Discover the most unusual items made from wood! From wooden bikes to intricate sculptures, these incredible creations will leave you amazed.
Wood is all around us. We use it to build our homes, make our furniture, and even start campfires. But did you know that wood can be used to make some really cool and unexpected things?
Many creative people are using wood in new and imaginative ways. Instead of just making tables and chairs, they are turning wood into awesome items like sunglasses, watches, and even smartphones!
People are even making wooden bikes, skateboards, and surfboards. There are also wooden drones, robots, and other gadgets that might seem too fragile to be made from wood, but they work perfectly fine.
So get ready to be amazed by all the unusual and creative ways people are using wood these days. Let’s explore some of these incredible wooden creations together.
Table of Contents
Wooden Clothing and Accessories
When you think of clothes and accessories, materials like cotton, leather, and plastic probably come to mind. But what about wood? Believe it or not, some very stylish items are actually being made out of wood these days!
Sunglasses
One of the most popular wooden accessories is sunglasses. Instead of plastic frames, these sunglasses have frames carved from wood like bamboo, maple, or oak. The wood gives them a really cool natural look. Wooden sunglasses are lightweight, comfortable, and environmentally friendly.
Wrist Watches
Watches made partially or completely out of wood are also becoming trendy. The watch face may be wooden, or the entire watch band and casing too. Brands use woods like sandalwood, zebra wood, and ebony to create these unique timepieces. Wooden watches have a warm, rustic vibe that you can’t get from metal or plastic.
Jewelry
There’s even wooden jewelry now! Necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings are being handcrafted from wood slices, beads, or sculpted wooden pendants. Some are made from a single piece of wood shaped into a design, while others incorporate wood along with other materials like gems or metals. These accessories allow you to add an earthy, natural touch to your look.
Shoes and Sandals
If you really want to go all out with wood, you can even find shoes and sandals made from this material! Certain kinds of wood like cherry or maple are carved into the shape of a shoe sole and upper part. While probably not as comfortable as sneakers, wooden shoes and sandals definitely make a statement with their eco-friendly style.
Wooden Art and Decor
In addition to clothing and accessories, wood is also being used to create amazing works of art and decorations for the home. Talented artists and craftspeople are taking this natural material and shaping it into incredible pieces you have to see to believe!
Sculptures and Carvings
One type of wooden art is sculptures and carvings. Wood carvers use tools to chip away at a single block or piece of wood, gradually revealing a 3D sculpture. The level of detail they can achieve is remarkable – from human figures with facial expressions and flowing hair, to realistic animal sculptures capturing every fur texture. Wooden sculptures make awesome centerpieces or conversation starters.
Wall Art
Wood is also being used to construct wall art and hanging installations. Some artists assemble hundreds of shaped wooden pieces together into mesmerizing patterns or abstract designs. Others carve elaborate scenes right into flat wooden surfaces. These unique wall hangings instantly grab your attention and liven up any room.
Lamps
Another unexpected use of wood is in lamps and lighting fixtures. From rustic to modern styles, wooden lamps have bases or shades intricately carved from woods like oak, pine, or cherry. The warm glow that shines through the wood grain creates a cozy, natural ambiance that you can’t get from plastic or metal lamps.
Musical Instruments
Believe it or not, even musical instruments are being crafted from wood nowadays! In addition to classic wooden instruments like guitars and violins, there are also unique wooden drums, didgeridoos, and other percussion pieces. The hollow wooden bodies allow the instruments to really amplify and resonate sound in a special way.
Wooden Technology and Gadgets
In our modern, high-tech world, you probably think of materials like plastic, metal, and glass when it comes to smartphones, computers, and other gadgets. But wood? That’s right – even technology is going au naturel these days with some incredible wooden devices!
Smartphones
Let’s start with smartphones. While the inner components are still made of metal and silicon, some companies are making smartphones with wooden back cases and sides. The wood gives the phones a really unique, natural look and feel compared to bland plastic cases. Different woods like bamboo, cherry, and walnut create cool wood grain patterns.
Computer Accessories
Speaking of wood grains, wooden computer accessories like keyboards, mice, and mousepads are also becoming popular. Instead of plastic, the main body is constructed from a single piece of carved wood. Not only do they look stylish on your desk, but the smooth wood offers a satisfying touch and feel when typing and clicking.
