20 of the Best DIY Woodworking Projects for Beginners
Looking for some woodworking projects that are perfect for beginners and more advanced DIYers alike? Look no further! Today, I’m rounding up 20 different woodworking crafts and projects that anyone can do. These easy woodworking projects come with free woodworking plans and tutorials, and many can be built with scrap wood!
You don’t need fancy tools, a big workshop with a workbench, or a lot of know-how for any of these. In fact, most of them can be done with just a few simple tools. No experience required, I promise! In fact, for many of these projects you’ll just need a saw, a drill, and some nails or screws!
20 easy Beginner woodworking project ideas
I’ve broken the project ideas down by category. So, whether you’re looking to build some furniture, add an accent wall, create some home decor, or build something to sell, you’ll be able to find an option.
Wondering what type of wood you should use? For beginners, I think pine boards are a great option. It’s an easy-to-use, durable wood that works for a variety of projects. High end wood is great and looks beautiful, but it’s more expensive if you make a mistake! Start with the more affordable stuff and work your way up when you’re ready.
beginner furniture projects
Furniture building hasn’t been a thing I’ve played with too much yet. But, it always feels so good to put an entire piece of furniture together with your own two hands! Here are a few beginner-friendly furniture building projects. Click through to any of these for the full tutorial.
1. Kids’ Picnic Table
This little picnic table was the first piece of furniture I ever built on my own! I used plans from Ana White, and I just went for it. It wasn’t perfect, but man was I ever proud of it!
2. DIY Cedar Planter (With a Bench)
This little planter-slash-bench is still one of my favorite things I’ve built and I kind of miss having it in my backyard! It’s a super accessible project, but it’ll impress everyone you know!
3. DIY Floating Desk
If you have a corner of your home where you can tuck a desk, this project is so simple! It has held up beautifully for us over time, and is such a functional addition to our home.
4. DIY Shoe Cubby
This little shoe cubby is a great project for someone who has built one or two small things and is ready for something a little larger. Shoe racks are really accessible and simple to build. You’ll be so proud to display it in your home!
5. Adirondack Chairs
I used a template to build these chairs, which made it so easy! It was a really fun project that looks really impressive but is actually so easy.
This bench is one of my favorite things I’ve ever built, and it was also one of the easiest! It only requires a few boards and I put the whole thing together in just a day!
Home upgrades & accent walls
This is definitely the category where I’ve gotten the most practice! Here are a few of my favorite, super simple, DIY beginner woodworking projects for around your home.
7. How to Hang Shelves
Did you know it’s really easy to create and hang your own shelves? Here’s a detailed tutorial on how it’s done.
8. Adding Window Trim
One of the most impactful things you can do in your home is add trim around the windows! This is something I’d still love to do someday in our current house. It’s really easy, and makes a ginormous difference.
9. Installing Shiplap
If you want to add an accent wall or even trim out a whole room, shiplap is an easy way to do it. It’s a classic wall treatment that will look great for years to come, and it’s super beginner-friendly!
10. How to Build Floating Shelves
These floating shelves in our living room are one of the things I’m asked about most! I built and installed these on my own, and I promise they’re a beginner-friendly project. If you don’t have a table saw, just forget the mitered edges. You can butt the ends of the wood up together instead, and they’ll still be beautiful.
11. Grid Accent Wall
This is another one of those projects that looks really impressive but is actually so simple. If you have a miter saw and a nail gun, you can knock this one out!
12. Board & Batten
Another classic wall treatment that is so, so easy! I’ve done this a ton of times and every time I fall a little more in love with it.
other beginner woodworking projects
Here are a few other general projects that don’t necessarily fit into any specific category. Things like art, home accents, and more. These are a GREAT place to get started, as they’re often smaller and easier than anything else. They’d make a great wedding gift, or the perfect thing to make in November or December as Christmas gifts. Or, you know, gifts for any occasion!
13. Vertical Wall Planter
This was one of the very first things I ever built on my own, and I was so proud of it! It’s so simple, but a gorgeous way to display plants in your home. It’s got a bit of rustic charm that makes me smile, and it was so simple!
14. Entry Shelf with Hooks
Need something to hang in your entry for keys, coats, hats, and more? This is the project for you. It’s quick and simple, only requires a few boards, and looks beautiful in your space. You could swap the hooks for wood dowels for an even simpler look, too.
15. Ladder Garden
For this project, I started off with a vintage ladder and I built my own shelves to add to each tier. It was a beautiful way to display plants, and a really simple project.
16. DIY Book Ledges
These little book ledges are a great addition to a nursery, office, or even a narrow hallway! They’d be a great first-ever woodworking project for anyone.
17. Blanket Ladder
A blanket ladder is incredibly versatile and beyond easy. In the linked post, I show several different ways to style it (other than with blankets). I’ve built tons of these in my time, and they’re so fun!
18. DIY Cornhole Boards
Cornhole is a fun family game that’s perfect for the warmer months! It’s really simple to build your own boards, and all your friends will be impressed.
19. Simple Wood Lanterns
I made these for Christmastime but they make me happy year round on our porch! Wood lanterns are so easy to build, and they’re a great addition to any porch.
20. Sofa Arm Table
This little sofa arm table is a simple solution to a couch without a side table nearby, and it’s incredibly easy to build on your own! All you need is a miter saw and some wood glue.
21. Raised Planter Box
This is such an easy DIY project and is a great way to get started with gardening in your backyard. It’s assembled with a Kreg Jig, which makes it extra quick and easy!
Beginner power tools
Wondering what you might need to get started?
I’ve got you covered! This post has a roundup of all of my favorite woodworking tools for beginners. It’s also got details on each and why I recommend them. And, to help you out even more, I’ve got a whole set of tutorials on how to use ’em!
- How to use a miter saw (a miter box is a great alternative, too!)
- How to use a drill + driver
- Jigsaw tutorial
- How to use a nail gun
- How to use a Kreg Jig
- How to use a circular saw
What are some other types of projects that would be great for beginners? Here’s a quick list, along with links to some great tutorials to get you started.
other ideas
- Picture frames
- A wine rack
- Homemade tray
- A wooden bottle opener
- Wooden coasters
- Wooden toys
- You can also make lots of things with wooden pallets. Here are some pallet wood ideas!
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Thank you very much, I’m always on the lookout for new woodworking projects.