8 DIY Storage Solutions you can make with your mill

These sawyers found creative ways to make custom storage for their homes.

There’s something pretty special about taking a log, milling it into boards, and then turning those boards into furniture that keeps your space organized. Sawyers have been putting their home-sawn lumber to good use by building all kinds of clever storage solutions. We’re talking homemade dressers, one-of-a-kind shelves, custom cupboards, and more. These builds aren't just practical, they’re packed with personality and a whole lot of pride. If you've ever thought about making your own storage, these sawyer made projects might be just the inspiration you need.

A place to store eggs; helping the community 

Megan made a wall-mounted egg organizer from cedar milled on the farm with their HM126 sawmill. With removable shelves for easy cleaning added hooks, it keeps eggs off the counter and out of the barn fridge where the eggs would crack in cold weather, something only the chickens enjoyed when eating the scraps.

It’s important to keep as many eggs safe as possible because Megan and her family sell their extra eggs at an extremely discounted price. Their community is mainly seniors, many of whom are on fixed incomes.  Megan believes that essentials should always be affordable.

A set of hooks; combing your interests

Mark combined two of his favorite hobbies, sawmilling and metal detecting, into one creative project. He built a unique coat hanger using boards he milled on his HM122, adding hooks made from metal treasures he’s found over the years. It's a one-of-a-kind piece that tells a story, connecting his passions in a functional and meaningful way.

A bookcase library; custom and inexpensive

Rich built these custom bookshelves out of cherry wood that he cut, milled, and dried himself. He’s had his HM122 for 4 years now and says it “hasn’t let me down at all.” He loves to freedom it gives him to build completely custom projects inexpensively. These beautiful shelves not only give him a great place to store his books, but completely transform the room.

A dresser; home grown and harvested

Ralph built himself a stunning dresser using lumber that he milled on his HM122, all from trees harvested on his own property. The frame and drawer pulls are wild cherry, the panels and drawer faces are spalted hickory, and the top is quarter sawn red oak. Every detail tells a story and every board has a history. As Ralph puts it, “Is there anything more satisfying?”

A garden shed; always more to create

Lucas just wrapped up putting together a new garden shed.  It’s water-tight and ready to go but the finishing touch will be a steel roof. Now that he has a place to keep his yard tools, he’s already looking ahead. Next up: restocking his lumber pile with his HM130 and getting to work on a solar kiln. One project down, plenty more to come!

A Television Stand; journey to self employment

What started as a hobby quickly turned into a full-time gig for Jordan. “I’ve always wanted to work for myself and the sawmill was the best purchase to get that going.” From building small projects with store-bought lumber to now sawing nearly every board he uses on his HM126, Jordan loves the freedom that comes with creating your own lumber.

One of his favorite builds so far is a beautifully crafted TV stand, complete with a front sliding door and plenty of storage. It's been a journey, and he’s just getting started.

Kitchen Cabinets; a quick upgrade

Marco decided it was time to swap out his cheap cupboards for something better and homemade. Wanting to keep the cozy cabin feel, he milled Yukon spruce on his HM126 and had the new cupboards built in just two days. A big upgrade with the perfect rustic touch.

A set of drawers; when the passion doesn't fade

Mike has been milling on his HM130 for over 8 years and his passion for woodworking hasn’t faded one bit. He still gets just as excited about every new project, for instance this beautiful small set of drawers made from sassafras and walnut. A cute way to organize without taking up too much space.

From rough-sawn boards to polished pieces, these storage builds are a great reminder of what’s possible when you combine craftsmanship with creativity. Whether it’s a simple shelf or a full set of handmade cupboards, sawyers are finding ways to put their lumber to work in meaningful and practical ways. The best part? Every project tells the story of the tree it came from, the hands that shaped it, and the home it now belongs to. If you’ve got a pile of your own lumber waiting for a purpose, your next storage solution might just be a weekend away.

If you would like to see more inspirational wood project examples, check out the Woodland Mills Product Owners & Community Facebook group where sawyers post ideas, tips, photos, and free woodworking plans. vg