There’s something deeply satisfying about the scent of fresh cedar and the pride of building something with your own hands. Whether you’re looking to turn your backyard into a private sanctuary or add a touch of warmth to your living room, cedar is the ultimate “weekend warrior” material. It’s naturally resistant to rot, decay, and those pesky bugs, making it as durable as it is beautiful. Unlike basic construction lumber, cedar brings a high-end, spa-like feel to any DIY project without the luxury hardwood price tag.
1. Create an Accent Wall
Using just a few planks of cedarwood, you can create a stylized accent wall for your home. Use it in different rooms to give them their own unique appearance.
Transform your bedroom into a rustic retreat. Imagine waking up every morning to the warm, aromatic scent of a cedar accent wall. It’s a simple way to add texture and a “log cabin” cozy vibe to a modern room without a full renovation.
via: hometalk.com
2. Create a Planter Box
Cedarwood can also work excellent as a planter box. Take a few pieces to create a cubic shape for your plants and paint it your favorite color to really make it stand out.
Give your porch a splash of life. Instead of plastic pots, house your hydrangeas in custom cedar boxes. They age beautifully to a silvery grey, or you can stain them to match your front door for that perfect “curb appeal” look.
Instructions: remingtonavenue.com Instructions: bowerpowerblog.com Instructions: blog.homedepot.com
3. Create a Vegetable Garden
If you’ve always wanted to create a raised vegetable garden bed, cedarwood is an excellent option.
Grow your own organic dinner. There’s nothing like stepping into the backyard to clip fresh kale or tomatoes from a raised bed. Because cedar is naturally rot-resistant, you won’t have to worry about chemicals leaching into your soil.
4. Create a Hanging Shelf
Because of its incredible durability, cedarwood works great as a luxurious piece of wood for hanging on a shelf. Carve in any design you like to really make it unique.
Create a floating gallery. Use cedar planks to display your favorite travel photos or trailing ivy. It’s the perfect sturdy-yet-stylish solution for that awkward empty corner in your hallway.
5. Create a Window Box Planter
Perfect for those that want a homier aesthetic to their home, cedarwood works excellently while hanging along your window. Paint it the wall color or simply enjoy the blank wood appearance.
Bring the garden to your window. Imagine looking out your kitchen window while washing dishes and seeing a burst of colorful petunias. Cedar window boxes add that charming “European cottage” feel to any exterior.
6. Create a Wishing Well
Though a fair bit more work, consider creating a wishing well for your outdoor garden. Not only will it look amazing, but it may even grant you a wish if you put a coin in it.
Add a touch of whimsy to your lawn. A cedar wishing well is a total conversation starter. It’s a magical addition for families with kids—or just a beautiful way to hide an unsightly well pump or utility pipe.
7. Create Farmhouse Shutters
For those with a fairly large amount of acreage, making some cedar shutters for your porch is a great way to add durability with a nice rustic look.
Boost your home’s personality. Tired of a boring exterior? Swapping standard shutters for DIY cedar ones gives your house an instant “farmhouse chic” facelift that will have the neighbors asking for your contractor’s number.
Instructions:lifewithnealandsuz.com & woodshopdiaries.com
8. Create a Bath Mat
While maybe not as fluffy, cedar is great for water resistance, it is an excellent choice for acting as a bath mat.
Turn your bathroom into a luxury spa. Say goodbye to damp, soggy fabric mats. Stepping onto a smooth, water-resistant cedar mat feels incredible underfoot and brings that high-end Japanese sauna vibe to your daily shower.
Instructions: themerrythought.com
9. Create a Monogram Box
Great by itself or as a planter box, use cedarwood to liven up your front porch with a customized letter.
Personalize your entryway. A cedar monogram planter is the ultimate way to say “Welcome to our home.” It’s a small project with a huge impact, perfect for showing off your family pride.
Instructions: ellerydesigns.com
10. Create Underbed Storage
If your bed raises a bit too high above the floor, consider putting that space to use. Simply add roller wheels to the shelves or attach them to the base of the bed to create a whole new addition of storage.
Tame the bedroom clutter. We all have those “extra” blankets or seasonal clothes. Cedar is naturally moth-repellant, making it the smartest material choice for rolling underbed bins that keep your stuff fresh and organized.
Instructions: prettyhandygirl.com
11. Create a Privacy Screen
Enjoy some privacy on your patio or deck by creating a privacy screen. This way anyone that’s trying to look at you will be able to enjoy your awesome work instead.
Create your own private oasis. Want to enjoy your morning coffee in your pajamas without the neighbors watching? A cedar slat wall provides the perfect balance of airflow and intimacy for your deck or balcony.
12. Create a Vertical Garden
As with the other garden planting options mentioned, this is an excellent choice for cedarwood while making your outdoors look incredible.
Maximize a small space. If you only have a tiny patio, go vertical! A cedar herb wall lets you grow basil, mint, and rosemary right outside your door, turning a blank wall into a living masterpiece.
13. Create Cedar Trees!
What’s more impressive than using cedarwood? Using cedarwood to create cedar trees!
Modern holiday (or year-round) decor. Minimalist wooden trees made from cedar scraps are a trendy way to decorate your mantel. They bring a Scandinavian, eco-friendly touch to your festive displays.
14. Cover your Front Porch Posts
If you have some standard-looking posts and pillars in your front yard, consider covering them up with some cedarwood. This will instantly give them a more appealing appearance that will make your home stand out as particularly unique.
Hide those ugly structural posts. If your front porch has plain pressure-treated 4x4s, wrap them in cedar. It’s a weekend project that makes your home look twice as expensive and significantly more inviting.
Instructions: shadesofblueinteriors.com & luluthebaker.com
15. Create a Bookshelf
Finally, consider making a cedar framed bookshelf. This project can be as big or as small as you’d like. No matter the size, the cedar frame will instantly give it character that other shelves just won’t have.
Build a library with soul. A cedar bookshelf does more than hold novels; it fills the room with a subtle woodsy aroma. It’s a sturdy, timeless piece of furniture that you’ll be proud to pass down through the family.
