Woodworking is an exciting activity that inspires individuals with a love for DIY projects to come up with innovative and creative ideas for home decor. With the onset of the pandemic, many people were able to discover and hone their woodworking abilities. As a result, the number of DIY woodworkers has increased substantially.
Professional woodworkers make a yearly salary of more than $36,000, as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nevertheless, when it comes to DIY woodworking, your income will rely on your own abilities and creativity.
As per the Brooking Institution,
Due to COVID-19, the creative industry suffered a significant loss of 2.7 million jobs and $150 billion in sales across the country. This loss represents one-third of all jobs in the creative industry and 9 percent of the overall annual sales. Prior to the pandemic, the creative industry was responsible for generating 8.8 million jobs and producing $142 billion in sales. Creative occupations were equally hit hard, with 2.3 million job losses and a loss of $74 billion in earnings due to the pandemic.
The potential for creativity and originality is boundless when it comes to DIY home decor, irrespective of statistics within various industries. Every project presents a chance to let your imagination run wild.
Easiest DIY Wood Projects For 2023
Aspiring wood artists can find the hottest DIY woodworking projects here.
Outdoor Accent Table
It is effortless to craft an accent table for a patio or deck. The inspiration for this project comes from bybrittanygoldwyn. The method involves using repurposed concrete pavers as the table’s surface, allowing for a single paver or a small side table. Incorporating several pavers is an option if you wish to create a larger coffee table or something similar.
Wooden Pallet Planter
If you’re new to DIY woodworking, pallet wood is a perfect material choice. You can start with simple projects, such as this scalloped planter, which is easy to make and more visually captivating than a plain rectangular one due to its shape.
Just one wooden planter is sufficient to create something similar to this. For complete instructions on how to do it, refer to the tutorial provided by charlestoncrafted.
Welcome Sign
You can personalize the welcome sign available on cappersfarmer to suit your preferences and it would make a great addition to your front yard or doorstep. With just some wooden planks, glue, paint, and a few other materials, you can easily create it.
Reclaimed Wood Tiki Bar
It is possible to craft a tiki bar from scratch for your backyard using wood and modifying the design and size to fit your available area and preferences.
Before starting, make sure to check out the tutorial on brooklynlimestone where the whole procedure is thoroughly explained.
Outdoor Bar
This design features a durable top surface and lower storage area for storing bottles, glasses, and other supplies and accessories. Furthermore, a smaller section can be transformed into an ice cooler. To learn more about constructing this bar, take a look at the instructional video on nickandalicia.
Wood Frame For Stock Pool
It’s possible that the backyard is inadequate for constructing a large swimming pool or the cost of building one is too high. However, building a stock tank pool should not pose any problems.
This pool is compact and cost-effective, allowing it to fit in any location. If desired, constructing a wooden frame around it can elevate its appearance and serve as a seating option.
For further information, visit heywandererblog.
Elongated Wood Planter
The elongated wooden planter showcased on cherishedbliss can add an attractive element to your front porch or entryway and is simple to construct.
Solar Light Base
Solar lights are suitable for outdoor spaces such as pathways, backyards, and gardens. One instance involves embedding the light into a wooden post, providing additional support, and transforming it into an eye-catching decoration for the surrounding region.
By following the tutorial from build-basic, you can create multiple of these and place them at intervals on the pathway that leads to your front door. All the necessary instructions are provided in the tutorial.
Wooden Pallet Chair
It is possible to use wooden pallets to create a complete furniture collection for your outdoor deck or patio. One example is the collection showcased on funkyjunkinteriors which includes two benches, a versatile table, and a small side table that can serve as a footstool.
They’re all made out of boards taken from reclaimed pallets . Add your own touch to their design and decorate them with comfy pillow seats to create a welcoming and cozy sitting area. There’s plenty of room for creativity when it comes to projects like this one. Also, you can add more seats or other pieces of furniture based on your needs.
Wooden Cutting Board
Creating a cutting board is an incredibly simple task. All you require is a block of hardwood, a tool to slice it, sandpaper, a brush to apply a food-safe finish. Utilizing these materials, a person can fabricate either a regular cutting board or an exquisite wooden cheese board promptly.
Wood Stair Handrail
Once you reach a certain level of confidence in your woodworking abilities, you can graduate from creating only small accessories and move on to smaller home improvement ventures. A possible project is crafting a new stair handrail using wood and pipes to design something both practical and uncomplicated.
Wood Log Side Table With Hairpin Legs
It is completely feasible to create your own furniture, starting with a basic wooden slab side table, for instance. All that is required is a wooden slice and three hairpin legs, which can be fastened together.
Wood Wall Art
It is not necessary for every action you take to have a practical function. There are things that can be aesthetically pleasing, such as this self-made art piece made out of plywood. When exhibited in your household, whether over the console table in the entryway or in the dining hall, it can truly be stunning.
Wooden Themed Signs
If you’re interested in creating Thanksgiving crafts, take a look at this adorable wooden sign with the words “Gobble Gobble” on it. It’s a unique project that can easily be made with leftover materials. To construct it, you’ll require two wood pieces, white paint, wood stain, transfer paper with a template, acrylic paint, a brush, sandpaper, tape, and screws.
