Easy woodworking projects with scrap wood include coasters, phone stands, key holders, bookends, birdhouses, plant stands, garden markers and small shop jigs. Sort your offcuts by size first, then match each pile to a project: tiny pieces become coasters and toys, short boards become boxes and shelves, and longer strips become frames and planters.
Scrap projects are also the cheapest way to practice. Every cut you make on an offcut is a cut you will not botch on a good board. If you are just getting started, our guide on how to start woodworking with no experience shows which basic tools you need for the ideas below.
At a glance
- Projects
- 20, sorted by scrap size
- Skill
- Beginner
- Time
- 20 minutes to one afternoon each
- Tools
- Saw, drill, sandpaper, glue, clamps
- Cost
- Mostly wood you already have
Beginner shortcut
Got a bin full of offcuts? The TedsWoodworking plan library includes lots of small projects with exact cut lists, so you can check whether your scraps are big enough before you start.
First, sort your scrap pile
A messy scrap bin is why offcuts never get used. Spend 20 minutes sorting into three boxes:
- Small: under 6 in (15 cm) long. Blocks, cubes, short strips.
- Medium: 6 to 18 in (15 to 45 cm). Short boards and plywood pieces.
- Long: over 18 in (45 cm). Strips, trim and longer boards.
While you sort, throw out anything with hidden nails or screws, rot, or heavy cracks. Pressure-treated scraps are fine for outdoor projects, but never use them for anything that touches food, and never burn them. Keep MDF for indoor jigs and painted projects.
Easy woodworking projects with scrap wood: quick guide
| # | Project | Scrap size | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coasters | Small | 30 min |
| 2 | Phone or tablet stand | Small | 30 min |
| 3 | Sanding blocks | Small | 20 min |
| 4 | Wooden toy cars | Small | 1 hour |
| 5 | Tic-tac-toe board | Small | 1 hour |
| 6 | Garden markers | Small strips | 30 min |
| 7 | Door wedges | Small | 20 min |
| 8 | Key holder | Medium | 1 hour |
| 9 | Bookends | Medium | 1 hour |
| 10 | Candle holder | Medium | 1 hour |
| 11 | Trivet | Medium strips | 1 hour |
| 12 | Serving board | Medium hardwood | 2 hours |
| 13 | Small storage box | Medium | 2 hours |
| 14 | Birdhouse | Medium | 2 hours |
| 15 | Hexagon wall shelves | Medium | 2 hours |
| 16 | Picture ledge | Long | 1 hour |
| 17 | Picture frame | Long strips | 2 hours |
| 18 | Plant stand | Long | 2 hours |
| 19 | Small planter box | Long | 2-3 hours |
| 20 | Geometric wall art | Mixed | Afternoon |
Projects for small scraps (under 6 inches)
1. Coasters
Cut 4 in (10 cm) squares or slices from a thick board. Sand them smooth, round the edges, and seal them with a water-resistant finish so drinks do not leave rings.
2. Phone or tablet stand
Cut a slot at a slight angle across a thick block, or glue two pieces into an L shape with a lip. Test with your phone before you glue.
3. Sanding blocks
Flat blocks with a little cork or felt glued on make sandpaper easier to control. Make several sizes. They are the most useful thing you will ever make from scrap.
4. Wooden toy cars
A block, four wheels cut with a hole saw, and dowel axles. Sand every edge smooth. Keep small parts away from children under three, as they can be a choking hazard, and use a child-safe finish.
5. Tic-tac-toe board
A small square with grooves or painted lines, plus ten pieces cut from dowel or small blocks. A good gift that takes an evening.
6. Garden markers
Rip thin strips, point one end, and write plant names with a paint pen. Cedar lasts longer outdoors than pine.
7. Door wedges
Cut a long, shallow taper from a hardwood block. Make a few at once and keep the extras in the shop as shims.
Small-project plans
Turn offcuts into finished projects
TedsWoodworking includes 16,000+ plans with cut lists and materials lists, so you can find small builds that match the scraps you already have.
- Gifts, decor, toys and shop projects
- Cut lists to check your offcut sizes
- Step-by-step diagrams for beginners
- One-time $67 and a 60-day money-back guarantee
Curious what is inside? Read our honest TedsWoodworking review.
Projects for medium scraps (6 to 18 inches)
8. Key holder
A short board with hooks screwed in and a small shelf on top for mail. Hang it with two screws into a stud or wall anchors rated for the load.
9. Bookends
Two L-shaped pieces glued and screwed together. Add felt pads underneath so they grip the shelf.
10. Candle holder
Drill shallow holes in a thick block for tealights. Always use tealights in metal or glass cups, never let a flame touch the wood, and never leave candles burning unattended.
11. Trivet
Glue strips side by side with gaps between them, or across two cleats. It is a good way to use narrow rips.
12. Serving board
Use closed-grain hardwood such as maple, cherry or walnut. Avoid plywood, MDF and treated wood. Finish with something food-safe; see our guide to the best food-safe finish for cutting boards.
13. Small storage box
Four sides, a bottom and an optional lid. Butt joints with glue and brad nails are fine for a first box.
14. Birdhouse
Use untreated wood, leave the inside rough so fledglings can climb, and add drainage and ventilation holes. Look up the right hole size for the birds in your area.
15. Hexagon wall shelves
Six identical pieces cut at 30° on each end form a hexagon. Make several and group them on the wall. Set a stop block so every piece is the same length.
Projects for long scraps (over 18 inches)
16. Picture ledge
A back, a shelf and a small front lip. It is three pieces and a great first wall project.
17. Picture frame
Mitered corners teach accurate cutting. If miters are tricky, use simple butt joints and paint the frame.
18. Plant stand
Four legs, a top and a lower shelf, sized to your pot. Seal it well if it will sit under a dripping plant.
19. Small planter box
Slats around a simple frame, with drainage holes in the bottom. Cedar or fence picket offcuts are ideal.
20. Geometric wall art
Mix stained, painted and natural pieces of different species in a pattern on a plywood backer. Every scrap in the bin can go into this one.
Tips for working safely with small pieces
- Cut small parts from a longer board. Shape the end of a long piece, then cut it off, so your hands stay far from the blade.
- Clamp, do not hold. Clamp small parts before drilling. A spinning bit can grab a loose block.
- Sand with a block or a jig. Tiny parts on a power sander can fly off.
Want more ideas? Try our easy weekend woodworking projects for beginners, or see which builds tend to do well in our projects that sell at craft fairs guide.
Never wonder what to make with offcuts again
Search small projects by type inside TedsWoodworking and pick one that fits your scrap bin tonight. One payment, lifetime access, 60-day refund.
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FAQ
What can I make with very small scraps of wood?
Coasters, sanding blocks, toy cars, door wedges, garden markers and game pieces. Anything too small for those makes good kindling, as long as it is not treated wood or MDF.
Can I use pressure-treated scraps for projects?
Only for outdoor projects that will not touch food or soil you grow food in. Wear a dust mask when cutting it, never burn it, and wash your hands afterward.
How do I store scrap wood without it taking over the shop?
Use three bins by size and set a limit. When a bin is full, make a project from it or clear out the worst pieces.
