances or to use as a beverage station for coffee and tea.

In entryways, they are a popular item to use to hold things like mail, keys, and other objects you might want or need as you walk in and out the door of your house.

These do especially well because they are beautiful and really add a nice touch to any space. You can also design them with drawers or shelves for additional storage. They especially look nice if you stain the top and shelving a natural wood stain color and then paint the frame a different color, such as white or black.

38. TV Stands

TV Stands are another great option to explore for something that is simple to build and can be easily customized for your customers. Generally these are best sold as custom pieces where you know exactly the measurements of the TV and the customer knows what they want in terms of style and function.

A TV stand can be something as simple as a rectangle frame with legs, or you can build it with doors to cover up storage or media. Like most of the projects we’ve shared in this list, tv stands look a lot more complicated than they actually are. It’s mostly built with square cuts and you can customize it in a lot of different ways to match the tastes and preferences of your clients.

39. Headboards and Bed Frames

Rustic headboards are gaining a lot of popularity and the need for a place to sleep is a universal one for everybody. You can make a simple headboard using little more than a few boards stacked together or you can make a headboard and frame set that you sell as a kit for the person at home to assemble and put together.

Most consumers are used to mattresses being sold separately from bed frames and headboards – be sure that whatever you build will accommodate the common standard mattress sizes of King, Queen, Double, or Twin.

40. Valet Organizer

A valet organizer is something you place on a nightstand or dresser that organizes and stores all your personal items. It’s the perfect place to put your pocket change or hold your phone for the night.

41. Jewelry Organizer

Anyone who’s owned necklaces and earrings can tell you how difficult it is to store these items without them all becoming tangled. These are very easy to make with basic supplies {just some wood and hooks!} and can sell for a tidy profit depending on the size and style.

42. Jewelry Box

Jewelry Boxes are always popular gifts and are another great way for people to organize their necklaces, bracelets and rings.

These are easy to make and are also small enough to ship easily so selling online is not a problem.

43. Wooden Chess Boards

With the popularity of shows like The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix, more and more people are playing chess again than ever, thus increasing the demand for chess boards. Building a chessboard can be as simple as building it out of a plank of wood and then painting or staining the squares, or you can do some neat things with gluing different colored blocks of wood together.

The easiest design in the type that is a plain simple box with a sliding cover. The sliding cover allows for storage underneath for the pieces. You could also make one that is hinged, making it portable for someone to take with them anywhere.

You can also get a wide variety of different chess pieces in a number of different styles. Chess pieces come in wood, ceramic, metal and more. Package it up in a nice set and you have a great item people can buy as a gift – it’s a lot better quality than the cheap chess sets they sell at the big box stores!

44. Wood Building Block Toys

Do you remember playing with wooden building blocks as a kid? These are something you can make very easily with pine wood and simple cuts and create a set of building blocks for kids. You could also use wood dowels to make cylinder block shapes. Be sure when making these for sale that you sand the edges very well and use a non-toxic finish.

45. Wood Play Kitchen

One of our favorite toys as a kid was a play kitchen and they are always high in demand for both boys and girls. If you consider the plastic ones sell for $250-$400, you can do very well selling a real wood one without it being too complicated to build.

These can easily be created with a simple box frame and some decorative paint for things like stove burners or to customize the kitchen to match your customer’s style. This is something that would be popular around holidays and for kids birthday gifts.

46. Kid’s Play Stand

From selling lemonade to hosting puppet shows, a play stand is a versatile toy that is easy to build and sparks the imagination of kids for how it can be used!

Build with a simple frame and leg supports for sturdiness so it doesn’t topple over, this stand is a unique toy that many parents conscious of buying local and handmade will absolutely adore.

47. Dollhouses

Dollhouses do not have to be complicated to make, especially when you are building them for kids to actually play with instead of creating collector heirloom creations. Most dollhouse kits on the market are made out of laminate and are VERY complicated to build, so creating a simple design can be a great selling point. These would be especially popular around the holidays for gifts.

48. Play Table With Storage

Anyone with kids knows how indispensable and useful a good play table with storage can be! Kids can use the table for art supplies, legos, toy cars and trucks or action figures. These make for practical items that are in demand year round, with a small uptick around the holidays and New Years as parents want to organize their kids spaces.

49. Toy Organizer

Parents are always looking for practical ways to store and organize their kids toys, and a basket toy organizer is a great way to do this!

This is built with a simple frame that has space to hold baskets or buckets for kids to easily reach and put away their toys – and it’s much nicer than the plastic bins they sell at the big box retail stores.

50. Raised Garden Bed Kits

Raised garden beds are becoming more and more popular because it is easy, fun, and gives people fresh home grown vegetables. Raised garden beds are easy enough to make – if you can build a box, you can build a raised garden bed!

These are best sold as kits if selling online, as you’ll want to minimize your shipping costs as much as possible. Simply pre-drill the holes and sell the wood planks, include directions or a helpful video and your customers will have a raised garden bed in no time!

51. Wooden Plant Stands

Another popular best selling item in the spring and summer months are wooden plant stands for container gardening. You can build these in a simple box frame style and people can easily decorate their porch, deck, or entry way with plants.

If making these for outdoor use, you may want to explore using pressure treated wood for longevity or at least choose a good finish that can withstand the elements for outside use.

52. Planter Boxes

Planter boxes are another great option to explore and are especially good sellers in the spring and summer months. You can build them out of pressure treated wood or give them a good finish that will withstand the elements outdoors.

Building these also couldn’t be any easier – they are basically just a box, and you can make them as big or as small as you like.

53. Outdoor Storage Box/Bench

It’s common to have a lot of things that need stored outside – from gardening and lawn care equipment to yard toys and games for the kids. An outdoor storage box is a great solution that can keep these items easy within reach without it looking unsightly.

