Free furniture is stacked behind half the stores in town, and all you need is a pry bar and a free afternoon to claim it. These 25 DIY pallet furniture ideas take those rough shipping skids and turn them into real pieces you’ll use every day: a tufted ottoman, a rolling kitchen island, a daybed for the patio, a fold up desk, a loft bed and a sliding barn door. Some are weekend builds with a saw and a drill, and a few are half hour jobs with a hammer and a can of paint. Pick pallets that are dry, solid and free of stains, then sand every surface anyone will touch and seal anything that lives outdoors. Want smaller makes? Find more on the pallet projects hub.
1. DIY Pallet Ladder Shelf
A DIY pallet ladder shelf gives a bare corner three tiers of display space without crowding the floor. The long pallet slats become two A-frame ladder legs, and shorter slats are yoked together into three shelves that sit between them, narrowing toward the top. Paint or white stain the legs and leave the shelves raw for that two-tone look. It’s sized for a living room, a study or a bedroom, and it holds books, photo frames and small potted plants. Since the wood is reclaimed, the whole unit costs almost nothing.
Get the full tutorial at Pallet Ideas.
2. Upcycled Pallet Coffee Table
An upcycled pallet coffee table stacks two pallets for eight cubbies, enough for books, magazines and a couple of laptops. Use a third pallet for spare boards to fill the gaps. Sand everything from 80 up to 220 grit, prime it all, then go back over the knots with a second coat of primer. Two coats of white paint, a sanded edge and a quick wipe of watered down brown acrylic give it an aged look. Reinforce the bottom with extra boards before you screw on locking casters.
Get the full tutorial at Sustainable Decor.
3. DIY Tufted Ikat Ottoman from Upcycled Pallet
This DIY tufted ikat ottoman starts as a single shipping pallet trimmed down to 36 by 30 inches. Sand it well, then nail plywood across the open bottom so nothing sinks into the gaps. A thin board cut to the same size goes on top to hold everything: mark and drill holes for the tufting buttons, glue thick foam to it with spray adhesive, then wrap it in extra loft batting and fabric. Pull each covered button tight through the holes. A bold yellow ikat makes it the star of the room.
Get the full tutorial at Domestic Superhero.
4. DIY Garden Bar Using Wood Pallets
A DIY garden bar using wood pallets is ready in time for the next cookout. Screw two pallets side by side to make the front, then cut a third pallet in half and attach one piece to each end so the sides sit level with the front. A scaffold board makes a sturdy bar top: cut it to length, paint it with outdoor garden paint and set it on brackets with an even overhang at both ends. Add a couple of shelves from leftover pallet boards for glasses and bottles.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
5. Rustic Pallet Bench
This rustic pallet bench doubles as a coffee table, and the same steps make a sofa table or a step stool. Cut a section off a pallet with a jigsaw, glue and screw any rough boards, and add end pieces for looks and strength. The legs are pallet wood too, so pick the straightest boards you can find. Brace between the legs to square things up, then fill in the top with boards painted in peach, teal and gray. Nail them on, sand and stain for a worn, layered finish.
Get the full tutorial at Beyond The Picket Fence.
6. DIY Pallet Garden Bench
A DIY pallet garden bench gives two people a spot to sit and enjoy the yard. This one is built from cedar pallet wood, so it holds up to weather better than most skids. A simple box seat sits on chunky square legs, and the back is a row of upright boards cut to different heights so they rise in the middle like a fan. Leave the wood its natural silver gray for a rustic look, or paint it to suit the garden. Stack a few spare pallets and you’re set.
Get the full tutorial at Pallet Ideas.
7. DIY Pallet Upholstered Sectional Sofa
A DIY pallet upholstered sectional sofa gets you an L-shaped lounge for the price of foam and fabric. Stack sturdy pallets two high for the frame. Wrap the sharp edges with fabric strips first, using scissors and a nail gun, so nothing pokes through the cover later. Top the frame with high density foam, as thick as you like for comfort, then cover the whole thing in heavy duty cotton or canvas. Slide one more pallet in front, and you’ve got a matching coffee table too.
Get the full tutorial at Easy Pallet Ideas.
