Incredible Pallet Projects – DIY Pallet Bookshelf, Bike Rack and More

Pallet projects are an entire internet subculture of their own. We’ve been covering pallet projects on Curbly for more than ten years, but this incredibly versatile and affordable DIY technique never gets old. Here are some of our all time favorites.

Not only do these pallets have a new life, but they ADD life to this living space. The orange ‘frame’ is a perfect touch too. The installation on the left has an artistic quality about it as well, no?

Via here and here.

DIY Kitchen Island Made of Pallets

When Jen needed a cost-effective kitchen island for her rental, she turned to pallets. She’d had success before using them to re-do a bookcase, so this was familiar territory for her. First in the island’s creation was building a frame–the wood for which, Jen notes, was the only lumber that was actually purchased for the project.

After that, it was just a matter of applying the weathered pallet wood in strategic places to highlight it. Interior shelving was added for hidden storage. To see more pictures and read more about the project, please visit Noting Grace. As far as contemplating any hygiene issues you may have with the project, I’ll leave that up to you to discuss in the comments below!

this idea

DIY Pallet Kitchen Island for Less Than $50 [Noting Grace]

Make a Pallet Playhouse for the Kiddos in Time for Summer

Tina Fussell

The internet has been home to plenty of DIY projects that involve pallets. In fact, we’ve featured quite a few here on Curbly as well. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one used to create a playhouse for the kiddos though. Until now. Check out this clever way to build a cozy fort-like oasis for kids.

Tina Fussell came up with weekend playhouse project idea for A Subtle Revelry recently, and I can’t think of a kid between the ages of 3 and 13 who wouldn’t love one of these in their own backyard.

Tina Fussell

It’s the perfect spot for a tea party with a couple of friends (or stuffed animals). Just be sure to select wooden pallets that haven’t been treated with insecticides to keep your playhouse chemical-free.

For more photos, visit A Subtle Revelry.

Pallet Projects for your Patio: Turn 2 Pallets into 1 Rolling Table

So clever and yet so simple, this rolling outdoor table was made using 2 – 4′ x 4′ wood pallets, 1 – 4″x4″, 4 caster wheels, some L-brackets and screws and gray stain. Visit Joy Ever After for a quick how-to. 

Spotted at Pinterest.

Pallet Seating DIY: Pallet Sofa

A couple of pallets stacked on top of each other, some throws, a bunch of pillows and cushions and Nina had herself a pretty sofa. Perfect for a porch (sleeping or otherwise), or, in Nina’s case, her balcony.

Nina is not new to the pallet game. Check out the headboard in her bedroom:

To see more pictures of Nina’s place, head on over to Styizimo.

Pallet Flooring Idea

Isn’t it amazing how this pallet floor was laid out? I really like the square pattern starting in the middle of the room. Check out how it was done here.

Turn a Pallet into a Lounge Chair

IMO, all pallets are waiting to be made into something beautiful, like this outdoor lounge chair for instance. Simple, yet stylish in its construction, the materials and tools to make one are minimal. Here they are:

• Four pallets of the same size, preferably rectangular
• One pallet slightly wider than your other pallets, more square than rectangular
• Scrap 2x4s or pallet scraps of the 2×4 kind
• Hammer and nails

For the entire tutorial, visit Re-Nest.

Make this Colorful Wood Pallet Coat Rack

The ‘to use or not to use indoors’ pallet discussion may continue to rage on, but that doesn’t me we’re still not keeping our eyes peeled for cool DIY projects using them. In this case, the pallet seen above was sanded and then painted. (Personally, I like the idea of painting or varnishing pallets for indoor use as a means to seal them.) A bunch of hooks and knobs were then attached, creating a delightful–and colorful–coat rack.

For the entire tutorial, visit Shelterness.

How to Turn a Pallet Into a Vertical Garden

Vertical gardens are all the rage these days, but buying everything you need for a decent looking setup can get quite expensive.  Fortunately, where there’s a will there’s a way (and a cost-effective DIY version): a space-saving vertical garden is as easy as finding a pallet!

Fern Richardson of the blog Life on the Balcony shares this tutorial for making your own vertical garden from discarded pallets*.  It’s a pretty simple project that would be a great thing to tackle on one of these fine Spring weekends!  First, of course, you’ll need your supplies:

• 1 pallet
• 2 large bags of potting soil
• 16 six packs of annuals
• 1 small roll of landscape fabric
• staple gun
• sand paper

After you’ve gathered everything you need and acquired a pallet, it’s time to get down to business.  Check out Life on the Balcony for the full tutorial and some more pretty photos!