The storage box is very easy to build, and at its most basic is a simple chest built from planks of cedar or pressure treated pine.

54. Rustic Potting Bench

With many more people gardening, potting benches are always in high demand as they give gardeners a place to work without having to needlessly bend and stoop down.

You’ll want to make your potting standard bench counter height at 36 inches tall and around 36-48 inches deep. Since many people expect the rustic look in their greenhouse or potting shed, you can often use leftover wood for this project.

55. Garden Benches

Many people enjoy landscaping their homes with both beautiful and functional garden benches. A garden bench is very easy to build and can fetch for several hundred dollars depending on the style and size and can built with basic materials and tools.

56. Picnic Tables

Picnic tables are a great thing to have in the backyard and as more people spend time at home outside, there’s likely to be a high demand for picnic tables as it gives people a place to eat and spend time together.

57. Outdoor Patio Chairs

There are a number of different styles of outdoor chairs you can make, from the classic Adirondack chair to simple slatted chairs that offer a comfortable place to rest outdoors.

These should be made from pressure treated lumber or finished to be able to weather the elements outdoors.

58. Bird Houses and Bird Feeders

Believe it or not, people DO buy bird houses – especially in Northern climates in the winter time. You can build a simple bird house with scrap wood, or you can make it elaborate. Researching the different kinds of birds and the best types of feeders can help you reach your specific target market.

59. Butterfly House

Butterfly houses are much like birdhouses, but are meant to give butterflies a place to rest and hide from predators. These are a wonderful addition to any garden.

Building these is not very different from building a birdhouse, just instead of holes you would create slots. These make for great gifts around Mother’s Day and sell well in the spring and summer months.

60. Fishing Rod Holder

Anyone who owns more than one fishing rod knows it can be a challenge to store them safely. A fishing rod holder is a great way to keep someone’s fishing supplies organized all in one space and is a popular gift for avid anglers.

61. Cat Houses and Cat Trees

Cats love a good box and place to hide and sleep. These are easy enough to make and you will be able to price yourself competitively even with the big box stores as these things often sell for several hundred dollars or more.

To make it a soft place for cats, you may even wish to glue down carpet, which you can often find at home improvement stores for under $2/square foot or even buy in bulk carpet squares which would be easy to affix to the house or tree as well.

62. Dog Kennels

Indoor dog kennels are another option to explore for items that are in high demand and are relatively easy to build. Many people do not like the look of an ugly wire cage in their home, and so its easy to build something that looks absolutely fantastic while giving the dog enough room and space. You can build them small for smaller dogs, or go all the way up to larger sizes for larger breeds.

This kennel design can be built simply with 2x4s and 1x6s. They are very simple to build and look great. The only disadvantage to these is again, they are something that can take up a good bit of space, so that is something to consider if you don’t have a lot of room for storage while you put items on the market to sell. Another disadvantage is they can be somewhat heavy, so you may want to consider that for local delivery.

63. Dog Beds

If building a dog kennel is not practical for space or storage reasons, dog beds are another option that can help you break into the ever growing and expanding pet market. At its most basic, a dog bed frame is built out of wood and then you insert a large pillow or dog bed insert. These look a lot nicer than a plain pillow on the floor and you’d be surprised how in demand these can be in certain markets where people love to pamper their pooch.

64. Christmas Ornaments

If you have a laser cutter and engraver, wood router, or the tools for wood turning, the possibilities are endless for types of Christmas ornaments you could create. You could make simple basic Christmas shapes, snowflakes, or even personalize custom orders for special keepsakes.

65. Seasonal and Holiday Decorations

Another great option to explore is making seasonal and holiday decorations. There are a lot of holidays to consider: Valentine’s Day, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and more!

We hope that you find this list of 65 woodworking projects to make and sell helpful for you. Do you have any woodworking ideas to sell we should add to this list? Is there something that you make that sells really well? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

10 thoughts on “65 Profitable Woodworking Projects to Sell”

The wood is to make Artistic picture which is in need of the world who love them the person who works on the projects is always ❤️ skilled person.

I like the small projects.

Super awesome ideas

Thanks Keith!

hi i am living in sri lanka. i like Woodwork. is a FUN – ART enjoy with wood work. i like this subject but i am newcomer in the Carpenter men worker.

thank for lot 😍 MINROO PRIYANTHA DAWAGE

thank you so much i have just discovered my passion for wood working and i wish to make this as my living. DIY soap tray is first thing i am going to start working with

Glad it inspired you to make something! These are definitely great projects to try!

That’s really nice post. I appreciate your skills. Thanks for sharing.

hope to see more

Hmm, Yes, so much inspiration about the woodworking DIY projects. I have also the love for woodworks. I will make these nice projects. Thank you with your inspiration. Together you will make me so profitable. My Aunty will give to these nice things now. Now will be a nice life to make things nice like these much Thank U

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11 Wood Projects That Sell

If you buy something through our posts, we may get a small commission. Read more  here .

Who knew woodworking could be a fun and stimulating hobby that can make you money at the same time? A lot of you may be thinking that’s a given, but even beginners and novice woodworkers can find a project someone may want to purchase.

Before we dive into the details, let me give you a little heads-up: if you’re looking to make projects that sell, focus on things that serve a purpose. Take wine racks or coffee tables as examples—if you’ve got the skills to make them, they’re usually a hit.

To give you more options, here are more wood projects that sell like pancakes in the market today:

Bathtub Seat And Shelf

Estimated time needed: 1 hour

Approx. Value of Piece: $18

One of our favorite woodworking projects that sell is a wooden bath caddy! These things really turn a profit because they provide a service people convenience. 

Wooden items can be found in your kitchen, living room, bedroom and dining room, so why not in your bathroom as well? The bath caddy is also a smart plywood project idea. You can also use pallet wood pieces or leftover wood planks for this.

