Unique Mailboxes: A Vintage Cedar Shake Look-Alike You’ll Love

Imagine driving down a coastal road and spotting the perfect mailbox—one of those unique mailboxes that instantly captures your attention and adds a personal, storybook touch to the landscape.

We recently discovered just that while antiquing: a vintage wooden mailbox crafted like a miniature cedar shake cottage, complete with a copper roof and green patina trim. It’s full of rustic charm and now adds the perfect touch of curb appeal to our coastal Maine home.

Unique mailboxes like this one will make a lasting impression and prove that a small detail can truly elevate curb appeal.

The Story Behind This Vintage Wooden Mailbox with Cedar Shake Charm

From Facebook Marketplace to Our Front Yard

While enjoying my coffee at home one early morning, I received a message from one of you with a listing for this rustic wooden mailbox for sale on Facebook Marketplace.

She thought I might love it, as it shares many characteristics of our home in Maine.

However, this unique mailbox was advertised for sale in Connecticut, about 3.5 hours away. After chatting further with the seller, I learned that the mailbox was located in New Hampshire at Flying Pigs Antiques, about an hour’s drive from our place in Vermont.

Honestly, I wasn’t thrilled with the photos in the listing, so I knew I needed to see it for myself. So off I went.

As I suspected, it was much nicer in person than in the photos. It was perfect, but it wasn’t inexpensive. After trying to negotiate with the antique seller, I learned that it was initially selling for $895. Yikes, right?

Well, I got a great deal on it after all; I’ll leave it at that.

It’s unique design was too good to pass up, so off to Maine it goes.

Make Unique Mailboxes the Focal Point of Your Curb Appeal

Unique mailboxes can be the unexpected hero of your home’s exterior, transforming a simple, functional element into a striking design statement that creates a lasting impression.

By selecting a mailbox that reflects your home’s distinctive style, you instantly elevate your property’s visual appeal—whether that means choosing a cedar shake design that complements your home’s layout or finding a piece that speaks to your architectural aesthetic.

4 Creative Ways to Help Your Mailbox Stand Out

Remember that a new mailbox can create a lasting impression on visitors, setting the tone for the rest of your home. By focusing on these elements, you can transform an ordinary mailbox into an eye-catching accessory that enhances your property’s charm.

Unique Mailbox Installation: Step-by-Step Setup Guide

Removing the Old Mailbox Post

Because our new unique mailbox is so large, we needed to remove and replace the existing post with a new one, which we purchased from our local hardware store. Fortunately, the old mailbox was not cemented into the ground, so removing it was easy.

Removing a mailbox post, whether damaged, old, or you just want to replace it, involves a few steps. Here’s a general guide on how to do it safely and effectively:

Tools and Materials for Replacing a Mailbox Post:

Step-by-Step Mailbox Post Removal

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully remove a mailbox post, whether it’s installed with or without concrete.

Mailbox Post Options for Unique Mailboxes

Mailbox posts come in a wide variety of materials, designs, and price ranges, catering to different aesthetic preferences and functional needs. Here’s an overview of the various types of mailbox posts available and their typical price ranges:

Popular Types of Mailbox Posts to Consider:

1. Wooden Posts: These are traditional and classic, often made from pressure-treated wood or cedar. Depending on the design and quality of the wood, these posts range in price from $20 to $150. Custom or decorative wood posts may be more expensive.

2. Metal Posts: These are commonly made from aluminum, steel, or wrought iron. They offer durability and often feature decorative designs. They usually cost around $30 to $200. Higher-end wrought iron posts or specially coated ones for corrosion resistance can be more expensive.

3. Vinyl Posts: Made from PVC, these posts are popular for their low maintenance and clean look. They are pricing around $25 to $100. Higher prices typically reflect better quality and added decorative elements.

4. Plastic Posts: These unique mailbox posts are lightweight and resistant to weathering. They are often made to mimic wood or metal finishes. They are also a less expensive option, going for around $15 to $80.

5. Stone or Masonry Posts: These are a more permanent and substantial option made from stone, brick, or composite materials. They are often custom-built and cost around $200 and up. Higher-end choices, including custom stonework, can cost significantly more.

6. Combination Posts: Some mailbox posts feature a combination of materials, like metal with wood or plastic accents, for enhanced aesthetics. Depending on the complexity and materials used, these mailbox posts can cost around $50 to $250.

When choosing a unique mailbox post, consider your specific needs, such as climate resilience and durability. Additionally, check local regulations or HOA guidelines, if applicable, to ensure compliance with any specifications or restrictions on mailbox installations.

We chose the standard wooden mailbox post for our new, unique mailbox, which we found at our local hardware store.

How We Installed Our Unique Wooden Mailbox

Upon getting our new wooden mailbox post home, we used a chain saw to cut the decorative top off it so that our unique mailbox would rest on the post’s beam without obstruction.

