Top 19 DIY Cedar Wood Projects

Cedar is a popular wood and for good reason, it’s beautiful and rich in color and aroma. This is a great choice of wood when it comes to withstanding the elements. If you want to build something for the outdoors, cedar is the way to go.

It’s no surprise that cedar is a favorite among hobbyists and expert woodsmen alike. This durable wood makes for beautiful handcrafted pieces that can last for many years to come. If you want to continue practicing your skills, the below project ideas will be a great mix of fun and of a challenge to continue to grow your abilities.

Achieve this DIY project and get to know the list of cedar wood projects in this list.

1. Small Cedar Box

If you’re a beginner woodworker or even a professional one, crafting a wood box can be a great way to show off your skills. This project is both functional and decorative and you can gift it or keep it for yourself.

Check out the project tutorial here: youtube.com

You’ll want to take extra care in sanding down the final box so there are no rough edges that could scratch the recipient. Wood glue is also a great way to attach the wooden pieces of your box to each other. Remember to allow them the proper length of time for drying.

If you want a step-by-step video of the process of building a cedar box, this is a great resource.

2. Red Cedar Cutting Board

Cutting boards are a popular project for woodworkers as they can be gifted or sold at a profit. Most of the kitchens around the world have at least one cutting board, if not several. This makes them a great project to take on — as they’ll never go out of style.

Check out the video tutorial here: youtube.com

Red cedar is a great choice of wood for a chopping board, as the color will make the board stand out. This video shows you how to craft your first cedar board — using wood glue and pressing the blocks together to create a final product.

3. Cedar Log Table

If you don’t want to purchase a lot of lumber from your local Woodcraft or Rockler woodworking store, you can try to get your hands on a cedar log. This is a more difficult medium to work with — but it can pay off greatly by the end. You’ll want a chainsaw to cut the log down to size.

View the project tutorial here: youtube.com

This project is best for intermediate to expert-level wood crafters — but a beginner could take it on if they enjoy a challenge. This video shows you the steps you need to take to transform a log into a table.

4. Unique Cedar Bench

The fun part about working with wood is that every piece will be different. Wood is a fascinating thing to work with and the grain will always look a bit different from project to project. That’s especially true when you’re building a cedar bench such as this.

Check out the video tutorial here: youtube.com

You’re able to showcase the beautiful grain along the seat bench as well as the backing. Whether you’re building this for yourself and your family or a commissioned project — you’re sure to enjoy the process.

You’ll need a miter saw and a circular saw to cut the wood down to size. Always practice the proper safety procedures when you’re using these powerful and dangerous tools.

5. DIY Cedar Planter

If you or one of your loved ones has a green thumb and is always bringing new plants home, why not make a planter box out of cedar? This wood holds up great to the outdoor elements — whether that be rain or the bright sun.

Check the project idea here: jenwoodhouse.com

Cedar is also naturally resistant to rot — whether from the weather or insects. This is one of the best wood choices for a planter box and it will surely last for many years before needing to be replaced.

This particular design features uniform wood panels that have been layered to form the final box. There’s nothing too fancy about this wood project — so a beginner could take it on with some basic tools.

6. Wooden Cedar Coasters

Everybody hates to leave an unsightly water ring on their furniture. That’s what coasters are there to protect against and if you want to upgrade your current ones, you should consider making them out of cedar.

You can view the project here: centsablemomma.com

Cedar is resistant to moisture, making them a great option for this project. You’ll want to ensure you’ve spent the time sanding down the final product so they’re glossy and smooth. You can use a standard orbital sander or even a palm sander.

7. Cedar Hope Chest

This project could quickly turn into a family heirloom that will be passed down for generations. This beautifully built chest is made from high-quality cedar and can hold many treasured items and family memories.

View the video tutorial here: youtube.com

Adding a gold-accented metal hinge gives the cedar a nice contrast and is the perfect final touch for this project. You can stain the wood using a brush. But, because of the intricacies, you might want to use the best stain sprayer to apply it.

If you’re looking for a challenge, this chest will offer you one.

8. Wood Turned Cedar Bowl

Crafting bowls can take some skill but with some practice, you can churn them out in no time. Cedar is a great wood choice for bowls as it will offer a beautiful and natural grain. If you’ve never made a bowl before, this video walks you through the process.

This project is easiest with the best lathe for bowl turning. You can practice using a lathe on scrap wood before you start the project. Once you’re comfortable using it, there are a lot of beginner lathe projects that you can tackle.

View the project tutorial here: youtube.com

Without a lathe, you can use a circle-cutting jig with a router to shape the bowl.

9. Wooden Cedar Wheelbarrow

If you want to add a decorative addition to your garden, this rustic wheelbarrow would be a wonderful project for you to work on. Wheelbarrows are great for when you’re working in your yard. Whether you need to move tree branches after chopping them down, or redo your landscape edging, a wheelbarrow is very handy.

Since cedar is less susceptible to rot, you can leave this in your yard for many years without worrying about it.

Get the project tutorial here: youtube.com

While this wheelbarrow won’t be ideal for hauling heavy things, it can handle light duties and will add a unique touch to your garden bed. You’re sure to draw the attention of your neighbors when they ask you where you bought it.

