Initiating simple projects for your garden can be a fun way to save some money while adding a unique element to your yard. Get ready to tap into your can-do spirit with these simple DIY outdoor woodworking projects! Although woodworking may sound challenging, once you take a look at this collection of DIY projects, you’ll be surprised why you’ve been keeping your woodworking tools aside all this time.
Woodworking Projects For Your Outdoor Space
Today, we’ve discovered remarkable wooden projects that will surely inspire you. Regardless of your skill level or the basic woodworking tools at your disposal, you can surely undertake one of these outdoor woodworking projects.
Outdoor Bench
Wooden Tree Bench
Constructing a fabulous yet simple hexagonal bench from pallet wood around a garden tree is an achievable project. This bench possesses a straightforward geometric design, making its construction simpler than building a circular bench, all while offering equal seating capacity and comfort.
Its robust and uncomplicated build will not only last for long but also require minimal space around the tree. The bench should be constructed in sections, with allowances for the tree roots, and then assembled around the tree.
Outdoor Storage Bench
Backyard equipment can quickly overrun your outdoor space without the appropriate storage facilities present. The key to keeping your patio or deck tidy, while also having immediate access to your necessary items? A stylish yet subtle outdoor storage bench. In essence, it’s merely a container composed of four frames joined by legs that encompass the corners.
The plywood panels that occupy these frames are coated with waterproof fabric fixed with staples. Even those new to upholstery can handle covering the plywood seat with foam and fabric. The outdoor storage bench is an ideal solution for all your backyard storage woes.
Potting Bench
If you’re in need of a zone to prep and pot your plants with a DIY style, a potting bench could be your ideal solution. Handy for creating a visually appealing and spacious workstation in your garden, a potting bench provides a large flat area for accommodating all your gardening materials. Having a dry sink or a well to store soil is an additional benefit.
This woodworking project enables you to neatly store essentials such as soil, pots, gardening tools, fertilizer and gloves. It serves as a one-stop spot for preparing everything required for gardening, thus keeping your supplies well-organized. To enhance the longevity of your wooden bench, consider applying a weather-resistant stain or finish every few years.
Adirondack Chair
Outdoor furniture options abound, but the Adirondack chair is a standout classic that’s been the epitome of summer relaxation since 1903. This chair is easily identifiable by its broad wooden slats and sloping back. It offers unsurpassed comfort, plus extraordinary durability, making it a cherished component of outdoor decor.
To customize these deep-seated chairs, consider adding adorable pillows or one-of-a-kind cushions. You can also paint these chairs in either understated or vivid colours. With these tweaks, your Adirondack chair can go beyond merely being a piece of outdoor furniture to becoming a comfort-filled sanctuary.
DIY Wooden Love Seat
This exquisite Garden Love Seat Bench is an ideal dining setting for a garden. The seat, which has a visually stunning appearance, is crafted from pine wood and custom wooden planks. The seat’s curvilinear design is sure to captivate viewers’ attention. The cloned curved sides of the seat are crafted from plywood, and adjacent to these curved sides, solid cross-wooden braces are used to create a spectacular loveseat.
This seat is a brilliant outdoor addition even if you don’t own a garden. Place it next to a fire pit and enjoy roasting some S’mores.
Perfect Patio Chairs
Creating patio chairs is an excellent choice for woodworking projects. They can usually be finished within a couple of days, using minimal tools. Most importantly, you do not need a vast amount of woodworking experience to create these chairs. The amount of lumber required is incredibly small, which you can usually purchase at a reasonable cost from your local hardware store.
These patio chairs are a joy to use. They provide ample comfort for sitting for extended hours and have wide arms that can easily hold a beverage. Their design subtly reclines for relaxation but not so much that you would groan each time you rise – a common problem with many Adirondack chairs.
Outdoor Picnic Table
Outdoor picnics, BBQs, or special occasions can be made even more memorable with a DIY dining concept using wooden pallets. This picnic table has gained popularity on several social platforms, largely due to its convenience and aesthetic appeal.
