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25 DIY Wood Log Projects You Can Build Today (with Pictures)
Jeff Weishaupt
Last updated:
Wood is a highly versatile material and one of the oldest materials used for making tools, furniture, and even buildings. While materials like concrete and plastic might be preferred when making a lot of products, but if you want natural beauty, strength, and all from a material that you can work with yourself at home, you still cannot beat wood.
If you’re looking for a new project to start today, we have included many wood log DIY projects below. These use logs, do not require that the logs be turned into timber or planks first, and they retain the natural beauty of the log shape and structure when the item is finished.
It isn’t just huge logs that can be used for these projects. With these plans, you’ll learn how to make wood log coasters of any size! Coasters are just large enough to comfortably sit a mug on. They protect the table underneath and can prevent your drink from slipping and falling over. Log coasters are easy to make, really only necessitating the cutting of a slither of wood that is then sanded and treated. They look good, are effective, and they enable you to use branches or the logs of some smaller trees.
If you have a Forstner bit, then making a candle holder is really easy. Cut a branch in half lengthways, use the Forstner bit to bore out the holes for your tealight, and then treat the wood. You can use wax if you want the wood to retain its natural beauty, or paint or varnish to give a different look. Alternatively, you don’t even have to cut the branch lengthways, just leave it whole.
Using a hollow log to hold a plant or flower makes sense, although you will obviously need to incorporate a small vase of some sort to prevent the water from escaping. Choose an attractive log that still has plenty of bark on it to achieve a natural look.
It’s amazing what you can make with one thick log, five slices of a log, and some imagination (or the plans). In this case, you can create cute looking owl ornaments that will look great in a garden but would also work well in a porch or hallway that connects the outdoors to the inside of your house.
DIY clocks are impactful, functional, and surprisingly easy to make. What’s more, the near-circular shape of a cross-section of a log makes it the perfect choice as a clock face. Stamp, burn, or paint the numbers on; add a clock mechanism; and choose hands to create the best-looking homemade log clock.
Learn how to make a rustic cutting board and authentic wooden cutting slabs here rather than buying, which can cost you a fortune when all they really are are slices of a log. If you have a chainsaw or access to somebody that has one, and a tree, you can make your own, although it does require some treatment to ensure that it doesn’t fall apart or leech into whatever you’re cutting.
Bookends prevent books from sliding and ensure that they stay stood vertically. Rather than spend cash buying bookends, you can create your own by using a slice of a log and cutting it in half. You will want to sand it roughly, to prevent cuts and splinters, and treating it will help ensure it lasts longer.
Not only is this an operational Lazy Susan, giving you a convenient way to move food around the center of the table while serving and sharing food, but it even incorporates LED lighting to improve the mood around the table. The use of a bearing ensures that this Lazy Susan moves smoothly and sweetly.
All you need to make this table is the legs and a large slice of wood. You will also want to wax and treat the wood, but tables like these can cost hundreds of dollars, whereas making one yourself costs just a fraction of that and gives you a much greater sense of satisfaction.
It can be heart-breaking when an otherwise healthy tree is felled by the winds, or by any other natural or manmade disaster. However, with these planters, you can turn disaster into an attractive opportunity to regrow.
This is definitely going to need cushions to avoid giving yourself a bad back, but the wood log design would look great in any garden or outdoor area. You can give it the amount of curve and the size that best suits your needs and your lounging position.
This impactful floor lamp design is surprisingly simple to make. It takes a few slices of a tree, ideally from the same log to ensure reasonably uniform size, but it will work well as an indoor or outdoor floor light, once finished.
Wood not only has natural beauty, but even the etched lines from the power saw can add to that beauty and give wood slices some additional texture. Create a piece of naturally beautiful and striking wall art using wood slices from your garden.
14. Rustic DIY Wood Log Plant Stand by The Gardening Cook
A rustic wood log plant stand is not just a charming addition to your garden but can also be a perfect way to showcase your creativity and love for nature. This project involves splitting a log and drilling multiple holes of different sizes to accommodate different sizes of pots.
Sand the edges and surfaces to give it a smooth finish. Then, you can paint or stain it according to your preference. The rustic wood log plant stand can add a unique natural element to your garden and be a beautiful focal point for your outdoor living space.
Creating a wood log birdhouse is a great way to attract birds to your yard. Plus, this rewarding DIY project allows you to customize it to your desires while providing a safe and cozy home for your neighborhood birds.
