45 Beginner Woodworking Projects

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Dive into my top 45 simple and easy DIY projects, perfect for beginning woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts. Start your woodworking journey today!

45 Simple Woodworking Projects for Beginners

1. Wooden Bookends

These bookends are incredibly simple to make and the perfect place to start your woodworking journey. You will want to add something additional to the bookends, as I see here in the picture with the swans.

An image of a wooden bookends

Check out the easy tutorial of this project here: build-basic.com

2. DIY Wall Wine Holder

This is another interesting DIY woodworking project for beginners that can be made in no time and with little financial implication. All you need is the wood material, screws, glue, and some other basic woodworking tools.

This is also a great woodworking project to sell once you perfect it! Or, try your hand at building a slightly more difficult DIY wine rack.

Wall wine holder

Check out the wall wine holder project here: rogueengineer.com

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3. DIY Coffee Mug Rack

Every coffee bar needs a coffee mug rack above it.

All you will need are a few essential power tools and a few supplies to make yourself a rack that will sit above your coffee bar and hold your beautiful mugs.

DIY mug rack

Learn more about the coffee mug rack project: jenwoodhouse.com

4. DIY Wooden Doormat

Instead of going to the store and spending considerable amounts on doormats, you can make yourself one at home and even improve your woodworking skills in the process.

You can use these at your front door, or also include them as a new idea for your kitchen under the sink. If you have a beginner miter saw, you’ll be able to make all of the angled cuts quickly.

Wooden doormat

Check out and try making this project: themerrythought.com

5. Simple Serving Tray

How about a simple and beautiful serving tray you can use in your kitchen, dining room, and even on your patios. While its not a sophisticated “lazy Susan”, this simple project is the perfect place to start.

Cut your tray to whatever shape you want, and you can even paint it in whatever color you choose.

You can assemble this with something as simple as a high-quality framing hammer, or you can also use an 18 gauge brad nailer to make short work of it.

Simple serving tray

More about this easy DIY project: foxhollowcottage.com

6. Wooden Bench for Less

This is another great first project to hone your skills as a beginner woodworker. If you have a garden, make yourself a wooden bench in a couple of hours, and you only need just a few tools.

Use your circular saw or even a budget table saw to make your cuts.

An image of a wooden bench

Make this wooden bench at home: familyhandyman.com

7. Magazine Storage Containers

Get more storage by making this container, perfect if you have too many magazines lying around your house. It is an easy project to make, and you can get it done in no time.

With wood, wood glue, and basic tools, you can construct one and make your interior space more organized.

Magazine storage container

Follow the full tutorial of this project here: familyhandyman.com

8. Sleek and Simple Coat Rack and Hat Rack

A coat and hat rack is a great addition for larger homes that have the space. If you want to keep your interior space organized, you need a feature that can hold your personal coats and hats and those of your visitors.

Nothing more than a circular saw needed!

Sleek and simple coat rack

Full tutorial here: familyhandyman.com

9. Easy DIY Earring Stand

With this simple woodworking project, you will be able to display your earrings in an organized manner.

This is one of the simpler beginner woodworking projects, and you can paint it to your preference once done.

This is also a great DIY project for your girlfriend!

A pink earring stand

Details of this project at: housefulofhandmade.com

10. No-Sew Embroidered Dice Bag

For your BBQs, family reunions, and other activities, you need to plan entertaining activities for your friends and family members to partake in. Dice games are a great way to achieve this.

Making lawn dice doesn’t require more than wood and your basic woodworking tools; any additional equipment needed can be gotten at your local hardware store.

Embroidered dice bag

Step by step instructions for this project found here: thesprucecrafts.com

11. DIY Mid-Century Nightstand

If you’re a beginner woodworker and you love mid-century modern furniture, make yourself a nightstand in the vintage. To build furniture, you must have precise measurements.

Use an HVLP or airless paint sprayer to add a layer of paint to the end product.

DIY night stand

Make this very simple DIY project here: burkatron.com

12. DIY Wooden Picture Holders

With a wooden picture holder, you get to display different sizes of photos without necessarily framing them. You won’t need too many tools to make one.

When you’re done, use the best paint for picture frames to get it the color you want. Painting picture frames is really easy and preserves them for a long time.

Wooden picture holder

Step by step instructions are here: passionshake.com

13. Pet Bed DIY

Dogs and cats love comfortable spaces where they can snuggle up and get some rest, and a pet bed is a great addition to a DIY pallet wood doghouse.

This project is a bit harder than most of the projects on this list, and it may cost a bit more. However, if you can pay attention to the details, it is a great way to improve your skills and make something good for your pet at the same time.

Bonus: Build a DIY dog fence as another project!

DIY pet bed

Full details of the project on: prodigalpieces.com

14. Tic Tac Toe Game

It’s quite easy to make an oversized tic tac toe game putting your woodworking skills to use.

You also get to paint the tic tac design on the blocks when done. You can go with the traditional Xs and Os, or you can customize further by choosing whatever you prefer.