BONUS: How to Build a Double Wall Mounted DIY Coat Rack
Do you need an uncomplicated method for suspending your coats, jackets, and backpacks? These dual wall-mounted hooks offer an ideal answer that you can adjust to fit your area.
Why build two sets of wall hooks?
As children grow, their spatial requirements increase. Therefore, we opted to install hooks that could be easily reached by everyone. This way, nobody can claim to be unable to hang their belongings on the hooks.
Recommended Supplies
- 1” x 8” x 8’ Pine or Poplar Board Cut to Size-We were able to get two coat rack boards out of one size
- Circular saw (if cutting yourself)
- Hooks (My husband loved the look of these simple hooks from Home Depot)
- Speed Square
- 4′ Level
- Tape Measurer
- Cordless Drill
- Stain color of your choice
- 220 Grit Sandpaper
- Old T-shirt cut up
- Polyurethane in the finish of your choice
- 2” brush (This brush is a great economical brush)
- Sawhorses
- Wax paper
- Old 2 x 4s to rest the wood on while staining
- Mineral Spirits to clean brush
- Latex Gloves
Other Hooks to Purchase
Depending on the finishes in the surrounding areas, I would have considered these hooks.
- Rustic Matte Black Hooks for a more Farmhouse look. You honestly won’t believe the price on this ten-pack.
- Decorative Brass Hooks from Target for a more sophisticated look.
Before You Begin
Determine Design
Decide on the desired dimensions of the coat rack.
Our Coat Rack
- Is 36”s long x 7.75”s wide x 7/8”s thick.
- Hooks are 8”s apart from each other for reference.
- Determine the type of wood you want to use.
Tip For Picking Wood
Opt for pine if you plan on painting the coat rack as it is the most affordable choice.
If you plan on sanding, staining, and applying polyurethane to your wood, it’s best to use a higher quality hardwood, even though it may be more costly. In our case, we opted for poplar wood because we intended to stain it in our preferred shade.
How To Build Wall Mounted Hooks
Step 1: Cut Two Boards To Size
Cut the wood to the desired size using a circular saw.
Step 2: Smooth Edges
Use sandpaper to eliminate any roughness on the edges.
Step 3: Apply Stain To Wood
Choose a color for the stain. This is the color of stain we used.
Hint: The longer duration the stain remains, the darker the hue will become.
Tips For Staining Wood
- Place your wood on the sawhorses, then a 2×4, then wax paper over the 2x4s.
- Wear latex gloves.
- Open the stain and stir it (do not shake). Make sure you read the instructions on the stain.
- Make sure you are doing this in a well-ventilated area as the stain has a mild odor.
- Use a cut-up old tee-shirt or old towel to apply the stain.
Step 4: Wipe Stain
Approximately 10 minutes later, use a fresh cloth to remove the stain.
Step 5: Let Wood Fully Dry
Allow 48 hours for the stain to dry.
Step 6: Add Poly
Choose a polyurethane for application. We opted for a satin sheen.
Consider alternative options such as semi-gloss or gloss finishes. However, if you desire a coat rack with a more rustic appearance, it is advisable to stay with the satin finish.
Tips For Applying Polyurethane
- Wear latex gloves.
- Use a 2” wide brush and brush on the poly.
- Light coats are better than thick coats
- Make sure you brush the edges of the board after you do the top
- Let dry for 24 hours
Step 7: Sand In Between Coats Of Poly
After the initial layer has dried, utilize 220 grit sandpaper to enhance the appearance of the first coat.
- This will remove air bubbles etc.
- Don’t worry that the first coat will look white and powdery when done.
- After sanding take a damp cloth, with water, and wipe down the board.
Step 8: Apply A Second Coat Of Poly
Use a dry cloth to wipe everything dry and then add another layer of poly.
Optional Step
You can perform this procedure as many times as desired for an increasingly sturdy finish with each additional layer of poly. We applied two coats, with a maximum of three coats in our experience.
Step 9: Hang Boards
Determine the board’s center and install one hook. The remaining hooks were added after mounting the board.
Begin by hanging the board and use a stud finder to determine where it should be attached.
Drill Pilot Holes
Before screwing in the 4″ screw, drill pilot holes into the board that are thick enough to support its size.
Make It Level
Ensure that the board is held up while placing the level on it and making certain that the bubble is even.
Screw It Into Studs
While one person applies pressure on the board against the wall, the other person should screw it into the studs.
Step 10: Add Hooks (Hopefully Over Screws)
After mounting the board, you can gauge and indicate the spots where the hooks need to be placed. As mentioned previously, the hooks were positioned above the screw holes to conceal them, thus contributing to the overall polished appearance.
Step 11: Attach All Hooks
Keep attaching hooks until all of them are firmly in place.
Special Notes
- If you only plan on hanging coats, then you could use drywall anchors.
- If you plan on hanging backpacks, then you need to have your coat racks hung into the studs.
- We used 4”s long screws due to the thickness of the board + drywall being 1 – 5/8” thick and wanting enough “meat” into the studs.
Step 12: Hang Second Board and Hooks
Ensure that your top and bottom wall hooks are level by using a 4-foot level.
To mount your DIY coat rack on the bottom, simply follow the steps mentioned above.
