Decorating Guides
9 Clever Ways to Repurpose a Pallet
If you’re in the mood for a DIY weekend, check out some of these stylish ideas for transforming the humble pallet
Pallets can be used in a surprising number of ways around the house and garden. There are the really simple ideas, starting with laying them on the floor and plonking a mattress on top for a basic bed, as well as the popular industrial-style coffee table on casters. But there’s much more you can fashion from these slatted-wood structures. For inspiration on using them to create sofas, living walls, bulletin boards and even a kitchen island, read on.
2. Fashion a sofa base. On the other hand, if your foam is thick enough and you smother your pallets with soft, comfy pillows, you can make something extremely cozy, as seen here. Lacking wheels, this sofa is even easier to put together than the previous example.
Choose your covering with care to avoid anything that looks too dorm-roomish. Here, some beautiful pale linen does the job, and color-coordinated pillows add to the soft, Scandi feel of this large living space.
See a Scandinavian-style children’s bedroom with bunk beds made in the style of pallets
Choose your covering with care to avoid anything that looks too dorm-roomish. Here, some beautiful pale linen does the job, and color-coordinated pillows add to the soft, Scandi feel of this large living space.
See a Scandinavian-style children’s bedroom with bunk beds made in the style of pallets
3. Build a planter. Pallets are naturals for this conversion project. There are various approaches to it — here, the DIYer achieved a living-wall effect.
When planting, consider the shapes your plants will grow into, and position your choices to ensure they work well together before committing them to soil. Here, for example, the top row has small, vertical flowers, which allows space for the plants in the row below to burst out of their linear confines. Elsewhere, spongy mosses contrast with spiky fronds and danglers. Stick to a limited color palette too. Here, greens dominate, with just a dash of purple and creamy white.
A planter like this seems (maybe!) like a simple project — and it’s definitely not hard, even for DIY novices — but there is a bit of ingenuity needed in building the lining.
When planting, consider the shapes your plants will grow into, and position your choices to ensure they work well together before committing them to soil. Here, for example, the top row has small, vertical flowers, which allows space for the plants in the row below to burst out of their linear confines. Elsewhere, spongy mosses contrast with spiky fronds and danglers. Stick to a limited color palette too. Here, greens dominate, with just a dash of purple and creamy white.
A planter like this seems (maybe!) like a simple project — and it’s definitely not hard, even for DIY novices — but there is a bit of ingenuity needed in building the lining.
If that seems like too much effort, this might appeal. Simply put plants inside small bags of soil and wedge them down into your pallet. Job done.
As seen here, including plants that trail will help to soften the edges.
As seen here, including plants that trail will help to soften the edges.
Here the pallets have been fashioned into trios of hanging boxes. This is a project for you if you enjoy repurposing to a reasonably sophisticated level and have basic woodworking skills — or are ready to pick some up!
Painting pallets is one good way to make them more indoor-friendly. But unless you’re using a paint or stain designed for sheds or other outdoor wood (meaning it’ll color the pallet but the grain will still show through), be sure to use a primer, or you’ll be fighting an uphill battle with your paint.
A note on safety: Choose pallets whose origin you can trace. If they’ve been carrying food, for example, there could be residue that might lead to mold. If the wood is splitting or flaking, this indicates rot, and the pallets should not be used. Most important of all, check the pallets for an HT stamp that confirms they have been heat-treated (rather than treated with toxic chemicals). If there’s no HT stamp, don’t use them.
Painting pallets is one good way to make them more indoor-friendly. But unless you’re using a paint or stain designed for sheds or other outdoor wood (meaning it’ll color the pallet but the grain will still show through), be sure to use a primer, or you’ll be fighting an uphill battle with your paint.
A note on safety: Choose pallets whose origin you can trace. If they’ve been carrying food, for example, there could be residue that might lead to mold. If the wood is splitting or flaking, this indicates rot, and the pallets should not be used. Most important of all, check the pallets for an HT stamp that confirms they have been heat-treated (rather than treated with toxic chemicals). If there’s no HT stamp, don’t use them.
4. Top it off. Making a low table by stacking up three or four pallets couldn’t be simpler. But a slatted surface isn’t exactly ideal for a table. You have a couple of options. You may find that some attractive trays will suit your needs perfectly. Or you could get a piece of particleboard or MDF cut and paint it. (The particleboard will work best sanded; it will still have an interesting texture and it’s lighter than MDF.) Or go sleek and classy as the owners of this minimalist garden have done and get some tempered glass cut to size. If the rest of the table is free, it’s an expense you might be able to justify.
5. Panel a wall. This wall may not have been made with pallets but the idea is transferable — if you’re prepared to put in the work taking apart dozens of the things.
To make a paneled wall like this, you’ll first need to attach battens to the original wall, to create somewhere to nail your strips to. Panel pins are made for this kind of job.
Part of the joy of this feature wall is that it has an uneven surface and a patchwork effect. But while that gives you some freedom in terms of neatness, you won’t want to risk splinters whenever you touch it, so be prepared to do a lot of sanding. Pick pallets of different sizes, and if you can find some that have been painted, throw those in the mix too. You can see how good it’ll look.
To make a paneled wall like this, you’ll first need to attach battens to the original wall, to create somewhere to nail your strips to. Panel pins are made for this kind of job.
Part of the joy of this feature wall is that it has an uneven surface and a patchwork effect. But while that gives you some freedom in terms of neatness, you won’t want to risk splinters whenever you touch it, so be prepared to do a lot of sanding. Pick pallets of different sizes, and if you can find some that have been painted, throw those in the mix too. You can see how good it’ll look.
6. Put up a bulletin board. This small pallet piece has been used in a beautifully simple way. First, it shields the desk from a sunny window, taking the edge off the glare. Second, it works as a bulletin board where items can be hung in the slots or pinned to the wood.
7. Frame it. This is one for an experienced woodworker, since it will require special tools to cut the angles of the frames. However, the little row of hooks below is well within the reach of amateurs. Simply cut a piece of pallet to the length you require, sand and treat it to your taste, then attach drawer knobs (or simple coat hooks if you prefer). Choose the kind of wall hanger you want and voilà!
8. Make it sleek. Pallet coffee tables are often seen in industrial-style rooms, with big, chunky wheels attached. It’s become a bit of a classic look, but you can easily move the trend forward a little by choosing hairpin legs instead. These are widely available online and come in all sorts of colors, as well as natural metal, and result in a far more delicate take on the idea.
9. Embrace island life. The pallets in this fun room have been used without much modification except to stain them and fix them together in a box shape. Here they serve as a home bar, but if you’re doing a kitchen with a reclaimed feel or are on a limited budget, a pallet island could be just the ticket. Add S-hooks and you’ve got a spot to hang a few tea towels, pans or utensils.
Your turn: Have you turned a pallet into something for your home or garden? Share your tips and photos in the Comments.
Explore more ideas for DIY projects
Your turn: Have you turned a pallet into something for your home or garden? Share your tips and photos in the Comments.
Explore more ideas for DIY projects
You can get foam cut to size online, and if you’re not handy with a sewing machine to make a cover, it’s a simple job for an in-house tailor at a dry cleaners.