5 Clever Upcycles for an Old Pallet
Give your home a fresh furniture update this weekend at little to no cost – all you need is an old pallet and some ingenuity
If you’ve ever walked past a pile of discarded pallets and thought there must be plenty of creative ways to reuse them, you’re right! Pallet furniture is becoming more popular as a practical, inexpensive and eco-friendly addition to home decor. While the ideas are endless, these five simple projects will get you started.
Build an industrial bed ensemble
For a bed on a budget, you can’t go past a pallet (or two). Cheaper than a mattress ensemble and easy to customise, stick with one or stack them up to elevate your bed to the desired height. The pallet bed works well with French industrial style – juxtapose reclaimed timber and exposed brick with modern pieces like fresh, white linen and polished floorboards.
Browse more industrial bedrooms
For a bed on a budget, you can’t go past a pallet (or two). Cheaper than a mattress ensemble and easy to customise, stick with one or stack them up to elevate your bed to the desired height. The pallet bed works well with French industrial style – juxtapose reclaimed timber and exposed brick with modern pieces like fresh, white linen and polished floorboards.
Browse more industrial bedrooms
Customise your shelving
Designed for storage, pallets lend themselves to shelving perfectly. They work in just about any room as they can be cut, painted and customised to suit even the smallest of spaces. Make a spice or herb rack for the kitchen, store toys in kids’ bedrooms or display photographs and ornaments in the living area.
Designed for storage, pallets lend themselves to shelving perfectly. They work in just about any room as they can be cut, painted and customised to suit even the smallest of spaces. Make a spice or herb rack for the kitchen, store toys in kids’ bedrooms or display photographs and ornaments in the living area.
Make a statement with DIY wall art
There’s no need to spend a fortune on artwork to personalise your home when it’s so simple to make yourself, and a pallet is the perfect blank canvas to let your imagination run wild. Try painting words on each plank – this could be a quote, family names or favourite places. If your home has coastal style, paint your pallet with a wash of white to mimic driftwood, or alternatively use a dark stain and add your own touches before coating with varnish and mounting on the wall.
There’s no need to spend a fortune on artwork to personalise your home when it’s so simple to make yourself, and a pallet is the perfect blank canvas to let your imagination run wild. Try painting words on each plank – this could be a quote, family names or favourite places. If your home has coastal style, paint your pallet with a wash of white to mimic driftwood, or alternatively use a dark stain and add your own touches before coating with varnish and mounting on the wall.
Be playful with a new bedhead
This fun and functional bedhead couldn’t be easier to make – simply lean your pallet up against the wall and you’re done! The wooden planks make the perfect spot to hang hooks for displaying artwork, photographs and jewellery. Be sure to give the pallet a quick sand down before use to remove any splinters or sharp edges.
TELL US
Have you experimented with creative upcycling, with pallets or other reclaimed pieces? Tell us all about it in the Comments section.
MORE
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This fun and functional bedhead couldn’t be easier to make – simply lean your pallet up against the wall and you’re done! The wooden planks make the perfect spot to hang hooks for displaying artwork, photographs and jewellery. Be sure to give the pallet a quick sand down before use to remove any splinters or sharp edges.
TELL US
Have you experimented with creative upcycling, with pallets or other reclaimed pieces? Tell us all about it in the Comments section.
MORE
10 Forgotten Items to Repurpose as Standout Features
Nifty Thrifting: 19 Inventive Repurposing Ideas
10 Beautiful Ways to Use Crates Around Your home
One of the most popular options for upcycling an old pallet is to make a low-lying coffee table, perhaps because it’s so simple. Four casters will turn your pallet into a practical piece of furniture that can be wheeled around as you please. Leave the timber natural for a rustic look or use a stain to match the room fittings – you can even add a glass or Perspex top for a more modern, polished look. A further benefit of the pallet table is that there’s already built-in storage for books, magazines and whatever else needs tucking away.