1. Painting Bench
This simple but clever painting bench is the perfect starter project if you’re new to woodworking. It takes just four hours to build and costs less than $20.
The multi-purpose design means it functions as a step for reaching high painting jobs, a seat when painting skirting boards or ground-level projects, and a handy seat when you’re ready for a break.
It can even double as a table for that all-important coffee and donut to keep your energy levels high. With curved stretchers so it tucks under your arm, this lightweight bench is a handy, useful woodworking project.
2. Simple Step Stool
No more wobbling about on unstable stools to reach up high. This simple step stool is easy to build and is specially designed to be safe on hard floors such as the kitchen or workshop.
Hardwood board is the best material for this little stool (oak is recommended), and it can be sanded and then finished to your own specific preferences. You’ll need to make biscuit joins for this project, so check out how to use a biscuit joiner for a great result.
Simple woodworking projects don’t come much more stylish than this. Put an end to toppling piles of video games and make this elegant wall cabinet instead. At 42-in. wide, it will hold 60 video games, and you can easily adjust the measurements.
You don’t need many special skills for this project, although you will need to remove the safety guard on your table saw to cut the rabbets. Check out our detailed guide for how to cut rabbets. A pneumatic nailer will speed things up, too.
4. Backyard Bird House
If you’re looking for a whimsical woodworking project, why not make this decorative backyard bird house? This fun project can be finished in half a day and costs less than $20 to complete. Plus, the birds will love you for it.
Best made from soft wood such as pine, cypress, redwood or fir, this little house also has dowel pillars. You could even make use of dollhouse fittings to truly customize it!
Different species of birds require different measurements, so read the instructions to choose the best size for your yard, and don’t forget to clean it out after the nesting season is done. And why not invite wrens to take up residence with this quirky wren house?
5. Wood Log Faux Fireplace Insert
Woodworking projects can be used to trick the eye as well as provide function. Whether your classic fireplace only sits idle in summer, or it’s always a decorative feature, you can enhance the look by adding this eye-catching wood log faux fireplace insert.
Cunningly designed to look like stacked firewood, no-one would know it’s simply a plywood board (painted black to look like a recess) and sawn log slices.
Our guide to cutting and finishing plywood gives you all the advice you need. You can complete this project in one day for less than $100.
Woodworking projects don’t have to be done from scratch. This clever craft storage hack uses IKEA Kallax base units sandwiched together, then fitted with a plywood top, hardwood edging and casters on the base for easy mobility.
There’s space for craft supplies and books, with a spacious work surface on top. This weekend project only requires moderate skills, and costs between $100 and $500.
But you’ll need to countersink the pilot holes carefully because of the hollow construction of the units See our guide to driving screws for expert help. The only tools necessary for this project are a cordless drill and table saw.
9. Folding Screen
This elegant folding screen has a multitude of uses. It can be used to divide a room, or to screen off an area such as a home office or craft space.
It’s made from lightly stained white oak (although you could vary the wood depending on your taste), and is backed with plywood panels.
These contrasting panels can be covered with wallpaper to match your décor or to pick out a feature color, as well as fabric, wood or window film on transparent acrylic.
10. Porch Swing
Imagine rocking gently with a cool drink in your hand as the sun goes down. The dream could become a reality with this classic porch swing. With some woodworking experience under your belt, you could complete this swing in a weekend for less than $500.
Choose your wood carefully. Avoid wood with knots, and opt for fir, southern yellow pine, cypress, poplar, white oak or maple. The swing needs careful sanding to avoid splinters!
This swing is made with simple cuts, glue-and-screw assembly, and is suspended from the roof using half-inch steel pipes and welded steel chain for ultimate safety.
11. Mudroom Lockers
Tired of a jumble of muddy boots and wet coats in your mudroom? Then hide it all away with these smart mudroom lockers. There’s ample space for concealing coats, boots, backpacks, and accessories, and the bi-fold doors allow ventilation as well.
Moderate DIY skills are needed and the plans are adaptable so the lockers can be custom-made to fit your mudroom. Made from stained wood (check out our tips for finishing wood), this project will cost $150, but you can reduce the cost to around $100 by using plywood.
12. Edgiest Wooden Dresser In The World
To be honest, this little wooden cabinet reminds me more of a small fairy tale woodland creature than an actual drawer but the fun part is: while it looks creepily awesome, it’s practical and spacious thanks to wide drawers and nice flat surface.
The characteristic standing out the most is the natural look of it due to the natural varnishing and carved trunk-shaped sides. If you’d like to replicate this idea easily, the easiest approach would be to take a strong tree trunk and do some heavy chiseling and carving!