Tic tac toe game

Create your own version of this project: hertoolbelt.com

15. DIY Wooden Pencil Holder

If you have young children, you can make a wooden pencil holder keep their pencils organized and easily accessible.

With just a piece of wood and a few tools, you will make the right pencil holder in no time. This is a great woodworking project to do with your kids!

Wooden pencil holder

Make this one at home: cherishedbliss.com

16. Simple Wall Shelf

The best woodworking projects for beginners are those that can be completed quickly and with little effort. A simple pallet shelf is one of such projects.

An image of a pallet shelf

Step by step instructions can be found here: palletuniversity.com

17. Scrap Wood Stool project

This is another simple woodworking project you can work on during summer. Scrap wood stools may not have the nicest of looks, but if you construct them well, they can be really strong, durable, and very functional.

This is a great addition to an outdoor pallet bar or an interior home bar.

Scrap wood stool

Find more tips about this project at: palletuniversity.com

18. Address Number Wall Planter

You can actually complete this small wood project in less than 1 hour, and then you can hang your new address sign out front.

This is one of the easier projects on this list, and if you are scared to take on a seemingly harder project, and address number wall planter is a great project start with.

Address number wall planter

For the detailed address number wall planter, visit: shanty-2-chic.com

19. Baseball Cap Rack

As easy beginner woodworking projects go, this is quite similar to the coat and hat rack earlier. However, this is a small wood project in comparison.

It is an excellent project for beginners in woodworking – you will get to practice all of the basic woodworking skills: measuring, marking, straight cuts, curved cuts, and even painting (if you like).

Baseball cap rack

Check out how the rack was made: minwax.com

20. Hanging Basket Wood Stand

While it is possible just to hang flower baskets above your porch, making a hanging basket wood stand is more unique.

Once you join the pieces of wood together and hang the basket, you are free to put in whatever flower is your favorite.

Use a biscuit joiner to make this task a lot easier (if you have the patience)!

Hanging basket wood stand

Check out these free woodworking plans for this project: shanty-2-chic.com

21. DIY Large Wood Sign

A DIY wood sign can go up anywhere, in your bedrooms, on your porch, or even in your office, and it can carry any text you want it to.

Large wood sign

For a detailed view of the free plans: christinamariablog.com

22. Wood Herringbone Coffee Table

This DIY coffee table can be built easily, using plywood and wood planks. You can use any type of legs you want, I recommend hairpin legs, as they go well with the herringbone pattern.

The part people find challenging the most is getting the herringbone pattern right.

Wood herringbone coffee table

To check out this project plan, view: remodelaholic.com

23. DIY Plant Hanger

Tthis DIY plant hanger is simple and very elegant, while also being an easy project to make.

If you are a mid-century design lover, you will love this project. With a couple of screws, a rope, some tools, and a little effort, you can make yourself a cute plant hanger in no time.

Wooden plant hanger

Check the free plans for the plant hanger project here: biggerthanthethreeofus.com

24. Jelly Bean Dispenser

Your children will definitely love this!! This project will, however, require some precise measurements, but it is nothing a beginner can’t handle.

You will get some significant woodworking experience from this project, and at the same time, you get to create something that will create fun memories for your kids.

Jelly bean dispenser

Learn how to make it yourself: instructables.com

25. Wood Candle Holder

Of all the easy woodworking projects for beginners, this is one of the simplest. You don’t need much wood to build yourself one, and likewise, you don’t really need many tools.

Better still, you can use a variety of designs and finishes to add a rustic look.

Wood candle holder

Get the free woodworking plans for this project here: instructables.com

26. DIY Bottle Vase

This simple wooden bottle base is really only four pieces of wood joined together with holes in the top for flowers – simple!

If you’re really feeling adventurous, you can cut your glass bottles with a tile saw to make the project even more custom.

DIY Bottle Vase

Learn to make this easy DIY project here: nur-noch.blogspot.com

27. Mountain Wall Hooks

These mountain wall hooks are so aesthetically pleasing, and they do not require much to make. The fact is that you can just go ahead to fix wall pegs in your rooms, but why not add some flair and uniqueness.

With nothing more than a small piece of scrap wood and some hooks, you are good to go.

Wall mountain hooks

Grab your free plans here: ana-white.com

28. Desk Organizer from a Single 1×3 Board

This simple desk organizer is one of many easy DIY wood projects on my list that you can customize to your needs.

An image of a desk Organizer

For the steps and measurements, go to: thekimsixfix.com

29. DIY Circle Wood Shelf

In recent times, circle wood shelves have become more popular as wall decor.

The only significant challenge would be getting a circular wood piece for the project. However, there are many substitute materials you can use, one of such being quilting hoops.

Or, opt for hexagonal “honeycomb” shelving instead. Also trendy, this is a fun and very simple DIY project to make!

Circular wood shelf

Check out the simple wall shelf here: realitydaydream.com

30. DIY Bike Stand

Bikes can’t stand on their own if they don’t have kickstands, but its an easy project to build a wooden bike stand. This project is highly functional and not very difficult to make.

