Transform free pallets into creative and beautiful furniture, decorations, planters and more! There are over 150 easy pallet projects here to give your home and garden a personal touch.
Before we dive into these projects, here is some helpful information:
You can get pallets FREE (or very cheap) from:
- Craigslist or Facebook’s Marketplace. A lot of the time people just put them on the curb for free for you to pick up.
- Local businesses, distribution centers and stores (e.g Garden and Hardware Stores, Motorcycle Shops, Home Improvement Stores). You will see them sitting out back of stores, but always ask the manager before you take them because they could be rented pallets and need to be returned.
- New Businesses – If you know a new business is opening in your area, that is a great time to find a lot of pallets too.
If you can’t find any free wood pallets, you can buy them for under $10 (typically in the $5-$7 range, depending on the type and size you are looking for).
Materials You Will Need:
- Hammer (with nail puller) & Nails OR Nail Gun
- Screwdriver and Screws (wood screws)
- Drill and Drill Bits
- Reciprocating Saw
- Safety Glasses and Gloves
- Tape Measure and/or Ruler
- Orbital Sander
- Sandpaper
- Jig Saw
- Wood Glue
- Circular Saw.
- Hand Saw
- Pry Bar
I won’t re-list these items below to save space, but you will need some of these tools and supplies for all of these projects. If you are just planning on doing one or two projects, you can rent the more expensive tools (e.g. saws and sander) at a Home Depot or Lowes to save money or borrow from friends, family or neighbors.
Handy Tutorials for Pallet Projects:
- How to “Quickly” Disassemble Pallets
- Many projects require dissembling the pallets.
- There are lots of different ways to disassemble pallets depending on the type of tools you have at your disposal.
- How to Get Weathered Wood Look
- How to Tell if a Pallet is Safe for Reuse -Don’t use pallets with MB or IPPC logo!
- Make Your Own Wood Stain For Less
While these DIY pallets projects are easy, some of them are time-consuming and may take more than a couple hours to complete.
Indoor Pallet Projects
Home Decor
Pallet Photo Frames from Southern Revivals
Wood Pallet Shelf from I See I Make
Pallet Trays (Source Unknown)
drawer handles + paint or stain + screws
Wall Decor Pallets from Follow the Sprinkles
Pallet Tray with Rope Handles (Source Unknown)
rope + washers + screws
Pallet Plaque from Oh My Creative
Mason Jar Candle Scone (Source Unknown)
white acrylic paint + small chain + hook + mason jars + votive candles
Pallet Barn Door Mantel from The Frugal Homemaker
Candle Wall Shelf (Source Unknown)
All you need is various sized pillar candles
Wall Mounted Pallet Candle Holders from 101 Pallet Ideas
Hanging Mason Jar Lights from Twenty 8 Divine
Hanging Mason Jar Candles II (Source Unknown)
mason jars + small pillar candles + rope
Pallet Cube Light (No tutorial)
Coffee Table Tray from My Repurposed Life
Laundry Sign from Ana White
Coastal Pallet Mirror from Dwelling in Happiness
Beach Pallet Wall Art (Source Unknown)
stencils + white acrylic paint + shades of blue and tan paint
Pallet Photo Holder (Source Unknown)
mini clothespins + white paint marker (or stencils) + fabric (for flowers) + photos
Pallet Centerpiece from 101 Pallets
Decorative Wall Shelf from DIY Candy
Pallet Wood Mirror (Source Unknown)
staining or paint + mirror
Pallet Wall Decor from Blooming Homestead
Kitchen Sign (Source Unknown)
wood letters + white acrylic paint
Pallet Wall Clock (Source Unknown)
clock parts (take apart a thrift store clock) + numbers + white paint
Furniture Pallet Projects
Pallet Bookshelf from Made it with Love
Pallet Floating Bookshelf from Jenna Burger
Mini Pallet Coaster For Your Pallet Coffee Table from Remove and Replace
Pallet Coffee Table from DIY Projects
Modern Pallet Coffee Table (source unknown)
wheels + glass top + paint (optional)
Pallet End Table from Instructables
Easy Pallet Platform Bed from Shanty 2 Chic
Fold-Up Pallet Desk from Thistlewood Farms
Pallet Headboard from BHG.com
Console Table from Kleinworth Co.
