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DIY Wooden Farmhouse Sign

October 17, 2016

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Make a super easy wooden farmhouse sign.

No fancy painting, woodworking skills or cutting machine required!

Make an easy wooden farmhouse sign

 When it comes to home decor decisions, once I pick, I generally stick.

Sure, I swap out little things, accessories and a few seasonal pieces from time to time, but for the most part, I tend to stand by my choices for the long haul.

Well, last week, I finally made a change in the kitchen. I whipped up a brand new wooden farmhouse sign

And let's just say, it was about time.

A little more than a decade ago, we added a larger kitchen to our sweet cottage.

We painted the wall red and I made that "Country Cottage" sign that you see above the plate rack. Last year, I started to think about a new sign, but wasn't quite sure what I wanted.

Cottage style kitchen decor

Then I read this post from my very creative friend, Kris at Junk Chic Cottage and I fell in love with a sign she had seen at a local shop.

That was it. I knew what I wanted to make and I got right to it. A few people have asked about it, so today, I am sharing the super easy tutorial.

Super. Easy.

All I needed was a board, some paint and a few wooden letters.

Now, being a waste not, want not kind of gal, I decided to use the back of my existing sign to create it. It was the perfect size, I wouldn't have to store the old one or spend money for a new board.

I just turned it over, removed the hangers and mapped out my letters for spacing.

Of course, if you don't have a board, the big box hardware stores will cut one to your desired length for free.

I love that.

Make a wooden farmhouse sign

Next step ~ paint.

I am lazy and I like the rustic look, so I I did not prime the wood. I just squirted the paint directly on the board and then used a foam brush to spread it.

Paint a board for a wooden sign

I started with white paint and then I diluted a little brown paint with water and gently spread that over the white to distress and "age" the wood a little bit.



I painted the letters brown. It was a very messy job, because I held them as I painted them to get full coverage...but that's ok. I can deal with a little paint on my hands if it means the job is done right.

When the letters were dry, I spaced them out on the board, using a ruler to center them, and hot glued them in place.

Paint wooden letters for a custom sign

I flipped the board over, added the hangers and and hung it back up again.

It seriously took me less than a half an hour to complete and with a coupon from the craft store, the letters were less than $15.

Not bad for a custom made, five foot wooden sign.

DIY Wooden Sign

So cheap I could make a new one for every season.

But I won't.

This one's going to stick.

Check out a few more simple wooden signs!


Make an easy wooden sign with a sticker


Make a Christmas sign with a sticker


Wooden Sign Decoration From a Gift Bag
Kim Signature


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  1. wow.. you did great on that farmhouse sign.. I wish I'd seen yours before I paid too much for the metal one I bought.. You did give me a great idea for making one for my bedroom though..
    thanks~!
    Southern Hugs from Sonny

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    1. Thanks so much, Sonny!! I am a huge cheater when it comes to wooden sign making. I hate lettering and stenciling so I have used wall stickers and wallpaper decals in the past. The wooden letters were new to me, but it worked out great. I hope you create something fabulous for your bedroom!! :)

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  2. Good Monday Morning Kim. Oh my gosh I love your sign. It is better than the one I saw in the shop and you saved yourself lots of money to make it yourself. You know how I love change in my cottage but I have to say I love that sign and love where you have it. It is a keeper. Great job.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. Thanks Kris! You know I had the other sign up there for so long and every few months, I would get the itch to change it, but I could never find the right inspiration…and the idea of hand lettering another big sign was daunting. The other one was less than perfect and at times it really bothered me. When I saw your post, I knew. Thanks for sharing your trip to the pop up shop. That’s all I needed to get moving!! xoxo

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  3. Kim, genius!!! But I have to say that I love that country cottage sign and may have to copy it..Happy Monday..Judy

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    1. Thank you, Judy. I love that sign. It's was up there for such a long time because I couldn't bear to part with it. It's also another reason why I just turned to wood over. I may want to bring that sign back again someday. It's truly imperfect, the hand painted lettering is way off and it used to bother me at times. Other times, I love the crooked spacing. I say copy away!! :)

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  4. It looks awesome / you did a wonderful job as always! :)

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    1. Thank you, Deb. You are truly too kind to me! :)

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  5. Hot glue! The solution to my problem with getting a piece of cotton yarn hanger to stick on a vinyl 'cardboard'sign! Even Gorilla tape hasn't worked, quite to my surprise. See, it's the little things that keep us going. hehehe.
    And I do like your re-use plan. You're my hero when it comes to easy, inexpensive, exquisitely remarkable ideas!

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    1. Hot glue is the answer to most crafting questions in my own humble opinion, Nancy! ;) And thank you for your sweet comments. I really appreciate them all.

