Homeowners who want to amplify their outdoor spaces should consider investing in cedar. Cedar is a beautiful, durable, and versatile wood that you can use to construct decks, cozy furnishings, and custom accent pieces. Read our guide below for 10 cedar projects that can help you to transform your outdoor space into a beautiful and functional oasis.
Backyard Beauty
Cedar is resistant to rot, decay, and insect attacks, which makes it especially useful for outdoor projects. It’s durable, environmentally friendly, and it removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Other materials frequently emit dangerous pollutants during production and use.
All Decked Out
A cedar deck can make a dramatic statement in your yard, and serve as the centerpiece of your outdoor living space. Western Red Cedar has become especially popular as a decking material because of its natural beauty and durability. Contractors are partial to cedar because it’s lightweight and easy to use, and homeowners value its timeless style and long-lasting performance.
Cedar decks offer several advantages over other materials, such as the following:
- Ability to withstand harsh weather conditions
- Beautiful grain patterns and rich color variations
- Environmentally friendly and sustainable
- Natural resistance to decay and insects
Cedar also stays cool underfoot even on hot days, so you can use your deck all year long.
Add Some Shade
Add shade and definition to your outdoor space by constructing a cedar pergola. This structure creates a comfortable area that you can use for relaxation and entertainment. Building a pergola yourself can also be a rewarding do-it-yourself project. Cedar pergolas resist harsh weather and decay, and you can grow climbing plants around them.
From the TOH Archives: At the This Old House project in West Palm Beach, Florida, master carpenter Norm Abram built a 9-foot-tall cedar pergola running from the residence to the guest house, providing a gateway between the driveway and the Tuscany-inspired poolscape. Norm crafted the structure using rough-cut cedar, whose aromatic compounds naturally repel insects and fungi—a perfect demonstration of why cedar remains the go-to choice for outdoor structures.
Building Smart: If you’re planning a vine-covered pergola, keep in mind that beefy construction is essential. On one TOH project, garden designer Tim Cleary used pressure-treated 6×6 posts to support a grid of 2×10 beams and 2×6 rafters fastened with through bolts. The heavy-duty framing was required because climbing plants like American wisteria can pull apart nailed boards and crack smaller supports as they grow and thicken over time.
Privacy Please
Construct a cedar privacy nook for a peaceful retreat that’s perfect for relaxation or reading. Privacy nooks offer natural wood aromas and built-in seating or storage, and cedar can withstand harsh outdoor conditions. You can adorn your nook with lattice panels or integrated planters to blend it into your garden space.
Pro Tip: TOH general contractor Tom Silva recommends staining cedar before installation, especially for privacy structures near planters: “Cedar is an excellent choice of materials for outside use, but you are going to be putting this up against the masonry. You’re going to be watering it all the time because of your plants — all the protection we can give it, the better. Now also a lot easier to paint it now or stain it now, before it goes up.”
DIY Sectional
Build a cedar sectional sofa if you want comfortable seating and furniture that can withstand the elements. Sectionals are stylish, customizable, and resistant to insects and decay. DIY sectionals are also cost-efficient compared to pre-made outdoor furniture.
Material Tip: Cedar boards are a great choice for outdoor furniture because they weather the elements, resist rot, and repel insects. However, cedar is also quite soft, so expect it to get dinged and nicked with regular use. When buying cedar, pay attention to board thickness; some lumberyards carry ⅞-inch-thick material instead of ¾-inch-thick stock. Both thicknesses work fine, but the difference can affect your cut list dimensions.
Pro Tip: Pocket-hole joinery makes assembling a DIY outdoor sofa quick and easy. After identifying the best, or “show,” face of each board, use a pocket-hole jig to drill holes in the back and inside faces. Using a stop block for making repetitive cuts can save time and improve accuracy. Once assembled, protect the piece with stain and exterior polyurethane or paint to ensure it lasts for years.
Dine Al Fresco
The bold, clean lines of a cedar table can complement any decor style, from traditional to contemporary. You can customize your table with finish, or let it develop a soft, silver patina naturally. A cedar table is durable, resistant to warping and splitting, and can endure harsh weather conditions. Pair your table with matching benches or chairs, or incorporate accessories such as lanterns or table runners, to complete the look.
Calling All Grill Masters
A cedar pergola-style BBQ cover allows you to grill year-round, no matter the weather. This attractive structure provides subtle shade during warm weather, and you can include an optional PVC cover that will allow you to use your BBQ space during inclement weather. The sloped, cantilever roof design adds a modern touch to your outdoor cooking area.
Consider add-on features such as lighting or ceiling fans, which will make your space comfortable in any season.
Open-Air Cooking
Cedar’s durability and aesthetic appeal make it a perfect choice for outdoor kitchen construction jobs. Incorporating features such as stainless-steel appliances, stone countertops, and weather-resistant fixtures can further enhance your outdoor kitchen’s appeal. This type of construction can be a significant investment, but there are ways to lower your lumber costs.
Build Smart: On an Ask This Old House project, Tom Silva built a cedar cabinet for an outdoor cooler bench, using 1½-inch-thick cedar around the perimeter of the top to create a cavity for insulation beneath a custom copper pan. The thinner interior boards—only about ⅝ of an inch thick—left room for the insulation layer, a detail that protects the cedar from heat damage and extends the life of the structure.
Storage Solution
Construct a compact cedar storage shed to help keep your backyard tidy and add rustic charm to your outdoor space. A storage shed is a perfect place to store gardening gear, lawn equipment, and other outdoor essentials, and a cedar shed is resistant to rot, decay, and insect attacks. Add windows for natural light or loft space for additional storage space.
Go Green
Construct a vertical cedar planter in which you can grow flowers, vegetables, or herbs in compact areas. These customizable planters are perfect for small yards or patios, and you can invest in tiered options to maximize your vertical space. A cedar planter will make your garden feel like an outdoor oasis.
TOH DIY expert Jenn Largesse built a three-tier cedar planter designed to sit in a sunny spot on a patio right off the kitchen. As she explains, the tiered design — built with cedar boards and stainless-steel screws — creates a small footprint while providing space to grow a considerable quantity of herbs. She used window-box liners with drainage holes to keep the soil neatly contained.
Pro Tip: When TOH general contractor Tom Silva designed a cedar planter for the show, he elevated it on four tapered legs to allow the underside to dry out and the deck or patio underneath to be cleaned. He also created an air space between the wood and the soil by placing potting mix in milk crates lined with fabric grow bags, so water drains freely and the cedar lasts even longer.
In The Dog House
A cedar dog house provides a comfortable and stylish shelter for your canine companions. Dog houses that are made of composite materials can become uncomfortably hot in summer, but cedar stays cool even when it’s warm out. Cedar’s aroma can deter fleas and other pests, which offers an extra level of comfort and protection for your pet.
