The first thing you see when looking for a house is the mailbox; therefore, I decided to update it by creating a DIY mailbox to increase the curb appeal.
I chose the same type of wood as our other outdoor structures (trellis, lanterns, obelisk, wooden shutters, and flower box).
If you have been following my blog, then you know I am obsessed with solar lights, so I had to add one to this DIY modern mailbox.
DIY Mailbox
This post contains affiliate links. In other words, if you purchase from one of these links, I will make a small commission, but rest assured, you will not pay more for any products.
How to Build a DIY Mailbox
The first thing I had to do was to find out the requirements for the mailbox height and the best placement from the road. You can find the US Post Office requirements on their website.
DIY Wooden Mailbox supplies
Mailbox Building Supplies
4x4x8 pressure treated 2 each
1x6x8 pressure treated 6 each
2x8x20 inches pressure treated
Concrete two 40 lb bag
5-inch screws, 2 each
4-inch deck screws (4 each)
2-inch galvanized finish nails
1-inch stainless steel screws (4 each)
Mailbox 7x8x20
Tools
Post hole digger
Shovel
Level
Speed square
Measuring tape
Speed Horses
DIY Mailbox Posts
Measure and mark posts
Short boards on the back post
Building the Mailbox Sides
Next, cut fourteen 1x6x25 inch and four 1x6x7 inch pressure-treated boards.
Then, attach the 1x6x7″ boards to the upper portion of the back post with 2-inch galvanized finish nails.
You will want to use a speed square to keep the sideboard square to posts.
Next, place the posts parallel to each other, keeping them 25 inches apart (outside measurement).
Then attach the side boards to the front and back posts starting below the 7″ boards using with 2-inch galvanized finish nails.
Side view of the long boards on posts
Please note: this view is of the first side of the wooden mailbox holder. Once you finish this side, you will repeat the process on the other side.
Top view of posts and the first side of the mailbox
Next, we marked the trim for the inside of the back post. Note: we will attach it later.
Marking the trim piece
Next, turn over the wooden mailbox assembly and repeat the same process as the other side.
The unfinished side of the mailbox assembly
Wooden Mailbox Trim – Sides
To create finished edges, we used 1×6 pressure-treated lumber.
First, we measured the assembly to get the exact sizes for our side trim cuts.
Note: lumber varies in size.
These are the side trim cuts we used: long front 1x6x38.5, short front 1x7x6, and back 1x6x49.5
However, these measurements could vary, so you must measure your wooden assembly for the exact measurements.
Next, attach the side trims with 2-inch galvanized nails.
Attaching front trim board
Top Trim
We added the top trim last since we wanted it to extend to cover the side trim boards.
Therefore, you will want to include the installed side trim in your measurements for the top trim boards.
Attach the long top trim board
Mailbox Mount
Next, we created a mailbox mount (AKA shelf) with a 2×8.
First, we measured the width and length of the metal mailbox then we cut the board to size.
Then, we mitered the front edge of the mount board at a 60-degree angle to allow the mailbox to open.
Mailbox mount
Mitered mailbox mounting board
Tip:
At this point, you will want to check the fit of your metal mailbox on the “shelf” of your wood mailbox holder.
Check metal box fit
Note: We installed the metal mailbox onto the mounted board using 1-inch stainless steel screws through the holes in the bottom lip of the mailbox. We did this after it was installed in the ground.
DIY Mailbox Install
To install the mailbox, we dug two holes 16 inches deep and 25 inches apart.
Then we placed the box posts into the holes. We backfilled the holes and then checked them for level.
Once it was level, we added the dry cement and water as we went. Next, we packed the cement around the posts and sloped it away from the wood.
Measure the holes for install
Place wood assembly into holes.
Use a level to check that the installation is plumb.
Use concrete to secure posts.
Attach the metal box to the DIY wood mailbox assembly
Mailbox House Numbers and Solar Light
Supplies:
Since I am obsessed with solar lights, I decided to use one to illuminate the house numbers.
House numbers and tools for installation
Measure and mark the side of the DIY Mailbox for installing the solar light
Attach house numbers
Night view of the DIY Modern Mailbox
See you soon,
Kippi
Ps. This post has been shared on Between Naps on the Porch.
Triston Hayes
Wednesday 15th of November 2023
Using the same wood as our outdoor furnishings, I crafted a new custom design. String lights and a solar panel brighten up the porch at night. slope
Steve
Saturday 28th of October 2023
I went through several designs and ended up building one very similar to this - we love it! I went a little longer on my posts and added an additional row of 1x6 (8 rows total) to partially sink the assembly into the slope of our ditch. I also blocked off the bottom opening with a 2x4 to hopefully deter critters from getting inside. I now have a couple people asking for one, which I will make the same way, but with the addition of a 2x4 brace at the top to help keep the posts a little more secure as well as providing a little stronger backing to mount the mailbox shelf onto.
Teresa
Monday 11th of September 2023
It would be nice that if you download your app that you could print the directions w/out all the ads & sidebar icons obstructing the directions.
Michael
Monday 21st of August 2023
It would be nice to ba able to read the article. But most of it is covered by advertising. So frustrating. You have to downsize it with one hand and screen shot with the other…..
Kolby Ingram
Sunday 25th of June 2023
How did you stain the pressure treated wood?
Chris
Monday 3rd of July 2023
@Kolby Ingram,
When it comes to pressure treated wood, let it dry and then you can go ahead and apply the stain.