A bathtub caddy can be used to hold all the items you like to accompany you in the bathtub. We are talking about things like a notebook, laptop (but be careful with this one), candles, a good novel or a snack!

Materials Needed:

Tools Needed:

Egg Storage

Estimated time needed: 2 hours

Approx. Value of Piece: $20

Introducing the Egg Haven: a beautifully crafted and functional woodworking project designed to keep your eggs fresh and organized.

Featuring a sleek, minimalist design that complements any kitchen decor, an egg rack has ample storage capacity of up to 24 eggs, protecting them from breakage and providing easy access for cooking and baking needs.

Any wooden egg storage project that can be a perfect addition to your portfolio of woodworking projects or even a unique item to sell.

A keyholder is also quite easy to create and surprisingly useful in a home. People misplace their keys and this wood project of yours could help with that. Your clients won’t be looking for their keys frantically when running late, because they will be hanging neatly on your customized key holder.

Woodworking projects like these are pretty easy to make. All you need is a block of wood and some hooks. It’s great that they can then be placed anywhere you want, wherever it’s convenient in your home. You can place one in your garage and one next to your door to help you remember where they are.

It may seem counterproductive to use wood to create a woodworking project to hold something like fire, but it’s quite safe if you follow this plan.

Feel free to make it larger to accommodate bigger candles. Diversity and versatility is the key. It’s easy to build and make these little candle holders.

Just find some wood (preferably a log), a shaping tool, a Forstner bit, and a drill. Some power tools would be useful for this item. You can whittle or stamp your own designs in the wood after you are finished for a unique touch for your candle holder.

Magazine Box

Estimated time needed: 30-40 mins.

Approx. Value of Piece: $17

You know, projects like these can really elevate a room, giving it a contemporary vibe. And if you’ve got some scrap wood lying around, why not put it to good use? 

You can upcycle those pieces into a magazine holder that’s both stylish and functional. Trust me, this isn’t just for avid magazine readers; it’ll catch the eye of anyone who appreciates a well-decorated home.

Estimated time needed: 40 mins.

Craft a stunning and sophisticated wine holder that adds an elegant touch any dining or entertainment space. Wood projects like this are great to build and sell since they would make for a nice home decor or wedding gift.

Estimated time needed: 1.5 hours

Approx. Value of Piece: $30

Craft a one-of-a-kind timepiece that will mesmerize prospective buyers. Not only will you relish the fulfillment of crafting something by hand, but you’ll also have the chance to transform your passion into a lucrative business venture. 

Trust me, this exquisite decorative piece will elevate the ambiance of any home or office, adding a touch of elegance and allure.

Cell Phone Stand

Estimated time needed: 45 mins.

Approx. Value of Piece: $12

Transform your life with a custom-built cell phone stand that’s both stylish and practical. This DIY project is a fun and creative way to showcase your craftsmanship and add a personal touch to your tech accessories. 

With your custom-made cell phone stand, you’ll enjoy the convenience of having a secure and accessible place to hold your phone, no matter where you are. You can even use scrap wood for this idea. 

Easy woodworking projects that involve gadgets and technology are sure to be a hit when you sell them. And if you want to build similar products, a docking station and a charging station would be excellent choices.

House Number Planter Box

Estimated time needed: 30 mins.

Approx. Value of Piece: $15

A house number planter box is a creative way to display your house number while also adding a charming planter box to your entryway. The planter box can be filled with your favorite flowers or plants, allowing you to showcase your green thumb and add some natural beauty to your home’s exterior. 

The design is both practical and aesthetically pleasing, making it an excellent addition to any home. Also, you can use a machine that cuts wood letters and numbers if you want a more detailed design. 

Wooden Welcome Mat

This straightforward woodworking activity offers an opportunity to express your artistic side and offers a practical and eco-friendly substitute to conventional welcome mats. 

I find wooden doormats to be especially durable, which is great for high-traffic areas like gardens and decks. By designing and creating your own wooden welcome mat, you can add a personal touch to your home’s entryway while also embracing a sustainable lifestyle.

Toys On Wheels

Estimated time needed: 30-40 minutes

Craft your own timeless wooden toys on wheels with this fun and easy woodworking project. Sturdy and designed for durability, these classic wooden toys are perfect for passing down through generations, providing endless joy and playtime for children. 

Toys of different shapes and sizes can also be one of the most profitable woodworking projects you can sell since there’s a nostalgic quality to them that appeals to parents and gift-givers.

How Much Can You Make As A Woodworker?

This is a loaded question that doesn’t have a correct answer. It depends on many factors such as whether you are a hobbyist or a serious professional. 

If you’d like some help towards building the best woodworking projects you can make, you can invest a little bit to get help from those who have been doing woodworking for a while, like experts from WWGOA (Woodworkers Guild of America) . You’ll build on your basic woodworking skills by getting advanced training.

Do you work for others or are you an entrepreneur? Is building woodworking projects a side hustle or something you are willing to devote all your time to?

Whether you consider woodworking a hobby or have been passionate about for a while, we’re sure that if you are reading here, then you’d like to make a little bit of money on the side. Here are some tips to follow to help you earn from a woodworking business.

How To Make Money With Woodworking Projects

Woodworking can be such a rewarding activity. A woodworking hobby can be profitable, especially when you see your clients and customers appreciate all your hard work. Creating great woodworking projects may be easy for you, but promoting them might be harder than you thought.

Find a Niche

In my experience, less really is more. Sure, you might have the tools and skills to create all sorts of woodworking projects, but honing in on a specific niche can make all the difference. 

It helps you build your brand and attract a loyal customer base who knows exactly what they can expect from you. Trust me, finding your niche in woodworking can turn casual buyers into repeat customers.