The setup involves a charming picnic table made from wooden pallets, accompanied by two matching benches. These elements are securely attached to connecting wooden rails using lengthy threaded rods and nuts. The central table, designed with criss-cross legs, adds a distinct visual interest to the overall picnic table design. The strategic incorporation of these aspects ensures that every picnic setup is practical and visually pleasing.
Swing Bed
Envision relaxing on a swinging bed, cradled by a gentle breeze, your head resting on a plush pillow and a glass of wine or tea at hand. These could be your perfect summer evenings, brought to life by basic woodworking skills.
All you need is a circular saw, a miter saw, a measuring tape, a wooden pencil, a screwdriver, and your handiwork. Despite the cost of this DIY project, it carries the potential of becoming a profitable venture when you decide to sell it. With the simplest of woodworking skills and tools like a circular saw, you could create your dream summer haven.
Porch Swing
Porch swings are an excellent spot to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour from your gardening activities, indulge in a good read, or simply lounge around. It could even be the perfect spot for an afternoon nap. It provides a communal area to gather during the warm seasons and a cozy spot to snuggle under a blanket during cool evenings. This is a project that brings satisfaction upon completion and can be utilized by many future generations.
This front porch swing exhibits a simple design that would seamlessly blend into a standard suburban house. However, it also gives off a rustic charm that makes it seem as if it would perfectly suit a quaint wooden cabin hidden away in the forest.
Wooden Pallet Planter
Rustic wheelbarrow planter
An old wheelbarrow can be transformed into a stunning new wooden planter for your garden area. This charming piece of woodwork requires a touch of effort, yet brings a fresh aesthetic to your yard. Furthermore, you have the freedom to introduce your personal design. By incorporating traditional and outdated gardening and planting concepts, your garden decor can attain a level of sophistication and attractiveness.
Three Tier Planter
Building a three-tier wooden planter box is a perfect DIY project that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your garden. Regardless of your woodworking skills, this project is manageable for anyone. Not only does this tiered planter look appealing, but it’s also fully functional, providing you with a unique space to nurture your herbs or flowers.
To tackle this project, you will need some wood boards, a handful of screws, a bar clamp, a miter saw, measuring tape, and a drill. These are the basic woodworking tools required to embark on this creative journey. Make the most out of limited space by adding different varieties of herbs or flowers to each tier, and enjoy your self-made garden over the weekend.
Elongated Planter
Elongated planters can aid in fashioning a functional terrace or garden. You can use these to construct a visually appealing division between your garden and terrace. These planters occupy minimal space and contribute to a greener environment. An elongated planter has ample room to accommodate multiple plants or flowers. This makes it perfect to develop an urban jungle or a vibrant flower garden.
Wall Planter
For homeowners who wish to have their own collection of flowers, herbs, or vegetables but do not have the space, vertical gardens are a perfect solution. These living walls can be made from a pallet filled with soil and foliage, or used as a sturdy base to attach pot-holding clips.
It’s important to note that these planters, once filled with damp soil, become extremely heavy. Therefore, it’s critical to fix them firmly using large wood screws, cleats, and metal brackets. Alternatively, you can also provide additional support by placing the lower part of the pallet on solid ground.
Raised Planter Box
Raised planter boxes offer a superior gardening experience compared to traditional pot plants, providing ample space for all your growing needs. These boxes are super easy to create and can be constructed inexpensively within a day.
Whether you desire to grow vegetables, flowers, or herbs, these raised planter boxes provide a specific space for optimal growth. It’s crucial to consider the depth of your box when planning your garden, as this will influence the room allotted for your plant roots, thereby affecting their overall health.
Wine Caddy
Having a glass of wine when at a campfire, on a picnic, or just chilling in your backyard can be a wonderful way to relax. A wine caddy, with capacities ranging from a single bottle to several, offers an improved option for wine transportation compared to a wine holder. Not only does it have visual appeal, but it is also highly practical, ensuring the safety of your wine. Some caddies even accommodate wine glasses, an ideal feature if you’re planning a delightful park picnic.