Though this particular cabinet is pretty big, you can always make some tiny ones, perhaps even color your bedroom wall green and it will always feel as if you stepped into a fairy tale forest!
13. Mirror, Mirror On The Wall
This design is not about complex woodworking techniques but rather about the creative approach it has – the frame consists of tiny wooden cross section pieces, all arranged to a perfect circle. Simplicity really is the winner sometimes!
The best part about this design is its’ DIY nature – any beginner woodworker can replicate the same mirror very easily. In fact, perhaps you have small, left-over branches and pieces somewhere which you can arrange in a similar way.
Allow your creative freedom to guide you for making an unique and eye catching wooden wall decoration like this one.
Don’t forget to use woodworking glue for attaching the wooden cross section pieces since fastenings will not work well here – even specific finishing woodworking nails and screws will look clumsy or might split the tiny pieces.
14. Your iPhone’s Loyal Stallion
This tiny wooden phone stand has a sturdy bottom and a nice gap allowing to hold your iPhone steadily. Imagine, you no longer need to search for hours to find your phone – it’s right there hanging out with that lovely wooden stud.
It’s yet another example of simplicity infused with creativity. The shape of the horse is not very complicated and after a while of experimenting, you could definitely make this yourself by using different chiseling tools.
The biggest obstacle is the tiny size which will require special attention but other than that it’s a relatively easy project if you have the right woodworking tools handy. Try it out yourself!
15. Coffee Table Inspired By Swiss Cheese
This is the type of a table that will make you wonder if the woodworker just got leftover wood or he just didn’t have more material.
At the same time it is pretty practical as well as the face of the table is covered and therefore you won’t need to worry about your cup falling through the table.
What makes this varnished table especially unique is the interesting coffee-cream coloring – the light middle part is a real eye-catcher while the traditional darker wood is there for decent support.
Though it looks really quirky, at the same time it’s surprisingly modest and fits well to any living room! One way to approach this idea is to use an old table and attach some carved out branch-like pieces to the vintage table.
The main part not to forget is the face of the table which will definitely need heavy finishing work. Get your sandpaper and wood varnish ready!
16. Heart-Stopping Wooden Lamps
Excellent geometry, outstanding engineering and overall brilliant carving work is the best example of woodworking project gone right. Soft light shining on the natural wood gives a cozy romantic feeling, not to even mention the heart-shaped carving. These lamps are simply brilliant!
The same layered woodworking technique could easily be used for any other shape so once you nail the technique you can call yourself a woodworking master!
You’ll get the coolest result when using lighter wood with natural texture so don’t bother using colored varnish – it will be a real heart-stopper simply thanks to the unique carving.
17. Sit Back And Relax
Designs like these prove that wood has a strong place on art exhibitions. This lounge looks like it’s straight from an exhibition! Its’ soft curvy shape is at the same time both brilliant and very simple, though there’s nothing simple about making a similar wooden lounge.
The inner carvings add a bit of quirkiness (and of course allow your cat to have another hiding spot) but it is clear this is made by the hands of an experienced woodworker.
You could be wondering right now if a wooden lounge like this could really be comfortable.
Well, the trick here is the smooth shape which is carved exactly according to your back, supporting it in the best possible way. In contrary to soft couches, this one doesn’t bend or change its’ shape, therefore you can really let your body relax.
18. Knight In Wooden Armor
This is a great example of a “shut up and take my money” kind of a design. Tiny knight holding knives sturdily in his shield is beyond fun!
At the same time it is one of the handiest and most practical wooden designs in this list as wood is long-lasting and this wooden knife stand can easily last in your kitchen for years! Talk about a long term investment!
If you are handy in woodwork and it doesn’t seem like much trouble to you replicating a similar knight by doing some heavier carving and chiseling, it’s a great gift idea for any humor-loving cooking enthusiast.
Better yet, you can feel proud knowing it was made by you. Practical gifts never go old, especially gifts made of wood!
19. The Most Elegant Coffee Table In The World
Well this woodworking dining table proves exactly what a marvelous match they are!
Infused together to create one elegant, luxurious wooden table, this is the kind of a table that you see in celebrity houses! Believe it or not, you could actually make this yourself if you invest more time into learning woodworking.
The absolute coolest part about this table are the little round chairs which fit around the table like puzzle pieces. As it has a glass face and the wooden face is a bit lower, you have actually two levels you can use. This table is not just a pretty thing to have – it’s practical as well!
