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There’s something enchanting about wood slices. They carry the forest inside with you, the rings telling quiet stories, bark edges rough and grounding, smooth surfaces waiting for your touch.
These small pieces of tree are humble yet full of potential. With a little imagination, they can become mirrors, trays, paintings, and more, adding warmth and soul to your home.
Wood slice crafts are perfect for rustic boho décor. They are earthy, versatile, and beginner-friendly, giving you beautiful results without needing advanced tools.
Whether you gather them from fallen branches or pick them up at a craft store, they hold the same invitation: to bring natural beauty into your daily space.
Today I’m sharing nine creative ways to transform wood slices into décor that feels both rustic and mystical.
What You’ll Need to Begin
Before we dive into the projects, here are some basics that will help with nearly every craft:
- Wood slices in varying sizes, depending on your project
- Sandpaper (medium to fine grit)
- Acrylic paints, brushes, or paint pens
- Strong glue or hot glue gun
- Twine, cord, or leather straps
- Small drill for making hanging holes
- Optional finishes like clear matte sealant, wax, or resin
If your slices are freshly cut, let them dry fully before working with them. A quick sanding will bring out their grain and give you a smooth surface to paint or glue. With your materials ready, you can begin crafting.
Wood Slice Wall Mirror
Imagine a round mirror framed by dozens of little wood slices, each one slightly different in size and shape. Together they create a halo of natural texture that feels rustic yet refined.
To make this, glue slices around a circular piece of plywood, either in neat rings or in a more organic clustered style. Then glue a circular mirror in the middle so it is framed by the wood slices. Find a full tutorial for a wood slice mirror here.
The result is a mirror that feels like the forest itself is gazing back at you. Hang it above a console, in your bedroom, or as a focal point in a living room. Each time you pass, you’ll see not just your reflection but also a reminder of nature’s quiet beauty.
Mystical Painted Wood Slices
Mystical painted wood slices are a simple yet enchanting craft. Using acrylics or paint pens, you can create suns, moons, and starry skies on the natural surface of each slice.
The bark edges frame your designs beautifully, keeping them grounded in their woodland origin.
These painted slices can be displayed as small altar pieces, tucked onto shelves as décor accents, or even carried as pocket talismans.
They’re versatile, beginner-friendly, and hold the spirit of the forest while reflecting your own creative touch.
If you enjoy painting natural surfaces, you might also love these enchanting DIY nature crafts for witchy boho décor, which bring together wood, clay, and found objects.
Wood Slice Garland or Mobile
Garlands and mobiles bring movement and lightness to a space, especially when shaped into celestial forms.
Instead of leaving the slices round, you can cut them into abstract crescent moons or half-circles before drilling small holes and stringing them with twine or leather cord. The irregular shapes give the garland a mystical quality, like a lunar phase unfolding across your wall.
You can leave the slices natural to highlight the wood grain, or paint them in soft earthy colors and metallic accents. Add tassels, feathers, or beads for an eclectic touch.
Hung across a window, over a mantel, or above a bed, the garland becomes both art and atmosphere. A vertical mobile works beautifully in a meditation corner, where the crescents sway gently like grounding pendulums of moonlight.
For more inspiration with natural elements, explore these simple DIY twig craft ideas that pair beautifully with wood slice garlands.
Coasters and Serving Trivets
For practical use, wood slices make excellent coasters and trivets. Smaller slices (about three to four inches across) work well for coasters, while larger ones can hold teapots, bowls, or candles.
To make them last, sand them smooth and seal with a water-resistant finish. You can keep them plain to show off the wood grain, decorate them with paint and stencils, or try a resin pour to create a glossy, stone-like surface.
They look especially charming stacked in a basket, ready for guests.
These everyday pieces bring the rustic boho look right into your daily rituals — morning coffee, evening tea, or a candlelit dinner.
Decoupage Botanical Art
Wood slices also make wonderful backdrops for botanical art. You can use simple decoupage techniques to press flowers, leaves, or printed images onto the surface, then seal them with a clear finish.
The result is delicate and detailed, almost like capturing a fragment of nature in time.
Imagine layering dried blooms in soft colors or vintage-inspired floral prints. They become small works of art you can hang on the wall, display on a shelf, or gift to someone who loves nature’s beauty.
The combination of smooth wood and pressed imagery creates a rustic yet refined look, as if the slice itself is holding a quiet memory from the wild.
Here is a full tutorial for decoupage wood slice art.
Wall Art Cluster
Sometimes one slice isn’t enough. Grouping many together creates a bold piece of wall art. Arrange slices in a grid, a loose organic wave, or even a circle that radiates outward.
You might mix plain slices with painted ones for contrast, or leave space between them for a lighter feel. Adding a little moss or dried flowers between pieces gives even more texture.
To create depth and richness, you can also stain or seal the slices before hanging — this enhances the natural rings and gives the cluster a polished look.
This kind of arrangement looks beautiful above a bed or sofa, where it can catch the eye and bring a woodland spirit to the whole room. Each slice becomes part of a larger story, holding the presence of the tree while forming something entirely new together.
Boho Rustic Wood Slice Wall Hanging
This project blends the beauty of wood slices with the flowing texture of macramé or hanging cords. Start with a piece of driftwood or a wooden dowel as your base.
Attach cord or jute in strands, and tie or glue small wood slices along the length. Some can be painted with moons or symbols, while others are left natural.
As the cords hang and the slices sway, the piece takes on the feeling of a ritual object — both art and talisman. It works beautifully in a bedroom, above an altar, or anywhere you want a touch of grounding energy.
Wood Slice Tray or Serving Board
Larger or oval-shaped slices can be transformed into trays. Add simple handles on each side — metal, leather, or rope all work well. Seal the surface for durability, and use the tray to hold candles, tea, or small gatherings of crystals and jewelry.
If you prefer, you can also use it as a rustic serving board for bread or fruit. Just be sure to seal it with a food-safe finish. Either way, the tray carries the grounding energy of wood wherever it’s placed.
Bringing It Together
These projects are flexible. You can try just one, or weave several into your décor. Painted mystical slices could hang beside a garland, while a tray and wall mirror serve as functional accents in the same room.
The beauty of rustic boho style is that it thrives on layering textures and personal touches.
To expand your rustic-boho projects beyond wood, consider making a dark boho macramé wall hanging with crystals that layers perfectly with wood slice décor
Crafting with wood slices doesn’t need to be perfect. In fact, their irregular shapes and natural quirks are what make them so enchanting. Each one carries its own personality, and together they create a home that feels soulful, handmade, and alive with the spirit of the forest.