To help look for your niche, think about what you enjoy creating the most and check what you would consider the best project you can sell. This will help you figure out the most profitable woodworking projects for you.

Also Read : Woodworking and Carpentry Terms

Customize Your Products

Do some market research. Who also specializes in your niche and what do they offer? How can you improve and thus outdo your competitors in selling?

This may take some effort to sort out, and you don’t need to settle on a definite answer yet. Just find some great ideas and acquire some direction for your new online business. I wouldn’t suggest switching your niche and product ideas too late in the process.

Aim to set your woodworking projects apart from the rest by making them highly customizable. Feel free to add more colors, add more features, add accessories, add anything that makes your product more special. If you’re building storage boxes, for instance, you can paint them with unique patterns or add decorative handles. 

This makes a great strategy, and aside from storage boxes, you could also apply it to other items. Items like rustic wooden signs, serving trays, wooden utensils, picture frames, wooden coasters, wooden shelves, wall signs, desktop planters, and coffee mugs are all woodworking projects that sell well, especially if they’re customized.

Where and how would you like to sell your woodworking project? Are you going to promote your woodworking business online or are you planning to rent out a store? Great platforms for DIY artists include Instagram, Etsy, maybe even partner with local venues and set up a pop-up shop!

It’s also essential to market the products you create. Before setting a price on any decor, I make sure to conduct research into my competitors and target demographic (this is to help you understand what people can afford).

With your great product descriptions, you want to sell to these people since you know what they are looking for. It’s a good idea to advertise the features of your woodworking project as well! Make sure to mention all the good the item will bring to the person who will buy the decor or item.

For example, a vacuum cleaner salesman would know his demographic would be housewives. He would have a product description mentioning all the time and energy his new vacuum cleaner model would save.

Production and Selling

Finally it comes to the actual creation of your product. Before creating and selling, you need to source good lumber and supplies. Let’s take sourcing quality wood, for example. Some commonly used wood types include pine wood, oak, cedar, cherry, and maple. Oak and maple are great for building furniture. 

A few ideas include a wooden bench, coffee table, picnic table, bed frame, dining table, bedside table, bookcase, kitchen table, and cabinets. On the other hand, walnut and cherry are good for items like a wooden cutting board, jewelry organizer, rustic wooden sign, wooden serving tray, bird feeder, test tube spice rack, and functional pieces like a sofa arm table.

That said, reclaimed wood is also a great option to minimize material costs. You can create a variety of projects like floating shelves, wooden birdhouses, potting tables, wooden egg holders, wooden blocks, wooden boxes, and even wall art from these pieces. Wood pallets would also work great for many wood projects.

If you plan on churning out a lot of inventory, you need to head to a supplier for the  best pieces of wood for carving and even woodworking to cut material costs.

If you decided to market and sell online, plenty of high definition pictures with contrast and saturation that put your products in the best light. Give your online clients and customers plenty to go on with as many different placements and decorations as you can. 

In the competitive market of wood projects that sell, good product photography can be the difference between catching someone’s eye and losing out on a potential sale.

How will you accept payment? For selling larger and more expensive pieces, especially those that are made out of premium woods like  teak or acacia , will you accept payment plans? Create secure and fast method (for both parties) to lock in the money you’re making.

What Can You Make Out of Wood?

In my line of work, I’ve learned that you can make virtually anything out of wood. Just look around your room; I bet you’ll find at least three items that could spark an idea for a fantastic woodworking project. The possibilities are endless once you start seeing things through that lens.

A wooden frame for your TV? (because why not?). How about you build wooden cutlery and a wooden cutting board for your kitchen? A wooden picture frame to go on top of the fireplace, some yard benches and chairs, a jewelry box for necklaces, modern bookends, rustic art for the walls — these are all appealing options. 

You can also make and sell super simple woodworking projects like scrap wood wall art, wooden wall signs, wooden spoons, or wooden picture frames. If you have the woodworking tools and a more advanced skill level, you can also create complex projects. An outdoor table, a bench, storage box, a shoe cubby, and intricate chess pieces are just some examples.

The sky’s the limit really when it comes to what you can create and sell. And if you need inspiration, there are tons of woodwork project books and resources to help you out. You can also create, build, and sell projects even if all you have are wooden pallets. 

You can cut them into wood slices and you’ll have a list of profitable project ideas you can make out of that. So even if you only have hand tools and some inexpensive wood board pieces, you can start with that.

Platforms to Sell Woodworking Projects

To help you live up to the title of woodworking projects that sell and actually make money from your woodworking projects , here are a few online platforms that have spawned many independent businesses into thriving ones today.

Etsy started back in 2005, as an online platform for handmade creations. Now, the demand has grown exponentially. There are millions of users and billions made in revenue, all you need to do is tap into this great resource to get started. 

It’s a great space for selling a variety of wooden items like wood art, personalized signs, cutting boards, jewelry boxes, home decor, pallet wood crafts, wooden signs, wood turning pieces, modern wine racks, and coffee mugs. Wooden toys and building blocks for kids are also popular on Etsy.

Although the number of customers and sellers are overwhelming, you will still have a good chance to make money in the right niche. It just means that the demand is already there. There are fees involved so it’s essential to look into those numbers and factor them into your business plan before creating posts.

Facebook Marketplace is a great online platform to help you find customers and sell woodworking projects. Easy to use, people are on there selling pre-loved goods to handmade items to popular luxury brands. When posts are tied to your profile, it does give you less privacy but more security when transactions are conducted.

If you are looking to start a business without having too much money ready, the Facebook marketplace is a popular space to use that is free of charge. Many items are easily sold in this online space. You can make and sell a variety of items, from smaller projects like bathtub caddies and house numbers to larger and heavier items like coffee tables, benches, picnic tables, and console tables.

Alternatively, another profitable idea is you can also create your own Facebook page and treat it as your own online store.

