Woodworking for Beginners: 5 Must-Try Projects for Your Home
Starting or keeping up with a woodworking hobby can feel intimidating, but with some basic tools and easy-to-follow projects, anyone can create custom, functional pieces for their home. DIY woodworking projects are a great way to save money, but they also bring the unique satisfaction of creating things with your own hands and add a personal flair that no store-bought item will ever touch!
In this post, we’ll cover:
Back in the day, I used to work at a scout-style outdoor education camp. That’s where my good friend Nick — aptly named, as he really is best described as a young Ron Swanson.
The campus where Nick and I lived and worked had a woodshop stocked with tools and plenty of scrap wood. At the end of each season when we sent off departing staff with well-wishes, we had a tradition of hosting a Secret Santa exchange with handmade gifts. I had a “blast” turning an old pallet into a jewelry holder with help from the belt sander —my first workshop project!
Meanwhile, Nick — who, and I say this with love, is a truly bit of klutz — amazed us with his woodburned sculptures. Over the years, I watched him progress from a beginner fumbling through the basics, to building a full-size dining table and bench set for his next apartment, and now an entire backyard sauna for his first house.
Y’all, if Nick can do it, so can you.
So, let’s get started! Here are five ideas for beginner-friendly woodworking projects. In this list, they’re organized from easiest to a bit more complex (but still totally doable).
Five Beginner-Friendly Woodworking Projects To Try This Season
1. Decorative Storage Crate
Skill Level: 1/10
Why It’s Worth It: This storage crate is perfect for organizing items around the house (pantry staples, toys, bedding, tools, garden supplies, bathroom essentials) or even packing a gift. It’s also a great way to practice foundational techniques that will carry over to more advanced projects.
Materials List
Wood for Ends:
Economical pine or whitewood boards (choose width based on desired crate height, e.g., 1x12 for 12” height, 1x10 for 10” height, etc.).
Optional: ¾” plywood for a budget-friendly alternative (requires more cutting and leaves exposed edges).
Wood for Slats:
Basswood or balsa wood (available at hobby stores, lightweight and strong).
Plywood scraps (cut down to desired slat width, ranging from ¼” to ½” thick).
1x3 boards for more durable, heavy-duty crates.
Fasteners:
Wood glue.
Nails or staples at least ½” longer than the thickness of the slats (e.g., ¾” nails for ¼” slats).
Optional handles unless using drilled holes
Optional dividers to organize the crate
Tools List
Miter saw, jigsaw, circular saw, or chop saw (for cutting end pieces and slats)
Table saw (optional, for ripping plywood into slats)
Measuring tape
Pencil or marker for marking cuts
Square for ensuring straight edges
Electric drill with a 1” drill bit (for creating optional handle holes)
Hammer or nail gun (for securing slats and ends)
Clamps (to hold pieces in place while gluing and nailing)
Sandpaper (various grits) or a sander for smoothing edges and surfaces
Full Tutorial: Wood Crate Building Guide | Ana White
Customization Tip: Use a stencil to paint names or decorative designs on the sides of the crate for a personalized touch.
2. Wooden Planter Box
Skill Level: 2/10
Why It’s Worth It: This project is perfect for your patio or living room and introduces precision cutting and simple assembly. It’s a great way to add greenery while honing your construction skills.
Materials List
Pressure Treated Lumber
3” Deck Screws
Landscape Fabric
Sandpaper
Paint or Stain
Wood Glue
Potting Soil, Plants, & Landscape Rocks
Tools List
Tape Measure
Utility Knife
Circular or Miter Saw
Power Drill or Impact Driver
Stapler
Hand Sander
Paint Brushes
Safety Glasses
Full Tutorial: Check out the step-by-step tutorial with photos on Home Depot’s website or watch How to Build a Planter Box | The Home Depot.
READY FOR MORE? Try a fancy one with legs.
3. Simple Wall-Mounted Shelf
Skill Level: 3-5/10
Why It’s Worth It: This project can be as bare-bones or as fancy pantsy as you want and lets you practice the basics of measuring, cutting, and mounting while adding practical storage to your home. Try mounting it in your kitchen or entryway to reduce clutter.
Materials List
Wood:
Four pieces of walnut or other moderately hard wood (two for shelves, two for the sides)
¼” plywood for the back panel
Fasteners & Joinery:
Wooden pegs (with "fat head" as described in the video)
Wood screws for attaching the back panel
Finishes:
Wood glue
Oil finish (e.g., General Finishes oil)
Paint for the plywood back panel (optional)
Misc:
Painter’s tape (for drill depth stop)
Hooks (optional, for added functionality)
Tools List
Coping saw (for cutting curves)
Miter saw or handsaw (for cutting shelves to length)
Knife for cutting pegs to length
Measuring tape
Square (for precise marking)
Compass or any round object (e.g., glue bottle) for drawing curves
Awl or screwdriver (for making drill start divots)
Electric drill
Drill bits (matching peg diameter and slightly larger for side holes)
Wood blocks (for keeping the drill straight)
Clamps (for holding sides and shelves together during assembly)
Sanding block or sander
Sandpaper (grits: 80, 100, 120, 150, 180).
