Woodworking: 6 things you can build with old wooden pallets

Johannes van Graan Johannes van Graan
Der Sitz Ferdl, palettenmoebel.at palettenmoebel.at Balcon, Veranda & Terrasse industriels
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Old wooden pallets are one of the most fun and practical things to DIY with!

We can’t be sure exactly when it happened, but DIY pallet projects have sprung up seemingly everywhere. What is known, however, is that this is a great project for anybody who doesn’t want to spend too much money. A multitude of stores (especially hardware shops and nurseries) use wooden pallets for shipping, and then just throw them out afterwards (or sell them at reasonable prices). So, asking the store nicely may very well lead to you walking away with quite a few pallets for your next DIY project. 

With everyone, from hardcore interior designers to amateur wannabes, boasting and bragging about new and inventive ways to use pallets, we thought we might as well dish out a few creative tips of our own. From quick and easy ones to others that require a bit more dedication, we have rounded up six fantastic ways in which you can re-use those wooden pallets. 

Read on to find your favourite one!

A brand new bed

homify Murs & Sols industriels Carrelage

We start our list with a classic one that more than a few DIY lovers have already tried – and now you can too! There are quite a few ways in which you can build a bed out of pallets, but we have selected one of the easiest ones. 

Simply place your pallets together. What type of mattress you want to use will determine how many pallets you will need. We recommend using only one pallet for the height. Screw them together nice and tightly. Add your mattress, linen, bedspread, scatter cushions… done!

This bed pallet (or would that be pallet bed?) is ideal for the student (or anybody) who doesn't want to spend bucket loads of currency on their bed (and it really is more comfortable than a mere mattress on the floor). But what’s more is that this option really appeals to lovers of numerous design styles, such as minimalist, urban and Scandinavian. That raw texture and pale tone of the wood fits beautifully into these design realms, and can be quite a striking addition to your bedroom.

Great for gardening

Verticale pallet tuin van POPUPPALLETS, Pop up Pallets Pop up Pallets Balcon, Veranda & Terrasse industriels Accessoires & décorations

For those who are dying to try out their green fingers, but sadly don’t have the garden space to do so, option number two is for you. Living in a space-pressed apartment doesn't mean you can’t have your own selection of flowers, herb and plants to take care of. Case in point, this striking vertical garden, brought to us with perfection by Pop Up Pallets

Just turn the pallet upright and add some wooden strips to support your earth. Then enjoy filling up each compartment with your choice of plants and flowers. Decide whether you want to mount it to a wall, or simply have it leaning against something. Will you paint it another colour or leave it in its raw state? How about adding some colourful decorations for a cheerful effect? Quite a few choices, huh? 

And even if you already have a great garden to boast about, there’s no reason you can’t try this out. Enjoy!

The creative coffee table cart

MONTE DAS MOÇAS, Aljezur, LAVRADIO DESIGN LAVRADIO DESIGN Salon rustique

Dare to be different with this unique mobile coffee table. Pallet coffee tables are a hot commodity amongst designers, as evidenced above by Lavradio Design, and are even hotter when they’re able to roll to your desired location. This is also a fine example of how a DIY project can look ultra fabulous in a rustic-style environment

Love it? Want it? Simply pick your pallet, screw in the wheels, and that’s basically that. Depending on your living room style, you may want to consider varnishing or painting your pallet. And then enjoy never having to hear “lift with your legs, not back” whenever you need to move the coffee table out of the way! 

Your living room is certain to be the talk of the neighbourhood (and friends circle).

The desk that will impress

Secretária com Madeira de Paletes, Armazém 9 Armazém 9 Bureau rustique Bois massif Multicolore Bureaux

Need to put in some overtime at home, but don’t have a fancy schmancy desk? Turn your problem into a solution with a pallet. This one takes up a little more time and effort, but can be well worth it.

There are several ways to achieve a pallet desk, yet ours is a guide to the Armazém 9 example above. Cut off the bottom section of your pallet (or, if you want, you can leave it as is with some room for drawers). Add some table legs for support (or craft them out of pallets if you’re feeling extra energetic). Lastly, add a glass pane to the top to ensure a flat, convenient workspace. Add some décor to make it look charming and professional, like a table lamp or office supplies. 

And the colour? Completely up to you!

For the kids

I nostri lavori, asdf asdf Salon rustique Etagères

Don’t worry, readers with kiddies, we haven’t forgotten about you. Our fifth example is all about crafting a beautiful shelf, either for your little one’s book collection or to display their favourite toys. Or both. 

Select the size and width of your desired shelves – either by cutting the pallet or adding it to another one. Add additional panels (that will function as the shelves) onto the pallet. You can add these to wherever you want on the pallet – just make sure you have adequate space (height wise) for the objects you want to display. 

Of course a child’s shelf space should be colourful and charming, so have fun picking out the ideal tones that will complement your little one’s room. Finally, turn the pallet upside down and fix it to the desired wall. Then add the toys, books and other trinkets of their choice! 

From toy shelves to a host of other elements, see some of our: Stimulating Features For A Child’s Bedroom.

Perfect for lounging

After all your hard work at crafting stunning pallet furniture, you will definitely be in need of some relaxation. So, why not make that part of your DIY project? How about a relaxing lounger that allows you to sit back and take in the view, perhaps of your garden or your porch

Design the bottom pallet (which will serve as the seating space) so that it inclines slightly, as shown in our example above by Palettenmoebel. Then add the top part against which your back will rest. And it is completely up to you how far you want it to lean backwards.

Afterwards, you can opt for some stunning vivid colours, or paint it in neutral tones, or just leave it as is. And then enjoy your new loungers! 

homify hint: Before you get busy with your new pallet furniture, safety first! Some pallets may be treated with chemicals, which could be hazardous to your health. When selecting your pallets, look for those marked with an “HT” – meaning they’ve been heat treated rather than chemically, which will make them safe to use. Be sure to ask your pallet supplier about this as well.

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