An image of a wooden bike stand

Make your version with these free plans: instructables.com

31. Curvy Side Table

If you can put in the effort required to make a curvy DIY end table, you will be delighted by the result at the end of the project.

You will need to use a band saw to cut the curved legs properly, which is a more advanced tool. However, even the best budget bandsaw will make a great addition to your workshop.

Curvy side table

For the free woodworking plans, go to: hertoolbelt.com

32. DIY Wooden Triangle Shelves

These wooden triangle shelves are a different approach to the circular shelves I featured above. Use them to showcase wall decor around your home.

Once you have all the necessary materials and tools, you can make as many triangle shelves as you need.

Wooden triangle shelves

Learn more about this easy DIY project: thevanderveenhouse.com

33. Easiest Stools Ever

The perfect beginner woodworking project list must include stools and tables. As easy woodworking projects go, they are both simple and functional.

Its easy to put homemade stools to use outside around a DIY pallet bar.

An image of a green colored stool

To make this project, grab the free plans here: rogueengineer.com

34. Simple X Table

It is very easy to make this simple, just like joining pieces of wood together, albeit with specific measurements, careful marking, and precise cutting.

Or, if you’re interested in more complicated projects, look into building a wood dining table.

Simple X table

Create your own version of this project: sawdustgirl.com

35. Guitar Picks

If you are a guitar player and you are interested in woodworking, take some time out and make some wooden picks for yourself.

You don’t have to be a guitar player to embark on this project. As you get better with time, you can begin to make them commercially.

Wooden guitar pick

Learn to make this project yourself: youtube.com

36. Wooden Beads

The good thing about wooden beads is that they make a great DIY gift, and you can make them for resale later.

These beads take more time to make than other projects on my list. Also, the difficulty of the process will depend on the shape and size of the bead you are making: round, oval, or square.

Wooden beads

Make this project at home: littlehouseoffour.com

37. Beer Stein

If you’ve added a man cave or converted your garage into a bar, then this is the perfect (and unique) addition. Beer is a staple of a bar, and home brewing is in vogue these days.

It is not as simple as most of the other projects, but think about the outcome – a wood beer stein.

An image of a beer stein

For the full detailed view of this project, check out: youtube.com

38. DIY Scrap Wood Designer Table Tutorial

Once done, this project has a very elegant look and feel to it. The key to building a DIY scrap wood table is to use different types and colors of wood. This will leave you with a fancy, marbling look to your table.

Scrap wood designer table

Check out the simple tutorial of this project here: intructables.com

39.Modern DIY End Table

There are lots of ways to customize your modern DIY sofa table, depending on your preference; the finishing, the table legs, the joints, and even features like drawers all depend on you.

For example, you could add drawers and soft close drawer slides, making the table far more functional.

DIY end table

Take a look at the full tutorial here: fixthisbuildthat.com

40. Scrap Plywood Candle Holders

Like the wooden candle holders discussed earlier, this is another project that needs very little wood to make.

To make your plywood candle holder look unique, you can use distinct finishes for each layer of plywood.

A wooden candle holder

More details about this project at: jenwoodhouse.com

41. Wood Book Shelf to Window Bench

If you have a beautiful view from your window, build yourself a window bench. This is a larger project for beginners but isn’t very complex.

Also, you can create more storage space below the bench where you can keep a lot of things.

Window bench

Create your own version of this project: mommyvignettes.blogspot.com

42. Simple Napkin Holder

This DIY napkin board holder will help you hold your napkins in place and prevent them from getting tossed here and there by the breeze.

You don’t need a lot of wood to make one, and you’ll get done with this simple project in no time. This is a perfect example of a beginner woodworking project.

Wooden tissue holder

Check out how it’s made: thecraftedmaker.com

43. Cutting Board

To make a wooden cutting board, you simply need wood, some rubber feet, screws, and just a few tools. You could also use wood glue instead of screws for a simpler finish.

Up your game a bit by adding some epoxy to any holes you find in the wood, and then finishing the cutting board with mineral oil.

Wooden cutting board

Make one for your kitchen: fixthisbuildthat.com

44. DIY Bunk Buddy

A DIY bunk bed is an ambitious beginner woodworking project, but the payoff is huge. And, its not as hard as you think.

While you’re at, add a DIY headboard from reclaimed wood!

DIY bunk buddy

See the DIY bunk project here: jenwoodhouse.com

45. Wood X Table

This is another kitchen table project for beginners to make. It will teach you more measuring, cutting, and joinery skills.

A table like this will look good in your yard or in your garage, where you can always get some use.

Wood x table

Check the details here: hertoolbelt.com

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Conclusion

You don’t have to be a master woodworker to start working on easy beginner woodworking projects. Start with an easy woodworking project and you’ll be on your way to starting your woodworking journey.

Allen runs a popular home website, and understands what it takes to educate audiences through online content. Through his focus at home, Allen developed an insatiable appetite for home improvement projects that he could do for cheap on weekends. Over the years, he has gained valuable experience, which he shares in detail in articles like How to Build A DIY Dining Room Table. His ability to clearly share these DIY ideas is a huge asset, and he is a valuable resource to the home improvement community.