Two wooden blocks shaped like simple houses, one larger and one smaller, stand against a plain white background. The wood grain and knots are visible, adding texture to the minimalistic design.
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How to Make Easy Decorative DIY Scrap Wood Houses

ByLisa

Hey guys! Can you believe Christmas is one week away!? How did that happen so fast? I feel like just yesterday I was dreading the daunting task of putting up all the Christmas decor. Speaking of which, if you saw my Christmas house tour, you have likely seen the new home decor I made out of pieces of scrap wood. They were so easy and today I am going to show you how to make your own DIY scrap wood houses in just 5 easy steps! 

Two rectangular wooden blocks sit on a table. Below, two house-shaped wooden pieces are displayed. Text reads, "DIY Scrap Wood Houses" and provides a website: www.GarrisonStreetDesignStudio.com.

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I originally made these little houses as Christmas decorations because simple little house villages have been all the rage this season. They have sat on our bookshelf for close to a month now and I am starting to think they will become a more permanent part of the family room decor. Ever since I redecorated the family room and we finished the mantel, I have been on a mission to add more natural elements and these definitely fit the bill. So how did I make these small wooden houses?

Step 1: Get Some 2x8s

I started with some small pieces of scrap 2x8s from our outdoor sofas we built in the spring. The pieces I used were 10 inches long. 

Two rectangular pieces of unfinished wood placed side by side on a light surface. The wood has visible grain patterns and a knot on the right piece. The left piece is slightly smoother, with cleaner edges.

Step 2: Make Horizontal Cuts

To make the house shape, mark the horizontal center of the wood and make a 45 degree angle cut from the center point. I used our miter saw for this. 

A power miter saw is cutting a piece of wood on a workbench. Safety warnings are visible on the saw, and there is a ruler for precision measurement. The workspace has scattered sawdust.

Step 3: Mark Line

Then use a pencil to draw a straight line across the piece of wood to help you line up your second 45-degree angle cut. This will be the bottom of the miniature roof lines.

A wooden piece shaped like a house stands upright on a workbench. It is light-colored with visible wood grain. The workbench holds tools and a measuring scale nearby. A person wearing a gray shirt is partially visible in the background.

Step 4: Cut for Stagger

To make staggered sized scrap wood block houses you will need to trim down the second piece of scrap wood. Draw two straight lines to trim the second piece of wood down 2 inches from the top and 2 inches from one side before repeating steps two and three. 

A wooden plank with a natural knot sits on a workbench. Two pencil lines are drawn across its surface, and a blue measuring tool is partially visible beside it.

Step 5: Sand

Sand any rough edges and smooth out the surface. I used our orbital sander, but you could also use sand paper or a sanding block. 

Two wooden block figures shaped like simplified houses with pointed roofs. The blocks are light wood with visible grain and knots, standing against a plain white background.

At first I planned to paint them, but when I decided to put the houses on our dark bookcase, the natural wood seemed like the right choice! You could definitely stain them or paint them if you prefer!  

The Finished Scrap Wood Houses

A modern living room with a wood bench and a black geometric pillow is adorned with festive Christmas touches. A framed motorcycle picture hangs above, while the bookshelf holds books, candles, and holiday decor, including a potted plant and lamp. Sunlight streams in, enhancing the room's airy feel.

Here’s a closer look on the shelf.

A numbered paper reading "25" is placed on a shelf, lending a subtle nod to Christmas. Below it are two modern wooden house-shaped decorations. Nearby, books and other decorative items add charm. The backdrop includes a wall socket and various sleek shelf compartments.

And a close up of the houses themselves. 

Two wooden house-shaped blocks with smooth surfaces, one slightly taller than the other, placed against a plain white background.

What do you think? I really like the plain wood. 

A dark wooden shelf with books and decorative items, including potted plants and candle holders. A framed calendar reads "25" on the top shelf, hinting at Christmas cheer. A modern floor lamp stands to the right of the shelf against a light-colored wall.

If you enjoyed my latest craft, DIY Scrap Wood Houses, please share it on Facebook or hover over an image and save to Pinterest! And if you don’t already follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook, I would love for us to be friends!

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Two wooden block houses stand side by side against a white background. The text reads "DIY Scrap Wood Houses" with a website link. These easy-to-make blocks, perfect for holiday decor, have pointed tops resembling simple house shapes, making them ideal for Christmas displays.

This post, How to Make Easy Decorative DIY Scrap Wood Houses appeared first on Garrison Street Design Studio.

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