Instagram started out as a photography app, where people could share photos online. It is a far cry from the popular online platform that it is today, with thousands of chances to promote and sell products and services through posts.

If you’re looking to make some cash on this platform, the recipe is pretty straightforward: build a solid following and master the art of using hashtags. Trust me, these two things can make a world of difference in getting your product or service noticed and sold.

You can link your product to your website (if you have one) or simply refer the buyers to your email or other forms of communication to set up payment.

What I like the most Instagram is that it’s mostly free, but it does take time to set it up and gain a great following. Your niche will matter more than ever here, so make sure to market your woodworking hobby right.

I wouldn’t say it’s old fashioned, but it is the oldest online platform we where people sell products easily. Craigslist began in 1995 and is still a popular contender in online sales today, and it sells well to the right people.

To help you make money and sell the wooden items you created, you may want to focus on selling to local customers. In that way, you could reply more on word-of-mouth and spread the word. Check your buyers too because it can be less secure in a way since there is no way to really guarantee the sale will go through.

If the person you’ve sold to decides to dodge your calls and not show up for the sale, then you just have to accept it as bad luck.

However, this popular online platform is still free to use and is locally based, which is a pretty big advantage in my opinion. Check it out and you may want to sell through this space.

Your Own Website

If you are looking to save extra money, this is not the option I would suggest to sell your woodworking projects. However, if you are computer savvy and possess the know-how, then it may be easy for you to go this popular route.

You will bring extra work onto yourself and it could also cost some money to build and pay for a domain name, but it makes you look more professional because you have your own online store.

Don’t forget to consider the shipping costs as well. If you decide to build and sell your projects through a website, failing to consider shipping costs could result in lower profits.

Also, you have your own website on your business card for people to link back to, it could give a great first impression money can’t buy. A website is a great way to build a brand and earn easy money as well. Check out affiliate marketing and other ways to help you get more sales through a website.

Be wary of modeling your website based on services like Teds Woodworking , though.

Another thing, list your product and sell it on Amazon. This great online E-commerce titan came out with Amazon Handmade, which functions similarly to Etsy. You can tap into the growing demand for DIY products, craft items, and gifts in this platform.

They do pretty stringent standards and your woodworking projects or furniture can only be sold after it’s passed their online screening and met their standards. This, in turn, guarantees great quality for the buyers.

Their monthly fees will cost you money (about $40) so make sure you factor this thing into your monthly overhead as well.

Shopify Store

Shopify is a great place for selling online, especially if you want to scale your business. With its user-friendly interface and powerful e-commerce features, Shopify provides a reliable and easy-to-use platform for launching an online store to promote your woodworking projects. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re selling a coat rack, a drawer for clothes, hanging containers for plants, creative art for walls, or custom signs and decor — Shopify is an excellent platform to make a profit. Bigger furniture such as shelves are also a hit in this space.

As a Shopify merchant, you can easily create a professional-looking online store that showcases your woodworking products and attracts customers from around the world. You can DIY the process easily.

Sell the Old Fashioned Way

If you’re not ready to sell your woodworking projects online, there are some ways to sell your products that allow your customers to come and see the items. Being able to actually feel and see what you are putting money into is still the preferred way for many (especially if you want to sell decoration items and furniture at a high price).

Try flea markets, craft fairs, pop-up shops, booths, and even farmer’s markets to get your foot in the door and build your business out there. It’s still a thing nowadays, and it can help you make money and build your name too. 

Handmade wood items sell well in these artisan bazaars, including wall art, projects from wooden pallets, and small items like wooden utensils and picture frames.

Last but not least, you can still have a thriving business through the oldest of the old-fashioned ways if you prefer, which is to rent out a storefront. 

If you have complete confidence in your woodworking projects and you have some money to play with, getting a space in high traffic areas could bring a lot of business as well. You can make great money when you sell decor and furniture in a physical stand. 

Can You Make Money Selling Wood Projects?

Yes, you can make money selling wood projects. The  NFTs of your physical wooden projects  may even sell for a higher price, generating more money for you. It’s a creative way to use your skills to make a living. 

Some of the woodworking projects you can offer include jewelry boxes, wooden toys for kids, wall signs, and pieces of furniture. Some projects are better than others, so study your options and your market as well.

With a mix of the right skills, a dash of creativity, and some basic woodworking tools, I can assure you that it’s entirely possible to craft a variety of top-notch woodworking projects. Not only can these fetch a handsome price, but they can also pave the way for a consistent stream of income.

Robert Johnson is a passionate furniture maker & carpenter, sought after for his knowledge on the craft. You’ve probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.

Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.

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The wooden LignoSat satellite [artist’s impression].

Japan to launch world’s first wooden satellite to combat space pollution

The environmentally friendly LignoSat probe – set to orbit this summer – has been created to combat harmful aluminium particles

Japanese scientists have created one of the world’s most unusual spacecraft – a tiny satellite that is made of timber.

The LignoSat probe has been built of magnolia wood, which, in experiments carried out on the International Space Station (ISS), was found to be particularly stable and resistant to cracking. Now plans are being finalised for it to be launched on a US rocket this summer.

The timber satellite has been built by researchers at Kyoto University and the logging company Sumitomo Forestry in order to test the idea of using biodegradable materials such as wood to see if they can act as environmentally friendly alternatives to the metals from which all satellites are currently constructed.

“All the satellites which re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere burn and create tiny alumina particles, which will float in the upper atmosphere for many years,” Takao Doi , a Japanese astronaut and aerospace engineer with Kyoto University, warned recently. “Eventually, it will affect the environment of the Earth.”

To tackle the problem, Kyoto researchers set up a project to evaluate types of wood to determine how well they could withstand the rigours of space launch and lengthy flights in orbit round the Earth. The first tests were carried out in laboratories that recreated conditions in space, and wood samples were found to have suffered no measurable changes in mass or signs of decomposition or damage.

