How To Make Geometric Wood Wall Art 

Geometric wood wall art is a stunning way to add a unique, handcrafted touch to your home. With wood slats, various finishes, and a simple geometric pattern, you can craft eye-catching artwork that’ll be the focal point of any room. In the video above, Jenn Largesse shows how to make beautiful wood wall art using affordable materials and basic tools.

Tools and Materials Needed

Gather these materials before starting:

• Wood lathe bundle (Largesse uses pieces that are a 1/4 inch thick and 1 1/2 inches wide)
• 1/2-inch x 2-foot x 4-foot plywood
• Wood glue
• 1/2-inch pin nails
• Sanding sponge
• Stain or paint
• Foam brush
• Drop cloth
• Heavy-duty French cleat

Make sure you also have the following tools on hand:

• Board to use as a straightedge
• Clamps
• Circular saw
• Miter saw
• Pencil
• Pneumatic nailer (if needed)
• Tape measure

Creating the Geometric Pattern

The first step in this project is designing and cutting the geometric pattern:

1. Mark the center lines on a piece of half-inch plywood sized to the desired dimensions. Once Largesse knows the final size, she leaves the plywood long and trims it at the end.
2. Cut the end of each slat at a 45-degree angle using a miter saw.
3. Lay the slats on the plywood. Align the cut ends along the center lines. You can think of the design as four arrows or eight quadrants.
4. Move the pieces around until you’re happy with the layout, then flip each slat and mark its location.
5. Mark and cut the pattern.
6. Remove matching pieces from each quadrant and cut them together to keep the pattern symmetrical.

Applying Finishes

Various finishes create depth and visual interest in your artwork. Prepare your work area before beginning. Lay out a drop cloth in a well-ventilated area to protect your work surface. Arrange the cut wood slats on the drop cloth, leaving space between each piece.

You can use contrasting finishes for a more interesting look. Largesse uses the following: 

• A charred wood accelerator to make slats look like they’ve been scorched with a flame
• An aged wood accelerator to make stained pieces look more rustic
• A whitewash stain, white paint, and clear polyurethane for contrasting pieces

Allow all pieces to dry completely before assembly. Largesse suggests laying out the pattern on the floor as you finish the pieces. This approach helps visualize the final result and allows for adjustments.

Assembling the Wood Wall Art

Once all the pieces are dry and ready, it’s time to assemble your geometric wood wall art:

1. Apply wood glue to the back of the four main pieces that form the central design. Take time to adjust and perfect the placement.
2. Once satisfied with the alignment, nail the pieces in place. Largesse uses 5/8-inch pin nails.
3. Continue gluing and nailing the remaining slats according to your marked layout. Work methodically to make sure each piece is properly aligned and secured.

Finishing Touches

Use these few final steps to complete your wood wall art and truly elevate its aesthetic:

1. Clamp a straightedge onto the assembled piece.
2. Use a circular saw to trim the edges of the slats, creating clean, straight lines. This step also helps you finalize the height of the design.
3. Cut four pieces of wood to fit around the edges of your artwork. Glue and attach these pieces to create a frame.

Hanging Your Artwork

Now it’s time to hang your finished piece:

1. Flip the completed piece over and attach a heavy-duty French cleat to the back.
2. Secure the corresponding part of the French cleat to the wall where you plan to hang the artwork.
3. Carefully hang your new geometric wood wall art, making sure it’s level and secure.
4. Admire your piece!

Tools