How To DIY A Wooden Box From A Single Piece Of Wood (If You Have The Right Tools)

A wooden box can be anything from a simple container for storing bits and pieces to an elaborately handcrafted piece for jewelry. Joanna Gaines' stunning storage solution that doubles as decor uses basic boxes to great effect, and there's a DIY method to make them in a variety of sizes from a single piece of wood. However, you do need the right tools. Fortunately, these can be quite affordable when compared with some of the tools worth investing in to start woodworking at home. 

What you'll need is a wood router and a router table to mount it in. You can buy a basic tool with cutting bits for $40 or $50, although those from recognized brand names will start at around $100. You'll pay around $150 to $300 for an entry-level router table, or if you're feeling adventurous, you could build your own. 

The method for DIYing the wooden box is shown in a TikTok video by Takurou Seino. The technique uses a 45-degree router bit to cut V-shaped grooves along each side of the board, almost all the way through. Paper tape is run along the back of the board to stop the pieces from accidentally coming apart. The unwanted corner sections are removed with a craft knife, and then the box sides are simply glued and folded together. Once the glue has dried, the box is sanded and finished. 

Composite board, hardwood, softwood, or plywood work equally well for this hack. Once the wood it cut and ready to be folded, apply wood glue with a brush for best results. While it's drying, you can use rubber bands or tape to hold the box in place. You might need clamps for large versions. When sanding, start with 100 or 120 grit sandpaper, then follow with 180 or 200 grit. Wipe-on varnishes make it easy to create a professional finish.

Change the height of the sides by altering the distance between the router fence and the cutter. You might want to make a simple mockup from cardboard first to check your proportions. If you want a lid, there are a couple of options. You could make a shallower box of the same size and then hinge the two together. Alternatively, simply glue another plain piece on top, and separate it following the method shown in creating a one-of-a-kind wooden box. A narrow straight router cutter could be used instead of a table saw.

For safety, always wear eye protection and a dust mask. Keep your hands well clear of the router cutter. When applying finish, follow instructions carefully and work in a well-ventilated area.