Paintbrushes or cloth (for applying oil finish)
Rags (for wiping off excess oil)
Circular saw (optional, for cutting larger pieces)
Chisel (optional, for precision)
Full Tutorial: Building a Basic Wall Shelf
READY FOR MORE? Try one of these decorative plans from The Spruce Crafts.
3. Simple Picture Frame
Skill Level: 3/10
Why It’s Worth It: Creating picture frames is a great way to practice miter cuts and basic frame assembly and make something special to showcase your favorite art or photos.
Materials List
Wood:
Birch plywood panel (5¾” x 7”)
½” MDF (for making 2” molding)
Scrap wood pieces (for subframe)
Fasteners & Adhesives:
Wood glue
1” nails (for attaching molding)
Filler & Finishes:
Joint compound (for filling gaps)
Primer: Benjamin Moore Fresh Start (latex acrylic primer)
Paint: Benjamin Moore Command with a satin finish
Tools List
Miter saw
Table saw (optional for precise cuts)
Handsaw or jigsaw (alternative cutting options)
Clamps
Nail gun (for nailing molding)
Measuring tape
Pencil
Square
Sandpaper or sanding block (for smoothing surfaces after primer)
Paintbrush (for applying primer and paint)
Full Tutorial: Make a Simple Picture Frame - Basic Woodworking
Creative Touch: Try experimenting with different finishes like whitewash or a two-tone stain to match your home decor or the art inside the frame.
READY FOR MORE? Practice with a router.
5. Small Step Stool
Skill Level: 4/10
Why It’s Worth It: This project introduces you to working with joints and angled cuts. By the end you’ll have a sturdy and functional piece for your home.
Materials List
Wood:
Home Depot poplar board
Fasteners & Adhesives:
Wood glue
CA glue
Joinery Components:
5/16" dowel
Tools List
Jigsaw
Jigsaw blade
Flush trim saw
Drill
Forstner bit
5/16" brad point drill bit
Digital angle gauge
Full Tutorial: A Basic Stool. Your First Woodworking Project
READY FOR MORE? Try one with two steps or engrave your child’s or shortest friend’s name for a personalized gift.
Tackling any of these projects proves that you’ve got what it takes to make something useful and beautiful. To make sure your next build goes off with as few “oops” moments as possible, check out the practical tips below.
10 Practical tips and tricks for successful builds
1. Plan and Measure Twice, Cut Once.
Accuracy is king. Double-checking your measurements before making any cuts will save you tons of time and materials, today and in the long run. Use a carpenter’s square to ensure all your angles are true and straight and avoid wonky assemblies or joints that don’t align properly. Triple check that all your measurements are EITHER in imperial (inches, feet) or metric (centimeters, meters) and not a mix of both.
2. Choose the Right Wood.
For beginners, pine and poplar are great choices as they’re affordable, easy to work with, and available at most hardware/craft stores. Inspect wood for warping by choosing straight boards without twists or bows to make your projects easier to assemble.
3. Safety First!
For the love of Pete, please wear safety glasses. Four eyes are better than one.
4. Dry Fit (e.g. with Clamps) First.
Assemble your pieces without glue or fasteners to ensure everything fits as planned. Clamps hold your pieces in place during gluing and cutting, preventing errors caused by shifting wood.
5. Apply Glue Sparingly.
Too much glue can seep out and stain surfaces, making it difficult to finish cleanly. Apply a thin, even coat and use a damp rag or chisel to remove any excess glue before it dries.
6. Drill with Precision.
For straight holes, use a guide block or set up your drill press. This is especially useful for dowels and peg holes. Wrap painter’s tape around your drill bit as a depth stop to ensure consistent hole depth.
7. Prevent Wood Split.
When screwing into wood near the ends, pre-drill holes slightly smaller than the screw diameter to prevent splitting. For clean pilot holes, use brad-point bits for accuracy and reduced tear-out.
7. Sand Like a Pro.
Begin sanding with a coarse grit, like 80-grit paper to remove machine marks and work up to something finer, like 180-grit or higher for a super smooth finish. Always sand in the direction of the wood grain to avoid scratches that appear after staining or finishing.
8. Master Those Finishing Touches.
Before painting or staining, seal your project with a wood conditioner or sealant to prevent blotching, especially on softwoods like pine. When it’s time to finish or paint, use thin, even coats and sand lightly between them for a professional look.
9. Maintain Your Tools.
Sharp blades and bits make cleaner cuts, reduce tear-out, and require less force, helping you achieve precise results and stay safe in the workshop. Ensure your blades are securely fastened and maintained. Keep your finishing brushes clean and use quality brushes or foam applicators for a super even finish every time.
10. GET EXPERT GUIDANCE.
Woodworking is a half-million-year-old hobby. Whatever mess you’ve gotten yourself into, someone has been there before. Ask and ye shall receive.
More Woodworking Resources on the Web
Hammering it home
Woodworking is about making ugly mistakes as much as it is about building confidence and creating useful things. Each project helps you learn and grow, building on the basics skills until you start coming up with totally original ideas.
If a simple camp project can lead to a backyard sauna, there’s no limit to what you can make next. Nick’s story is a reminder that everyone starts somewhere, and progress comes with time and practice.
Trust yourself, pick up your tools, and start your next project. One day you’ll be amazed when you look around your space and go, “hey — I built this!”
HI THERE!
I'M ANNA MARIE
On this blog I write about all things self-reliance, DIY, and sunshine.
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