Butcher block countertops have certainly become quite popular over recent years. And, we totally get it! This kind of countertop has a rustic chicness to it and is reasonably priced. So, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if you, dear reader, recently gave your kitchen a makeover by installing butcher block countertops. And if that’s the case, you’ve likely accumulated quite an impressive collection of extra butcher block pieces. While you may be tempted to just throw out your excess butcher block, we think you should absolutely repurpose the pieces! If you are stumped trying to come up with ideas to transform your leftovers, here are six clever ways you can use the excess butcher block!

Now, most of these DIYs do involve using a circular saw. If you already have one, great! But it’s also not an issue if you don’t! You can rent one at different home improvement shops, like Home Depot. And, before you get started on any of these projects, we think it’s a good idea to refresh your power tool skills with these safety tips on how to use a circular saw. If you’re not an expert with a saw, try some hacks you can complete without a saw — like making a side table or a floating shelf.

To make a cutting board from a butcher block piece, measure and cut about 8 inches by 10 inches (using your circular saw), give or take, sand it, and apply a food-safe sealer. If you want your cutting board to completely match your kitchen counter, leave it as is. However, you can stain it a slightly darker hue to give some depth to your kitchen. If you do go this route, pick up a food-safe wood stain! You may also want to check out these helpful tips before breaking out the stain!

If you don’t need a cutting board, you can follow the same steps above to make your dream charcuterie board instead! Just remember to measure everything (a couple of times) before you get out your circular saw. While charcuterie boards tend to be rectangular in shape, feel free to get creative! For instance, if you’re handy with a jigsaw, a heart-shaped charcuterie board would make for a wonderful Valentine’s Day or wedding gift! Just remember to use a food-safe sealer for this project.

To make a side table, all you need to do is attach four hairpin furniture legs to your slab of leftover butcher block using a screwdriver. Those who like the look of natural wood can either use a clear wood sealer or a wood stain. You can also paint it whatever color (or colors) that best match the rest of your home. Be sure to do these three important steps before painting: sand, prime, and fill, if needed. For something even more creative, you could decorate the top of the table with decoupage!

With a few cuts, some sanding, and wood sealer, your butcher block can become beautiful coasters. While you can totally leave the coasters as is, you may want to try out a trendy two-toned look by using wood stain on one side and acrylic paint on the other. And, if you don’t know what colors to use, here are some wood stain and paint color combos that look stunning together.

If you’ve ever wanted a wooden floating shelf, this hack is calling your name! Use your screwdriver skills to attach some L-shaped brackets onto whatever wall you want. Then secure your excess slab of butcher block to the brackets. While we love the natural look of butcher block wood, you might want something a little more colorful. For those who like something bright, spray paint the shelf a hot pink, bold orange, or a lime green! Just remember the best way to spray paint wood is to thoroughly clean and sand it before applying an even coat of paint.

While this may seem like an unusual idea, you could save your excess butcher block to make a sink cover. This can come in handy for times you need more counter space! For a seamless look, keep your new wood sink cover the original color of the butcher block countertops. If you want something more fun, you could adorn it with a floral design, either with acrylic paint or a wood burning tool.