We adore engaging in simple DIY outdoor wood projects. These not only provide an opportunity to acquire new skills, but also result in unique pieces. We have 30 simple projects that can gently introduce any gardening enthusiast to the delights of woodworking.
Can You Use A Pallet For A Garden?
There are numerous pallet ideas that can bring a unique charm to your garden. You can create items ranging from beautiful lanterns and basic boxes to garden bars and corner sofa sets. Keep any pallets you acquire and don’t hesitate to inquire with friends and family if they have any in their sheds or garages. Most likely, they’ll be happy to get rid of them, providing you with ample materials for your endeavors!
30 DIY Outdoor Wood Projects For Your Garden
Typically, we undertake wood projects during the spring and summer seasons, as we prefer working in the yard and creating outdoor pieces. At this time of the year, we begin to feel the urge to use our tools again.
Garden Arbor
A garden arbor can be quite costly if purchased prebuilt or if a landscape carpenter is employed to construct it based on your preferences. Luckily, this is among the simplest woodworking projects for landscaping.
There are various garden arbor designs, including flat tops, arched designs, and those topped with latticework, allowing you to personalize your arbor. To prevent them from falling during harsh weather, arbors must be firmly anchored by securing their posts to something sturdy or using concrete footings. They are typically a minimum of 7 feet tall but can be as tall as 10 feet or more. The best wood for a garden arbor is rot-resistant, such as redwood, cedar, or pressure-treated pine or fir.
Pergola
A pergola is a unique architectural design that creates a feeling of being both indoors and outdoors simultaneously. It aids in constructing sheltered areas in your backyard, establishing a passageway, or highlighting a focal point in your garden. Pergolas were prevalent features in Italian Renaissance gardens, often covering walkways or functioning as grape arbors.
To build a pergola, begin by preparing and measuring a designated space in your yard before setting up the foundation posts. After ensuring a solid foundation, complete the project by constructing the roof. Enhance your pergola by adding climbing plants such as wisteria or grapevines, granting color and shade to the structure.
Outdoor Bench
Potting Bench
A potting bench is a valuable asset for those who cultivate plants from seeds, maintain a container garden, or require repotting for flourishing houseplants. It not only provides back support but also serves as storage for your tools and aids in organization. Numerous designs available offer features such as sink basins, multiple shelves, hooks, and even wheels.
Garden Bench
After spending a warm day in the garden removing weeds and combating insects, taking a break on a garden bench feels like a well-earned reward. At first glance, a wood pallet may not appear to have the potential to transform into a stunning piece of garden furniture, but with some affordable paint and a few throw pillows, it can become a beautiful seating area in your landscape. Creating furniture from wood pallets may involve some improvisation, but the final outcome is only restricted by your woodworking skills.
SANDBOX with Built-in Seats
Constructing a sandbox is pretty simple, requiring only a basic knowledge of woodworking and a few garden tools. Additionally, you can customize the sandbox to your kids’ preferences with different designs or colours.
Planter Bench
Have this planter box featuring built-in seats, perfectly suited for adorning a porch or patio. The bench provides plenty of space for you and your guests to unwind, while the planters enhance the appearance and ambiance of your outdoor area with vibrant, eye-catching colours. Planter benches serve both functional and aesthetic purposes and have evolved significantly over time.
This design is ideal for homeowners with limited or narrow yards who wish to make the most of their available space.
Arbor with Built-In Benches and Planters
This cozy and private arbor, featuring built-in benches, is designed to fit on almost any deck or patio. Its corner design incorporates seating and integrated planters, allowing you to enjoy your fragrant flowers. A trellis screen provides protection from curious eyes or harsh sunlight.
Constructed from pressure-treated wood, you can personalize this arbor with your choice of paint or stain for the perfect finishing touch. Although this project takes multiple days, it can be completed in one weekend if you opt not to stain it.
Small Arrow Yard Signs
Transform your backyard by crafting a unique sign to celebrate your family and friends or spark your imagination in the garden. This woodworking project is perfect for the exterior of your home and only requires basic woodworking skills. It can serve as a practical arrow directing guests to your house or as an eye-catching detail to enhance your home’s outdoor decor.
Alternatively, the finished product can also make a great addition to a fence created from scrap wood.
Swing Bed
Imagine lying on a swing bed in a gentle breeze, resting your head on a soft pillow and sipping wine or tea. This could make your summer evenings truly perfect.
The time required to build this project depends on your skill level and your eagerness to create this DIY project. Essentially, this woodworking project doesn’t demand any extensive skills; basic woodworking skills should suffice. Some essential tools for this project include a circular saw, miter saw, measuring tape, wood pencil, and screwdriver. Although this is a costly endeavor, it can yield significant profit when you eventually sell it.
Garden Bridge
If you have a creek or pond in your backyard, a well-crafted footbridge could be just the touch you need. Though this DIY project isn’t big enough to stroll across, it can seriously spruce up your already-green garden.
Bare in mind, getting the perfect arch for this wee bridge might take a bit of practice. You wouldn’t want it too high for safety reasons—especially if it’s an area where you frequently get rainfall or snow. If your garden bridge is too steep, there’s a chance people could slip. So, make sure you’re careful when you’re building it!
