10 Beautiful Things You Can Make From Eastern Red Cedar

Eastern Red Cedar is one of the most distinctive woods available for home woodworking projects. Its rich red and purple heartwood, lighter sapwood, natural variations, and recognizable cedar aroma can turn even a relatively simple project into something unique.

Because every board has its own grain, knots, color variations, and live-edge characteristics, Eastern Red Cedar is especially well suited for projects where the natural appearance of the wood is part of the design.

Whether you have a rough cedar board, a live-edge slab, or freshly milled Eastern Red Cedar, here are ten beautiful and practical cedar woodworking projects to consider.

1. Live-Edge Cedar Floating Shelves 

Live-edge floating shelves are one of the simplest ways to showcase the natural character of Eastern Red Cedar.

Instead of cutting away every irregular edge, part of the natural edge of the wood can remain visible. Sanding and finishing the board reveals the contrast between the lighter outer wood and the darker red heartwood.

Cedar floating shelves can work well in:

• Living rooms

• Bedrooms

• Bathrooms

• Kitchens

• Entryways

• Home offices

Hidden floating-shelf hardware can create the appearance that the cedar board is extending directly from the wall.

For someone looking for a relatively simple Eastern Red Cedar woodworking project, a live-edge floating shelf can be an excellent place to start.

2. Cedar Cat Wall  and Climbing Shelves 

Cat wall furniture doesn't have to look like ordinary pet furniture.

Natural cedar can be used to create wall-mounted climbing steps, lounging shelves, window perches, and other elevated spaces for cats.

The irregular grain and live edges of Eastern Red Cedar can make the shelves look more like part of the home's furniture than a traditional cat climbing system.

A larger cedar cat wall could combine several different components, including:

• Small climbing steps

• Wide lounging platforms

• Window-height shelves

• Corner shelves

• Connecting walkways

• Scratching areas

When constructing wall-mounted pet furniture, proper mounting hardware and secure attachment to appropriate wall structure are essential. The design should also account for the size, weight, and activity of the cat using it.

3. Cedar Display Boards 

A beautiful piece of cedar can become a display piece without requiring complicated woodworking.

Cedar display boards can be designed for collections, keepsakes, photographs, medals, small tools, memorabilia, and other objects.

Depending on what will be displayed, the board can incorporate hooks, pegs, shelves, recessed mounting hardware, or other appropriate attachment methods.

Because Eastern Red Cedar varies so much from board to board, the wood itself becomes part of the display.

4. Live-Edge Cedar Picture Ledges 

A picture ledge is shallower than a traditional shelf and provides a convenient place to display framed photographs and artwork.

Eastern Red Cedar can give a simple picture ledge a warmer, more natural appearance.

Several ledges can also be arranged vertically to create a gallery wall where photographs can be changed without repeatedly repositioning wall hangers.

Smaller pieces of cedar that aren't large enough for full-size shelving may be particularly useful for projects like this.

5. Cedar Entryway Shelves and Coat Racks 

An entryway organizer combines appearance with everyday function.

A cedar board can be fitted with hooks for coats, hats, keys, dog leashes, or bags. Adding a small upper shelf provides additional space for decorative items or frequently used belongings.

The natural coloring of Eastern Red Cedar works particularly well with rustic, farmhouse, cabin, and natural home interiors.

Live-edge cedar can make an otherwise simple coat rack look like a custom piece of furniture.

6. Cedar Planter Boxes and Raised Garden Beds

Cedar is widely associated with outdoor woodworking, making planter boxes one of the most recognizable cedar DIY projects.

Planters can range from small herb boxes to large raised garden containers.

Possible projects include:

• Window planters

• Herb gardens

• Patio planters

• Raised garden beds

• Decorative flower boxes

• Tiered planters

The amount and dimensions of cedar required will depend heavily on the planter design.

Outdoor projects should also be designed with drainage, moisture exposure, fasteners, and the intended location in mind.

7. Cedar Bathroom Shelves 

The rich color of Eastern Red Cedar can provide an attractive contrast against tile, stone, and neutral-colored bathroom walls.

Small cedar shelves can provide space for towels, toiletries, decorative items, or storage containers.

Live-edge shelving can be especially attractive in bathrooms where natural wood is being used to soften an otherwise modern space.

As with any wood project used in a humid environment, appropriate construction, placement, drying, and finishing choices should be considered.

8. Cedar Plant Shelves and Stands 

Indoor plants and natural cedar complement each other visually.

A small cedar plant stand can be made from relatively modest amounts of lumber, while larger wall-mounted plant shelves can turn an unused wall into a display area.

This is also an opportunity to use cedar pieces with unusual grain, knots, or natural edges that might not be appropriate for conventional furniture.

When designing a plant shelf, remember to account for the combined weight of the planter, soil, water, and mature plant.

9. Cedar Benches 

Larger cedar boards can be used to create rustic benches for entryways, porches, bedrooms, gardens, and other spaces.

A simple bench design allows the top board to remain the visual centerpiece.

This is particularly attractive when the cedar contains dramatic heartwood coloring or a natural live edge.

Bench construction requires more attention to structural design than a decorative shelf. Legs, joints, fasteners, bracing, and expected loads should all be considered before construction.

10. Small Live-Edge Cedar Tables 

One of the most striking uses for a beautiful piece of Eastern Red Cedar is a small table.

Depending on the dimensions of the available wood, cedar can be used for:

• End tables

• Bedside tables

• Sofa tables

• Plant tables

• Small coffee tables

• Accent tables

The natural shape of the wood can influence the final design rather than forcing every piece into identical dimensions.

This is one of the qualities that makes working with live-edge Eastern Red Cedar so interesting: two pieces made from different sections of a tree may never look exactly alike.

Why Eastern Red Cedar Works So Well for DIY Projects 

Eastern Red Cedar is recognizable for much more than its aroma.

The wood can contain dramatic reds, purples, browns, creams, knots, grain patterns, and natural variations. Once a piece is sanded, characteristics that were difficult to see on the rough board can become much more prominent.

That makes Eastern Red Cedar particularly attractive for projects where the wood itself is intended to be seen.

Instead of covering the material with an opaque finish, many cedar projects are designed specifically to showcase its natural character.

Choosing a Cedar Project 

The best project often depends on the cedar you already have.

A long, narrow board might become a floating shelf.

Several smaller pieces could become cat climbing shelves.

A particularly attractive live-edge board might be better suited for a display shelf or table.

Short pieces can sometimes become picture ledges, small shelves, plant stands, or other decorative projects.

Before cutting an unusual piece of Eastern Red Cedar, consider whether its natural shape, heartwood, knots, or live edge could become part of the finished design.

Sometimes the wood itself suggests what it should become.

More Eastern Red Cedar Projects Are Coming 

At Texas Organic Cedar, we work with Eastern Red Cedar and are continually exploring practical and beautiful ways to use this distinctive American wood.

We will be adding more information about working with Eastern Red Cedar, live-edge cedar projects, cedar shelving, home projects, and step-by-step DIY ideas.

Future project resources may include detailed measurements, material lists, cut lists, hardware information, construction diagrams, and downloadable project plans.

If you enjoy working with natural wood, check back as our collection of Eastern Red Cedar projects continues to grow.

Interested in using cedar for clothing storage?  Learn more about cedar blocks for clothes storage and why cedar is commonly used in closets, drawers, and stored clothing.