10 Simple DIY Cedar Wood Projects
Cedar wood is a beloved material for many DIY lovers. Its durability, natural resistance to moisture, and charming, earthy aroma make it ideal for a wide range of projects. DIY Cedar Wood Projects can stretch from simple, like picture frames and planters, to complex builds, such as decks, furniture, and garden sheds. We collected the 10 DIY Cedar Wood Projects here if you also love this wood. These DIY projects are simple stash busters and will add aesthetics to your space.
DIY Cedar Wood Projects
For those looking to beautify their yard, our collection of DIY woodworking ideas offers outdoor planter ideas and enchanting sitting solutions for the garden. We also added decorative ideas or organization projects to cover your rooms. You will also discover the convenience of a sofa sleeve and the luxurious feel of a DIY bath mat. From outdoors to indoors, these DIY ideas are brimming with creative inspiration to enhance your living spaces and boost your DIY spirit. So, get inspired by these ideas and start shaping the cedar wood into functional yet decorative items.
What can you use cedar wood for?
- Outdoor furniture: Cedar works well for creating tables, chairs, and benches for outdoor settings.
- Planters: Rot-resistant cedar planters provide a suitable environment for plants and flowers.
- Garden beds: Cedarwood raised beds offer excellent protection and an ideal space for growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
- Outdoor structures: Sheds and gazebos made of cedar provide both beauty and functionality.
- Indoor furniture: Bookshelves, tables, and cabinetry made of cedar showcase unique grain patterns and reddish hues.
- Decorative elements: Cedar can be used for crafting wall art, picture frames, and other home decorations.
- Closet lining: Cedar-lined closets impart a pleasant scent while protecting clothing from moisture and insects.
$15 Modern Cedar Planter
Why spend a lot on an expensive planter when you can make a better one for $15 only? Made from budget-friendly cedar fence pickets, this planter immediately upgrades your patio decor while hiding unsightly foundations. You can also paint it if you want a vibrant look.
Start by cutting all the cedar pickets at a 5-degree angle, varying the length for each cut. Use wood glue and brad nails to construct two panels for each planter using the cut boards. Adhere the other sides to the panels, forming a box. If you wish, add supports inside the boxes for pots. The planters do not need to be fully filled; instead, rest a pot or box atop the supports. Protect the planters from weathering by applying some matte polyurethane.
Materials:
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Miter saw
- Nail gun or hammer & nails
- 1 1/4″ Brad nails
- Wood Glue
- 10 – 6ft Cedar fence pickets
- 1 – 1x2x8 board
DIY Board And Batten Shutters
The DIY Board and Batten Shutters are a beautiful and economical addition to your home. Designed to accent the farmhouse front porch, the shutters are built with cedar boards, celebrated for their sturdiness, attractive rustic look, and resilience in moist conditions.
Measure your window height and cut your boards accordingly. Lay three long-cut pieces flat, spacing them evenly using a suitable spacer. Place the shorter cross pieces at the top and bottom, determining the preferred placement. Screw the cross pieces onto the long boards with three screws each, or alternatively, glue the cross piece on and screw from the back for fewer nail holes. Sand the wood if desired, focusing on achieving a rustic appearance. Lastly, stain the boards and properly cover the spaces between them.
Tools:
- Circular saw or miter saw.
- Drill with Phillips screw tip.
DIY Cedar Bath Mat
The DIY Cedar Bath Mat is an important item that changes your bathroom, giving it a feel like a spa. This simple yet modern mat, easily crafted over a weekend, is made from cedar chosen for its affordable cost, water resistance, and soft texture, perfect for bare feet.
Begin by cutting your cedar wood into 30″ pieces. Three of these will need to be cut to 1.75″ width for slats. Create three support pieces from the remaining wood; their dimensions should be 1.75″ wide, 3/8″ thick, and 18″ long. Smooth out all the pieces. Layout the slats to form the aesthetic look of your mat, with a 3/8″ spacing between each slat. Apply glue on each slat, one inch from the edge, and set the support pieces over the glue. It should be stuck. Proceed to do this at both ends and with the center support piece. Allow time for the glue to fully dry before applying a finish according to the manufacturer’s guidance.
Materials:
- Cedar board – 1x6x10
- Circular saw
- Table saw
- Pencil
- Wood glue
- Teak oil
- Paintbrush & rag
DIY Cedar Monogram Planter Box
Create a personalized touch in your garden with this DIY Cedar Monogram Box. It’s an elegant wooden container designed to hold outdoor plants or other items while displaying a loved one’s initials. Use it to cultivate your preferred gardening tools, exhibit photos during the warm months, or pack it with festive decorations and presents during the chillier seasons.
Firstly, construct the base of the letter using appropriate measurements. Piece together the sides of the letter using several precise cuts, then move on to the front pieces. After that, create the inside planter slats, drilling small holes at the bottom for water drainage. Once the slats are in place, mount the structure by screwing it directly onto the siding. The last step involves planting and taking care of the greenery. Remember to keep the area well-drained and avoid overpacking with soil.
Materials:
- 1×12 cedar for the back of the letter.
- 1×4 cedar for the sides
- 1×3 cedar for the front
- 1×6 cedar for the planter slats
- 18 gauge 1 3/4 brad nails
- Gorilla Wood Glue
- Compound Miter Saw
- Miracle-Gro Potting Mix
How To Build A Garden Arbor Bench
Now, you can enjoy indoor comfort and the outdoor environment simultaneously if you follow this guide. It provides extensive steps to build an elegant arbor bench, going beyond basic deck chairs and crafting a more permanent outdoor seating solution.
