Expand your creative abilities with DIY scrap wood projects. Whether you’re a rookie or an expert doesn’t matter. Each project is an opportunity to learn something new.

If you’re inexperienced, you should know that woodworking comes with a few hazards. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the four biggest health risks in woodworking are lacerations, amputations, severed fingers, and blindness.

Other risks include exposure to wood dust and finishing chemicals, which can cause skin and respiratory diseases.

If you’re new to woodworking, start with something small. You’d be surprised what you can make with wood scraps. We’ll show you plenty examples of DIY scrap wood projects that are fun and easy to make.

Cool Wood Project Ideas For 2022

Here’s a list of beginner woodworking projects that are easy and fun to make.

Growth Ruler

As a parent, you know how fast children grow. Keep track of your child’s physical growth with a wooden wall ruler. To make a growth ruler you need is a flat piece of scrap wood and a black Sharpie. The ruler is good for indoor and outdoor spaces.

When you’re ready to move, take it with you. For more details visit thatvillagehouse.

Wooden Bathtub Tray

To make a bathtub tray you’ll need one piece of scrap wood and two pieces of rope for the handles. A wood tray heightens the bathing experience. Imagine soaking in your bathtub while reading a magazine and enjoying a glass of wine. Well, a wood tray makes this possible.

Check out prettyhandygirl for more details.

Rustic Serving Tray

Here’s another tray design that only requires a piece of flat scrap wood. For this serving tray, you’ll need two handles. Attach the handles to the scrap wood with screws so you can carry the tray. Check out the results at prettyhandygirl.

Wood Yard Dice

A pair of wood dice is another fun and easy project. Use a fence post or large wood scraps as your main wood sources. After you’ve chose your wood, you’ll need sandpaper, six dimes, and paint or stickers to mark each side of the dice. Scrap wood dice are ideal for playing outdoor games in your backyard.

Check out the details at prettyhandygirl.

Rustic Wooden Caddy

A rustic wooden caddy makes for an ideal centerpiece. A wood caddy looks good as a fall ornament for your front entryway or porch. For more information, check out prettyhandygirl.

Couch Sleeve

A couch sleeve is a wooden tray that fits over the armrest of a sofa. The sleeve provides a flat and stable surface for drinks, snacks, or small accessories. To learn how to make one, check out Uglyducklinghouse.

Open Wooden Shelving

Open shelving is a stylish way to create extra storage in your kitchen. You can make an easy wall shelf like this one featured at Rogueengineer. An open shelving system would also work well over your toilet. You could display tiny planters, vases, or other items to make the space more appealing.

Wooden Utensil Holder

A wall-mounted wooden utensil holder would help keep your kitchen organized and uncluttered. Use reclaimed wood to make individual holders for your forks, knives, and spoons. To learn more, check out flippingtheflip.

Rustic Wooden Lanterns

Rustic wood lanterns look like traditional lanterns but they’re used as candle holders. You can learn how to make them at Jenwoodhouse. Stain or paint small wood scraps to achieve a rustic vibe. You could also leave the wood scraps in their natural state. The lanterns would look good on your front porch

Hanging Wooden Planters

Hexagon wood planters can be used in different ways. You could hang plants vertically or horizontally. Their unique shape and style are good for eclectic environments. To learn how to make the wood scrap planters, check out Mylove2create.

Wood Wall Hanging

Sometimes woodworking doesn’t have to serve a purpose. There’s nothing wrong with creating wood designs for the sake of it. For example, check out this scrap wood wall hanging featured on Twelveoeightblog.

Scrap Wood Centerpieces

A wood box makes for a durable and stylish planter. To learn how to make one, check out theturquoisehome. It’s filled with flowers and looks charming. The finish is easy to apply and doesn’t require much effort.

Wood Candle Support

Stack pieces of small square wood scraps together and then place a candle votive at the top. It make for stylish mantel decoration or use it as a centerpiece. To learn more, check out remodelaholic.

Wooden Bookends

Scrap wood can be used as bookends and prettyhandygirl will show you how to do it. In this example, the wood scraps resemble owls. Fast and easy small wood project make like this one is are great when you have the right tools. Don’t forget the paint and wood stain as they add charm to your space.

Wall-Mounted Organizers

When clutter is a problem, organizers offer a solution. Wall-mounted organizers, shelves, or coat racks are useful. You could also use the scrap wood to make a wood sign. You can learn how to make them and more at abutterflyhouse.

Dining Table Centerpiece

This DIY wood scrap box featured at sammyonstate lives up to its name. You can fill the wood box with pinecones, acorns, or tiny pumpkins on Thanksgiving. During the spring season, fill it with flowers.

