I’m on a roll with plywood. It’s my wood of choice at the moment. That may be because we finally own a jigsaw and I’m getting comfortable using it. I told Luke the other day that we needed to up the ante with power tools. Next step, table saw… maybe. Anyways, I’ve been brainstorming ideas to make our front and back outside areas more homey. We plan on investing a little bit every year in the outside, but I’ve been trying to think of cheaper things that I could make that would fit in with our style. So, I came up with DIY House Numbers. We didn’t have any house numbers, so I wasn’t replacing any. We managed to make these for free which is HUGE with house renovations. So, if you want a fun little tutorial, follow along.
My numbering got a little wonky (sorry), so try to ignore that part.
Find a font that you like and print it out at approximately the size you want (I sized to 8×11 because I wanted oversized). Try it out in the space to make sure you like the font and size.
1. Print all the numbers out and lay them on a piece of plywood (we used the smallest scrap that we had).
2. Using a marker, trace your numbers.
3. Using a jigsaw, cut your numbers out.
4. Lightly sand. Using spray paint, apply primer and two thin coats of paint. Let dry (24 hrs). Apply a light varnish (very light otherwise it will yellow) to help make it weather-resistant.
5. Use alligator (that’s what I call them) hangers and nail them to the back of each number.
6. Use a drill bit used for brick and drill in to each brick. Use brick and mortar nails to hang them. I picked a modern skinny font and that gave us less options for hanging the numbers. If you choose a fatter font then you could use brick hangers.
Enjoy your cute new house numbers.
And, the best part of this project is that it was free. We had everything on hand.
Linking up to:
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
February 21, 2014 at 6:18 amGreat idea and pinned! Have a great weekend
Ashley Mayes says
February 21, 2014 at 7:48 amThanks Julia! You too!
Corinna Ashley [ForMyLoveOf blog] says
February 22, 2014 at 12:21 pmThey look great! I’m trying ease myself into more power tools and this inspires me to try the jigsaw next!
Thanks for stopping by my blog from the Link Party Palooza. Ive followed you on your social media and hope youll accept my invitation to follow back. Xo.
Ashley Mayes says
February 22, 2014 at 2:16 pmThanks! Definitely try the jigsaw next! My first project was making a cat door out of a regular door and the next one was a cow (with chalkboard butcher cuts painted in). It really is something that is doable, but not scary.
Katie @ Upcycled Treasures says
February 25, 2014 at 12:34 pmThese are awesome, especially since you already had everything on hand. We recently bought a jig saw because I felt it would be a good way to ease me into other sawing tools. It’s awesome and so easy to use! I’d love it if you linked this up to The Makers!
http://upcycledtreasures.com/2014/02/the-makers-link-party-6/
Ashley Mayes says
February 25, 2014 at 1:51 pmThanks Katie! The jigsaw is definitely one of those easy tools to use. I haven’t graduated from it yet, as I’m still loving the things that I can make with it. Coming over to link-up.
Corey @ TinySidekick says
February 27, 2014 at 6:19 pmOh man! I was just telling my husband that it is high time that we do a little spruce up to the front of our house and these would be a great thrift project! Pinning! Thanks for linking up at The Makers.
Ashley Mayes says
February 27, 2014 at 7:21 pmWe have lots of ‘sprucing’ up to do outside, and I figure, the cheaper the better! Thanks Corey!
Gretchen@BoxyColonial says
February 28, 2014 at 7:27 pmVery nice! Is there anything plywood + jigsaw can’t accomplish? We are in desperate need of some house numbers…pinned!
Ashley Mayes says
March 1, 2014 at 7:58 amI know, right? It’s easy peasy … you should definitely try it. Thanks for stopping by!
Marybeth says
February 28, 2014 at 9:45 pmThose are great! I’m a little power tool-phobic, but this looks doable!
Ashley Mayes says
March 1, 2014 at 8:02 amThanks Marybeth! Yes, it is definitely doable. Try it out… I think you will be surprised. Thanks for stopping by.
Summer says
February 28, 2014 at 10:26 pmI love these house numbers! I never would have thought to DIY them but I am definitely going to have to try it! Thanks.
Ashley Mayes says
March 1, 2014 at 8:04 amThanks Summer! The fun thing is you can totally customize them with whatever font you want. Love that. Thanks for stopping by.
laura@imnotatrophywife.com says
March 1, 2014 at 9:48 amLove this!!! Would you link this to Friday Favorites going on at http://imnotatrophywife.com!! laura
Ashley Mayes says
March 2, 2014 at 7:33 pmThanks Laura! I came over, but I think I was too late. Maybe next time! Thanks for stopping by!
Korilynn says
March 2, 2014 at 9:00 amThat looks great! I need to try that. I have everything in my garage.
Ashley Mayes says
March 2, 2014 at 7:34 pmThanks! Having everything in my garage is basically how it started for me. Love it when that happens!
the cape on the corner says
March 2, 2014 at 5:29 pmI love this modern look, so simple and classic.
Ashley Mayes says
March 2, 2014 at 7:39 pmThanks! Don’t forget the easy part too. =)
Sarah says
March 8, 2014 at 1:04 pmThese look great, love the oversized look. I have little black and white numbers on my garage and have been wanting to do something bigger on a front porch pillar. I may be trying this come summer. Thanks!
Ashley Mayes says
March 8, 2014 at 7:24 pmThanks Sarah! Our house definitely isn’t modern but we felt like it could handle a bit more modern numbers. You should totally try it.