A newspaper box is one of those small weekend builds that quietly upgrades the front of your house. It keeps the morning paper dry, stops deliveries from landing in a puddle, and gives your porch a bit of handmade character that a plastic bin never will. The good news: almost every plan below can be built from scrap lumber, a few galvanized hinges, and an afternoon of patience. Whether you want a classic slanted-roof box, a wall-mounted sleeve, or something that looks like a tiny barn, there is a plan here for your skill level and your scrap pile.
Table of Contents(Click to Toggle)
- Why a DIY Newspaper Box Beats a Plastic Bin
- 17 DIY Newspaper Box Plans Worth Building
- 1. Ana White
- 2. Instructables
- 3. Woodworking for Mere Mortals
- 4. The Wood Whisperer
- 5. BuildEazy
- 6. Popular Woodworking
- 7. Family Handyman
- 8. This Old House
- 9. Bob Vila
- 10. Fine Woodworking
- 11. Wood Magazine
- 12. The Spruce Crafts
- 13. Hometalk
- 14. RYOBI Nation
- 15. LumberJocks
- 16. DoItYourself.com
- 17. Pinterest
- Bonus Mentions
- The Best-Kept Weekend Builds on the Internet
Why a DIY Newspaper Box Beats a Plastic Bin
A store-bought newspaper holder is usually thin, weather-cracked within a season, and sized for one specific paper. A box you build yourself is the opposite: you choose the timber, you set the depth so a Sunday edition fits without folding, and you can match the stain to your porch railing. The build itself is genuinely beginner-friendly. Most plans use a simple box carcass, a slanted lid to shed rain, and a magnetic or hook latch so the wind does not flip it open.
There is also a practical angle. Delivery drivers appreciate a clear, covered target, and a labeled box reduces the odds of a paper ending up under the car. The plans below range from a two-hour scrap-wood project to a routed, dovetailed showpiece, so read the difficulty notes before you commit an afternoon.
17 DIY Newspaper Box Plans Worth Building
1. Ana White : Free, beginner-friendly build plans with cut lists
What it is: A free plan library from a builder known for clear, printable cut lists and step photos.
Category: Free plan library
Why it stands out:
- Plans include a shopping list and cut diagram, so you can buy lumber in one trip
- Most builds use basic dimensional lumber and a drill
- Comment sections often flag measurement fixes from other builders
Best for: First-time builders who want a box done in a single afternoon.
2. Instructables : Community step-by-steps with photos at every stage
What it is: A user-submitted project site where makers document builds photo by photo.
Category: Community tutorials
Why it stands out:
- Search “newspaper box” and you get several distinct designs, from wall-mounted sleeves to freestanding boxes
- Authors usually list exact hardware, including hinge sizes
- Comments often include weatherproofing upgrades from readers
Best for: Visual learners who want to see each cut before making it.
3. Woodworking for Mere Mortals : Video walkthroughs for total beginners
What it is: A video-first woodworking channel and site aimed at people with minimal tools.
Category: Video tutorials
Why it stands out:
- Episodes emphasize safety and simple joinery over fancy equipment
- Small-box projects are a recurring theme, so techniques transfer directly
- Free companion articles accompany many videos
Best for: Anyone who learns better by watching than reading a cut list.
4. The Wood Whisperer : Detailed technique for a cleaner finish
What it is: A long-running woodworking education site with articles, videos, and guild projects.
Category: Technique and education
Why it stands out:
- Focuses on finish quality, grain matching, and joinery that lasts outdoors
- Explains why a lid should slope and how to seal end grain
- Some content is member-only, but plenty of free articles cover box basics
Best for: Builders who want their newspaper box to look store-bought.
5. BuildEazy : Old-school free plans with printable diagrams
What it is: A no-frills plan site with downloadable diagrams and material lists.
Category: Free plan archive
Why it stands out:
- Plans are written in plain language with measurements in both metric and imperial
- Diagrams are clean line drawings that print well in black and white
- The site loads fast and has no pop-up clutter
Best for: Builders who prefer a printed sheet on the workbench.
6. Popular Woodworking : Magazine-grade plans and joinery advice
What it is: The online home of a classic woodworking magazine.
Category: Editorial plans and technique
Why it stands out:
- Articles explain the reasoning behind each dimension, not just the numbers
- Outdoor projects include recommended finishes and hardware that resist rust
- Archives go back years, so you can compare several box styles
Best for: Intermediate builders who want to understand the design, not just copy it.
7. Family Handyman : Practical weekend projects with clear photos
What it is: A home-improvement site with step-by-step DIY projects for everyday tools.
Category: Home DIY
Why it stands out:
- Projects are written for a circular saw and drill, not a full shop
- Tips sections cover weatherproofing and mounting to siding
- Instructions include time and skill estimates up front
Best for: Homeowners who want a functional box with minimal fuss.
8. This Old House : Pro-style guidance on outdoor mounting
What it is: A trusted home-improvement resource with project guides and videos.
