Tame the Chaos: Creative Ways to Organize Your Scrap Wood Stash

Lauren Twitchell
Jul 22
5 min read

Tame the Chaos

Creative Ways to Organize Your Scrap Wood Stash

If you've ever looked at that growing mountain of offcuts in the corner of your workshop, garage, or hallway and thought…

"I might need that someday…"

You're not alone.

Scrap wood is a woodworker's version of a junk drawer: full of untapped potential, clever ideas, and, let's be honest—a whole lotta mess. It starts with one leftover board you can't bear to toss. Then, a few plywood cutoffs. A handful of thin strips. A chunk you might turn into something someday…

And before you know it, you've got a teetering tower of chaos you have to dig through every time you start a project.

But here's the thing: scrap wood isn't the problem. The lack of a system is.

When organized with intention, your scrap wood becomes one of your greatest creative assets. It saves you money, fuels spontaneous builds, and gives you a no-pressure way to practice techniques and test finishes.

Ready to turn the pile into something beautiful, functional, and inspiring?

Let's get your scraps in shape—without the overwhelm.

Step 1: Sort Your Scraps (Yes, All of Them)

Before you can organize, you've got to know what you're working with. That means it's time to roll up your sleeves, pull out your stash, and start sorting.

No judgment—this is a workshop rite of passage.

Pro Tip: Put on your favorite playlist, grab a trash bag, and treat this like a treasure hunt.

Sort by Usefulness and Size:

Start by grouping your pieces into categories based on their length, thickness, or potential use:

Long Useable Boards (Over 2 feet)
Great for trays, shelves, signs, or shop jigs.
Medium Pieces (1–2 feet)
Perfect for coasters, drawer dividers, tool holders, and wall hooks.
Thin Strips
Ideal for edge banding, spacers, decorative trim, or handmade bookmarks.
Tiny Cutoffs (Under 6 inches)
Keep a few for paint testing or filler blocks. The rest? Kindling.
Plywood Panels
Store flat! These are great for sign-making, templates, drawer bottoms, and laser projects.

Be Honest with Yourself

If you haven't touched a piece in over a year… and it's smaller than your palm? You probably won't use it.

Set a "cutoff" rule for yourself. For example:

"If it's under 5 inches and not already in use, I'll either toss it, burn it, or use it as a paint test block."

You're not throwing away possibilities—you're making room for better ideas.

Step 2: Give Your Scraps a Home

Now that you've sorted your wood, it's time to build or designate a storage system that works for your space.

The key here is visibility and accessibility. If you can see it, you'll use it. If it's buried, it'll become forgotten clutter.

📦 Option 1: Bins and Buckets

Use labeled plastic bins, milk crates, or 5-gallon buckets to group your wood by type or size.

One bin for longboards
One for medium chunks
One for plywood or flat panels
One for tiny usable scraps
One labeled "junk or kindling" for firewood

Bonus Tip: Clear bins help you see what you've got at a glance.

🛒 Option 2: Build a Scrap Cart

If you've got some free floor space (and a few hours), consider building a rolling scrap cart with dividers. It keeps your pieces upright, mobile, and easy to sort.

There are tons of beginner-friendly plans online, or you can customize your own with plywood and casters.

Why we love it: You can roll it to your workspace, sort it as you go, and tuck it away when you're done.

🧱 Option 3: Stackable Crates

Got wooden crates lying around? Stack them vertically against a wall to create cubbies for like-sized scraps.

Paint or label each crate for easy access—bonus points if they're on wheels or a dolly.

This system is perfect for corner spaces and renters who can't wall-mount storage.

📐 Option 4: Hang It Up

Vertical storage is a lifesaver in small workshops.

Use wall-mounted brackets or PVC tubes to stand long pieces upright.
Mount a pegboard or magnetic strip for strips, dowels, and thinner scraps.
Install L-brackets or shelf rails to create horizontal storage bays above your workbench.

Safety tip: Don't lean boards where they could tip and fall—secure them with bungee cords or wall straps.

📂 Option 5: Flat File or Under-Bench Storage

Thin sheets of plywood and MDF should always be stored flat to prevent warping.

Try:

Sliding panels under your workbench
Creating a shallow storage drawer
Repurposing an old cabinet or shelf

Don't have a bench? Use furniture risers to elevate a table and slide sheets underneath.

Step 3: Actually Use Your Scraps

Now comes the fun part—putting that wood to work!

The best way to keep your scrap stash under control is to use it often. Before running to the hardware store for new wood, check your bins. Chances are, you've already got something perfect.

Quick & Creative Scrap Wood Ideas:

Coasters – square, hexagon, or live-edge
Paint swatch boards – test colors, stains, or finishes
Wall hooks – add a knob or screw-in hook
Tool holders – simple caddies, drill holsters, or wall-mounts
Drawer dividers – make your storage more efficient
Bookmarks – thin offcuts with a burned or painted quote
Tiny risers – for candles, plants, or photo displays
Mini signs – quote boards or gift tags
Kitchen helpers – spatula rests, recipe stands
Birdhouses or feeders – use up odd shapes and leftover nails

Keep a small "ready-to-build" bin nearby with your most useful scraps. On days when you want a quick win, dig in and build something fast and fun.

Step 4: Turn Scrap into a Challenge

Here's a secret weapon for creativity: limitations.

Scraps challenge you to work with what you have rather than what you'd ideally buy—and that's where true innovation happens.

Start a "Monthly Scrap Challenge"

Once a month, grab a random piece from your stash and challenge yourself to make something:

Useful – a tool holder, shelf bracket, or drawer pull
Giftable – a handmade ornament, mini sign, or keepsake
Fun – try carving, woodburning, or testing a new finish

Post your creation, tag it, or share it with your community. It doesn't have to be perfect—it just has to be yours.

At Third Shift Crafts, we love the idea that every leftover piece of wood still holds possibility. You're not just saving scraps—you're saving stories that haven't been told yet.

Final Thoughts from the Third Shift Workshop

Scrap wood can be a mess, or it can be magic.

It all depends on how you treat it.

You don't need a huge shop or a wall full of fancy bins to stay organized. You need a system that works for you—a way to see what you have, store it with intention and use it often.

And remember:

You don't have to use every piece.

You don't have to keep every cutoff.

But you do get to build with joy, creativity, and freedom.

Let your scrap wood inspire you—not overwhelm you.

Every beautiful build starts with a piece of wood.

And sometimes, that piece is already waiting in your bin.

Your Turn: What's In Your Scrap Bin?

Got a favorite way to use up scraps? Built something fun from leftovers? We'd love to see it!

Tag us on Instagram @ThirdShiftCrafts or visit ThirdShiftCrafts.com for beginner projects, free plans, and community support made just for makers like you.