Can woodworking projects be a profitable venture?
With a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%, the worldwide wood products market is experiencing rapid expansion and has reached $690.04 billion in 2022. Consequently, there is a significant demand for wood products and skilled woodworkers. Therefore, how can you capitalize on this opportunity?
Selling wooden products online, whether they are handcrafted or handmade, has always been successful due to the high demand for their distinctive appearance and quality. Although expertise is not always necessary for many wood projects, having experience and proficiency in creating both simple and intricate items can make the selling process more manageable.
Before entering the online wood product selling industry, it is essential to consider the distinctiveness between items that are successful in online markets versus offline or in physical stores. To ensure a successful online business, it is crucial to examine the advantages and disadvantages associated with selling wood products on the internet.
Pros
- You have a larger audience to sell to than if you were selling in person or through a brick-and-mortar store.
- Online stores are open 24/7, so customers can purchase wood projects conveniently.
- You can automate many aspects of your business, such as shipping and payments.
- Selling online gives you the ability to sell customized or one-of-a-kind items.
- Online stores typically have lower overhead costs than brick-and-mortar stores, so selling wood projects online can be more profitable.
- Online stores can reach a global market, so you have the potential to sell wood projects to customers anywhere in the world.
Cons
- You have to put in more effort to market your products and reach your target audience.
- You also have to be more careful about pricing your products competitively since there is more competition online.
- If a customer is unsatisfied with a purchase, they may return the product for a refund which might lead to additional expenses for shipping the product back.
When it comes to selling wood projects online, there are numerous advantages. If you have concerns about website creation or design, there are various options available to make the process easier. Shopify, an eCommerce platform, can assist in effortlessly launching your eCommerce website idea. Furthermore, you have the option to utilize pre-designed themes or page builders to customize your website pages and effectively capture the interest of potential customers.
Most profitable woodworking projects to build and sell
1. Wooden picture frames
Creating and marketing picture frames is an immensely profitable venture in the woodworking industry. To begin with, photo frames crafted from different types of wood can exude elegance.
Unlike furniture and cabinets that require numerous huge planks of wood, picture frames can be made with just a small amount of wood.
The demand for wooden picture frames is constant worldwide, as evidenced by the Google Trends graph below. These frames are highly durable and can be customized with creative quirks, such as intricate designs painted or carved onto the frame, for a unique appearance.
2. Coffee tables
Wooden coffee tables have low production costs due to their ease of production and shipping, making them ideal for online selling. They are a common household item, with most families owning two or more.
People are willing to replace their old coffee tables when they have the means to buy a higher quality one. As a result, coffee tables are in high demand as wooden craft products. Nonetheless, it is crucial to create unique designs, shapes, and colors to distinguish yourself from the competition.
3. Wooden bottle holders and openers
Those who have a liking for wine and other bottled beverages frequently desire an appealing means to both exhibit and preserve their bottles, and wooden bottle holders and openers offer an elegant and practical choice. With their durability and superior quality, wooden products outlast those made from alternative materials. Additionally, due to their quick production time, wooden bottle openers and holders serve as exceptional woodworking endeavors that are profitable.
In addition, these products can be conveniently packed and sent to your customer. For utmost personalization, you even have the option to offer customization by engraving the customer’s desired name or quote.
4. Wooden serving bowls
Wooden bowls, when used as serving dishes, have a consistently fresh appearance, thanks to their durability and eco-friendliness, which also contributes to their extended lifespan. If you wish to sell wooden serving bowls online, you have multiple options for materials, such as bamboo, teak, and cherry.
Throughout the year, people consistently seek to buy hardwood serving bowls online, as they are the most popular choice for keeping food fresh and moist, according to Google Trends data.
5. Wooden toys
Hand-crafted wooden toys have an enduring charm and appeal that cannot be replicated by mass-produced counterparts, making them both timeless and classic. A growing number of parents worldwide seek toys that are not only engaging and enjoyable, but also ensured to be safe and free from harmful substances.
You have a range of wooden toys available for your customers, including small and large doll houses, rocking horses, and building blocks. It is important to use premium materials and adhere to safety regulations when crafting toys suitable for children.
