Autumn is one of my favorite seasons. I enjoy bringing fall colors, scents, and textures into my home, and these reclaimed barn wood boxes make ideal centerpieces for autumn entertaining — and for year-round use.
These barn wood boxes are highly versatile. For winter holidays I swap the fall foliage for pine branches, spruce tips, and holly berries. In spring I plant rye grass and tuck Easter eggs or decorative crosses into the greenery. For everyday display I leave candles in place and add simple branches and pine cones for a rustic look.
Locating authentic barn wood can be the toughest part of the project. Check listings like Craigslist, farmers markets, tag sales, or ask at an old barn if you come across one. If reclaimed wood isn’t available or you prefer an easier route, most big-box stores carry faux barn wood panels that closely replicate the rustic look and work just as well for this project.
I built two sizes to fit two different tables in my home. There’s no required standard size — choose proportions that suit your table. Below are the measurements I used as a starting point.
Formal Dining Room Table (seats 6–8, 6.5 feet long)
Bottom and sides (3 pieces) – 29 inches long, 5 3/8 inches high
Ends (2 pieces) – 6 3/4 inches long, 5 3/8 inches high
Kitchen Table (seats 4–6, 5 feet long)
Bottom and sides (3 pieces) – 20 inches long, 5 3/8 inches high
Ends (2 pieces) – 7 inches long, 5 3/8 inches high
The first step is to attach a side piece to the bottom board. I used a nail at each far end to hold the pieces together. Use small nails to reduce the risk of splitting the wood; if you’re concerned, drill small pilot holes before nailing.
Make sure each side panel sits flush with the bottom board before sinking the nail. If the side overhangs the bottom, the finished box will be unstable.
Attach the opposite side panel to the bottom in the same way, ensuring both sides line up evenly with the bottom board.
Handles are optional but useful. They make the boxes easier to move and add a finished, elegant touch. If you plan to add handles, attach them before fastening the end pieces. I looked for vintage handles but instead used oil-rubbed bronze pulls that matched my fixtures and complemented the rustic wood.
After attaching handles (if used), secure each end piece to the sides with nails—one in each corner (four nails total).
With the box assembled, add a piece of styrofoam, floral foam, or floral oasis inside to raise decorative elements to the top edge so they’re visible. Cover the foam with burlap or another fabric to hide it and create a finished look.
When decorating, I always start with soft light—votives or small candles work well. For homes with young children, battery-operated tea lights are a safer alternative. Candles add warmth and are an inexpensive way to elevate a centerpiece.
Next, layer texture: branches, berries, and pine cones are easy, natural choices. For autumn I included gourds and dried miniature pumpkins among the foliage for seasonal color and interest.
These boxes aren’t limited to table centerpieces. Small square versions make tidy holders for remote controls on an end table, or they can be filled with pine cones on a bookshelf. One of my next projects is to line a box with antique Ball jars and plant fresh herbs for an indoor herb garden—another easy and attractive use for these reclaimed wood containers.