Small woodworking projects with plans give beginners a clear target: a short cut list, one or two boards to buy and a few screws. The ten builds below each come with a mini cut list and assembly notes, from a 22 in picture ledge to a slatted storage crate. Each uses standard lumber from any home center and can be finished in an afternoon or two.
New to the hobby? Our guide on how to start woodworking with no experience covers the basic tools and habits first. Every project here needs only a saw, a drill, a square, clamps, glue and sandpaper.
At a glance
- Projects
- 10, each with a mini cut list
- Skill
- Beginner
- Lumber
- 1x2 to 1x12 boards, 2x2s, 2x4s, a dowel
- Time
- 1-4 hours each, plus finish
- Tools
- Saw, drill, square, clamps, sander
Beginner shortcut
Like having the cut list done for you? The TedsWoodworking plan library has thousands of small projects, each with a cut list, a materials list and step-by-step diagrams.
How to use these mini cut lists
- Sizes are actual sizes. A 1x4 is about 3/4 × 3-1/2 in, a 1x6 is 3/4 × 5-1/2, a 1x8 is 3/4 × 7-1/4, a 1x10 is 3/4 × 9-1/4, a 1x12 is 3/4 × 11-1/4, a 2x2 is 1-1/2 in square and a 2x4 is 1-1/2 × 3-1/2.
- Every saw cut removes about 1/8 in. The "buy" line for each project already allows for that.
- Measure your boards first. Widths vary a little. If your 1x6 is 5-3/8 in wide, adjust the parts that fit against it.
- Mark, then cut one part at a time. If you mark every part along the board before cutting, each saw kerf eats into the next part and it comes out short. Our guide on how to measure and mark wood accurately explains why.
If cut lists are new to you, read how to read woodworking plans before you start. It takes ten minutes and saves a lot of wasted wood.
10 small projects at a glance
| # | Project | Boards to buy | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Picture ledge | 1x4 (4 ft), 1x2 (2 ft) | 1 hour |
| 2 | Wall coat rack | 1x6 (3 ft) | 1 hour |
| 3 | Bookends | 1x6 (3 ft) | 1 hour |
| 4 | Serving tray | 1x3 (6 ft), 1/4 in plywood | 2 hours |
| 5 | Herb planter box | Cedar 1x6 (6 ft) | 2 hours |
| 6 | Tool tote | 1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 3/4 in dowel | 2-3 hours |
| 7 | Plant stand | 2x2 (6 ft), 1x3 (3 ft), 1x12 (2 ft) | 2-3 hours |
| 8 | Footstool | 1x10 (4 ft), 1x4 (2 ft) | 2 hours |
| 9 | 2x4 Christmas tree | Two 2x4s (8 ft) | 2-3 hours |
| 10 | Slatted storage crate | 1x4 (two 8 ft, one 6 ft), 2x2 (4 ft) | Half a day |
1. Picture ledge (22 in)
| Part | Qty | Material | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 1 | 1x4 | 22 in |
| Back | 1 | 1x4 | 22 in |
| Front lip | 1 | 1x2 | 22 in |
Buy: one 4 ft 1x4 (22 + 22 + 1/8 = 44-1/8 in) and one 2 ft 1x2. Glue and nail the back on top of the base's rear edge, then glue the lip to the front edge so it stands 3/4 in above the base. Screw through the back into a stud, plus a rated wall anchor at the other end, and keep it for light frames. For a heavier shelf, see our simple floating shelf plans.
2. Wall coat rack (36 in)
| Part | Qty | Material | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backboard | 1 | 1x6 | 36 in |
| Hooks | 5 | Metal coat hooks | - |
Buy: one 3 ft 1x6 (use it full length). Mark hooks 4 in from each end and 7 in apart (4 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 4 = 36 in). A 36 in board always crosses at least two studs on a 16 in layout; drive two 2-1/2 in screws into each stud. Coats are heavier than they look, so do not rely on drywall anchors alone. Want a shelf on top? Our coat rack with shelf plans add one.