6. Bedside tables
If customers believe that an additional bedside box will enhance the bedroom’s design and provide practical storage, they are more likely to be willing to spend money on it.
Nowadays, having a bedside table is common practice to store items like chargers, medicines, and personal belongings, as well as serving as a platform for bedside lamps and potted plants. Wooden bedside tables, like any other type, are highly sought after as an essential addition to bedrooms.
7. Wall signs
Handcrafted wooden wall signs are a perfect addition to any room in a house, whether for decorative purposes or to convey a particular message. Regardless of their function, these signs bring a vintage allure to homes, exuding a rustic charm. They provide the flexibility to be personalized with diverse designs, colors, names, and phrases.
8. DIY under bed storage
Can you think of a storage solution that is more precious and enchanting than a pull-out drawer located under the bed? We challenge you to find one! You can easily keep your craft supplies, such as gift wrapping materials, or any other items in this specially designed storage drawer, and then with a quick movement, it disappears, just like magic. No longer in sight, it creates a clutter-free environment. This do-it-yourself under bed storage option works wonders using scrap plywood.
9. Build wood storage cubbies
We are completely captivated by the wood storage cubbies enhanced with metal accents in this flawless woodworking project! The fancy metal details, including a brass base for the cubbies, as well as copper and stainless steel rods, are showcased in this decorative woodworking design. It is simple to create and market these exceptional pieces that exude both mid-century and ultra-modern aesthetics.
10. Wooden tealight holders
Are you obsessed with candles? We think candles should be officially recognized as a form of antidepressant therapy! These gorgeous homemade teapot candle holders are incredibly simple to create! All you need are two basic materials: wood glue and wooden curtain rings!
11. Wooden spice rack
Who’s there? The kitchen police has arrived to help you clear out the clutter in your kitchen cabinets! To successfully execute this woodworking project, you will need a durable wood such as walnut along with additional supplies including test tubes, cork stoppers, and more.
12. Wooden lego bin to sell
You will absolutely adore this woodworking project if you have been searching for ways to excel at making and selling them. It will undoubtedly become your top-selling item because, let’s face it, every household is dealing with a Lego overload. This remarkable Lego basket includes two convenient handles for easy transportation and even has storage for base plates. Try to find something better than that!
13. How to make wooden egg holders
If you have amassed a substantial amount of eggs from your flock recently, it could be the perfect moment to consider either sharing them as gifts or offering the fresh, organic eggs for sale using these sturdy and attractive wooden egg holders.
As holidays approach, you have the option to create these simple woodworking projects and gift them during the holiday season. They would be particularly suitable for Easter. Opting for an unfinished and natural wood finish will give them a more understated appearance.
14. Teacup bird feeders
How about bringing more craftiness to your outdoor area with a pallet board painted in your preferred shade, antique teacups and China dishes, hooks, and strong thread to create a DIY bird feeder? This addition will not only enhance your decor but also give a warm and cozy feeling.
15. Wooden sign electrical panel cover
If you’ve been looking for a way to hide the unattractive breaker panel that can be seen in almost every house, we have an excellent woodworking plan that allows you to do so while maintaining aesthetics. This plan is incredibly simple, requiring only a walnut wood stain, paint, glue, and a few additional supplies.
16. House number sign with wood shims
Why not make your house number distinctive from the other homes by creating a stunning DIY modern house number sign using wood shims? This project will only require about an hour of your time and cost just $30. Create something remarkable with birch plywood, wood shims, floating mount house numbers, wood stain, and paint.
17. Wooden IKEA pendant light hack
Over time, IKEA brackets designed for creating light scones have become a popular and cherished choice for enhancing decor among numerous individuals.
18. Rustic DIY TV console table
Here is yet another excellent example of practical and elegant free woodworking plans! Presenting a stunning and straightforward tutorial for creating a rustic TV console table, which will undoubtedly add a touch of minimalistic charm to your living room. To complete this project, you will require two lengthy pinewood boards, two sizable crates, four wheels, wood screws, a drill bit, a screwdriver, and a bubble level.