A Legacy 173 Scrap Wood Project
Sometimes the projects you build while waiting become your favorites.
I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I was looking forward to getting estimates for replacing the porch roofs. Well, funny thing (not funny in a "ha ha" way) about hurricanes is that they come with lots of wind. Gee, whoda thunk it? Wind + shingle roofs = roofing contractors over-booked! So the struggle continues. I have a few projects bumping around in my mind, but for now - I'm at a bit of a stand-still. Time for another Retro Project!
Making the Most of a Standstill
One thing I've learned over the years is that old houses don't always let you work on the projects you want to work on. Sometimes they make the decision for you.
At the time, replacing the porch roofs was at the top of my list. I'd finally reached the point where I was ready to hire someone to tackle them, and then Mother Nature decided to throw Hurricane Irene into the mix. Suddenly every roofing contractor within driving distance had a waiting list longer than my project list.
So rather than sit around getting frustrated, I did what every homeowner eventually learns to do, I looked around the workshop for something else that needed building.
As it turns out, those "someday" projects have a funny way of becoming today's project.
Finding the Right Design
After finishing the back porch, it was time to furnish and decorate it. It's not a huge porch so we didn't want to put too much stuff out there. It's also a pretty simple porch, so we didn't want a lot of bling or fancy stuff. One thing always did want though, was an umbrella stand. I searched the internet for various styles:
But none of these styles really fit. Then I saw this one:
I really liked the clean, simple lines, and it looked simple enough to build from scrap wood. We wanted it fit into a corner, so I adapted the design a little.
Building with Scrap Wood
Building from scrap wood is always a little different than building from a set of plans. Instead of starting with exact dimensions, you start with whatever lumber happens to be leaning in the corner of the garage and work backwards.
That was certainly the case here.
I wasn't trying to make a perfect reproduction of the umbrella stand I'd seen online. I simply wanted something that captured the same clean, simple feel while fitting neatly into the corner of our porch. Besides, using scrap wood means the project evolves as you go. Sometimes the wood tells you what it wants to become.
There's a certain freedom that comes with building from leftovers. If a board has a knot where you didn't expect one, you work around it. If it's an inch shorter than you hoped, you adjust the design instead of driving back to the lumberyard. Projects like this become less about following plans and more about solving little problems as they appear. I think that's part of the fun. The finished piece almost feels like a collaboration between the builder and the pile of scraps.
Sometimes it also tells you when you've made an ugly mistake.
The Ugly Stage
Funny thing is though - when I was building it, I was liking the look. Then I took a picture and realized - UGLY!! So I made a few adjustments and added some more wood!
Paint, Stain, and a Second Chance
Once again, I used some paint from another long-forgotten project, then did some distressing.
The paint was pretty bright and the whole thing looked brand new, so I rubbed on a coat of Minwax Jacobean stain to tone things down a bit and complete the finishing process.
After a little redesign, a bit more lumber, some leftover paint, and a coat of Minwax Jacobean stain to knock back the "fresh from the factory" look, it finally became exactly what I had pictured.
It's not fancy. It isn't made from exotic hardwoods. Nobody's going to mistake it for something from a high-end furniture catalog. And here it is in its natural habitat:
But it fits the porch perfectly, it's sturdy, and every time I see it holding the umbrellas, I remember it started as a pile of leftover boards that most people would have tossed into the burn pile.
That's one of my favorite parts of DIY projects. Sometimes the best thing you can build isn't the most expensive thing, it's the thing that costs almost nothing but solves exactly the problem you had.
The Best Kind of DIY
So the grand total for this project?
Scrap wood: Already had it.
Paint: Left over from another project.
Stain: Already on the shelf.
Umbrella stand: $0.
I don't know about you, but that's my favorite kind of math.
Hey, thanks for stopping by!
I really enjoyed this post because it reminds you that not every project has to be a major renovation. Sometimes the best projects are the ones you build while you're waiting for life to get out of the way. I smiled when the first version looked good until you saw the picture and realized it didn't. We've all had moments like that.I also liked that the umbrella stand was made almost entirely from leftovers. Instead of buying something new, you built exactly what the porch needed from materials you already had. That's one of the things I enjoy most about House 173. It shows that a little creativity and a pile of scrap wood can often beat a trip to the store. - Anonymous Reviewer
Frequently Asked Questions
Why build projects from scrap wood?
Scrap wood projects save money, reduce waste, and often produce one-of-a-kind pieces that fit a space better than store-bought alternatives.
What kind of wood works best for outdoor projects?
Cedar and other naturally rot-resistant woods are excellent choices, but painted pine or reclaimed lumber can last many years when properly sealed and maintained.
Why use leftover paint and stain?
Using leftover finishes reduces waste, saves money, and often helps new projects match other features around your home.
Is distressing painted wood necessary?
Not at all. Distressing simply softens the appearance of fresh paint so a new project blends naturally into an older home.
Can simple scrap wood projects last a long time?
Absolutely. Good design and careful construction matter far more than expensive materials. Many scrap wood projects provide decades of useful service.
Why do homeowners keep leftover lumber?
Because sooner or later there's always another small project that needs just one board. Leftover lumber often becomes the starting point for some of the most satisfying DIY builds.
Keywords
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