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40 Best Cedar Woodworking Project Ideas

Want to build with cedar? Here are the benefits, some things to keep in mind and some fantastic cedar woodworking project ideas and tutorials!

Once you get into woodworking, one of the fun things to do is experiment with different types of wood. There’s a time and place to just use the cheapest possible wood, but there’s also a time and place to use beautiful, unique wood species.

Today I wanted to dive in to one of our favorite wood species to work with: cedar.

I wanted to share the benefits of cedar wood, tips for working with cedar, and share a lot of ideas for cedar woodworking project tutorials.

best diy cedar woodworking projects

The Beauty and Benefits of Cedar Wood

Cedar is a wood with a lot of natural beauty. It has a very distinct grain pattern and a beautiful, warm red color. It fades to more of a golden brown as it is exposed to air and overtime.

Some of the benefits of cedar wood include:

  • Naturally moisture, mold and mildew resistant – so great for outdoor builds
  • Durable and strong
  • Resistant to decay
  • Natural insect repellant
  • Absorbs sound
  • Beautiful color and grain patterns
  • Smells wonderful
  • Lightweight

Some of the disadvantages of cedar wood:

  • Softer wood that scratches/dents easily
  • Mid-priced – not super cheap (not the most expensive either)
  • Color might not be your style
  • Color changes over time
  • Very porous, expands and shrinks over time

Is cedar good for making furniture?

Cedar is a beautiful, durable wood that is wonderful to use for woodworking projects and for making furniture.

Is cedar wood very expensive?

Cedar is not a cheap wood and typically costs about 30% more than comparable pine wood. However, it can be less expensive than many exotic hardwoods. It’s more of a mid-priced lumber.

Tips for Working with Cedar

  • Always have proper ventilation and protective gear due to the potential for sawdust irritation.
  • Cedar is soft and cuts easily, making it easier to get a smooth finish
  • This soft wood can also split easily, so pre-drill holes to prevent splitting.
  • Use sharp blades for clean cuts and to reduce tear-out.
  • Stick to a clear coat finish to enhance the wood’s natural beauty while providing protection.
best diy cedar woodworking projects

Cedar Woodworking Project Ideas

Here are a ton of woodworking projects made using cedar!

Cedar woodworking project ideas

Here are a ton of woodworking projects made using cedar!

What’s your favorite cedar woodworking project?

Before you go…

Are you finding yourself to be obsessed with cedar lately? Check out our tutorial on how to install a tongue and groove cedar ceiling – it’s gorgeous!

Looking for something?

We’ve been doing this since 2012 so we have a LOT of blog posts!
Search stuff like: Ceiling Projects | DIY Plant Stands | Thrift Flips

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