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How To Make Beautiful DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art (Easy Steps & Video)

Wondering how to make wood wall art? Here’s a simple DIY scrap wood wall art tutorial for beginners that looks good enough to give as a gift!

DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art

I am always drawn to wood wall art in the stores. But even if I love it, the colors, size, or design never seem quite right for the room I want it for. So, I decided it was time to make my own DIY wood wall art.

And of course, I had to share the steps with you! These steps are easy enough for a beginner woodworker. You’ll just need to be comfortable using a Miter Saw to make this simple wood wall art.

But first, here’s what you need to know about picking the wood for your wall art.

Image of DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art with 3 design ideas. Easy woodworking steps.
This is a fun wood wall art project for beginner woodworkers.

Which Wood Do You Use for DIY Wood Wall Art

When I make my Geometric Wood Wall Art, I usually use scrap Select Pine because I tend to use it for a lot of my DIY Furniture Build Plans.

But, you can use different widths or types of wood for your design. Pick the wood that you like for your build. If you’re painting the pieces, go with a smooth wood like Select Pine or Poplar.

I like to use Select Pine over Common Board or Whitewood for these projects because it’s generally very straight, smooth-textured and knot free. Oak and Poplar boards work just as well.

I love this DIY idea! Here's how-to build steps and a quick video to show you how to make your own DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art. #AbbottsAtHome #ScrapWood  #Woodworking #WoodArt #WoodworkingIdeas
I went with a slightly distressed look on this DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art.

But they are more expensive. So, only use those when you’ll be staining the wood and want to show off the wood grain and tone. Also remember that Oak will have a textured grain, instead of a smooth feel.

The Cedar boards you find at Lowes or Home Depot can work too. But they tend to be rougher than other dimensional lumber. So, carefully pick out the straightest boards with the least amount of imperfections.

Here's a cool tutorial for DIY Chevron Wood Wall Art that I love! She used Cedar with accents of blue and white paint to add a chippy, distressed look. #AbbottsAtHome #WoodArt #WoodworkingIdea #DIYIdeas #Cedar #WallArt
Check out this DIY Chevron Wood Wall Art to see how I used Cedar for a different build.

Ok, let’s get to that DIY Wood Wall Art tutorial!

How To Make Geometric Wood Wall Art

Wood Used For This Build

  • 1/4″ Plywood or Luan Base
  • 1″x2″ and 1″x3″ Dimensional Lumber

Tools & Supplies Needed

Watch the DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art Build Video

If any of the steps below are confusing, check out this quick video for a better look at each step of the build. Sometimes seeing something done makes it easier to understand.

How To Make DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art - Quick & Easy Steps!

Design Note: I only used nails on my outside frame. But you can nail and glue each piece in place, if you like the look of the nails. Just be sure to use a thicker plywood base and the right length of brad nails.

Step One

Decide on the best size DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art for your space. I went for 3 – 18″ x 18″ pieces for a large wall. Cut your plywood base to size.

Cut the plywood base 1/2″ smaller on both sides. Keeping the plywood smaller will keep it out of sight when you hang it on a wall. So, my plywood base was 17 1/2″ x 17 1/2″.

Build your own custom DIY Scrap Wood Geometric Art. Works for Barn Quilt, Tribal Art, Boho, Mosaic, geometric wood designs and more. Includes DIY Tutorial steps and how-to video!
Cutting a square plywood base is easy with a straight cutting guide clamped to the board.

Step Two

Next, I used a straight-edge to mark corner to corner and across the middles. Those marks just helped me make sure the design stayed centered.

Step Three

Each of my 3 Geometric Wood Wall Art designs, started with an outside frame. Clamping those together made it easier to hold the inner pieces in place while I worked on the design.

Build your own custom DIY Scrap Wood Geometric Art. Works for Barn Quilt, Tribal Art, Boho, Mosaic, geometric wood designs and more. Includes DIY Tutorial steps and how-to video!
The pencil marks act as a guide for my design. The frame helps hold the pieces in place while I make sure my cuts are tight. I love this Bessey Strap Clamp for jobs like this.

Each piece has to be cut to the exact same length to get a perfect square. I usually use the first piece as a cutting guide for the rest.

Just clamp the piece to the top and line the blade up with the edge on the top piece before cutting the bottom piece.

