Make your own mailbox with this creative home DIY project. We share step-by-step instructions to make your own mailbox from inexpensive or reused materials.
Do you want to make a statement that enhances your front yard and is functional? As simple as it sounds, you can make your own mailbox. It’s an uncomplicated project, and if your mailbox is old, broken, or hanging by a thread, building and decorating a new mailbox is a creative and fun project.
Measure your existing mailbox and customize a new mailbox to the same dimensions. Use materials that are weather-resistant, will not rot and take all the abuse that mailboxes receive.
You can design your own style of a mailbox or purchase a pattern at your local lumber store, hobby shop, or big box store.
There are few types of mailboxes available on the market but today we will make a wooden mailbox.
Get Ready, Get Set, Make Your Own Mailbox
Make this a family project. Someone can read the blueprint, someone can help with the supplies, and someone can paint the box. Make it a positive and bonding experience.
Supplies Needed
- 1″ pressure-treated wood or wood that has been treated with chemical preservatives to protect the wood from insects, wood rot and weather.
- 12 ¼” finish nails
- Nail gun or hammer
- Compressor (for the nail gun)
- 12 ¼” galvanized screws
- Miter Saw
- Table Saw
- Safety Glasses
- Wood Filler
- Sandpaper
- Paint
- Piano hinge
- Mailbox accessories including a flag, knob, and house number.
Dimensions of the Base of Your Mailbox
- 1” x&’ cut to the length of 17 ¼” (base of the mailbox)
- (2) 1’x3” cut to the length of 17 ¼” (sides of the base)
- (2) 1’x 3” cut to the length of 8 ¼” (front and back of the base)
Start Building Your Own Mailbox
Begin by making the base of the mailbox. Use a hammer to nail the sides to the base. You can also use a finish gun hooked to a compressor which might be easier and faster. When you are through with each section, go back and strengthen the areas with galvanized screws. This will ensure your mailbox base is sturdy and stable.
If you were wondering why you needed safety glasses, now is the time to put them on. Using a miter saw, cut the sides of your mailbox base to the dimension of the finished project. Now you have assembled the part of your box that where the mailbox sits.
Now, build the actual mailbox
- Using a 1’ x 10” piece of wood, cut it to the length of 20”
- Cut 2 sides at 1’ x 7’ cut to the length of 20”
- Nail the bottom to the base.
- Nail the sides to the base (on top of the bottom piece)
- Make sure to security nail the sides to the base by flipping the box over, nailing and screwing.
Assemble the Roof
- Cut 2 pieces of wood 1”x 7” to the length of 2”’
- Cut the peak of your roof at a 30-degree angle. Use your miter saw, set to a 30-degree angle, and cut the roof pieces of wood. Make sure the pieces fit together.
- Assemble the roof by nailing the wood together. It would also be a good idea to use wood glue or wood putty to fill in the gap in the top the roof.
- Nail securely to the mailbox.
Make a Door and Add a Back
- Cut a piece of wood with your miter saw to a 30-degree angle.
- Nail it to the roof part of the mailbox.
- Use a piece of wood cut at a 30 degree to fit into the peak of the roof. The piece of wood should be 8 ½” long x 4 ¼” high
- Make your door 8 ½” wide by 7” higher. Use 2 piano hinges to assemble the door to the mailbox. Screw the piano hinges to the door (at the bottom of the door).
- Make a back for the mailbox by doing exactly what you did to the front but don’t make a door. Use your miter saw set to 30 degrees to make sure you get the angle right up under the peak.
Make sure everything is nailed securely together and reinforce with screws even if you don’t think you need them.
Fill the Holes, Sand and Paint
Fill in any holes with the wood putty, and sand smooth. Sand the entire mailbox to get it ready for painting. Clean off your wood with a tack cloth or light washing with a damp cloth. Now you can paint it. Put a knob on the door to open and a flag on the side of the box. Get creative and paint your mailbox bright colors, two-tone, or get creative and paint flowers on the side of the mailbox.
Once your mailbox is hung, your mail person, neighbors, and friends will be amazed at the job you did. It’s much happier to make your own mailbox versus buying one of those plain and boring metal boxes.
Be sure your mailbox is fixed to a mailbox stand that is sturdy and matches your creation. Keep your mailbox easily accessible for the mail person, but far enough off the road to keep any plows or cars from running into it. You did such a great job; you might have neighbors clamoring for you to build them a customized mailbox.