Category: Home improvement
Why it stands out:
- Strong on the installation side, including anchoring into brick or siding
- Explains how to keep a lid watertight with a simple drip edge
- Video segments show the build in real time
Best for: Anyone mounting a box to a wall rather than setting it on a step.
9. Bob Vila : Broad project guides with material advice
What it is: A long-standing home and garden site covering DIY builds.
Category: Home and garden
Why it stands out:
- Guides discuss which wood species hold up outdoors, such as cedar and pressure-treated pine
- Simple explanations of hinges, latches, and weather stripping
- Good starting point if you are still deciding on a design
Best for: Readers researching materials before they buy lumber.
10. Fine Woodworking : Advanced joinery for a heirloom-quality box
What it is: A premium woodworking publication focused on craftsmanship.
Category: Advanced woodworking
Why it stands out:
- Covers dovetails, splined miters, and other joints that survive years outdoors
- Detailed articles on finishing for weather resistance
- Much of the archive sits behind a membership, so treat it as research
Best for: Experienced builders who want the box to outlast the house.
11. Wood Magazine : Project plans with full cut lists
What it is: A woodworking magazine site with free and premium project plans.
Category: Plan library
Why it stands out:
- Plans are drawn to scale with every part labeled
- Tool lists tell you exactly what to have on the bench
- Small outdoor projects are a regular feature
Best for: Builders who like a formal, dimensioned drawing.
12. The Spruce Crafts : Simple tutorials for quick scrap-wood builds
What it is: A crafts and DIY site with beginner-oriented project tutorials.
Category: Beginner DIY
Why it stands out:
- Instructions assume minimal tools and short build times
- Clear supply lists with common hardware
- Good for testing a design before committing to nicer wood
Best for: A practice build using scraps you already have.
13. Hometalk : Real reader photos of finished builds
What it is: A community site where homeowners share project photos and tips.
Category: Community inspiration
Why it stands out:
- See how finished boxes actually look on real porches
- Commenters share paint colors and mounting tricks
- Great for spotting small design tweaks before you cut
Best for: Inspiration hunting before you settle on a style.
14. RYOBI Nation : Tool-brand project ideas and community builds
What it is: A maker community hosted by a power-tool brand.
Category: Maker community
Why it stands out:
- Projects are tagged by tool, so you can find builds that match your kit
- Members post photos and ask/answer questions
- Useful if you are deciding which saw to buy for small box work
Best for: Builders starting from scratch with a small tool collection.
15. LumberJocks : Forum feedback on your design
What it is: A long-running woodworking forum with project galleries.
Category: Forum
Why it stands out:
- Post a sketch and get candid advice from experienced builders
- Project logs document mistakes and fixes in detail
- Searchable archives cover outdoor finishing questions
Best for: Builders who want a second opinion before cutting.
16. DoItYourself.com : Straightforward how-tos and repair guides
What it is: A broad DIY reference site with guides and forums.
Category: DIY reference
Why it stands out:
- Explains basic fastening and sealing in plain terms
- Forum threads address mounting on uneven surfaces
- Good for the small fixes that come after the build
Best for: Readers who want background knowledge first.
17. Pinterest : Visual idea boards for styling and paint
What it is: A visual discovery platform where builders pin finished projects.
Category: Visual inspiration
Why it stands out:
- Boards group box styles, paint colors, and porch setups in one scroll
- Pins often link back to the original plan or tutorial
- Best used for look-and-feel, not measurements
Best for: Deciding on a finish and placement before you build.
Bonus Mentions
r/woodworking : Fast answers from a large builder community
What it is: A Reddit community for woodworkers of all levels.
Category: Community
Why it stands out:
- Quick feedback on design questions
- Frequent threads on outdoor finishes
Best for: A sanity check mid-project.
Etsy : Ready-made and custom newspaper boxes
What it is: A marketplace for handmade and custom goods.
Category: Marketplace
Why it stands out:
- Compare finished designs before you build your own
- Custom sizes available from small shops
Best for: Anyone who wants the look without the sawdust.
YouTube : Build-along videos for every skill level
What it is: The largest video library for step-by-step builds.
Category: Video
Why it stands out:
- Watch a full build before committing to a plan
- Comment sections reveal common mistakes
Best for: Seeing a design come together end to end.
The Best-Kept Weekend Builds on the Internet
A newspaper box is a small project with an outsized payoff. It protects your morning read, tidies up the front of the house, and gives you a reason to use up the offcuts piling up in the garage. Start with a simple plan from a site like Ana White or BuildEazy, build one in scrap pine, and refine the design once you know how the lid, latch, and slope actually behave in the rain.
Then, when the shape feels right, rebuild it in cedar or a nice hardwood and finish it properly. The plans above cover every stage of that journey, from a two-hour beginner box to a dovetailed piece you would be proud to show off. Pick one, print the cut list, and give your porch a delivery spot that looks intentional.
Built one of these already, or found a plan that deserves a spot on this list? Share your favorite newspaper box design in the comments.