“Wood’s ability to withstand these conditions astounded us,” said Koji Murata, head of the project.

After these tests, samples were sent to the ISS, where they were subjected to exposure trials for almost a year before being brought back to Earth. Again they showed little signs of damage, a phenomenon that Murata attributed to the fact that there is no oxygen in space which could cause wood to burn, and no living creatures to cause it to rot.

Space junk in low earth orbit

Several types of wood were tested, including Japanese cherry, with wood from magnolia trees proving to be the most robust. This has now been used to build Kyoto’s wooden satellite, which will contain a number of experiments that will determine how well the spacecraft performs in orbit, said Murata.

“One of the missions of the satellite is to measure the deformation of the wooden structure in space. Wood is durable and stable in one direction but may be prone to dimensional changes and cracking in the other direction,” he told the Observer .

Murata added that a final decision had still to be made on the launch vehicle, with choices now narrowed down to a flight this summer on an Orbital Sciences Cygnus supply ship to the ISS or a similar SpaceX Dragon mission slightly later in the year. It is expected that the probe – which is the size of a coffee mug –will operate in space for at least six months before it is allowed to enter the upper atmosphere.

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If the LignoSat performs well ­during its operation in orbit, then the door could be opened for the use of wood as a construction material for more satellites. It is estimated that more than 2,000 spacecraft are likely to be launched annually in coming years, and the aluminium that they are likely to deposit in the upper atmosphere as they burn up on re-entry could soon pose major environmental problems.

Recent research carried out by scientists at the University of British Columbia, Canada, revealed that aluminium from re-entering satellites could cause serious depletion of the ozone layer which protects the Earth from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and could also affect the amount of sunlight that travels through the atmosphere and reaches the ground.

However, this should not be a problem with satellites built of wood, like LignoSat, which, when it burns up as it re-enters the atmosphere after completing its mission, will produce only a fine spray of ­biodegradable ash.

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Grant supports research on cross-laminated timber

Two people handling large stacks of CLT panels.

Washington State University researchers have received a two-year grant to make more resilient and durable housing materials from thermally-modified cross laminated timber (CLT) and recycled carbon fiber.

The researchers, including Pouria Bahmani, assistant professor and Karl Englund,  research professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, along with Hui Li, assistant research professor in the Composite Materials & Engineering Center, are collaborating with Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) in Port Angeles and Construction Engineering Research Laboratory to explore ways to use advanced thermally-modified CLT material in deployable structures, with a goal of extending its application to single- and two-story residential buildings.

As part of the project, the researchers will analyze the structure and materials and evaluate the possibility of mass-producing these panels — a one-of-a-kind initiative in the Pacific Northwest.

“One primary objective of this project is to develop methods for connecting the panels together, facilitating the construction of modular and deployable structures,” Bahmani said. “We utilize steel connections and will conduct thorough testing to ensure the safety and durability of these structures.”

CLT is an engineered wood product typically used for construction. It consists of layers of wood boards stacked in alternating directions and bonded together with structural adhesives. This cross-lamination technique enhances the strength and stability of the timber panels, allowing them to bear heavy loads and resist deformation.

A large piece of lumber undergoing structural tests.

CLT is renowned for its sustainability, as it is often made from fast-growing trees. It offers several advantages over traditional construction materials, including faster construction times, reduced environmental impact, and excellent thermal properties. The wood product has gained popularity worldwide as a versatile and eco-friendly alternative to concrete, steel, and other conventional building materials.  Because it’s lightweight compared to other construction materials, using CLT in modular construction and building projects can also save energy during transportation.

The CRTC has been developing advanced CLT timber that uses thermally modified western hemlock in its formulation. Thermal modification makes the wood more resistant to decay and increases its durability.

The researchers have been working to strengthen the thermally modified wood by adding repurposed carbon fiber composites to the CLT panels. Carbon fiber composite materials are used in many modern products, from aircraft parts to wind turbine blades to fishing rods.

“We are currently focused on exploring the thermal modification process for western hemlock species to create modular, durable, and deployable structures constructed from thermally-treated CLT panels,” he said.

The $360,000 grant is from the CRTC under their award from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Army Corps of Engineers. Bahmani has also recently received a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant to work on modular mass timber construction to increase housing affordability in the U.S.

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Hands-on with InWin's F5 PC Case: Back-connector motherboard support and wood front panels

Rear-connector support, but not necessarily optimized for hiding all your cables.

 InWin F5

If there's one company you can generally count on to be at the cutting edge of PC case design (or at least bring weird and wild case ideas to market ), it's InWin. And its full-tower F5, which we saw early this year at CES 2024 , looks to continue that trend. It offers up Tetris-like movable panels (two of which are wood in the white model) on its front and support for the Maingear-patented MG-RC or back-connector motherboards (also referred to as BTF by Asus and Project Zero by MSI ). I used an MSI Project Zero board for our build with the case, marking the second time I've built a system with the connectors on the back of the motherboard.

The F5 case also ships with three large 140 mm ARGB fans that deliver good airflow front to back, without much noticeable noise. And vertical GPU mounting is supported, though you'll have to supply your own riser cable. Overall, the F5 is an attractive, well-built case for the price – though I wish both the black and white models were priced the same at $149, rather than the white model costing $20 more ($169).

That said, my main issues with the F5's design mostly revolve around its support for back-connector motherboards and its top PSU / radiator chamber. While most people building in this case probably won't be using a motherboard with the connectors at the back, even if you use a traditional board, it's tough to hide all the cables in the front chamber.

And, just as I saw with MSI's Pano M100R PZ case , there's not really enough room behind the motherboard to conveniently route and stow all the cables for a rear-connected build. The extra slack of the PSU cables, in particular, makes for sub-optimal airflow in the top chamber, which is where the F5's case design almost demands that you put a large radiator or AIO for cooling your CPU.

