8 Ideas for DIY Building Projects to Build on Your Land

Take inspiration from these projects by real landowners when looking to make new outbuildings or DIY projects on your property

Your land is a blank canvas, and there's plenty of things you could make to fill it. 

And there's a lot of possibilities, from small scale projects you can make with just basic woodworking skills to DIY home projects like cabins and more.

Thankfully many landowners have built their dream projects, using lumber sourced from their own properties using a portable sawmill. These sawyers have shared their creations in the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group, to help inspire others.

So what type of DIY building projects should you build on your land? This list will help give you ideas to help you along in your next project.

What should I have before I get started?

Many new landowners may start with nothing. They tend to have a set of basic tools, like skill saws and drills, but even these are enough to make your own outdoor projects at home.

If you own a portable sawmill you can harvest your own trees and source all the materials from your own land. Even wood scraps can be put to use to make siding, small side projects and other decorations. Check out more listicles and step by step guides to see how you can make the most of your scrap wood.

What types of DIY projects can I make on my property?

So what are some of the different things you can build on your land? Some of these projects require a lot of time and skill, while others can be done more casually on weekends by hobbyists. Scale your projects to your skill level and the amount of time you have, and see how other sawyers and landowners have made their dream projects come true.

Raised Garden Beds

Courtesy of Brandon H. from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Built from lumber milled on his Woodland Mills HM136MAX, Brandon's raised garden boxes bring his garden to an elevated height, making them easy to maintain.

The fence with a locking gate help keeps deer and other critters out, with plenty of walking space to comfortably maintain your garden. There's a lot of different garden projects you can do with your land, and there are plenty of great ideas from likeminded landowners like Brandon. Add some wooden benches and other seating, or do a flower garden instead of a vegetable garden.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to DIY projects you can do for growing things on your land. To give another example...

Walled Box Garden

Courtesy of Ben G. from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Ben's walled-in garden is perfectly protected from any fauna that might try to take a bite out of his vegetables. Somewhere between a raised garden bed and a greenhouse, this structure provides lots of natural sunlight while also providing protection from the elements.

And all of it can be done with basic power tools and a pile of lumber, either sourced from the hardware store or from your own land. There are plenty of other outdoor garden projects you can do, but Ben's protected garden is the perfect project for any gardener who wants to ensure their vegetables are shielded from the elements.

Storage Shed

Courtesy of Lucas C. from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Need storage space for your tools, or just somewhere to cover your lawn mower or tractor when not in use?

Storage sheds are easy-to-build projects many landowners will have, and these outbuildings are quick solutions for all your storage problems. If you're looking for DIY projects to build, take a look at your current storage setup and see what you can add.

Lucas' shed, made using his HM130MAX Portable Sawmill, features lumber milled from his own property, giving it a rustic touch that's well suited for his property.

Forest Cabin

Courtesy of Dan G. from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Who wouldn't want a little getaway deep in the beauty of nature?

Dan's cabin, seen above, is a great little hideaway. Consider a little structure like this, something that can fit a little bunk bed for your children or grandchildren to go camping. This is great if you have a vast acreage, and want a place to go enjoy nature with the kids away from home.

Miss the amenities of home? If you have access to power then add a little ceiling fan and a light fixture, and you have a special little place to go birdwatching. You can easily create something unique to your property that gives you a slice of nature and the comforts of home.

Play Castle

Courtesy of Dee J. from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Another great project you can make for your kids or grandkids is a play structure, like Dee's play castle made for their goats and grandchildren.

This simple project is custom built using lumber milled on their HM126 Portable Sawmill. It's like building a little house, but with amenities kids (and critters) can enjoy.

Consider adding a slide or swing, and you can breathe new life onto your land when you hear the fun the kids are having on the custom play structure you made.

Log Cabin

Courtesy of Delbert B. from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Delbert's log cabin is beautiful, and with the help of his HM122 Portable Sawmill, he's made a ton of structures and features for his property.

A log cabin may seem daunting, but the results are breathtaking. It may require some time to build up to, tackling simple home projects as you build confidence to do something like a log cabin.

But it's not as intimidating as you'd think. A simple one-room structure, with simple furniture like a bed and a side table is all you need to make an additional space for guests to stay.

With lots of resources and step by steps guide online for building different types of log cabins, there's lots of ways to make a custom structure that carries your style and meets your land's needs.

Outdoor Entertainment Space

Courtesy of Mainly Offgrid from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Who wouldn't want an outdoor space for entertaining guests that has everything you need for a great barbeque?

This well-stocked and covered outdoor kitchen even has an oven, and plenty of storage space for plates and cookware. If you're wanting to make a similar outdoor entertainment space, consider a new light fixture like hanging tea lights to bring additional charm and vibrancy to the space.

If you start early enough in the spring you can easily build something and be entertaining guests in your space by the summer.

Timberframe Structure

Courtesy of Two Guys Timber Framing from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

A bit of a step up from previous projects, but timber framing is becoming more popular as more landowners discover the beauty of building with big timbers.

Dan and J. from the channel Two Guys Timber Framing have made their own timber town by harvesting trees from their own land and milling them with their HM136MAX Portable Sawmill.

Build yourself a new home, a guest cabin or anything else. This is hard work but the results will be well worth it, with the perfect place that will last many decades to come.

Tips for Coming Up With Your Own DIY Home Projects

What other projects should you consider when thinking of how you want to develop your land? There are some great ideas out there.

• • Tired of that old table and want to make some new outdoor furniture? A handmade patio set can bring a lot of life to your deck and impress neighbors.

  • A new deck or outdoor entertainment space requires a good finish. Consider a vibrant paint or varnish, then install lights that provide ample light to use at night so you can go outside and have a drink there during the summer time.

  • Simple storage structures, like a covered roof for your firewood, won't take long to make and are fairly inexpensive in terms of materials, but go a long way to improving the amenities of your property.

  • You can build a raised garden bed for under $40, or less if you source your own materials.

Advice for Outdoor Building

• • Using exterior grade screws and weather resistant finishes is important for outdoor projects

  • Cedar is recommended for outdoor projects due to its natural rot resistance

  • Need to clear land for a project? Stump grinders are a useful equipment that can be used to clear up space

In Summary: What do you need to build great DIY projects for your property?

It's easy to come up with ideas on what to do next with your land, and with the right skills and equipment the execution can be as easy as the ideation.

Just remember that:

• • Research online and find great projects and instructions to use as inspiration, even if you don't recreate them to the letter

  • If you're curious how something was made, reach out to the builder and ask, they may be able to reveal how you can create it at home

  • Use durable materials that can survive the elements to ensure your projects survive wind, rain and snow

  • Consider how a lumber milled from a portable sawmill might save you money in the long term