Woodworking Ideas for When You're Unsure What to Build

Home projects to prevent boredom and improve your skill level

Sometimes you want to make something useful for around the house but you're not sure what you want to build.

But there's no shortage of handy pieces of household furniture or things you can make using wood, and there are plenty of woodworkers who have their own ideas on what to build next. Whether you're using a portable sawmill to mill your own lumber or making something with wood scraps lying around your property, there's lots of ideas for what you can build next.

Sawyers and Woodworkers in the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group routinely share their household builds they made using lumber milled on their Woodland Mills sawmill.

So what should you build next? Here are some great ideas to use for inspiration so you can challenge yourself to create something new.

What tools do you need for easy household projects?

For the most part when you're bored and looking for something to build you will usually use the tools you already have available.

If you want to go out of your way and add new tools to your arsenal, look for what your current tool kit is lacking and what might make a job go easier.

If you spend a lot of time sanding boards or smoothing wavy cuts you could invest in a planer, meanwhile an edger will help ensure all boards match the same dimensions, while a bandsaw blade sharpener will ensure you always have fresh blades on-hand.

Ideas for what to build next

Here are some great projects made by real woodworkers and builders doing DIY projects from lumber milled on their portable sawmills. See how they've done it and take inspiration from these great ideas for your next build.

Custom Wood Stool

Courtesy Karlos A. from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Need something to sit down on in your workshop or garage? Or maybe your spouse would like to have something to help them reach the top shelf that's hard to reach?

This little stool was made by Karlos for his wife and is a great tool for sitting down, all made from free lumber milled on his Woodland Mills HM126 Portable Sawmill. Consider a similar concept, maybe even a folding stool for your work shop or garage, that can easily store when not in use.

Storage Crate

Courtesy Rob O. from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Make a great place to store your tools, blankets, seasonal clothes or grandkids' toys.

A storage crate is great for those looking for more storage room, and can be made from simple materials like plywood and glue or more elaborate materials like cherry or maple.

Rob's crate was made with his HM130MAX Portable Sawmill and demonstrates the grain patterns of his milled lumber.

Live-Edge Slab Table

Courtesy Wes H. from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

This little slab table is fantastic demonstration of what you can do with live-edge wood, and shows of Wes' creativity.

This simple build has a lot of potential, and you can make something that can be painted or varnished or leave raw for a completely natural look. Simple posts and legs mean this is an easy project to do when you're bored, that won't be too much trouble to build.

Live-Edge Countertops

Courtesy Kimba K. from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Tired of your boring kitchen countertops and want to make something that impresses guests?

This awesome live-edge slab countertop is astonishing, showing off the beautiful wood grain and shape of the lumber. If you're custom designing your countertops with live-edge wood then you can build them around the dimensions of your existing counters.

Countertops like this are likely to impress your friends and turn your kitchen into a more interesting conversation piece.

Homemade Sauna

Courtesy Wally K. from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Want a place to sweat out the cold winter months? Wally's sauna build, made using his HM130MAX, is an impressive project that's become a great place to relax after a long day.

This is an excellent idea for cabins and cottages, and could be a great idea if you run a lodge or an AirBnB during the summer months.

Enclosed Patio

Courtesy Tommy S. from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Do you own a patio and aren't able to use it during cold or rainy weather?

Chris' solution was to build a roof and turn his patio into a sun room, giving him access to his patio year round while still allowing sun and a breeze through when the weather his nice.

Made from lumber milled on his HM122 Portable Sawmill, this build is great for those who love to spend time outdoors but don't want to be exposed to the elements year round

Custom DIY Bar

Courtesy Chris S. from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Have spare room in your basement or garage? Consider adding a bar.

Bars are great conversation pieces, excellent for entertaining guests, family and friends and can become a centerpiece for your home. These can be as large or as small as you want, as evidenced by Chris' elaborate and expansive custom bar made with an epoxy-finished bar top.

These photogenic bars are great for pouring drinks and just being great places for hanging out at home.

What are some great ideas that I should build next?

Looking for more ideas on what wood project you want to make next? Here are some more ideas in case you're still not satisfied:

• • A slatted outdoor sofa can be built with simple 2x4 boards

  • DIY raised garden beds can be built affordably and easily

  • Advanced builds include outdoor furniture and garden accents

  • Consider making charcuterie boards or other items to sell at crafts markets. Hobby sawyers and woodworkers can generate decent money by selling at crafts markets

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What woodworking project should I build indoors during the winter?

A: Looking for a seasonal build you can make to avoid the cold weather? Storage crates for blankets or clothes can help organize your closet, while Christmas ornaments can be handy gifts for extended family and friends.

Q: What DIY build should I make next when I don't know what to make?

A: You should build something that's useful for yourself, your home or your workshop. If you have disorganized tools or items around your home, look for ways to organize them. If you want to build recreational facilities to spend time and relax, consider building a patio, sauna or a cabin to spend time in nature. Decide whether your project will be functional or for fun and then look up designs online to get inspired.

Q: What are easy beginner woodworking projects?

A: There are many beginner woodworking projects you can take on, but some easy ones include birdhouses and toy boxes. Consider simple, boxy designs that let you practice finishing lumber and how to build useful designs.