Begin by constructing and mounting post anchors. Subsequently, dry-fit the pieces, assemble the legs, and secure them in place. Work on creating the seat base and attaching it to the lower crosspieces. Next, install the side supports and the center support. Cut and affix seat boards, backrest boards, and a top cap. Install remaining crosspieces, vertical and horizontal strips. Cut the pieces for the tail profile and install the rafters. Lastly, secure the purlins.
Materials:
- Western red cedar
- 2x4s for seat-base stringers
- 1x4s and 1x2s for seat and backrest boards
- 1×4 for backrest cap
- 1x2s for lattice
- 2x6s for rafters
- 2x2s for purlins
Wood Shim Window Box Planter
Let’s turn your simple and rustic box planter into a piece of art that you would love to display on your patio, window, or in your yard. This project is straightforward enough for beginners, involving only the painting of shims and attaching them to your box.
To craft a Wood Shim Window Box Planter, paint the shims in different colors and let them dry. Optionally, prime the base of the window box. Lay out your design on top of the box, then utilize a miter box or compound miter saw for the necessary cuts. Affix the shims to the window box using wood glue and possibly hot glue for faster results. Note that shims have thin and thick edges that overlap the thin ones and butt the thick ones together in your design. The final step is to arrange the shims vertically on the sides to create a contrasting striped effect.
Materials:
- A wood planter box
- Several dozen wood shims (around 40)
- Wood glue
- Craft paint or paint samples
- Small paint brushes
- Miter box or compound miter saw
- Spray primer (optional)
- Hot glue gun
DIY Planter Box
Create a beautiful and welcoming Paver Planter Box using cedar wood, following this simple tutorial. Customize the outdoor planter to suit your style by adding house numbers or other decorative touches, and finally, plant your favorite flowers or greenery to complete the look.
Cut and sand your wood pieces into 16-inch and 12-inch pieces. After staining them, assemble by drilling and countersinking the 2×2 pieces together, ensuring the 16-inch pieces form the legs while the 12-inch pieces create the supports. Subsequently, evenly space four 12-inch supports across the bottom and secure them into the frame. Add construction adhesive around the frame’s interior perimeter, then place each paver into the frame, securing it with bungee cords until the adhesive dries. Lastly, line your planter with landscape fabric, add potting soil and your choice of plants.
Materials:
- Four 12×12 pavers
- Two 8-foot 2x2s
- A bag of moisture control soil
- small roll of landscape fabric
- box of 3″exterior deck screws
- stain and polyurethane
- newspaper or dropcloth
- construction adhesive
Rustic Scrap Wood Lanterns
This DIY lantern boasts a rustic appearance with a warm glow that puts the perfect finishing touch on any patio, backyard, or deck. And since you can hang them anywhere where electricity is not an option, they make the perfect lighting accent for campgrounds, too.
Initiate by arranging your scrap woods to the desired lantern structure. Secure the parts together using nails or screws. Sand any rough surfaces for a smoother finish. Apply your chosen wood stain and let it dry. Add clear matte spray for protection. For the lantern handle, you could repurpose an old can handle. For the lantern light, you could use a glass hurricane and a candle. Ensure everything is safely assembled and you’ve created your rustic scrap wood lantern.
Materials:
- A pile of scrap wood
- Varathane’s wood stain in Antique White
- Clear matte spray polyurethane
- Handles
- Glass hurricanes
- Candles
Wooden Sofa Sleeve With Cup Holder
Turn your couch time into an extremely comfortable and convenient experience with the DIY Wooden Sofa Sleeve with Cup Holder. Whether you’re sipping on tea or a frothy latte, this DIY project promises a welcome addition to your lounging routine.
You can get this DIY project by measuring and cutting the wooden pieces according to the size of your sofa arm. Sand the surfaces for a smooth finish. Assemble the wood by securely connecting the top, side, and bottom pieces using nails or wood glue. Next, create the cup holder by measuring the diameter of your preferred cup and cutting a circle in the top piece. Sand the edges of the cup holder, then stain and seal the wooden sofa sleeve. Once dry, attach it securely to your sofa arm.
Materials:
- Wooden board cut into three equal lengths
- Piece of thin plywood
- Wood glue
- Wood stain
- 150 grit sandpaper
- Grade 0000 steel wool
- Polyurethane
DIY Scrap Wood House Shelf
Transform your spare pieces of wood into a charming DIY Scrap Wood House Shelf by following this simplest guide. The wood house shelf is a versatile addition to any room, perfect as a stylish nightstand for bedtime books in a child’s bedroom or an artistic wall hanging in your living room.
Start by beveling the ends of two pieces of wood cut to fit the pitch of your roof. Ensure the length measures from a long point to a long point, resulting in a trapezoid shape. Secure all pieces, including the base and sides, with wood glue and nails, making sure to clamp until set. Upon assembly, fill nail holes with wood filler and sand for a smooth finish. Hang your new house shelf on the wall, and add a personal touch with paint or spray if desired.
Materials:
- 2 – 1×6 @ 7″
- 1 – 1×6 @ 5″
- 2 – 1×6 @ 5″ (45º bevel)
- wood glue
- 1-1/4″ brad nails
