DIY Outdoor Wood Projects
Updated on March 12, 2018
When it comes to making things out of wood, we’ll admit that we’re pretty novice. That doesn’t mean, however, that we don’t often browse the Internet for ideas and tutorials that are at our skill level, and sometimes even some that are above so we can bookmark them and treat them like goals to reach. We usually reserve wooden projects for spring and summer because we enjoy working on the outside (and, honestly, most of the things we choose to make are actually outdoor pieces) so right about now is around the time we start getting the itch to reach for our tools! That’s why we’ve been combing the online sphere for new things we haven’t tried yet, and even a few things to give us a new challenge.
Just in case you’re feeling as emphatic about outdoor woodworking projects this spring as we are, here are 15 of the coolest ideas we’ve come across so far!
1. Simple $16 wooden bench
Are you intent on trying a new woodworking project because you think some natural wood seating would really suit the look in your backyard, but you’re kind of tight for cash right now? Well, working on a budget doesn’t have to restrict your crafting goals if you’re thrifty about it. That’s why we loved this tutorial from The Project Lady so much! They show you step by step how to make a simple wooden bench for only $16.
2. DIY pallet wood kids’ teepee
Are you looking for something simple but impressive, but also hoping to make it something that your kids can enjoy too? Perhaps they won’t actually help you make it, but creating something with your own two hands that you know they’ll get to play with and enjoy later is always rewarding. That’s why we thought this wooden teepee kids’ house was such a good idea! 1001 Pallets shows you how to make it out of upcycled wooden pallets.
3. Seesaw from jumbo wooden spool
Are you quite intrigued by the idea of of creating outdoor wooden pieces for your kids but you’re also very into the concept of making them from previously existing wooden things that have been repurposed? Well, who says you can’t do both? Home Talk sure thinks you can! That’s why they’ve got this awesome tutorial outlining the process of transforming an old jumbo wooden spool into a cute, kid-sized seesaw.
4. Wooden slat welcome mat
Did you quite enjoy the way the teepee idea we showed you slatted wood together horizontally for a neat, clean effect, but you’ve also always enjoyed incorporating painting into your wooden projects in some way? In that case, we think perhaps this wooden welcome mat project featured on Bob Vila has everything you’re looking for! We love their “Hello” speech bubble design, but you could theoretically paint or stencil any greeting you please.
5. DIY wooden vertical herb garden
In addition to being a woodworking enthusiast, are you also an avid gardener? Well, we actually are too and we’re always looking for new ways to combine the things we love most, so imagine how excited we were when we stumbled across this completely awesome potted herb garden shelf idea from DIY Vintage Chic! They show you step by step how to build what looks like an herb garden but with shelfs slanted forward for easy access to your plants and perfectly pot-sized holes for inserting the herbs into.
6. DIY pallet wine rack
From the moment the weather warms up in the spring and onward, we spend every single evening we can outside throughout the spring and summer, and sometimes even into the fall. That means we eat a pot of dinners on our back patio. Now, if you’re anything like us and you enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner, you’ll see precisely why we thought this upcycled pallet wine rack was such a good idea! Virginia Sweet Pea shows you how to build a little shelf that holds the wine and the glasses, all while hanging on the fence for easy access.
7. DIY wooden deck cooler
Did we catch your attention just fine when we started talking about dinners on the patio and enjoying a quiet drink outside in the evening, but it wasn’t actually a glass of wine you were holding in your imaginary scenario? In that case, perhaps you’d prefer this totally awesome wooden deck cooler tutorial from Fox Hollow Cottage instead! They show you how to build a rustic looking cooler stand that will hold enough cool drinks for you, your whole family, and all of your friends!
8. DIY wooden yard dice
Did we really catch your attention when we started talking about wooden projects that your kids might also enjoy, but none of the things we’ve suggested so far have quite caught and held your attention? Then perhaps these jumbo wooden yard dice will intrigue you a little more! We quite enjoy this idea because we like crafts that will keep our kids entertained even after they’re made, rather than just during the crafting process. We actually made these ones featured on Hometalk and our kids helped us by painting the dots on each side.
9. Scrap wood lanterns
Perhaps you’re looking for a smaller wooden project that you could actually use outdoors or indoors, depending on your decor scheme? Then perhaps you’d prefer these adorably rustic looking wooden lanterns instead! Rather than having to figure out glass and light fixtures inside, we love the way Diva of DIY left theirs very natural and simple put candles inside as a source of light instead.
10. Log leg bench
We’ve shown you quite a few simple projects made from upcycled pallet wood by now, but what if you’d prefer to incorporate some element of natural wood too, rather than just working with flat wooden slats? In that case, we have a feeling you’ll really enjoy this awesome branch legs bench tutorial from Shelstring! They show you how to make a very neat looking bench seat, but also how to replace modern looking legs with strong, thick lengths of tree branch instead.
11. Hanging 2 x 4 xylophone
Are you still on the lookout for awesome outdoor wooden projects that your kids will enjoy more than anyone? Perhaps you’ve actually made a few already and they went over so well that now you’re on the lookout for more! Well, if your little ones are musical (or even just if they love making noise), we have a feeling they’ll completely adore this xylophone idea outlined on Instructables. This isn’t just any old DIY wooden xylophone, though. It’s a jumbo one that hangs between two trees or fence posts so the kids can run around while they play!
12. Rustic wheelbarrow planter
Have you ever seen beautiful yards on TV and in magazines that have lovely gardens featuring all kinds of pretty decorative features, but your favourites have always been the ones with flowers spilling out of wooden wheelbarrows? Well, we can’t say we blame you, because we’ve always loved that look too! It’s not often you see an affordable, quality wooden wheelbarrow on sale, though, so why not learn how to make your own? Woodworking for Mere Mortals is here to teach you how it’s done.
13. DIY wooden love seat
Are you still interested in making your own wooden seating more than anything else, but you’ve kind of been scrolling through our list hoping to finds something a little more streamlined and modern looking, since your woodworking skills are a little better than you sometimes give yourself credit for? In that case, we think perhaps this wonderfully sanded wooden loves seat might be the best idea for you! Creating rounded shapes might sound intimidating, but these guidelines from Quiet Corner will help you right out.
14. Simple beginner patio chair
Okay, we know that to real amateurs, this chair might not actually look simple and beginner like we’ve called it and like it’s made to sound in the tutorial. In reality, however, this chair can actually be made with just a few basic woodworking skills! Popular Woodworking guides you through the entire process with clear instruction to make it as easy as possible.
15. DIY wood and tire see-saw
Were you very intrigued by the seesaw idea we showed you above but you’re just not sure you have access to any jumbo wooden spools that can be upcycled anywhere? Then perhaps you’d prefer to make your kids a more classically structured wooden seesaw instead! My Outdoor Plans shows you how to make one that’s solid, dependable, and sage using wood and an old repurposed car tire.
Do you know a fellow DIY enthusiast who adores both woodworking and a beautiful afternoon spent outdoors, but you know they could use some inspiration in the creativity department right now? Share this post with them to help them out!