Build your own custom DIY Scrap Wood Geometric Art. Works for Barn Quilt, Tribal Art, Boho, Mosaic, geometric wood designs and more. Includes DIY Tutorial steps and how-to video!
I clamp the first board to the following boards to get matching lengths. Just push the top board up to the lowered blade to make sure you’ll cut the bottom board at the same length. Don’t start the blade until you raise it off of the boards, though.

Step Four

Once the outside frame is cut and clamped in place, you can start cutting the inner pieces for your DIY wood art.

You can use my designs as a guide or pick your own. Instagram and Pinterest are full of inspiration. I decided that I didn’t want to make cuts along the length of any boards, to avoid using my table saw.

Build your own custom DIY Scrap Wood Geometric Art. Works for Barn Quilt, Tribal Art, Boho, Mosaic, geometric wood designs and more. Includes DIY Tutorial steps and how-to video!
With the outer frame clamped in place, I could easily dry fit the boards for each design.

So I worked my way from the outside to the inside, using 2″ or 3″ wide boards to give more variation and interest to the design. I also stuck with just 45-degree angle cuts, to make things simple.

Use as many full width pieces as possible. My small triangles in each piece are the pieces that needed cutting on the width and length of the design.

If you’re not sure how to safely cut small pieces on a Miter Saw, you can find 4 tips for How to Safely Cut Small Wood Pieces on a Miter Saw in another post.

Step Five

When you have the whole design finished and dry fit, pick a few boards to raise with small pieces of 1/4″ plywood. I went with 1 pattern in each piece to raise.

Build your own custom DIY Scrap Wood Geometric Art. Works for Barn Quilt, Tribal Art, Boho, Mosaic, geometric wood designs and more. Includes DIY Tutorial steps and how-to video!
Picking which pieces will be raised in this piece.

Step Six

Now you can sand the boards with a medium grit sandpaper, around 150-grit. But make sure you remember where each piece goes. I sanded the top and sides of each board.

I also sand down all corners a bit to give it a rounded, finished look. You can see what I’m talking about in the close up. It’s a bit like creating a Chamfer edge with sandpaper. So, it’s not perfect but I love the look.

Build your own custom DIY Scrap Wood Geometric Art. Works for Barn Quilt, Tribal Art, Boho, Mosaic, geometric wood designs and more. Includes DIY Tutorial steps and how-to video!
Here’s a closer look at the knocked down edges I did with sandpaper.

Step Seven – Paint Or Stain Each Piece

Now, before assembling my scrap wood wall art, I apply the finish. Pick whichever acrylic paints, chalk paints, latex, and/or stains will work with your design.

You should use a good nylon paint brush or foam sponge brushes to get a smooth finish on the pieces.

If you have a latex paint you want to use, I highly recommend using the steps in this DIY Chalk Paint tutorial to turn latex paint into quick drying and easy to use chalk paint. Chalk paint is easier to sand and dries harder than latex.

I love this DIY idea! Here's how-to build steps and a quick video to show you how to make your own DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art. #AbbottsAtHome #ScrapWood  #Woodworking #WoodArt #WoodworkingIdeas

Wipe off all dust on your pieces. Then apply the paint and stain colors you picked. Let them dry completely before moving on to the next step.

I played around with colors and looks for a while before settling on mine. I also used layers of acrylic with my homemade latex chalk paint to create layered looks.

I love this DIY idea! Here's how-to build steps and a quick video to show you how to make your own DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art. #AbbottsAtHome #ScrapWood  #Woodworking #WoodArt #WoodworkingIdeas
I applied a light layer of Elmer’s School Glue to create a crackle finish on some boards. I went for the same paint color above and below the glue on most boards. I was going for a textured look.

I used Elmer’s School Glue to add a crackle finish to most of the pieces. I was hoping it would mimic an aged wood look and give the pieces more character. I ended up going with a similar design and color scheme to the one I used on my DIY L-Shaped Backyard Bench.

Build your own custom DIY Scrap Wood Geometric Art. Works for Barn Quilt, Tribal Art, Boho, Mosaic, geometric wood designs and more. Includes DIY Tutorial steps and how-to video!
I played with different colors and stains before picking the final look.

Step Eight – Distress & Top Coat

After painting and staining all of the pieces, I lightly sanded the edges on all of the pieces to add more character and extra dimension to the look. Finish by applying a matte poly top coat over each board.