Meanwhile, what flowers and/or plants are you excited to plant this year?  Our yard needs some serious work, so I’ll be hitting up the local nurseries pretty soon.  I can’t wait!

*Fern makes a good point about pallets: if you’re planning on growing anything edible, make sure you find a pallet that has been heat treated as opposed to fumigated.  There are nasty, nasty chemicals in the fumigated kind that could find their way into your veggies.

Can you make an entire home out of wood pallets?

I-Beam‘s Pallet House is indeed made out of shipping pallets. The original design was to provide temporary housing for refugees, however the same building concept could make very cool garden sheds and backyard studios too. According to Inhabitat, a basic 16″ x 16″ pallet home can be made with 100 pallets.

For more information about this and other pallet homes, visit Green Upgrader.

Pallet Turned Outdoor Swing Chair

A wooden pallet, much like the one pictured above, was turned into an outdoor swing chair. Clever, no? This has got to be one of the most comfortable wood pallet projects on this list.

Looks like its slats are held (sewn) together with rope. For more details, visit Styleichic.

Via Recyclart

Here’s how to make a Recycled Wood Pallet Table

Wood pallets are an unfortunate bystander of our everyday shipping needs. But luckily wood is extremely recyclable and these four pallets were able to turned into a rustic DIY dining table.

How To Turn a Pallet into a Jaw-Dropping Ottoman

Houzz

Friend, fellow blogger, and extraordinarily talented upholsterer, Shelly Lear (aka ModHomeEc Teacher) may describe her pallet turned ottoman as ‘jaw-dropping’ to grab our attention, but the expression is so very apt, I had to use it too. Yes, she used one of the actual pallets on the pile pictured above and turned it into the item below. Most of the materials she used to make it were free (she had the foam on hand), and the fabric was a remnant she spotted at JoAnn’s for which she paid $5.99 a yard. She says that even if we’d have to buy everything retail to bust one out, it wouldn’t set us back over $100. I spotted the project on Shelly’s website, but she has posted the entire ‘how-to’ at Houzz. Click here to see it. 

Houzz

Wood Pallet Craft: Rustic Baby Nursery

Instead of the run-of-the-mill baby nurseries that are in every catalog out there, this mom-to-be wanted her little guy’s nursery to have something extra that would stand out and grow up with the baby.  That called for something a little more masculine than Winnie the Pooh.

Using untreated pallet lumber and a good deal of problem solving, this nursery on the Bower Power Blog has a rustic and awesome accent wall.  Because the wood was free and they had a gift card on hand, it was a whopping $15!

The minds behind this baby room can’t emphasize enough the need for safe pallet lumber for this project, especially since it is a baby’s room.  If it still makes you nervous, this same look can be replicated with brand new wood that you rough up a bit.

But… Wood Paneling??? Isn’t that what everyone is ripping out of their houses these days?  Personally, I think it is the rustic, mis-matched, horizontal look that completely separates this accent wall from your grandma’s wood paneled walls.  What do you think?

To see the whole process, head on over and check it out!

DIY Idea: Make a Mudroom Shoe Rack from Pallets!

As with mason jars, there seems to be no limit on what you can do with a discarded pallet.  We’ve shared quite a few projects in the past, but this may be the simplest/easiest of the bunch!

Tel Aviv-based design studio Junktion focuses solely on creating new things from old stuff.  They’ve upcycled a car trunk hood into a sofa, a collection of metal teapots and collanders into a chandelier, and old suitcases into medicine cabinets.  But their most DIY-friendly project would have to be this pallet-turned-shoe rack.

Depending on the state and style of your pallet, you wouldn’t have to do much more than clean it and (maybe) remove a few boards.  You could even paint it if you’re feeling fancy.  Something like this would be perfect for mudrooms or garages: a dedicated spot for muddy yardwork shoes, hiking boots, cleats, etc.  I like the idea of mounting it a little off the floor for a “cleaner” look, but leaning it against the wall would work as well.  What do you guys think?

Also, be sure to check out more creative upcycled projects from Junktion!

DIY Wood Shipping Pallet Covered Bridge

Orange Farmhouse

The poster of this image calls it a ‘playhouse’, but it’s really a pint-sized covered bridge. Could be a sweet focal point in the garden or a shady interlude on the way to the play area. Looks like only four pallets would be necessary (2 for the sides and 2 for the roof). Some creative angle cuts and a hammer and some nails and we’re good to go.