DIY Wooden Deck Cooler
Thinking of throwing an outdoor event on your deck? Consider this outdoor project – a deck cooler. Not only does it blend seamlessly with your outdoor furniture, but it also steps up from a typical ice chest in both form and functionality. Deck coolers provide a practical solution for any outdoor gathering.
From pre-planned backyard parties to spontaneous BBQs with neighbors, ensuring your guests have access to chilled drinks is essential. If your outdoor space includes an outdoor kitchen or grilling station with a mini-fridge, it serves as a handy spot to stock beverages. However, in its absence, a deck cooler is an invaluable addition to any outdoor event.
Wooden Pallet Garden Arbor Bench
An arbor bench is a shaded nook in the garden created by a wooden structure. It permits a welcome break in your garden enclave with its side and roof constructed from wood slats or crawling plants trained over the framework. Arbor benches can be personalized to your liking with additions such as pergola roofs, gable roofs, lattice or trellis embellishments, and storage areas.
If you aim to cultivate vines, lattice panels will be required, slightly inflating the cost. However, without plans for vine cultivation, these panels aren’t necessary. An arbor bench with a solid roof can be very beneficial, presenting the opportunity to indulge in the outdoors even when it’s raining or the sun is blazing hot. On the other hand, solid walls might obstruct vine training but enhance privacy.
Porch Trellis
Trellises are versatile and can be utilized in numerous ways, including gardening and providing a certain level of privacy. They are often employed in gardens or used in arbors as support for growing climbing plants. They are also effective in creating private areas or serving as a decorative element for your home’s exterior.
To maximize their potential, consider setting up an outdoor planter box with a trellis on your porch. This allows you not just to grow climbing flowers, but also herbs, attractive annuals, ferns, and even a trailing sweet potato plant if you wish! Lattice trellises are also handy for hanging plants.
Pallet Wood Garden Walkway
Building a pathway out of wooden pallets is a clever way to recycle these items and makes them a favoured project in the world of DIY. Even if you’re a newbie to DIY projects, this task is manageable for you. By using appropriate tools and a bit of creativity, you can build a pathway that adds personality to your garden and improves its practicality.
While a pallet walkway can assist your garden by preventing you from squishing damp soil, it’s most suited for a less frequented area of the garden where it won’t be subjected to heavy garden tools or carts.
Wood Garden Bridge
Garden bridges can serve as a distinctive and striking feature in your garden, setting it apart from others in your neighborhood. Minor impediments common in many yards can usually be navigated with a simple leap or detour. Ironically, garden bridges often necessitate the creation of an obstacle to fulfill their function.
You can repurpose old wood, such as pallets, cedar planks, fence wood, or any other discarded wood from around the house, to create visually appealing bridges for your garden area.
Mini Greenhouse
If you’re interested in extending your growing season or getting a head start on next spring’s planting, consider creating a mini greenhouse. This is an excellent solution for those who love gardening but are limited by space. Whether you need a space for a single plant or multiple ones, a mini greenhouse can be the answer.
All you need are some cedar boards and basic power tools, and this outdoor project can be accomplished in just a few hours. Plants like chillies, sweet peppers, morning glory, zinnias, and echiums can thrive in these DIY mini greenhouses due to the added protection they provide.
Outdoor Woodworking Projects
In conclusion, enhancing the attractiveness of your outdoor space need not involve home decor or furnishing. Many individuals turn towards DIY woodworking projects due to their cost-effectiveness and the sense of satisfaction they provide when one can sell a piece they created themselves.
Choosing a DIY woodworking project that matches your skills is essential. For those with a bit more experience, creating something using reclaimed wood with just basic tools offers a unique challenge. You can find inspiration in various ideas and get started on these garden wood projects immediately for an impressive result.
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.
