Create a simple and modern DIY Christmas village using 2×4’s and a touch of creativity. This step-by-step guide will show you how to create your own miniature winter wonderland to add a sprinkle of holiday magic to any corner of your home. And what makes this project even more special? It’s the perfect way to use up any scrap wood from older projects, making it eco-friendly and budget-friendly. Let’s get started on this fun and easy Christmas DIY project!
Related: 5 DIY Christmas Centrepieces That Come Together for $20 or Less
Materials Required:
- Scrap 2x4s
- Mitre saw
- Square
- Pencil
- Orbital sander (or a hand sander works great too!)
- 120 grit sandpaper
- Acrylic paint
- Palette
- Paintbrushes
- Washi tape
- Christmas decorations (bottle brush trees, baubles, fake snow, tinsel, twinkle lights)
Step 1: Decide How Many Houses Will Be in Your Display
To create a more visually pleasing display, aim for an odd number of houses. A set of three, five, or seven houses will provide an interesting and balanced look. Take your scrap 2x4s and cut them into various lengths, between 4 and 6 inches long, depending on your preference.
Related: These Upcycled Festive Cookie Jars Are So Easy to Make
Step 2: Cut Out the House Shapes
Using a square and a pencil, mark out the top of each house, creating a triangular roof shape. Set your mitre saw to a 45-degree angle and carefully cut along the marked lines to create the roof shape for each house.
Step 3: Grab Your Sandpaper
Using an orbital sander or sandpaper, sand down all of the sides and any sharp edges of the houses to give them a uniform surface to paint on.
Step 4: Prep for Paint
Decide on your desired paint scheme. You can create a “negative space” effect by taping off sections you want to remain unpainted. For mine, I taped off the roof, doors, and windows for some houses. Use washi tape to create clean, sharp lines between the painted and unpainted areas.
For a varied but cohesive effect, I opted to paint in the doors, windows and roof on some of the houses.
Related: Christmas Craft Ideas That Will Get You in the Holiday Spirit
Step 5: Let’s Paint!
It’s time to add some colour to your houses. A limited colour palette of 1-2 colours, or various shades of the same colour, works great for this project. Carefully apply the paint to your houses using a paintbrush. Make sure to let the paint dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Step 6: The Finishing Touches
Once your painted houses are dry, it’s time to peel away the washi tape to reveal your design.
Arrange your Christmas village using other decorations like bottle brush trees, Christmas baubles, fake snow, tinsel, and twinkle lights to complete the festive look.
To make your village truly your own, let your creativity flow. Add intricate details and designs to your houses. You can paint holiday decorations like wreaths on the doors or snowflakes on the roofs.
Your DIY Christmas village is now complete! Enjoy the holidays with this beautiful DIY addition to your home decor.
Images courtesy of Courtney Ryall