Wheelbarrow Planter
Got a spare old wheelbarrow lying around? Why not turn it into a chic wheelbarrow-planter? This DIY project lends dual functionality – serving as a decorative piece while also giving you a handy planter. Additionally, constructing one from an old wheelbarrow is typically more cost-effective than buying a new one purely for this purpose.
Sure, crafting a wheelbarrow-planter isn’t as easy as other garden-related DIYs due to the involvement of various gardening tools and materials. Nonetheless, if you’re familiar with building stuff, it shouldn’t be too hard. And let’s be honest, the stunning aesthetic of this wheelbarrow planter is worth the effort.
DIY Planter Box
If you’re struggling with limited space or if you’re hesitant about excavating your yard for planting, opting for planter boxes can be a great solution.
Three-tier Planter
Take your gardening skills up a notch with this robust 3-tier planter. Ideal for those lacking in space but keen on a flourishing flower garden or a perfect spot for herbs, this cedar planter is just what you need. Its elevated structure allows for the plants to soak up more sunshine, aiding their growth, while its natural shade adds a touch of elegance to any outdoor area.
Raised Wooden Planter Box with Benches
This DIY wooden planter offers more than just a place for your plants. It comes with built-in seats that make gardening less taxing on your back and knees. You can comfortably sit and pull out weeds or simply enjoy your beautiful garden. It’s a perfect addition to a small yard, especially for older gardeners or those with back or knee issues. Plus, its unique design must surely be an aesthetic upgrade to your yard.
Trellis Planter Box
For those who appreciate blooming vines, this DIY planter box with an attached trellis is perfect. As your flowers grow, they will gracefully wrap around the trellis, creating an eye-catching display. The robust frame grid not only offers ample support for your plants but also allows climbing vines to thrive and reach new heights.
Drum Planter
If you’re searching for a planter with a DIY style, this drum planter is an ideal choice for you. Exhibiting its DIY project roots, this planter not only looks fantastic but also allows you to utilize scrap things in its creation, making it an excellent option for repurposing leftover pieces.
Garden Planter Box and Pond
This planter offers room for both regular plants and water plants, making it function as a pond due to its paint-on rubber lining. Although constructing this might take more than a day for beginners, it isn’t extremely complex and only necessitates basic tools.
Porch Trellis
The latticework trellis, similar to interior lace curtains, provides an excellent balance between privacy and connectivity between the indoor and outdoor environments, while also effortlessly blending in with any setting. This porch trellis features a versatile design that can be customized to fit various locations.
While a range of wood types could be used for this porch lattice project due to its painted finish, it is advisable to use a naturally decay-resistant wood such as cedar, redwood, cypress, or treated pine to ensure its long-lasting quality. Cedar was the chosen material as it was readily available in the local area.
Porch Swing
Porch swings make a great addition to your home, enhancing the appearance of your front porch or yard and making the space feel more welcoming. They provide a fantastic way to unwind and relieve stress, even in smaller garden areas or porches. Opt for wooden swings made from naturally weather and rot-resistant materials, such as acacia wood, and consider protective coatings or sealants for added durability. Both kids and adults will enjoy the benefits of having a porch swing at home.
Wine Caddy
As the weather begins to warm up, the lure of outdoor entertainment becomes irresistible. But the question comes up – how do we fit all our desired outdoor furniture in limited space? Especially if you’re a wine connoisseur who frequents outdoor events or loves to unwind in your garden area with a glass of wine and some company, this simple DIY project is the ideal solution for you.
This DIY wine caddy is a straightforward, compact answer for all wine enthusiasts. It’s designed to be lodged into any ground surface, making it a versatile addition to your outdoor furniture collection. What’s more, it’s incredibly easy to transport, carrying a bottle of wine and two wine glasses effortlessly – perfect for any outdoor event or a casual evening on the back patio.
Hanging Outdoor Bar
Enjoy outdoor parties but lack space for a permanent bar? Transform wooden pallets into a hanging outdoor bar, complete with a fold-up shelf for a convenient storage solution. The pallet is constructed from durable wood, and the fold-up shelf provides a handy place to store drinkware and bottles. Besides storing your beverages and glasses, it can also serve as a small table to hold food and glasses. Before getting too excited about your new hanging pallet bar, remember that it will be quite heavy, so at least two people will be needed to safely install it on the wall.
Timeless Garden Cart
Craft your own garden cart to effortlessly transport various items like bags of mulch, a garden hose, a weed bucket, and flower flats. Its lightweight design allows for easy handling, yet it performs impressively like a heavy-duty cart. Made from long-lasting, straight-grain white ash, this heirloom-quality cart will serve as a dependable workhorse in your garden for years to come.
With its sturdy build, it can carry a considerable load of soil, plants, and gardening tools with ease.
Garden Walkway
When a garden path transforms into a focal point itself, it can create a visually stunning design element in the landscape. One such example is utilizing a dismantled wood pallet as a garden walkway. While the wooded pathway aids in preventing soil compaction in wet areas, it is more suitable for low-traffic garden zones and not meant for heavy wheelbarrows or garden carts.
