How to Decorate Cedar

Cedar is a common material for boxes because it is a natural insect repellent.

Cedar is a type of light wood that has both antifungal and antibacterial properties to it. It also resists water and moisture. For these reasons, it is commonly used for outdoor furniture. Cedar planks are blank canvases that can be easily decorated with a variety of methods. Whether it is a cedar wood trunk, a piece of furniture or even a flower box, all of these can be decorated using common materials you may have already or that are easily found in hobby or home improvement stores.

Things You'll Need

• Sandpaper
• Paint
• Flowers or other decorations
• Wood stain
• Paintbrushes
• Glue
• Faux jewels
• Gold coins

Instructions

1. Sand the wood down using sandpaper. Use 80-grit sandpaper for this. Use long, even strokes to make sure the entire surface is smooth. If the cedar you have is already sanded, you may skip this step.

2. Brush on a light coat of stain if you wish to stain the wood. Stains come in many different hues, so they are easy to match to any other furniture or pieces you have in your home. Stained furniture can be used outdoors since it resists water. Stained boxes can be used as a hope chest.

3. Brush a coat of paint on if you prefer not to stain your cedar as decoration. The paint does not have to be all one color. It can be multiple colors or you can also paint a scene onto the cedar. If it is a cedar chest, it can be used as a toy chest or put outdoors for storage since it resists moisture.

4. Glue flowers, leaves or other items to the outside of the cedar. This works best for boxes. Cedar boxes are popular because they repel water, insects and bugs, keeping their contents safe from the elements.

5. Glue gold coins or faux jewels to the outside of a cedar box to make it look like buried treasure. This is great for an island themed party or simply for the pirate aficionado in your life.

References

• Cedarwood Furniture: Cedar Facts
• Cedar Store: Cedar Chests