3. Bookends (pair)
| Part | Qty | Material | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bases | 2 | 1x6 | 6 in |
| Uprights | 2 | 1x6 | 7 in |
Buy: one 3 ft 1x6 (6 + 6 + 7 + 7 + three cuts = 26-3/8 in). Stand each upright on one end of its base, flush at the back and sides, then glue and drive two 1-5/8 in screws up through the base. Each bookend is 5-1/2 in wide and 7-3/4 in tall. Add felt pads underneath so they grip the shelf.
4. Serving tray (12 × 18 in)
| Part | Qty | Material | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long sides | 2 | 1x3 | 18 in |
| Ends | 2 | 1x3 | 10-1/2 in |
| Bottom | 1 | 1/4 in plywood | 12 × 18 in |
Buy: one 6 ft 1x3 (18 + 18 + 10-1/2 + 10-1/2 + three cuts = 57-3/8 in) and a 2x2 ft piece of 1/4 in plywood. Fit the ends between the long sides: 10-1/2 + 3/4 + 3/4 = 12 in wide. Glue and nail the frame together, check it is square, then glue and nail the bottom on with 1 in brads. Add two drawer pulls as handles. For a finish that is safe around food, see our guide to the best food-safe finish.
5. Herb planter box
| Part | Qty | Material | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sides | 2 | Cedar 1x6 | 18 in |
| Ends | 2 | Cedar 1x6 | 5-1/2 in |
| Bottom | 1 | Cedar 1x6 | 16-1/2 in |
Buy: one 6 ft cedar 1x6 (18 + 18 + 5-1/2 + 5-1/2 + 16-1/2 + four cuts = 64 in). The ends fit between the sides, so the box is 18 in long, 7 in wide and 5-1/2 in tall. The bottom fits inside, flush with the lower edges: 18 − 3/4 − 3/4 = 16-1/2 in long and 5-1/2 in wide. Use exterior screws and outdoor glue, drill four 1/2 in drainage holes in the bottom, and set it on small feet so water drains. Cedar is the cautious choice for anything you eat. Bigger version: our fence picket planter box plans.
Small builds
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6. Tool tote
| Part | Qty | Material | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 1 | 1x6 | 18 in |
| Sides | 2 | 1x4 | 18 in |
| Ends | 2 | 1x8 | 10 in |
| Handle | 1 | 3/4 in dowel | 19-1/2 in |
Buy: a 4 ft 1x4 (18 + 18 + 1/8 = 36-1/8 in), a 2 ft 1x6, a 2 ft 1x8 (10 + 10 + 1/8 = 20-1/8 in) and a 3 ft dowel. Glue and nail the sides to the long edges of the base, bottoms flush: the box is now 7 in wide. Drill a 3/4 in hole in each end, centered and 1-1/2 in down from the top. Glue and screw the ends over the ends of the box, slide the dowel through (18 + 3/4 + 3/4 = 19-1/2 in) and pin it with a small nail through each end. The 1x8 ends are 7-1/4 in wide, so they stand 1/8 in proud each side; sand them flush or leave them.
7. Plant stand (16 in tall)
| Part | Qty | Material | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legs | 4 | 2x2 | 15-1/4 in |
| Aprons | 4 | 1x3 | 7 in |
| Top | 1 | 1x12 | 11-1/4 in |
Buy: a 6 ft 2x2 (4 × 15-1/4 + three cuts = 61-3/8 in), a 3 ft 1x3 and a 2 ft 1x12. Join the aprons between the legs with pocket screws, flush with the tops and outside faces of the legs. The base is 7 + 1-1/2 + 1-1/2 = 10 in square. Screw the 11-1/4 in square top on from below, centered, for a 5/8 in overhang all round. Total height: 15-1/4 + 3/4 = 16 in. Our pocket hole guide shows the joint.