To ensure proper installation, it is advised to dig a few inches beneath the pathway and fill it with gravel instead of placing the wood directly on the soil.
Ladder shelf
This ideal wooden concept transforms a simple structure into garden shelves, perfect for showcasing plants or other outdoor decorations, and completing a patio or deck’s outdoor furniture arrangement. Incredibly useful for gardening activities, these shelves serve as storage space for herbs, plants, or tools, and can be utilized as a repotting surface or a spot to rest tools.
Constructing the ideal ladder shelf is relatively straightforward, requiring only the cutting and assembling of wood boards.
Vertical Wooden Garden
Instead of focusing on horizontal garden landscaping, consider connecting several wooden beams to create an attractive vertical plant display. This is an excellent way to hang plants if you have limited space in your outdoor area, allowing you to display multiple plants within a small surface area. As a result, you’ll have more room to utilize in the remainder of your garden.
Keep in mind that these planters can be quite heavy when filled with damp soil, so ensure they are securely mounted using cleats, large wood screws, and metal brackets. Alternatively, you can place the bottom of the pallet on the ground for additional support.
DIY Outdoor Furniture
Furnishing small outdoor spaces can present many of the same challenges as decorating compact interior rooms, with the main issue being the limited space available to create a comfortable and stylish area. By selecting the appropriate furniture pieces, even a tiny grassy or concrete area, which may have been neglected for some time, can be transformed into a cozy outdoor living space.
Folding Set
An ideal outdoor area is incomplete without a practical outdoor table and chair set. This stylish wooden patio set, featuring a rustic design and neat lines, is perfect for your outdoor dining corner. After you have enjoyed your space, simply fold everything up and store it until the next use.
Long Dining Set
The space-saving design enables a greater seating capacity without compromising on space. The broad table can accommodate a complete dinner setup, even on compact decks and patios. Additionally, the benches can be slid entirely under the table to create extra space when not in use.
Patio Combo With Built-In End Table
Unwind and appreciate your outside area with this DIY patio furniture set, including a couch and seat. You can modify the size to fit impeccably onto your porch or deck, and the couch and seat have arms that serve as trays for open-air dining. Create custom cushions or purchase pre-made ones! Although this DIY furniture project may appear simple to construct, it utilizes pressure-treated wood, so it’s important to lay the timber flat as it dries completely to prevent warping.
Picnic Table
Having a picnic table in your backyard opens up a world of possibilities for outdoor enjoyment and entertainment. From barbecues and dinners to cocktail parties, the fun is limitless. The construction process is quite simple, although it does require some lumber cutting to achieve the right dimensions. By putting the pieces together using robust bolts, you can create a long-lasting table ready to serve your backyard festivities for years to come.
Wooden patio chair
To complete this project, you will need materials such as wood planks, screws, nails, wood glue, wood filler, wood stain, and outdoor chair cushions. Necessary tools include a Kreg jig, miter saw, drill, brad nailer, clamps, and tape measure. Due to the extensive tools needed, this project is recommended for individuals with previous DIY experience.
Simple Folding Chair
This beginner-friendly folding wooden lawn chair features a simple design, complete with a cutout carrying handle in the back for effortless portability and an attractive interlocking appearance. Primarily, this DIY wooden chair project requires basic carpentry tools, but a table saw and a belt sander are recommended for optimal results.
Compost Bin
A compost bin in the garden is essential for anyone who desires an endless supply of soil-enhancing humus, often referred to as black gold for the garden. When building a compost bin with a wood pallet, there are several options for constructing it. A sturdy pallet can be used as one of three or four sides of a bin, connected with brackets or simply wired together. Alternatively, if the pallet is falling apart, remove the boards and attach them to a frame built from 2 x 4 lumber pieces.
Conclusion: Enhancing Your Outdoor Space with Outdoor Woodworking Projects
Enhancing your outdoor spaces and maintaining a tidy garden doesn’t have to burn a hole in your wallet. You can achieve a captivating appeal and functionality with easy-to-do, cost-effective solutions. Look no further than DIY garden wood projects – not only are they creative and unique, but they are also an excellent way to utilize available materials. Feeling inspired? Time to roll up your sleeves and dive into these garden wood projects!
Colin Macmillan is a seasoned entrepreneur and the CEO of Riverwood Landscape, a leading landscaping company based in Canada. He has been at the helm of the company since leaving high school, demonstrating his strong leadership skills and business acumen.
Colin’s expertise lies in various aspects of landscaping, including lawn care, interlocking, sod installation, and commercial maintenance. His hands-on approach and dedication to the craft have been instrumental in building Riverwood Landscape into a reputable brand.
One of his most notable achievements is the creation of a successful landscape franchise that services multiple locations. This accomplishment underscores his strategic thinking and ability to scale operations effectively.
Colin has also had the privilege of working with Guelph Hospital for landscaping and maintenance, a testament to the trust and reliability that his company has earned over the years.
His professional mission is to offer the best services and experiences for customers, a goal that he tirelessly pursues. Colin’s commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction continues to drive the growth and success of Riverwood Landscape.
