10 Frugal Uses for Scrap Wood

Using what you already have on hand is a great way to save money. Here are some frugal ways to use scrap wood in easy DIY projects.

Scrap wood is easy to find and can often be taken home for free or at very little cost. Should you find yourself with some scrap wood on hand, you should get excited about all of the possibilities! Take a look below at 10 frugal uses for scrap wood that you can try. You will find that scrap wood is a great item to have on hand and can serve many purposes!

Frugal Uses for Scrap Wood

Here is a collection of ideas to inspire you to use the leftover wood from your DIY projects.

1. Make a Growth Chart.

Have a long piece of wood lying around? turn it into a growth chart for your kids. You can customize it to fit their bedroom decor. Check out this Little Bugs Growth Chart for inspiration.

2. Make wall art.

Stain or paint the scrap wood various colors and attach it to walls for some instant art. You can make groupings of the wood in various shapes and colors. You can paint favorite sayings on the wood or use a wood burner to create designs in the wood. The DIY Wood Arrows is a fun home décor project.

3. Make your own coat rack.

Take a length of scrap wood and screw hooks to it. You can find the hooks at hardware stores fairly cheap. Then, drill the entire piece to the wall or add a picture hook on the back for hanging. The end result is a rustic yet purposeful coat rack. Here is a DIY Coat Rack Tutorial.

4. Make a Swing

Have a 3 foot long piece of wood lying around? Make this Simple Wooden Swing from Berries and Barnacles. It will provide tons of fun once it is hanging on a tree in the backyard.

5. Create a Map

Make a travel map that shows where you’ve traveled in the USA or the world. This DIY Travel Map tutorial by Lovely Greens will show you how to create the map and use a wood burning tool and paint to create a lovely piece of art.

6. Make a Wooden Bench

Get the look of a custom bench without the price tag. These DIY Outdoor Bench Plans by walk you through the process, even if you’re new to carpentry.

7. Make Wooden Pumpkins

Do you have leftover plywood from a projects? Use it to make these Pumpkin Yard Decorations. Make 1 or 2, or make enough for your own wooden pumpkin patch.

Use your odds and ends from wood cuts to make the cute Scrap Wood Pumpkins. You can make a few wooden pumpkins or a whole basketful. This fall decor project is perfect for inside the house, but is sturdy enough to decorate your porch.

8. Make Wood Stilts

Your kids can improve their balance and have tons of fun when you make these Old-Fashioned Wood Stilts by Berries and Barnacles.

9. Make a Centerpiece

There are so many ways you can incorporate wood into centerpieces by using them as a base for candles, flowers, and holiday decor. This Rustic Succulent Centerpiece by Little House Living is lovely and is perfect piece to grace your table year-round.

10. Let Kids Build

Kids love using tools. Place a nail into the wood, and then give the child a smaller sized hammer to practice hammering. Or, place a screw in the wood and let them practice using a screw driver. They will love the hands on experience. The Resourceful Mama has tips for Simple Play with Scrap Wood.

More Ways to Use Extra Wood

There are so many ways to use scrap wood if you think outside the box.

Recover a tabletop.

Take multiple cuts of scrap wood and use wood glue to glue them to the top of an old or outdated table. Cut the wood to fit of course, and assemble it to fit as if you were putting together a puzzle. Once all of the pieces are in place, nail the wood to the table to secure it. Apply an optional stain or leave natural.

Level soil.

When working in your yard, you can use a piece of wood to level sand and soil. Just comb the edge of the wood over the sand or soil to smooth it out and level it up.

Make a frugal landscaping border.

You can take scraps of wood and use them to create borders around bushes and flower beds. Stain the wood first and use a protective coating to protect it from rain and rot.

Craft an easy pencil holder.

Take a block of scrap wood and drill holes into it. You can then insert pens and pencils into the holes for easy storage and display. Feel free to paint or stain the holder when done!

Make your own coasters.

Take pieces of scrap wood about the size of your palm to use as coasters. Cover the pieces with a clear coat of polyurethane to protect the wood from  moisture first. You can use larger pieces of scrap wood as coasters for plants and flower pots. It is a great way to protect your floors.

Create a fast floor mat.

Larger, thinner sheets of scrap wood can be turned into an instant floor mat for shoes. Like the coasters, you can cover the piece with a clear coat of polyurethane to protect the wood from  moisture first.

Take the scraps camping.

Scrap wood makes an excellent fire starter. Add some scrap wood to your camp fire or bonfire before lighting it up and it will help the fire roar. Here are more places to find free or cheap firewood.

Wood Pallet Projects

DIY Wood Pallet Dining Table

Wood Pallet Puppet Theater Tutorial

DIY Patio Bar Made Out of Wood Pallets

Upcycled Wood Pallet Lemonade Stand

Where to Find Free or Cheap Wood Pallets

As you can see, scrap wood has so many fun uses. The next time you stumble across some, give some of these suggestions a try!