Wooden Pumpkin

Create a DIY rustic wood pumpkin decoration which you can place outside of your home, on the porch, in the garden, or anywhere inside your home.

You could emblazon a message or slogan on it if you preferred. Check out martysmusings for more inspiration.

Wood Arrows

The small wood arrows from craftaholicsanonymous do not require many tiny wood scraps to make, but you will need precision to cut the individual pieces with a saw and then glue them together.

Rustic Wall Shelving

In this example, the open shelving system is sturdier and requires more effort to make. First, you’ll need to find thick pieces of scrap wood.

Afterward, stain them so they’ll have a rustic look. To learn more, check out other craft something functional rather than decorative, you’d enjoy making small wood kitchen shelves like the ones from keepingitcozy.

Wood Crates

Versatile scrap wood crates can be used in many different ways. You can build them with leftover wood to help organize clutter or use them as dinner table centerpieces. The one featured at shanty-2-chic offers the perfect DIY wood design.

Wood Caddy

A small scrap wood caddy is a useful accessory. It’s also versatile and easy to make. In case you’re not familiar with the concept or you need more details, you can check out the full description at confessionsofaserialdiyer.

Hat Rack

From Magnolia, this project uses scrap wood for wall decoration made out of reclaimed board and glass milk bottles. Jars would work the same if you didn’t have bottles. You’ll also need clamps, wood screws, hanging hooks, and a drill to connect the pieces.

Scrap Wooden Stars

If you’re looking to beautify your home, check out these cool wood stars featured at rogueengineer. You can hang them on a wall ceiling, or turn them into Christmas tree ornaments.

Wood Modern Art

Who doesn’t like modern art? Those small wood scraps from your last project are tiny works of DIY art, you just don’t see it yet. First, organize your wood scraps. Cut a few pieces at 45-degree angles, while leaving others with straight sides.

Polish the rough areas of each piece using fine-grit sandpaper. After you stain each piece with a rag, they’re ready to be displayed. You never know when your artwork might be worth millions.

Square Wood Pumpkins

This scrap wood project doesn’t require heavy woodworking tools. To create these square pumpkins, you’ll need 4×4 wood pieces. After you have the appropriate wood, cut each piece accordingly.

Like the ones pictured above, create a 12-inch, 10-inch and an 8-inch piece. Stagger them for greater visual effect. Apply stickers to one piece or place them randomly around each pumpkin. They’re perfect for Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

How to scrape paint off wood?

If you want to scrape paint off wood, you will need a wire brush. If your project requires you to remove paint from smaller areas, it’s best to use a wide-blade putty knife.

If you’re serious about your project and need to do a thorough job, you should use a sharp pull scraper with a replaceable blade. This will allow you to strip paint in one scrape without damaging the wood’s surface.

What to do with scrap wood?

There are an endless number of DIY scrap wood projects. Most of them involve creating items that can accentuate your home. Whatever you do, when you have scrap wood, do not throw it away. It is just as valuable as anything you could use to make your living space more appealing.

Where to get scrap wood?

There are many scrap wood sources available, you just have to be willing to make a little effort. A good place to start would be your local lumber business. Also, and believe it or not, if you remain alert while driving, you’d be surprised how much scrap wood you can find lying on the side of a road.

How to store scrap wood?

If you want to store scrap wood, you’ll need to determine which pieces are worth keeping. Throw away pieces that are twisted and warped. Like your DIY projects, you can create a small scrap wood storage box. Depending on the size of your wood scraps, all you would need are a few pieces of thin wood sheets and some nails. It wouldn’t take more than a few minutes to build an open storage container. You could tailor its size according to your needs and available space.

What do you do with extra wood?

When you have extra scrap wood, whatever you decide, make sure you don’t throw any of it away. If you can’t think of anything at first, don’t worry, an idea will come to you. Until then, store the wood in a safe place and wait for the inspiration to hit you.

What can I make with small blocks of wood?

You can make awesome DIY decorations with small blocks of scrap wood. Everything from your kitchen to bathroom spaces, to outdoor environments, there aren’t any limits. If you have children, you can make a wooden block puzzle by covering each piece with colored tape.

Scrap Wood Projects Wrap Up

DIY scrap wood projects are a great way to exercise your creative abilities while improving the appearance of your living spaces. With DIY home design, leftover scrap wood is valuable.

When working with wood scraps, size doesn’t matter. There is no such thing as a useless piece of scrap wood. Also, there are no rules. You are free to create DIY scrap wood projects with whatever you want, and for any purpose.