10. Folding Cedar Lawn Chair

This Kentucky stick chair is an interesting design and one that has a unique character to it. Using cedar for this project is a great choice since it’s meant to be placed outdoors and you don’t want any wet weather to rot your wood.

Check the video tutorial here: youtube.com

If you like creating intricate wood designs, then you might enjoy getting a scroll saw and working on scroll pattern projects.

The design of this chair allows it to fold up, making it easily transportable. You can purchase the supplies for this chair for very little from your local home improvement store.

11. Cedar Gun Rack

If you’re an avid hunter or outdoorsman, you’re likely to need a rack to lean your rifles against. This rustic design allows you to enjoy the grain and the color of the cedar and also has a functional rack for your weapons.

Depending on how many you have, you might opt to build a DIY gun safe instead.

View the detailed tutorial here: youtube.com

Choosing a red cedar for this project would be a great choice — as it would be the best option to show off the different hues within the wood itself.

12. Cedar Wind Spinner

Wind spinners look complicated but in reality, they’re a fun project to take on. Beginners often like to work on these as they make for a decorative piece that can be hung outdoors and they won’t require any expensive equipment.

Get the project tutorial here: suncatcherstudio.com

You’ll want to cut your cedar into small wooden rectangles, each of them differing in size so that when they fit together — they create their unique design. Cedar is a popular choice for any outdoor hanging decoration since it will hold up to rainy weather quite well.

13. Cedar Bookshelf

Are you an avid reader who constantly needs more space for their ever-growing collection of novels? If so, a cedar bookcase could be just what you’re searching for. Leaving the cedar planks unfinished instead of making them uniform in size and width can allow you to keep a rustic and country look.

If you don’t like the unfinished look, paint the wood the color of choice.

This project will require some time and a lot of hard work, but the finished project will be unique from any other bookshelf that anybody else has. You’ll have a bookshelf that you can hand down to your children one day — as it will last for several lifetimes if cared for properly.

14. Wooden Cedar Swing

An outdoor swing makes for a great addition to any backyard or front porch. These swings quickly become the most popular seat in the house (or out of the house). Cedar is the perfect choice due to its natural ability to resist water and rot.

Watch the tutorial here: youtube.com

Cedar is sturdy enough to support the weight of multiple people and the color of the wood will eliminate the need to stain it a different color. However, you’ll still want to seal the wood once you’ve built the swing so that it has extra protection against the weather.

15. Cedar Firewood Rack

If you have a fireplace and you intend on using it frequently, you’ll likely need to build up a small collection of firewood for the winter. This also means that you’ll require a firewood rack to hold all of the excess wooden logs. Cedar is the ideal choice for this project as you don’t have to worry about rot from insects.

Check out the video tutorial here: uglyducklinghouse.com

Building a rack is a simple process and requires a cordless circular saw and a nail gun. You can have this project done in an afternoon — even if you’re a beginner. You’ll be able to look proudly at your handiwork when you’re loading it up with your extra stack of firewood.

16. Cedar Birdhouse

If you enjoy bird watching as one of your hobbies — you’re sure to have a birdhouse or two. Did you know that cedar is one of the best materials for such a house? It will be resistant to any rot from insects that the birds may bring into the home.

View the detailed tutorial here: youtube.com

You can, of course, choose to paint the houses or you can leave them all-natural. You’ll want to choose a protective finish for the cedar — even if you’re leaving it in its natural color. This video takes you through the process of building your first house and shows you how the various pieces fit together.

17. Wooden Picture Frame

Creating your own picture frames can make the photos that eventually fill them all the more special. You can use a variety of different woods for this project — but cedar is always a good option. This simple wood project is perfect for kids and can be tackled with a limited number of tools.

View the project ideas here: instructables.com

However, a table saw can make cutting the wood down to size a bit easier but a manual saw works well. You’ll also want a thin sheet of glass to cover the photo. This step-by-step guide will show you how to create your first frame.

18. Cedar Bath Mat

Adding a cedar mat to your bathroom can be a unique renovation that will add a bit of character to the room. Not everyone considers a wooden mat — but the cedar drains well and it won’t become rotten after being wet.

Check out the project idea here: themerrythought.com

This bath mat has a clean and modern finish and it would likely work well in your home. You’ll need a cedar board and a beginner table saw. Use a nail gun to put the bath mat together You may want to consider finishing your cedar with teak oil for a water-resistant finish.

19. Raised Vegetable Garden

Do you enjoy eating fresh vegetables with your meals? Well, if you have a green thumb then you can plant an assortment of them in your garden. A raised cedar garden bed gives you the ability to organize your plants and keep the borders clear cut.

Check the video tutorial here: youtube.com

The raised garden bed will contain the soil and allow you to use your yard as your very own farmer’s market! This video will help you through the process of learning how to build garden beds. This is a great project to get your young ones involved in and show them how their food grows.

Grab Some Cedar and Get Started Today!

All that’s left to do is get your hands on some cedar planks or a cedar log and get started on your project of choice. Cedar is a beautiful medium to work with and you’re sure to enjoy the stunning hues of color that you can find throughout the wood.

It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting on your woodworking journey or if you’ve been working with it for years — cedar is a great place to start and a great place to build your next stunning masterpiece.