InWin F5 Specs

Somewhat swappable front panels.

 Both side panels and the four modular front panels of the InWin F5 are tool-free and fairly easy to pop off via pegs. The front panel comes in four sections, two of which are wood on the white model. InWin touts the ability to move them around to create different looks – except there's really only two orientations that make sense. You'll want the larger mesh panel on the bottom left, because that's the only area that's open for airflow.

So in short, you can set up the front with the wood panels either with both on the right side and the two larger metal panels on the left, or the bottom wood panel on the right and the top on the left. At least on our review unit, the wood grain of the two narrow panels didn't exactly line up in a way that they looked like they belonged together, so I left one on the left and one on the right. I think this configuration looks the best, anyway.

It would be nice if InWin sold inexpensive panels that you could swap out, made of other materials and in other colors. At least the black model has different shades of blue, but I do prefer the look of the wood, generally. I just wish there were more ways to customize the case's look, given it's one of the key design points.

Nice included fans, but not great for hiding cables

On the plus side, the trio of AN140 fans that InWin includes with this case look good and move a lot of air, without making much noise (bigger, slower-spinning fans and a glass side panel are usually a good combo). They're designed to be daisy-chained, so you can connect them together instead of having to run fan and RGB cables from every fan to the motherboard or a third-party hub.

But these fans clearly weren't designed for rear-connector motherboards where the primary aim is to hide all the wires. Because every fan has two short wires coming off of it, with both male and female fan and RGB connectors at the end of each. Extension cables are also included for routing the connectors to your motherboard, but hiding the connection points and any unused cable leads can be difficult to impossible when they aren't long enough to route behind the motherboard.

Rear-connector (MG-RC) motherboards complicate compatibility

The InWin F5 case technically supports E-ATX (up to 12 x 13 inches), ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards. It also supports rear-connector motherboards like MSI's Project Zero boards. It turns out, though, that the case does not support rear-connect Micro ATX motherboards, like the MSI B650M Project Zero board I used for the MSI Project Zero build story I wrote earlier this year. I didn't actually realize this until after I had installed all the motherboard standoffs (something I don't normally expect to have to do in a $150-plus case), and fully installed the motherboard. Everything looked good from the front, but when I then went to start plugging in cables, I realized there was no cutout for the bottom row of headers and connectors.

The case has cutout holes for both ATX and Mini-ITX rear-connector motherboards, just not the mid-sized Micro ATX form factor. So make sure to double-check board compatibility when buying a case for one of the new MG-RC rear connector motherboards. I had to ask MSI to rush me its ATX Z790 Project Zero motherboard so that I continue working on the build for this case.

MSI Project Zero install and initial assembly

With a compatible MSI motherboard in hand, I moved a few of the motherboard standoffs, installed the ATX board, and continued with the CPU and RAM installation. I normally do this before installing a motherboard in the case, but since these boards have all of the header pins and connectors on the back, I don't feel entirely comfortable pressing down on latches and locking mechanisms until the board is installed and supported by the case standoffs. I also installed the M.2 boot drive after the board was installed – mostly because I forgot about it because I'd swapped boards earlier (where I'd already installed a drive) and you can't see M.2 drives under the metal heatsinks of the Project Zero boards (and most boards these days).

I then installed the power supply. InWin sent one of its own along with the case, but the MSI model I used on the Project Zero story is white, so it looked better with this case. Plus in general, I like to use parts from competing companies to get a better sense of compatibility, rather than using a bunch of parts from the same company that were designed to work together. As you can see in the image above, the PSU placement blocks a chunk of the exhaust area above the motherboard, but it also makes you want to put a fan or radiator there, because otherwise you'll be looking at an ugly PSU sticker and cables.

As with the previous Project Zero build I did, plugging in all the cables behind the motherboard is largely easier and faster than the traditional method of plugging in most things on the front of the board. And that's especially true if you typically try to hide and / or cleanly route your cables.

But moving nearly all the cables to the back of the motherboard introduces a few of its own issues. With the F5 specifically, there's only about an inch of clearance behind the board tray, and all connectors and plugs are straight, rather than right-angled. So things like the USB 3 / 19-pin front panel connector and the main motherboard connector make it basically impossible to close the side panel without at least some bulge. And as I discovered most of the way through the build process, when the system suddenly wouldn't power on at all, it's fairly easy to partially unseat the primary motherboard power cable while trying to tie down cable slack. Yes, I could have made the cable mess in the above image at least a little neater if I'd take n more time. But whatever you do, if you're installing a board with rear connectors in this case, you're going to have a hard time keeping them under control.

Top chamber AIO and cable complications

In general, there tends to be extra power connector cable slack when putting together one of these rear-connector builds, because the cables don't have to extend around to the front of the board. And the solution for this on the F5 case seems to be to shove as much as possible into the upper PSU chamber. There's tons of room for it there, but that's also where the heat from an installed radiator gets vented. So having a bunch of messy cables between the radiator and the vented side of the case isn't great for removing heat, and if you install a large radiator up there (360 mm or larger), part of that airflow is already going to be blocked by the power supply. I installed the 360 mm AIO that InWin supplied in the top portion of the case. I was originally going to install the smaller white 240 mm model from the MSI built, but the top of the F5 case has massive space for up to four 120 mm fans or three 140 mm spinners. So sticking a smaller AIO up there would leave some cables visible from the glass side of the case, as well as the regulatory writing of the sticker on the power supply. In short, as I noted earlier, the F5 case isn't going to look good unless you put a large radiator up top. Even if you put three or four fans up there, they wouldn't accomplish much in terms of cooling, and you'd probably still see the cables behind them. If you care about looks, a big radiator up here is really the only way to go. So factor that expense in if you're considering the InWin F5.