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  6. You're always so frugal! Love your sign. I also love seeing your furniture that HAS NOT been painted!
    Brenda

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    1. Haha! Yeah...I do like painted accent pieces, but for the most part, I like wood in its natural state. I'm also way too lazy to paint, so there's that. ;)

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  7. I love how you used wooden letters instead of trying to stencil something on. Smart! It turned out great!

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    1. It’s my lazy cheat, Lisa….painting letters is way beyond me. Tried it in the past, never thrilled with the results. And thanks!! :)

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  8. Love that new sign dear, and as always, you make it look soooo easy!

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    1. Thank you, Vel...and this one was easy! ;)

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  9. Great looking new sign....I don't know why but I have this intimidation about making signs? But after seeing how easy it was I might reconsider. Great job as always!

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    1. Me too, Cathy! Trust me. I have cheated my way through every sign I have ever made. After too much time and too many aggravating attempts at hand painting, I have used stickers, wall paper decals and now wooden letters and glue. I say pick a cheat and go for it! ;)

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  10. Your DIY projects are always SO good! Love the natural wood too:) pinned of course!
    Jemma

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    1. Thank you, Jemma!! :) I love getting pinned!

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  11. This is really cute! I can see this in my future! I love the place mats on your table. Did you make those? They almost look like they are on a butcher block. Beautiful! Have a great week.

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    1. Hi Lynn!! Thanks so much, I say make one...so easy...and no, sadly I did not make the placemats. Love them, but they are not my creation!!

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  12. Easy. I like easy. If it's too many steps, or hard to figure out, I won't do it. I know me. I'm lazy too. Your sign looks great Kim!

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    1. Glad to know I'm in good company, Florence!! :)

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  13. I love easy and this is way easier than stenciling too! I have been collecting boards to make stenciled signs, but I may have to reconsider and use the wood letters. It looks great! I am with you, I keep my furniture and the décor on my walls forever!

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    1. Oh, AnnMarie, this was super easy...a little messier...but much easier than stenciling. I say give it a try! PS- I'm jealous of your board collection! ;)

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  14. Hello Kim! A wonderful fall project! I remember the days when I'd make things....I have no time anymore with teaching high and middle school! Looks lovely in your home. Thank you for coming by and for showing Barnes and Noble that you know me! HAHAHAHAHHAHA It's been fun.

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    1. Haha!! It was a very nice feature Anita! Congratulations.

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  15. Your sign looks great and so easy to make.

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  16. Love your sign, love Kris! I need to get to work, I have ideas all over the place. Thanks, Kim!

    Jane x

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    1. I agree, Jane...Kris is a doll and I am so inspired by what she shares! Have fun with your crafting and happy fall!! :)

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  17. Hey, I think even I could accomplish this one!! Now I just have to figure out what I want it to say!!

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    1. You could do this!! Absolutely. I think you should hang one over your window that says "Hay Neigh-bor”!! ;) Just kidding…I do love those horses though.

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  18. You're so clever, Kim. I never would have thought of using the other side. I have a long sign in the basement that I love but the colors just don't match anything I have right now. Hmm. Thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. I say go get that sign and start crafting, Susan! This one is so easy, you'll be done by lunchtime!

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  19. Hi Kim, what a pretty sign you made and it came out great! I love how you used the back of the sign to make a new one. You are so talented and creative! Thanks for sharing how to make this sign.
    Enjoy the week.
    Julie xo

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    1. Thanks Julie! I couldn't bear to toss the old one or paint over it. Now I have a sign to suit whatever mood I'm in! ;)

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  20. Kim, just when I think that that cute 'country cottage' sign simply cannot be replaced, you go and make a fabulous 'farmhouse' one! Fun and frugal, too, (so 'you'!).

    Happy Tuesday,
    Poppy

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    1. Thanks Poppy!! I know, I love that Country Cottage one (and all its imperfections!), too. It will resurface, I am sure. :)

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  21. Hi Kim, I love your sign. It turned out great and looks wonderful above your hutch. Great paint technique for an aged distressed look too.
    Thanks for sharing. xo

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    1. Thanks!! I tried the plain white, but too stark. I am glad I aged it a bit.

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  22. That is talent! Some people are born with. I am still to develop talent in art. Beautiful!

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    1. Thank you, Angela! Trust me, you could do this one. So easy!! :)

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  23. You did an amazing job making this sign! It is perfect for your home. Take care, Maria

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    1. Thank you, Maria. I am very happy with this one...easy!

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  24. So smart and so good looking. :)

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    1. Thanks Stacey and it was so easy! Just like kindergarten...paint and paste! ;)

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  25. I think I have the plans in the making now, after seeing your sign, to make a garden sign to hang in my garden. I could paint it with clear sealant I think, since it will be outside. I like easy peasy, and your projects always fit that bill! Your new sign is awesome, and reversible, if so desired... very awesome :)

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    1. This was so easy, Marilyn. I say go for it!! :)

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