6 Fun DIY Projects Using Bamboo

While I was on the elliptical machine this morning at the gym, getting in my hated 30 minutes of cardio training, i was watching HGTV.

Yeah, yeah, keep your comments to yourself.

I can't recall the show that was on, but they were revamping a family's patio in an Asian motif. I took one of the ideas from that show to use here at my house this weekend and got to thinking about what other fun ways we could work bamboo into DIY projects.

6 Fun and [Relatively] Easy Bamboo DIY Projects:

1) Build Your Own Tiki Bar:
If you want to be the masta' bartenda' of your domain, and don't want to shell out $1,500 for a tiki bar like this, then build your own.

HumuHumu.com has your step-by-step instructions on how to build a tiki bar like the one pictured here. That said, you'll also need to order this back copy of Atomic magazine, for the full instructions...and I guarantee it'll cost WAY less than $1,500!

2) Transform Your Patio:
This is actually the idea I stole from the HGTV show i was watching this morning at the gym.

Do you have ugly 4x4 wood, vinyl, or aluminum posts supporting your deck or awning? How about buying some bamboo poles to fasten together (vertically) around the eye sore?

This way it looks like your deck or awning is stylishly supported by pieces of bamboo instead of utilitarian building supplies.

3) Build a Bamboo Water Feature (Shishi Odoshi):
While we're on the topic of outdoor spaces, take a couple of hours, a few basic tools, and these step-by-step instructions from Michael Holigan (complete with pictures) and you've got an authentic Japanese water feature.

The Shishi Odoshi is actually an ancient Japanese deer frightening device that is the perfect addition to any garden! Check out one in action from this video:

4) Build a Bamboo Bike:
A cat named Brano Meres has got this BEAUTIFUL bamboo mountain bike that he designed, built, and has been riding for 2+ years!

Another bamboo bike maker, Calfee Designs, says that bamboo bikes have some incredible features and benefits like:

Amazing Vibration Damping: Even better than Carbon fiber.

High performance frame: Weighs about 4 pounds but has good stiffness.

Crash tolerant: Bamboo is a lot of tougher than most people realize.

Looks cool! A work of art!

5) Make a Bamboo Ladder:
This is a great idea and design from Marcel Gull at Your Home and Garden. Though this design is listed as "advanced", replacing the malet and chisel with a power drill should bump it up into the novice category, to be sure. Can't beat this idea for $50...crap, might as well make several and sell them!

I love how the ladder pictured here tapers towards the top. What a great accent piece to your favorite room...or to the tiki bar you just made from idea #1!

6) Craft a Trellis for Your Garden:
We'll wrap up the list with another outdoor idea. If you've got a green thumb and peas, beans, tomatoes, or even a vining plant are in your garden, this one is right up your alley!

Instead of buying cheap looking lattice or those ugly metal tomatoe planters, eHow.com gives great instructions and pictures to guide you through crafting your own bamboo trellis that will bring both function and form to your garden. It will look great next to your Shishi Odoshi from idea #3!

More Resources to Aid Your Bamboo DIYing:
You should be able to find bamboo of different breeds and diameters at your local nurseries, but if you can't you could purchase some from Gardners.com, starting from $15.95 or from BambooHabitat.com, starting from .50 cents each (but with a $75 minimum order).

You can also check out this MetaFilter for TONS more ideas of things to make with bamboo.

Well that's about all the ideas I've got for now. What are some of your favorite DIY projects with bamboo?