Vertical GPU mounting is an option, as long as you bring your own riser cable

With over 17 inches of clearance, the F5 case should be able to accommodate basically any consumer graphics card. And you can install your card either the traditional way or vertically. If you want to do that latter, as I did here, you'll have to supply your own PCIe riser cable, and remove and rotate the PCIe slot bracket. If you do this, also note that you're left with just one spare slot above and one slot below the graphics card.

I installed our Gigabyte Radeon RX 7700 XT graphics card both ways, but decided to stick with the vertical orientation because it looks better that way, and this case is largely about looks. InWin does include a magnetic anti-sag bracket with the case. It's a simple device made up of two pieces of plastic clamped together with a thumb screw, with a magnet in its base to hold it in place. But it works, and I found it helped keep our large card level even when it was mounted vertically.

Storage beyond M.2 will complicate cable problems behind the motherboard

The InWin F5 technically offers quite a bit of drive storage, beyond whatever M.2 slots are available on your motherboard. Two large panels that screw into the back of the motherboard tray (on the right in the image below) can house two 3.5-inch hard drives or four 2.5-inch drives. Additionally, smaller removable trays near the front of the motherboard area (visible on the left in the image below) can house two more 2.5-inch hard drives or SATA SSDs.

But even with just M.2 drives connected in this case, there was barely enough room for the necessary wires using our rear-connected build. Routing cables for multiple SATA drives here would make the back of the case even more cramped and cluttered. In particular, running SATA power connectors to multiple points on the back of the case here feels like it would be particularly difficult, due to the inch of clearance and all the cables back here already. Of course, plugging extra drives in would probably be easier if you were using a traditional motherboard, because there would be fewer cables and less slack behind the board. But even then you're still probably going to wish, as I did, that InWin had designed this case with at least another half-inch of clearance at the back.

Finished build thoughts

With the GPU installed, I plugged in all the necessary cables (the F5 has a nice fused block for the front-panel connectors). I then powered the system up and confirmed it was booting into the BIOS and all the fans were working, before powering the system down to do some final cleanup. I spent a few minutes zip-tying some of the many cables up, to at least somewhat improve the air path for the radiator, but there's no way to avoid stashing a bunch of PSU cables up top. I also tried as best I could to hide the cables and connectors from the case fans, as well as the three fans up top on the radiator. There, I was able to remove the top screws of the AIO and at least partially tuck the wires and connectors down behind the radiator so they (mostly) weren't visible from the front. But the way these fan cables are designed just isn't the best for hiding cables. Even for normal builds, it would be nice if InWin made the daisy chain cables on its fans a little longer. They're handy if you're connecting another fan right next to them, but unattractive and hard to hide when you're not. And despite the daisy chain abilities of the fans, I still had to dig around and find an ARGB header splitter cable. Because the MSI motherboard only has two headers, and with the case fans in the front and back, plus the fans on the radiator, I needed three plugs for the fan lights.

When it comes to its use for rear-connector (MG-RC) motherboards, the InWin F5 offers up plenty of room for improvement. And that isn't that surprising considering how new these kinds of motherboards are. The InWin F5 design was almost certainly retro-fitted to be compatible with these new kinds of boards, rather than designed for them from the beginning. I'd like to see fans with longer initial leads on their daisy chain cables, more room at the back for all the cable clutter that comes with moving so much business to the back, and possibly cutouts for Micro ATX motherboards as well as ATX and ITX. It's unclear, though, if that last request would make the back panel too flexible and prone to bending or breaking. Those issues aside, the F5 is an attractive case that feels solid and has a fair amount of GPU, cooling and storage configurability. The three included 140 mm RGB fans also look good while moving a lot of air without making too much noise. The F5 is probably better suited to builds with traditional motherboards with connectors on the front, though. That way, the limited space behind the board wouldn't be such an issue. Just be sure to factor in the cost of a large radiator to mount up top. Because without one, no matter which kind of motherboard you use, you'll be staring at a big hole, some PSU cables, and whatever other wires you have to stash in the large top chamber. This case is definitely designed for builds with large radiators. 

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Matt Safford

After a rough start with the Mattel Aquarius as a child, Matt built his first PC in the late 1990s and ventured into mild PC modding in the early 2000s. He’s spent the last 15 years covering emerging technology for Smithsonian, Popular Science, and Consumer Reports, while testing components and PCs for Computer Shopper, PCMag and Digital Trends.

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  • strobolt Does this thing have side panels? In all pictures it seems both side panels are off so makes me wonder if they're included at all... Reply
  • envy14tpe Saw this at Computex and have been waiting for production. The one question is...does the bottom support rad with vertical GPU. This might be make or break for me. Reply
envy14tpe said: Saw this at Computex and have been waiting for production. The one question is...does the bottom support rad with vertical GPU. This might be make or break for me.
islandwalker said: I have just measured and there is just barely two inches of clearance between bottom of the case and the riser cable plug. So depending on the radiator and fans you plan on using, it might JUST fit (especially if you opt for slim fans), but I wouldn't assume it would fit or perform particularly well if you managed to get a radiator in there with a vertical GPU.
  • MyXPC Cable of Water Cooling is still the ugly unsolved issue back-to-back does not bring a solution to. Reply
MyXPC said: Cable of Water Cooling is still the ugly unsolved issue back-to-back does not bring a solution to.
Notton said: The tubing? I thought that was supposed to be cool when exposed, kind of like exhaust pipes turbo chargers. I guess you can put the CPU on the backside of the mobo, like some companies already do.
  • pixelpusher220 The thermals have to be seriously affected by the case. Maybe if you put the top radiator forcing straight up. That upper left corner just begs for an exhaust fan. Reply
  • View All 8 Comments

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