Audio Equipment
You can even find audio equipment made from wood nowadays! Wooden speakers, headphones, and earbuds provide a warm, rich sound quality. The hollow wood enclosures allow for better acoustic resonance compared to plastic speaker boxes. Some speaker makers pair the wood with other materials like bamboo charcoal to further enhance audio crispness.
Drones and Robots
Some of the most unexpected wooden tech gadgets are drones and robots! While the internal hardware and propellers are still plastic and metal, the outer body is made of curved, sculpted wood. The wood makes these modern flying drones look almost antique or old-fashioned in style.
Wooden Transportation
We’re used to seeing cars, trucks, and planes made out of metal. But what about transportation built from wood? It might sound a bit crazy, but there are actually some awesome wooden vehicles and crafts out there!
Bicycles
One example is wooden bicycles. Instead of a traditional metal frame, these bikes have frames meticulously carved from solid wood like ash, oak, or bamboo. The wooden frames are lightweight yet sturdy enough to support a rider’s weight. Wooden bikes have a cool vintage look and are very eco-friendly.
Skateboards and Longboards
If two wheels isn’t enough for you, check out wooden skateboards and longboards! The deck is constructed from thin layers of wood like maple or bamboo, pressed and shaped. Wooden boards offer more flexibility than plastic and can be sanded down for a smooth, ideal riding surface. Plus, they come in all sorts of bright stained colors and patterns.
Surfboards
For those who love surfing, you can even find surfboards made partially or entirely out of wood like paulownia. Wooden surfboards hearken back to the classic old-school boards used decades ago. While not as buoyant as modern foam boards, they offer a unique surfing experience and look beautiful carved with cool designs.
Boats and Canoes
If you prefer transportation over water, there are also some incredible all-wood boats and canoes out there. Crafters hollow out large fallen trees into thin hulls, and then carefully shape them into sleek watercraft that are works of art. Building a seaworthy wooden boat takes immense skill and craftsmanship.
Wooden Home Goods
When you think of items for your home, wood is probably one of the first materials that comes to mind. We’re used to seeing it in furniture, floors, and cabinets. But these days, creative designers are using wood to make all sorts of unexpected home goods too!
Kitchen
Let’s start in the kitchen. In addition to classic wooden utensils like spoons and bowls, you can now find unique wooden kitchenware. There are intricately carved wooden serving trays, salad bowls made from a single piece of wood, and even wooden cutting boards with designs or graphics carved into the surface. Using wood makes these kitchen items more eco-friendly and adds a warm, rustic touch.
Toy and Games
Wood is also being incorporated into toys and games in clever ways. Wooden building blocks, puzzles, and train sets make great open-ended toys that stimulate a child’s imagination and creativity. Some game companies craft entire boards for chess, checkers, or backgammon from beautiful hardwoods with intricate patterns and inlays.
Furniture
While we’re used to wood furniture like chairs, tables, and dressers, some designers are taking wooden furniture to the next level. They use techniques like steam-bending to create curved, sculptural wooden chairs and loveseats. Other unique wood furniture includes headboards made from joined wood slabs and coffee tables incorporating tree branches or roots.
Home Accents and Accessories
You can even find decorative home accents and accessories crafted from wood. Wooden vases, planters, and bowls make for eye-catching centerpieces. Coasters, trivets, and other tabletop items feature wood burning designs or a variety of wood tones and grains. Bringing in these small wooden touches can really warm up any living space.
Final Thoughts
As we’ve seen, wood is being used to create some of the most unexpected and amazing items you can imagine. From the clothes and accessories we wear to the art and technology we use every day, the versatility of wood appears to be endless.
What makes these wooden innovations so special is the creativity and craftsmanship required to construct them. The makers pour tremendous skill, artistry, and attention to detail into every piece they design from wood. The results are functional works of art to be admired and appreciated.
Looking at all the extraordinary wooden items showcased here, it’s clear that wood is no longer just a building material or substance for fires. In the right hands, it allows us to reconnect with nature while still keeping up with modern styles and innovations.
