One thing many DIYers don’t realize is just how useful twigs, logs, and other dead tree branches can be. The best part is that there is basically an endless supply of them. Just take a walk in any nearby forest and see for yourself. If you are stuck on ideas or don’t know where to begin, don’t fret.
This list contains 50 of our favorite craft projects using fallen logs and tree branches to get you started. Use these pictures for inspiration and then find your own creative ways to upcycle natural timber into beautiful functional art pieces. As always, good luck and happy crafting!
The long branch was stripped of all its bark and sanded down to create this outdoorsy garment rack. They painted it white to match the room, but you could also stain it and coat it with lacquer for a more natural look.
The stump works great as a little side table in the bathroom. If you position it right next to the bathtub, it makes for the perfect place to set items like soaps, wash cloths, and towels. It is coated in a water-resistant finish to prevent rotting.
This beautiful winter tree canopy wouldn’t be a hard DIY project to complete. It’s essentially just made by setting up barren branches at the corner of each of bedpost. Then hanging other whimsical decorations off of them.
They
made them by drilling holes through the the branch slices and attaching them together with cord and glue. Wood is great for this purpose because it can easily absorb the heat. It’s much better than using plastics, cloth, or other materials.
Clocks aren’t as hard to make as you might think. The inner-workings are the trickiest part. One simple solution is to just buy a pre-made clock mechanism and attach it to the wood. That’s what the authors of this
project recommend.
There is nothing that looks more natural outside of a rural cabin than a mountain bike stand built from logs. Just saw a few slices out of the log to match the width of the tires and you’ll be all set.
We never would have thought of doing something like this, but it’s an excellent idea. Especially if you live really close to your neighbors. It will provide you with some much-need privacy while still letting light through.
8. Christmas Tree Ornament
There’s nothing cooler than an all-natural Christmas tree ornament shaped like a leaf and made out of wood. Making your own is as simple as stenciling a design onto a slice of wood and cutting it out with a band saw.
It is the ideal cake stand for a country wedding. It looks both classy and elegant while still staying true to its rustic roots. All of the different parts of the tree were incorporated into the project from its trunk to its branches.
These wooden letter refrigerator magnets are super easy to create. Just slice up a branch into cross-sections and attach some magnets on the back. Then draw on the letters. The kids will have lots of fun writing messages with them.
Hollow out a couple of small stumps to make lovely little custom lanterns. This artist chose to carve hearts in the side, however, you can make any design you want. Other fun ideas include carving stars, leaves, or smiley faces.
These coasters would be amazing for an outdoor summer barbecue with friends. Each of them was
made with a hole running through it so they are easily stackable. Just thread a dowel rod through the opening.
These beautiful wooden starburst
flowers are truly a work of art. They would look so lovely hung up outside on the patio. Indoors next to the window would be an excellent place to hang them up too.
This DIY island was crafted by setting a giant slab of wood on top of a couple of sawhorses. It’s a simple solution that looks pretty incredible. It serves as a fantastic food preparation surface.
It is not an intricate bench, but that is the beauty of it. It showcases all of the natural imperfections of the wood. The farmer simply nailed a big unfinished board to a couple of logs.
The inside of the log was hollowed out to make this charming flower vase. It would look fantastic as a centerpiece at a rustic wedding party or sitting on the windowsill of a country home. Insert a jar with water in the center of the log or use a dried floral arrangement.
What a cool way of supporting a shelf! We never would have thought about doing something like this, but it makes perfect sense. You’ll just need to find two Y-shaped branches to use.
They
turned a bunch of log slices into one of the most beautiful garden paths we’ve ever seen. Cedar chips and baking soda were placed in the areas in between the logs to keep weeds and other invasive species from intruding.
This cool wall art was crafted from thousands of tiny cut wood pieces. They were fit together like a puzzle to form a backdrop for the moose mount. While the moose head is not entirely necessary, it certainly is a nice complement.
You don’t need to cut down an actual tree to make coffee tables like these. In fact, it’s almost better if you use reclaimed wood. These ones were made from solid cypress that was harvested from fallen trees.
The stick allows the hanging lamp to be converted into a captivating floor lamp that can be moved around to wherever you need lighting. Making one is just a matter of locating a nicely shaped branch and attaching it to a wooden base.
It would be really cool to have one of these in the garden to hang out and unwind in. In case of rain, a tarp can be hung over the roof to create a makeshift shelter. Otherwise, just sit back, relax, and soak up the sun.
The branches were interwoven together to build a perimeter fence around their property. It blends in with the surroundings a lot more than a regular picket fence. It is almost like surrounding your house with a giant wicker basket.
These beautiful
ornaments utilize the cross-sections of the branches as a natural canvas. The original look of the wood is preserved. Then new creative designs are painted on top with the tree bark framing the images.
It’s made from a random twig from the forest. A curtain rod like this would go great in a cabin, treehouse, or any other rustic building. If it happens to break, no worries. Just replace it with another twig.
Instead of wasting money on a garden fence or other type of fancy raised planter, why not build your own instead with logs? That’s what this
individual did using birch trees. It’s an excellent gardening strategy.
This creative crafter utilized a tree as a tree! Although, it’s not just any tree. It was sanded and the branches were sawed off to create a cool hangout spot for cats. They even added a basket on top in case the cats want to take a nap.
It’s made from several tree branches lashed together with twine. The tea lights can be placed in the glass container in the middle. Set a couple of these out on the porch at night to create some wonderful mood lighting.
Not only is it a lovely addition to the garden, but it’s also functional. If you are ever in need of an emergency escape route, just climb the ladder and hop over the fence. Its main use though is probably as a decoration.
This inspiring DIYer
inserted four birch twigs into the soil. Then placed a wooden bowl on top to make a fun birdbath for her garden. We’re sure the birds appreciate this simple project.
Who knew that stumps could look so fashionable? The secret is to strip the bark off of the outside. Then apply some wood stain. Get more details about how they completed the project
here.
While it might not be as comfortable as a plush leather sofa, it is still pretty neat. It would be so fun to sit on one of these while gathered around an outdoor campfire. For additional comfort, just bring a couple of blankets along with you.
Here we have another really cool piece of furniture made from logs. It actually looks surprisingly relaxing. We could totally see ourselves lounging out on one of these.
This hanging pendant light was made entirely from twigs. It’s so amazing what can be recycled from nature. All those dead branches you find on the ground after a storm can easily be repurposed into something brand new.
This coat rack made out of cut-off branches can hang several coats at a time. Every country farmhouse needs something like this in the foyer of the home. Follow the instructions
here to make your own.
With a couple of power tools, anyone can
make a stylish pencil holder like this. All you really need to do is saw the wood to the desired height and then drill a bunch of holes in it.
These basic garden markers make it really easy to keep track of where you planted all of your different seeds. Just shave off a bit of the bark and write the plant names on the sticks with a sharpie. Find more details
here.
The crafter had the pieces of wood leftover from when a tree in the yard was cut down. They turned out to be pretty useful. She turned them into
these beautiful chalkboards.
The best part about this tree branch toilet paper holder is the little bird perched on the end of it. At first glance, we thought it was actually real. Either way though, it’s one of the coolest toiler paper holders we’ve ever seen.