Birds play an essential role in our ecosystem, and providing them with a home is a great way to support them and contribute to their well-being. In addition, a wood log birdhouse can add a charming and rustic touch to your garden, blending seamlessly into nature.
There’s something special about incorporating natural elements into your home decor, and a wood log picture frame is a perfect example of that. It adds a unique and rustic touch to your photos and can also help bring the beauty of the outdoors inside.
Creating your own wood log picture frame is a simple and satisfying DIY project you can customize to fit your preferences. You can even add additional elements, such as twine or small decorative items, to enhance the natural look of the frame.
A wood log shelf can be an excellent choice if you want to add a touch of natural beauty to your home decor. The natural beauty of the wood adds warmth and texture to your decor that other materials can’t replicate.
Whether it’s books, plants, or decorative objects, the shelf can be a canvas to showcase your unique style. You can even experiment with different finishes or treatments to add a personalized touch. For example, you might leave the wood natural for a raw and organic look or paint or stain it for a more refined finish.
18. DIY Wood Log Cheese Board by The Art of Doing Stuff
Indulge in a luxurious cheese-tasting experience with a wood log cheese board. The natural, raw appeal of the wood adds a touch of rustic elegance to your serving platter, making it perfect for intimate dinner parties or hosting guests.
The unique, irregular shape of the wood log adds character and individuality to your cheese board, elevating it from a mere platter to a statement piece. Aside from enhancing your charcuterie presentation, it serves as a conversation starter, sparking interest in your guests.
19. DIY Wood Log Centerpiece by Lake Bride Magazine
Bring a touch of nature to your dining table with a wood log centerpiece. The rustic and natural appeal of the wood log adds character to your dining decor, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The wood log centerpiece provides a perfect base for your creativity, allowing you to customize it with your favorite decorations. Whether you choose to decorate it with fresh flowers, pine cones, or seasonal ornaments, your wood log centerpiece will surely be the focal point of your dining table.
Creating a wood log bench is a challenging DIY project. If you’ve got the tools and know-how and can follow a simple video guide, then there is no reason you can’t make one yourself. You might need to put a bit of time and work in. However, you’re left with a beautiful wooden bench that you can place in front of your home, in your entryway, or out in the garden.
The beauty of a wood log stool lies in its simplicity and versatility. You can customize the stool size to fit your needs and preferences. It can be a small and portable piece to move around your living room or a larger and sturdier one to serve as a statement piece in your bedroom.
You can also experiment with different finishes and textures to create a personalized and one-of-a-kind look. You can leave the wood in its natural state for a more rustic and raw feel or apply paint or varnish to match your existing decor.
Not only does a wood log side table bring a glimpse of nature into your home, but it’s also a sustainable and eco-friendly choice. Instead of purchasing a mass-produced table made from synthetic materials, you can create a one-of-a-kind piece using a fallen branch or reclaimed wood.
In addition to being functional, a wood log side table can serve as a decorative element in your living room. You can display your favorite decor items, such as plants, candles, or photo frames, on the table, adding a personal touch to your space.
To make a wood log serving tray, start by selecting a log that is the desired size and shape for your project. Use a saw to cut the log to the desired size and create a flat surface by removing uneven areas.
Sand the edges of the log until smooth to the touch and add handles for easy carrying. Handles can be made from materials like rope, leather, or metal. You can also keep the handles natural by using branches or twigs from the same tree as the log.
This wood bench is a bit easier to build than the last one on our list. If you’ve got a pile of old logs or wood around, then you can easily fashion them together to make the perfect outdoor seating area. The base uses stumps, giving it a rustic feel without requiring too much labor on your end.
If you don’t have any big logs in your area, cutting up a smaller one into little circles can force you to get a bit creative. This fireplace screen is the perfect way to insulate the opening of your fireplace while giving your home a decorative and natural look. Simply cut the logs into small circles, attach them to a board, and put it in place. It doesn’t get much easier than that.
Jeff is a tech professional by day, writer by night. He's had the privilege of leading software teams for startups to the Fortune 100 over the past two decades. He currently works in the data privacy space. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys browsing the latest real estate deals on Zillow, tinkering around the house with various projects, and growing herbs in the garden. His latest hobby is learning new dinner recipes for the family and his current favorite is cooking filet mignon sous vide style.
Jeff Weishaupt