8. Pallet Wood Lamp
A pallet wood lamp brings soft, warm light to a bedroom, a den or a cabin corner. Short lengths of reclaimed pallet board are stacked log cabin style into a hollow square box, with each layer sitting on the one below it. A simple bulb socket goes inside, so the light glows out through the gaps and across the grain of the wood. Leave the boards raw for a rustic look, or give them a light coat of stain. Make a pair for both sides of the bed.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
9. Simple Wall Pallet Lamp
A simple wall pallet lamp looks like a set of wooden blinds lit from behind. Cut one pallet into two halves and stand them side by side against the wall, offset so the slats of one half line up with the gaps in the other. Tuck a lighting strip or a bulb between the halves, and the light spills out through every opening in long golden stripes. It needs no shade and takes up almost no floor space, so it’s great in a narrow hall or a corner by the sofa.
Get the full tutorial at iD Lights.
10. DIY Pallet Fold up Desk
This fold up pallet desk hangs on the wall and drops down into a workspace in seconds, and you don’t even have to take the pallet apart. Cut a piece of plywood to fit between the two bottom boards on the open side of the pallet and attach it with a piano hinge for extra stability. A window sash lock keeps it closed, and two cables rated for at least 100 pounds hold the desktop level when it’s down. Stain it dark walnut, add a coat of polyurethane and hang it. Perfect for a small space!
Get the full tutorial at Thistlewood Farms.
11. Pallet Island
This pallet island is a rolling kitchen workstation built from one small pallet. Fill the gaps between the slats with trim pieces and old croquet mallet handles, then rub on paste wax to bring up a warm shine. The legs are 2×6 boards with locking casters, and a bottom shelf made from more pallet pieces holds bowls and baskets. Finish with a mallet handle towel bar, a hook, a bottle opener on the front and a small pallet box on the side for wine and cookbooks.
Get the full tutorial at Beyond The Picket Fence.
12. DIY Pallet Day Bed
A DIY pallet day bed turns two free pallets into an outdoor lounger big enough for a nap. Bolt the pallets together through the inside stringers, add legs and small wheels so it rolls, and fit skirt boards around the base for stability. Cedar picket boards give the rail system something to attach to. The back and arms are 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe with elbows and T fittings, painted apple green. A twin air bed covered in painter’s drop cloth makes the mattress, plus a pile of bright pillows.
Get the full tutorial at Ondawayto Somewhere.
13. Pallet Wood Chair
This pallet wood chair takes under two hours and suits a first time builder. You’ll need two pallets of exactly the same size, one for the seat and one for the back, plus four short posts for legs and two long, thin planks for the arms. Because the pallets set the size, find a seat cushion first and work backward from there. Sand everything well with a few grits so no one gets splinters. A burlap coffee sack cushion and a pillow make it a cozy porch seat.
Get the full tutorial at Funky Junk Interiors.
14. DIY Pallet Bed with Headboard and Lights
A DIY pallet bed with headboard and lights brings boutique hotel style to a bedroom on a pallet budget. The sleeping platform is built from pallets and lined with smooth plywood sheets. The tall pallet headboard is built a little deep, with a shelf in the middle and a pocket on each side, and each cubby gets an accent light tucked inside for a soft glow at night. A shoe rack built into the foot of the frame adds storage. Sand every edge smooth and varnish the rails.
Get the full tutorial at Easy Pallet Ideas.
15. DIY Pallet Console Table
A DIY pallet console table fits a narrow entry or hallway that’s too tight for full size furniture. Stand one pallet on end and paint it inside and out with a chalky finish paint in a soft gray blue, then seal it with creme wax. One coat covers without primer. Cut a plank to size for the top, sand the edges and finish it with a maple gel stain and a clear sealer. Screw the top onto the pallet and anchor the table to the wall with metal brackets. It’s done in just a few hours!
Get the full tutorial at Yummi Haus.
16. DIY Pallet Loft Bed
A DIY pallet loft bed frees up floor space in a small bedroom that has more doors than walls. One oversized pallet, the kind roofing metal ships on, becomes the sleeping platform. Old weathered fence posts serve as the four tall legs, so the whole frame costs next to nothing if you have scraps in the barn. Clean the posts well before they come indoors. The open space underneath fits a desk, a chair and a lamp, which makes a cozy little homework nook.
Get the full tutorial at Kammy's Korner.