Build your own custom DIY Scrap Wood Geometric Art. Works for Barn Quilt, Tribal Art, Boho, Mosaic, geometric wood designs and more. Includes DIY Tutorial steps and how-to video!
If you like a distressed look, lightly distress the finish on the corners of painted pieces. Then apply your favorite top coat.

Step Nine – Glue Up And Assembly

Once dry, you can glue everything in place. For these projects, I only use wood glue on the bottom of each piece, not the sides.

I started by gluing the surrounding outer boards (from step 4) in place first. Then I placed them inside the Bessey Strap Clamp again. To hold them in place while the glue dried.

Then, I added the other pieces one by one, using plenty of Wood Glue as I went. Press every piece tightly in place. Let this fully dry before gluing and nailing the frame on.

Check out the video above these steps for a good look at how I glue these pieces in place.

Build your own custom DIY Scrap Wood Geometric Art. Works for Barn Quilt, Tribal Art, Boho, Mosaic, geometric wood designs and more. Includes DIY Tutorial steps and how-to video!

Step Ten – Add The Frame

For the outside frame, I used 1×2’s with the 1″ (really 3/4″) side facing up. I used wood glue and brad nails to attach the outside frame to the rest of the geometric wood wall art.

Then I attached a large Sawtooth hanger to the back to hang it from. Wood art can be pretty heavy, so be sure to buy the right anchors or hanging hardware for the weight of your design.

That’s it, you’ve built your own DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art. Give yourself a pat on the back.

Images of how to make geometric wood wall art. Text says How To Make DIY Scrap Wood Wall art. Easy wood wall art DIY.
Don’t forget to save how to make geometric wood wall art.

UPDATE: After a couple years, I decided to give this wall art a new look so that I could use it in another room. Check out how I gave this a makeover in this Simple Scrap Wood Wall Art Tutorial.

Give your Custom Scrap Wood Wall Art a Color Makeover with these easy steps. Plus, find out how I built this set of fun wall art with the scraps from recent builds. I love this wall art update, guys! #AbbottsAtHome #WallArt #ScrapWood #WoodArt

More DIY Geometric Wood Tutorials


Try this Wooden DIY Barn Star Art for your next build.

How to build this Wooden DIY Barn Star Art (Wood Barn Quilt) for less than $20 in lumber. Pottery Barn sells it for $400. Winning! DIY Wood Sign - Barn Quilt - Pottery Barn Knock Off #ChristmasProjects #ChristmasDecor #ChristmasSign #PotteryBarn #BarnQuilt #AbbottsAtHome

Here’s another great way to use Scrap Wood. Check out this DIY Scrap Wood Table Top Tutorial.

Turn that scrap wood or reclaimed wood into this beautiful rustic DIY Scrap Wood Table Top for your next furniture or woodworking project. How to build a rustic reclaimed wood table top with a Kreg Jig.

Or, have a look at how to faux paint 20 different metal patina looks.

Build a DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, or anything. You'll save money and get a custom size for your wall decor. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe

Feeling inspired? Get out there and make your own DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art. Have fun and let me know if you have questions.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.

Mary Petersonma

Saturday 20th of April 2019

that is a beautiful piece. I really like doing these.

Stephanie

Sunday 21st of April 2019

Thanks so much, Mary. Me too!

Leanna

Monday 19th of February 2018

This is seriously beautiful, I love it and not only is it a great use for scrap lumber, it is the perfect practice piece for making exact end cuts. Pinning.

Stephanie

Monday 19th of February 2018

Thank you! It is a fun project.

Marie

Thursday 8th of February 2018

These are fabulous, Stephanie! Cutting all those angles and having them fit so perfectly is impressive. Pinned

Stephanie

Friday 9th of February 2018

Thanks so much, Marie!

acraftymix

Monday 5th of February 2018

You always come up with such amazing ideas and your tutorials are so well explained. I love the look of your wall art. One of a kind pieces that will last for a very long time and I can't wait to see the big master bedroom reveal. That ceiling you guys added just blew my mind

Stephanie

Monday 5th of February 2018

Thanks so much, Michelle!!! Your comments are always so kind. :)

Charlene

Sunday 28th of January 2018

This is such a cute idea. I love it. Thanks for sharing with us all.

Stephanie

Monday 29th of January 2018

Thank you!

Comments are closed.