Playhouse wooden pallets [Orange Farmhouse]

How-To Turn a Pallet Into a Mod Outdoor Lounger

Now that you’ve got your vertical pallet garden up and growing, it’s time to sit back and soak in some rays from the comfort of a super cool pallet lounger!

DIY extraordinaire Titti of the blog Shoestring Pavilion created these hip garden loungers from a pile of discarded pallets and 2x4s.  Oh, and some bright red paint, of course!  If you’re looking for a new outdoor project to kick off the summer season, this is it!  Check out the full tutorial right here.

(As a side note, Titti’s loungers are similar to ones that can be found in this book: Easy-to-Make Outdoor Furniture: A Sunset Book.  You can buy it online of course, but I picked up a copy during a local estate sale for $1.  Should you spot one during a yard sale or at a thrift store, snatch it up!  It’s a keeper.)

Make a Compost Bin from Shipping Pallets!

Remember my DIY paver stone patio and walkway project from the summer? Well, those paver stones came to us stacked on (what else?) wood shipping pallets … ‘lotsodem. For a couple months, those pallets sat out behind our garage while I mulled over what to do with them. Neighborhood bonfire? Wild turkey shelter (yes, we have dozens of wild turkeys around)? Skate ramp (wait, I don’t skateboard)?

Then I stumbled on this post by John over at Young House Love and thought “Hey, I know! I’ll do exactly the same thing he did!” So I did:

I started by unwrapping my new miter saw and cordless drill that I got from Amazon.com’s Home Improvement store; actually, this was the best part of the whole project.

Since this was going to be a simple box, I didn’t really plan it out or measure; I just found a flat patch of dirt next to the driveway (sort of behind the garage), and stood the pallets on end to get a feel for how they’d go together.

Next, I trimmed a few of the edges off and cut one pallet in half to make the front of the box (so I don’t have to hoist yard junk and leaves quite as high when dumping them in).

Then I just screwed the pieces together; for this I tried out a pair of Ansell ProjeX medium duty gloves I was sent for review. I’m a big fan of protecting my fingers, and only recently discovered that a good pair of dextrous work gloves really makes a difference (I always just used those one-size-fits-all yard gloves for everything). The Ansells felt really solid and well-constructed, and I especially like the little plastic knuckle guards on the back (even though it looks a little silly).
(Note: I wasn’t paid for this reviewing these, just got a sample pair of gloves to try out).

Here’s the box nearly complete, sitting on the driveway:

And here’s the finished ‘product’ (if you can call it that):

Right now we’re just using this for yard waste since we don’t do a whole lot of food composting. It’s not perfect (it’ll probably fill up pretty quickly), but it’s better than what we were doing before, which was dumping leaves and clippings in a pile under the lilac hedge. Plus, if and when it does fill up, we can easily tear it down and have that neighborhood bonfire I was talking about!

A nice, composty-smelling bonfire. Mmm ….

Adirondack Chair Made of Pallets

Nina Tolstrup of Studiomama makes furniture out of wood pallets, which she sells. She also sells plans to make some of the furniture as well. The up and downside for Ms. Tolstrup is that her for-sale plans are simple, which also means they’re knock-off-able using just the pictures of the completed projects. Take, for example, this lounge chair. It could be an inexpensive alternative to a traditional Adirondack lawn chair. To help create your schematic, you might want to consider this evil-genius method of using Photoshop.

How To Make a Vertical Garden from Reclaimed Wood

This project combines the idea behind paint can planters and garden walls pretty perfectly, don’t you think?

While Rachel from Smile and Wave used pallets as the support for her vertical garden, you could easily use scrap wood from other sources if you’re concerned about the safety of pallets. One element I really love is the colorful patches of weathered paint throughout! Check out how to build one of these vertical garden walls over on A Beautiful Mess.

DIY Double Take: Make a West Elm Inspired Plank Coffee Table for <$50 Using Wood Pallets

When Amy spotted West Elm’s Plank Coffee Table–pictured above–on their website ($999), she had to have one. But she also realized she could make one using pallet wood for a fraction of the cost. With her detailed tutorial, we can easily build one too. (By the way, even if we didn’t use pallet wood, the DIY version would STILL be a fraction of the cost of the original.) So here is Amy’s version:

What do you think? Spot on…right??? For Amy’s entire tutorial, please visit DIY Candy. 

West Elm Inspired DIY Coffee Table [DIY Candy]