17. DIY Pallet Sink Shelf
A DIY pallet sink shelf adds a ledge above a small kitchen sink for soap, plants and pretty jars. Use the chunky 2×4 runners from the pallet rather than thin slats. Cut two 48 inch lengths for the top and four 11 inch pieces for the legs. Sand with 120 to 150 grit, then finish with 220. Glue the top boards with construction adhesive, clamp them, then screw on the legs. Stain it dark and seal it with a waterproof sealer so splashes wipe right off.
Get the full tutorial at Stow&TellU.
18. DIY Pallet Picnic Table
A DIY pallet picnic table sized for little ones uses about two thirds of a pallet and some scrap 2x4s. Pick a pallet that hasn’t been rebuilt many times, because it comes apart much more easily. The top is 40 inches long by 21 1/4 inches wide, with the pallet notch centered and the middle 2×4 left in place for support. Cut the bench ends at a 30 degree angle so they don’t dig into small laps. Paint it a bright barn red for the backyard.
Get the full tutorial at Ana White.
19. DIY Pallet Gardening Table
A DIY pallet gardening table folds down from the side of the house whenever you’re potting plants. You’ll need two pallets of the same size. Fix one to the wall, a deck or the garage with heavy duty C screws. Join the second pallet to its lower edge with two 4 inch strap hinges so it swings down into a work surface, and hold it level with chain and small C hooks. Fold it back up when you’re done. The whole project costs under $10 in hardware.
Get the full tutorial at Jenna Burger Design.
20. Canning Pantry Cupboard Made of Pallets
A canning pantry cupboard made of pallets stores more than 200 jars of home canned goods. Tear apart about four pallets for the sides and shelf boards. Skip pulling every nail: slice through them with a reciprocating saw and a long demolition blade, and leave the flat nail ends in for character. Nail the pallet boards onto 2×4 frames to make each shelf. Tilt the top shelf forward a touch for display, and add a lip to the others so jars can’t slide off. It also holds small appliances.
Get the full tutorial at Old World Garden Farms.
21. DIY Pallet Mail Organizer
A DIY pallet mail organizer keeps envelopes and bills off the kitchen counter. It’s built from odds and ends of pallet wood: a flat back panel, a deep front pocket that works like a file folder for mail, a small shelf across the top and a row of metal knobs underneath for keys, leashes or a tote bag. Hang it by the door so everything lands in one place on the way in. The rough grain looks great left natural, or rub on a light stain.
Get the full tutorial at 99 Pallets.
22. DIY Pallet Sliding Barn Door
A DIY pallet sliding barn door saves floor space in a narrow room where a swinging door is always in the way. Two pallets give enough boards for a door about 80 inches tall and 33 inches wide. Pry the boards off with a hammer and a flat crowbar, trim them with a circular saw, then glue and nail them onto a frame. A sliding barn door hardware kit does the rest. The pallet wood is free, and the hardware is the only real cost.
Get the full tutorial at Lehman Lane.
23. DIY Pallet Desk
A DIY pallet desk takes about half an hour, a hammer and some nails. Stand an old pallet on its end against the wall and pull off the thinnest planks. Nail them, plus a few extra planks of the same size, onto two short boards to make a desktop, then nail that onto the side of the pallet at desk height. Screw the pallet to the wall so it can’t tip forward when you lean on it. The open slats above and below hold books and supplies.
Get the full tutorial at peculiarmee.
24. DIY Pallet Pot Rack
A DIY pallet pot rack hangs from the ceiling and puts every skillet within reach. Cut a pallet in half, pry off the middle bar and staple chicken wire across the frame, then nail the bar back on top. Straighten wire coat hangers, weave them through the chicken wire, and staple the ends in place. Drill through the frame for toggle bolts and hook bolts, then hang it from heavy chain. S-hooks hold the pans, and lids or spoons can clip onto the wire.
Get the full tutorial at A Greenpoint Kitchen.
25. DIY Pallet Shoe Rack
A DIY pallet shoe rack is about as easy as pallet furniture gets. Grab a free pallet from a hardware store and give it a light sanding to knock off splinters and rough edges. Paint the whole thing in black outdoor paint, or any color that suits your space. Once it’s dry, fasten it to the wall with L brackets and slide shoes into the gaps between the slats. It works by the garage door, in a mudroom or by the back door where muddy boots pile up.
Get the full tutorial at TOMFO.
