Woodworking Plans For Beginners Top 30 Must Have Projects

Some designs are suited for a novice skill set. These will provide some challenges but build a simple project. A shop set of woodworking plans for beginners will offer novices:

• A chance at skill-building: You need a project that teaches techniques, lets you practice them, or both. A good woodworking plan will not overwhelm you with several steps that involve too many techniques. Avoid generic shops plans as a beginner so that you do not become frustrated;
• Minimal tool requirements: Unless you inherited a woodshop from a relative, you likely have few hand or power tools when you start. Beginner blueprints will require only a few tools to build the project in the layout. Hold onto shop plans that require several tools that you do not have until a later date;
• Reduced material use: Beginner woodworking designs need to be small or medium-sized. That will make them more manageable as you learn to tackle woodworking projects. I find that projects requiring lots of wood will usually need intermediate or advanced woodworking skills;
• Short build times: Finishing your first handful of projects lets you see results right away. It also builds confidence in your skills, allowing you to take on more complex projects with less trepidation. I find long builds more satisfying now as an advanced woodworker than I did when I was building from woodworking plans for beginners.

Woodworking Project Plans for Beginners

Woodworking plans for beginners are easy, and easy equates to fun in a novice's workshop. But, what do I mean by woodworking project plans for beginners?

1. Shop jigs;
2. Decorations;
3. Functional items;
4. Boxes.

Shop Jig Plans

One of the first categories of woodworking plans for beginners is shop jigs. There are designs out there for hand and power tools. These projects are ideal for learning because you can make mistakes and still produce a functioning shop jig.

Jigs will improve your accuracy when cutting, drilling, and shaping wood. They can also speed up assembly and repeatable steps. The only drawback is that a shop jig is often very specialized and serves no purpose outside the woodshop.

Decorative Plans

Several woodworking project plans for beginners create simple decorations for the home. Ornaments and wall signs are the top examples of decorative items. I like these because they usually involve only one piece of lumber, so replacing mistakes is cheap and quickly repeatable.

Decorations are good practice for shaping wood, sanding, and finishing. You get lots of woodworking practice because you can make these quickly. The often one-dimensional designs will become boring to most woodworkers as these provide minimal challenges (unless you get into scrollwork).

Functional Plans

Building something that everyone can use is satisfying. Single board designs for a floating shelf or a coat rack using dowels are good examples of adding function to projects. I like these because they force beginners to learn anchoring and support.

Box Plans

You will spend most of your woodworking career making box shapes, from storage items to bookcases. Here is the start your journey into joinery. Simply put, box plans are a must-have.

DIY Woodworking Plans for Beginners

Finding woodworking plans for beginners is easy, as others love to share their passion across the internet. Building Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects are a fun way to learn woodworking. I tend to break down DIY woodworking projects for beginners into:

• Carpentry projects;
• Landscaping projects;
• Organizational projects;
• Other DIY projects.

Carpentry DIY Woodworking Plans for Beginners

I look at this category as both indoor and outdoor builds. Carpentry projects improve the access, look, or function of your home. An example of a beginner DIY carpentry project would be to add molding around a bedroom.

These projects are a productive way to learn home design, and you will save money as you tackle more sophisticated jobs. Carpentry is where layout tools like your tape measure will get lots of work. The downside is that many DIY carpentry projects require more knowledge.

Landscaping DIY Woodworking Projects for Beginners

A great way to learn how to work with wood is landscaping. The natural look of wood is ideal for the outdoors, and several species work well in this setting. Plant boxes and lawn edging are examples of these projects.

Your only limitation is the types of wood that can withstand the elements, especially moisture and the sun.

Organizational DIY Woodworking Plans for Beginners

The shop plans in this category build basement/garage storage, outdoor boxes to hold hoses, or racks for the garage, shed, or workshop. Your tool kit will get a full workout, and these projects are more forgiving.

Other DIY Woodworking Projects for Beginners

I view this as a catch-all category. Here is where I would put beginner furniture, games, and other items that do not fit other descriptions.

25 Best DIY Woodworking Projects for Beginners

You will find woodshop plans to build almost anything, but you might want to consider what makes a good starter project. I wanted to include a list of the 25 best DIY woodworking projects for beginners to give you some ideas for where to start.

1. Scrap wood: No woodworking plans for beginners pdf needed. Practice cuts/drilling and use for landscaping/firewood after;
2. Bench hook jig: Helps make straight cuts;
3. DIY Phone stand: Uses butt joinery;
4. Picture frames: Improve pictures while cutting miters;
5. Miter box: Guide straight cross cuts or mitered angles;
6. Shelf with hooks: Use dowels or hardware;
7. Decorative shelf: Think kid themes using woodworking plans for beginners pdf with animal shapes;
8. Car key caddy: Only uses one piece of wood;
9. Cutting board: Functional gift;
10. Floating shelf: Popular decorative appearance;
11. Storage box: Build these over and over;
12. Tiered garden beds: Garden in smaller spaces;
13. DIY planter box: Adds depth to yard;
14. Headboard: Practice making panels;
15. Book shelf: Display and store;
16. “C” table: Table surface at the couch;
17. Console table: Thin but functional;
18. Jewelry box: Practice routing edges;
19. Lap desk: Makes a portable working surface;
20. Saw bench: Many woodworking plans for beginners pdf files out there;
21. Spice rack: Several woodworking plans for beginners to choose from;
22. Desk with folding top: Practice tapered legs;
23. Bedside table: Bedside support/storage;
24. Children table/chairs: Easy furniture;
25. Roman-style workbench: Uses 2×4 building lumber.

Free woodworking project plans for beginners

While you can pay for woodworking plans for beginners, most hobbyists just starting in woodworking look for free shop plans. I did, and I still do to this day. Some things you want to consider when using free woodworking project plans for beginners include:

• These are usually made by hobbyists: Several skilled woodworkers offer education and plans for beginning-level projects. Some woodworkers are less scrupulous, offering beginner plans that are too generic, incomplete, or stolen from others. I suggest looking through the diagrams several times and researching online for builds using these plans;
• Free may not be “free”: I have found more than one set of “free” beginner project shop plans that contained 2/3 or 3/4 of the build, only to find out that the author was charging for the remaining steps. Again, a little research will let even a first-time woodworker know if the set of plans are complete;
• The blueprints might be over-complex: Free woodworking project plans for beginners might be geared more towards intermediate woodworkers. Sometimes, I find shop plans that require a shop full of tools or use woodworking skills beyond those learning the hobby. I suggest holding onto the shop plans until you have the tools and skills while finding another project to build.

Experience has taught me that woodworking plans for beginners that you pay for can suffer from the same problems as free designs. Most woodworking instructions you pay for will come closer to matching the advertised skill level.

Need more great Woodworking How To's? Checkout our in-depth article – How To Learn basic Woodworking Skills

You need to know when, where, and how you save money as a beginning woodworker. Free diagrams, instructions, and support materials for novice-level projects exist on personal websites (such as this one) and media platforms like YouTube.