10 DIY Scrap Wood Storage Ideas to Keep Your Workshop Organized
Looking for the best DIY scrap wood storage ideas? Here are 10 projects to organize your scrap wood and keep your workshop clutter-free. Find out which wood to keep and what to toss, plus creative ways to store your offcuts.
If you’ve ever tackled a DIY project, you know one thing is inevitable—scrap wood. No matter how carefully you plan your cuts, there’s always a pile of offcuts left behind.
If you’re anything like me, you hate the thought of tossing perfectly good wood!
But let’s be honest: Without a solid system of organization, those scraps can quickly take over your workshop, garage, or wherever you build. In my case, they were on the bottom of the workbench, the wall next to it, and in a cardboard box that was overflowing… you get the idea.
I finally built a small scrap wood cart to sort all the scrap wood and sizes, and it has definitely made a huge difference. I am also a little more intentional about what pieces I keep vs. throw.
What scrap wood pieces should you keep?
As a general rule, larger pieces—anything over 6-8 inches long or wide enough to cut into usable parts are worth saving. Thin strips, oddly shaped chunks, and tiny bits? Those are usually more clutter than they’re worth (unless you have a specific use in mind, like firewood or small craft projects). Small pieces are also dangerous to cut on most saws.
Whether you have a small corner or an entire workshop, these projects will make storing and sorting scrap wood simple and efficient. The key is having a dedicated space to organize your scrap wood so it’s easy to find and actually use.
How to Organize Scrap Wood
If you’ve ever tried to tackle a project and found yourself digging through a messy pile of scrap wood, you know it is not fun!
Plus, you know the old saying “out of sight, out of mind”? That is very true for scrap wood as well. If you don’t know what’s there, you will never use it and the scrap wood pile will keep growing.
Keeping your scraps organized makes it easier to find what you need, use them efficiently, and keep your workspace clutter-free.
Here are some simple and practical ways to store your scrap wood effectively.
Sort by Size
Not all scraps are created equal! Organizing them by size will make it much easier to grab the right piece when you need it. A good way to categorize them is:
- Large boards – Anything over 12 inches long or wide enough to cut into usable parts. These are great for future furniture builds or bigger projects.
- Medium pieces – Smaller but still usable sections that can work for trim, brackets, or smaller builds.
- Small offcuts – Tiny pieces that may work for small craft projects, spacers, or even testing finishes. If they’re too small to be useful, it’s probably best to toss them or use them as firewood.
Separate Hardwood From Softwood
Different types of wood serve different purposes, so keeping hardwood and softwood separate can save you time.
- Hardwoods (like oak, maple, and walnut) are great for furniture and decorative projects.
- Softwoods (like pine and cedar) are good for beginner-friendly builds, and outdoor projects.
By storing them separately, you won’t waste time sorting through your pile when you’re looking for the right material for your next project.
DIY Scrap Wood Storage Ideas
Here are a few DIY ideas you can make to sort and organize your scrap wood to make it easy to find and use.
1. DIY Scrap Wood Cart
This mobile scrap wood cart can contain scrap wood of any size. It’s easy to build and can be used in small workshops. Roll it around for easy access when building projects, then put it back, out of the way, for a neat and organized space.
2. DIY Scrap Wood Organizer
When leftover wood becomes overwhelming, a scrap wood bin is a great solution for organizing all those cut-off pieces. If you have enough scrap wood, you can even build this workshop organizer for free. Dividers are key to keeping this bin working for you in your workshop.
3. Scrap Wood Bin From Just Measuring Up
2X4s are great for building a bin for storing scrap wood. Build it in an unused corner to keep all that leftover wood out of your way and organized for use later. You can build this option using basic tools and wood screws. Bonus points if you build it some of your scrap wood stash!
4. Mobile Scrap Wood Cart From Woodshop Diaries
The best feature of a mobile scrap wood cart is that you can move it to where you are working and then put it away when you don’t need it. This cart has dividers that allow you to store plywood cut-offs and scrapboards for easy access.
5. Scrap Wood Cart From Plywood by Remodelacasa
Dividers and shelves give this scrap wood cart lots of storage space for leftover wood pieces. Made with plywood and on wheels this cart can go anywhere you need it. Store boards by size and upright in divided bins and keep small scrap cut-offs on the shelves.
6. Easy Scrap Wood Storage From Young House Love
Scrap wood storage with dividers and a shelf underneath makes this organizer a great addition to a workshop corner. A stationary organizer allows longer boards to be stored upright without falling over. Build this easy organizer out of scrap wood in an hour or less.
7. Rolling Scrap Cart From the Handyman’s Daughter
Dividers and rails help keep scrap wood organized in this rolling cart. It’s another great option on wheels to help you organize your workshop by keeping scraps in one place for easy access.
Get the plans to build it here.
8. Scrap Wood Cart Using 1 Piece of Plywood From the Instructables
Make this scrap wood cart using just one piece of plywood. It features 6 sections for scrap wood and space on the size for dowels and other smaller pieces of wood.
Get the free plans to build it here.
9. Scrap Wood Storage Rack From Plaster and Disaster
Build a scrap wood rack next to your workbench for easy access. This rack can be built in just a couple of hours and will keep your scrap pile neat and organized. Because it’s stationary, it doesn’t need a bottom. Build it with scrap wood for a free organizer in your workshop.
10. Mobile Pallet Wood Storage From Fix This Build That
Building with pallet wood is still popular, so why not make a scrap wood organizer with pallet wood? Completely contained, you can store boards of different sizes so they are easy to access when you need them.
No matter how you choose to organize your scrap wood, the key is only to keep what’s truly useful. Let go of tiny, awkward scraps that are just taking up space.
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Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"