Pallet Sofa from Scrap Hacker
Reading Nook from Kojo Designs
Pallet Daybed from Pretty Prudent
Pallet Dining Table from BHG.com
Large Pallet Sofa from Home Jelly
Pallet Chair from Funky Junk Interiors
Pallet Cat Bed (Source Unknown)
Sofa Table from Beyond The Picket Fence
Pallet Dog Bed from The Charming Farmer
Pallet Desk from Instructables
Desk Hutch Storage from Press Herald
Organization and Storage Pallet Projects
Pallet Coat Rack from Re-Fabbed
Entryway Pallet Organizer from Great DIYs
Upcycled Pallet Storage Container from DIY Network
Shoe Rack (Source Unknown)
Kitchen Organization Pallet Projects
Coffee Cup Holder from One Little Bird
Menu Sign from The Wood Connection
Pallet Wine Rack from Hometalk
Kitchen Utensil Holder (Source Unknown)
wood knobs or hooks + wood stain + stencils + white acrylic paint
Pallet Pantry Sign from Funky Junky Interiors
Pot and Pan Holder from A Green Point Kitchen
Pot and Pan Storage Idea (Source Unknown)
Pallet Plate Display (No Tutorial Available)
Bathroom Organization Pallet Projects
Pallet Towel Rack from The Golden Sycamore
Driftwood Pallet Towel Rack from House by Hoff
Bathroom Towel Holder
I couldn’t find a tutorial for this project, but it looks pretty simple. There is a similar project here that might help: http://www.instructables.com/id/Pallet-Wall-Shelf/
Bathroom Shelf (Original Source unknown)
Mason Jar Pallet Organizer from Skinny Meg
Other Organization Pallet Projects
DIY Pallet Letter Organizer (Source Unknown)
Pallet Laundry Basket Holder from Ana White
Pallet Jewelry Organizer from Craft or DIY
Outdoor Pallet Projects
Garden Pallet Projects
Pallet Vertical Herb Garden from 99 Pallets
Vertical Flower Garden from Hometalk
Vertical Pallet Flower Garden (source unknown)
Staggered Pallet Planter from Instructables
Upcycled Rainbow Pallet Flower Garden Planter from Hello Creative Family
Tin Can Pallet Planter from Pillar Box Blue
Garden Tool Storage from Our Little Acre
Pallet Planter Box from Live Laugh Rowe
Large Pallet Planter (Source Unknown)
Pallet Planter Box from House by Hoff
Window Planter Box from Paradise Perspectives
Triangle Pallet Planters from Love Create Celebrate
Strawberry Pallet Planter from Instructables
Pallet Garden from Bright Nest
Potting Table from Handmade Utah
Pallet Compost Bin from BHG.com
Flower Pot Pallet Shelf (Source Unknown)
washers + screws + heavy duty chains
Pallet Garden Fence from Camelot Art Creations
Pallet Garden Trellis from BHG.com
Garden Tool Storage from Fix Lovely
Backyard Pallet Projects
Pallet Swing Bed from The Merry Thought
Pallet Swing from Instructables
Hanging Outdoor Bar from HGTV.com
Pallet Outdoor Table from BHG.com
Pallet Patio Bench from RK Black
Patio Pallet Daybed from Lovely Greens
Pallet Sectional Soda from 101 Pallets
Patio Pallet Lounger from Instructables
Outdoor Pallet Table (source unknown)
Front Yard Pallet Projects
Welcome Sign from House by Hoff
Basic Pallet Fence from Hometalk
Swing Chair from Instructables
Basic Swing Chair (Source Unknown)
Pallet Walkway from Funky Junk Interiors
Pallet Stairs (Source Unknown)
Holiday Pallet Projects
Christmas
Winter Woodland Sign from Blooming Homestead
Pallet Christmas Tree from Jolenes Crafting
Pallet Christmas Tree II (Source Unknown)
white paint + ornaments + christmas star + clear string lights
Christmas Star
wide red ribbon + nails
Reversible Snowman and Scarecrow Pallet from Instructables
Rustic Pallet Christmas Tree from Her Tool Belt
Fall
Pallet Pumpkins from Finding House Farms
Neutral Fall Pallet Sign from Design, Dining and Diapers
Fall Chalkboard Sign from Shanty 2 Chic
4th of July
Simple Pallet Flag (Source Unknown)
wire + red, white and blue acrylic paint + wood stars + picture hanging wire
Patriotic Star Pallet Signs (Source Unknown)
large star stencil + red, white and blue paint
Pallet Flag (Source Unknown)
star stencils + red, white and blue paint
120 Cheap and Easy Rustic DIY Home Decor Ideas
Cindy says
I love several of these. I’ll be trying some of them out soon.
Luz says
Love this protects
KellyK says
Anywhere that carries shingles for roofs will likely give you pallets for free. That’s where I got mine.
Carmen says
Thanks, good to know.
Bridgett McCoy says
I would like to get instructions on how to build a Queen platform pallet or crate bed.