Mounting a Unique Mailbox onto a New Post

Next, we rested our unique mailbox onto the post, positioned it, and secured three L brackets to each side of the bottom of the mailbox and post to secure it.

This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

How to Install a Mailbox Post Securely in the Ground

The standard height for mailbox installation is generally governed by the United States Postal Service (USPS) guidelines. According to these guidelines, the recommended height for a mailbox should be mounted with the bottom of the postal box at a vertical height of 41 to 45 inches from the road surface. This ensures easy access for mail delivery.

The front of the mailbox should be 6 to 8 inches back from the curb or road edge. This allows postal vehicles to approach safely without veering off the road.

A hole depth of about 24 inches is generally recommended to ensure stability when installing a mailbox post. However, this can vary slightly based on soil conditions and the type of post you are installing.

Check your local regulations and homeowner association rules (if applicable) for any specific instructions or restrictions. These might require specific materials, designs, or even different heights.

Since we were replacing an old mailbox, our hole had already been dug for us and met all the above specifications, so it was time to secure it.

Cementing the Post

The easiest way to cement a mailbox post into the ground is to use Sika Polyurethane Fence Post Mix.

While cement isn’t always necessary, it can provide added stability, particularly in areas with loose or sandy soil.

Place your post into the hole in the ground, level it, mix the solution in the bag per the instructions, and pour it into the hole. The mixture will set and harden in 3 minutes and then needs a full 2-hours of drying time. You only have to hold the post steady for those first 3 minutes.

We added a few larger rocks for good measure while the mailbox post sat to dry for the next two hours.

Once the Sika Polyurethane Fence Post Mix has thoroughly dried, fill in the remainder of the hole with the leftover dirt.

Plant grass or decorative flowers or shrubs for even more curb appeal.

Painting the Mailbox Post to Match Your Home’s Style

To paint a mailbox post or not to paint it?

Many choose not to paint their wooden mailbox posts and instead let them weather into that natural gray color. But I chose to add a fresh coat of paint in Essex Green, which matches the trim on our cedar shakes home.

Ways to Customize Unique Mailboxes for Extra Charm

Lastly, I attached a 3D bronze house number to the door on our new unique mailbox.

And a reflector to the post, in hopes that the snow plow will be able to see it clearly during the winter months.

10 Unique Mailboxes That Add Instant Curb Appeal

Transforming your mailbox into a unique and creative design element can significantly boost your home’s curb appeal. Here are ten design ideas to inspire a memorable mailbox makeover:

1. Enchanted Garden Mailbox: Integrate the mailbox into a small garden setting. Surround it with seasonal flowers or evergreens, and incorporate elements like a trellis for climbing plants or decorative garden stones.

2. Artistic Showcase: Use your mailbox as a canvas for hand-painted designs. Consider painting it with your favorite themes, such as abstract patterns, nature scenes, or even portraiture, to express your unique style.

3. Modern Minimalist: Opt for a sleek design with clean lines, perhaps using metal or wood finishes that complement contemporary architectural styles. Incorporate subtle lighting for a chic nighttime look.

4. Vintage Flair: Repurpose old materials, like a vintage milk can or barrel, as the base for your mailbox. Add distressed wood, rusted metal accents, or antique-style address numbers for a charming, nostalgic look.

5. Whimsical Woodland: Craft a mailbox with forest-inspired elements, using materials like tree bark, twigs, and moss. A sculpture or carving of woodland creatures adds a playful touch and a nice extension of your home.

6. Nautical Inspired: Embrace a coastal theme with navy blues, whites, and rope detailing. Accent with anchor motifs or steering wheels to evoke a breezy seaside vibe.

7. Architectural Accent: Construct a mailbox stand that mimics architectural details from your home, such as matching bricks, shingles, or rooflines, to create a coherent frontage.

8. Eco-Friendly Planter: Turn your mailbox post into a vertical planter. Use recycled materials for the structure and fill tiers with succulents or herbs, adding beauty and sustainability.

9. Art Deco Masterpiece: Capture the allure of the Art Deco era with a geometric design highlighted with metallic paints or finishes, adding a touch of historical glamour.

10. Sculptural Statement: Commission or create a mailbox that doubles as a piece of art, with dynamic, unexpected shapes that captivate the eye. Think modern sculptures or delightful interpretations of everyday objects.

Have fun choosing a design that aligns with your home’s style and your personality. A thoughtfully designed mailbox not only enhances your curb appeal but also provides an opportunity to make a personal statement on your property line.

And she’s going strong today as the snow now begins to fall.

More Outdoor Curb Appeal Ideas to Inspire Your Home’s Style

Love a good exterior refresh? Here are more blog posts featuring outdoor curb appeal ideas—from vintage garden finds to charming mailboxes from our home in Maine—perfect for adding character and charm to your home’s exterior.

Pin forLater!

Shop Unique Mailboxes

This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.