8. Footstool
| Part | Qty | Material | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top | 1 | 1x10 | 16 in |
| Legs | 2 | 1x10 | 8 in |
| Stretcher | 1 | 1x4 | 10-1/2 in |
Buy: a 4 ft 1x10 (16 + 8 + 8 + two cuts = 32-1/4 in) and a 2 ft 1x4. Set the legs 2 in in from each end of the top. The gap between their inside faces is 16 − 2 − 3/4 − 3/4 − 2 = 10-1/2 in, which is the stretcher length. Glue and screw the stretcher between the legs on edge, centered under the top, then glue and screw the top down into the legs and stretcher. Finished height is 8-3/4 in. Why this matters: this is a footrest, not a step stool; do not stand on it to reach high shelves.
9. 2x4 Christmas tree
| Part | Qty | Material | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branches | 7 | 2x4 | 24, 21, 18, 15, 12, 9 and 6 in |
| Post | 1 | 2x4 | 36 in |
| Feet | 2 | 2x4 | 14 in |
Buy: two 8 ft 2x4s. Board 1: 24 + 21 + 18 + 15 + 12 = 90 in. Board 2: 36 + 14 + 14 + 9 + 6 = 79 in. Both leave room for the cuts. The full steps are in our DIY 2x4 Christmas tree plan; it is a great one to build in late autumn.
10. Slatted storage crate (18 × 12 in)
| Part | Qty | Material | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corner posts | 4 | 2x2 | 11 in |
| Side slats | 6 | 1x4 | 18 in |
| End slats | 6 | 1x4 | 10-1/2 in |
| Bottom slats | 3 | 1x4 | 18 in |
Buy: two 8 ft 1x4s, one 6 ft 1x4 and a 4 ft 2x2. Board 1: five 18 in slats (90 + four cuts = 90-1/2 in). Board 2: four 18 in slats and two end slats (72 + 21 + five cuts = 93-5/8 in). Board 3: four end slats (42 + three cuts = 42-3/8 in). 2x2: four posts (44 + three cuts = 44-3/8 in).
Screw three side slats to two posts, with 1/4 in gaps: 3 × 3-1/2 + 2 × 1/4 = 11 in, matching the posts. Set each post 3/4 in in from the slat ends, so the end slats will sit flush. Make the second side the same way. Join the sides with the end slats, which fit between the side slats (10-1/2 + 3/4 + 3/4 = 12 in wide). Screw the three bottom slats across the underside with 3/4 in gaps (3 × 3-1/2 + 2 × 3/4 = 12 in). Leftover 1x4 is perfect for scrap wood projects.
Common mistakes on small projects
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Parts are 1/8 in short | Cut on the wrong side of the line | Mark an X on the waste side and keep the blade there |
| Box will not close up square | Ends cut at slightly different lengths | Clamp matching parts together and cut or sand them as a pair |
| Wood splits near the end | No pilot hole | Predrill every screw within 2 in of an end |
| Glue stains under the finish | Squeeze-out wiped into the grain | Let it gel, then scrape it off |
Small projects are where you learn to be accurate, and the habits carry into bigger builds. For more ideas ranked by difficulty, see our list of the easiest woodworking projects for beginners.
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FAQ
What small woodworking project should I build first?
The picture ledge or the bookends. Both use a few straight cuts and simple glue-and-screw joints, and you can finish either in about an hour.
Can I build these small projects with hand tools?
Yes. A handsaw, a square, a drill and sandpaper can make every cut and joint here; pocket holes on the plant stand can be swapped for glue and screws through the legs.
What wood should I use for small projects?
Common pine boards work for everything indoors. Use cedar for the planter box and anything that lives outside.
Why does the cut list say 10-1/2 in when the box is 12 in wide?
Because parts that fit between two 3/4 in boards are 1-1/2 in shorter than the outside size. That is the most common sizing mistake on small boxes.
