Got a stack of free pallets and big plans? These 41 DIY pallet furniture ideas for every room turn rough wood into pieces you’ll use every day. You’ll find coffee tables, benches, beds and a sectional sofa, plus a hanging bed swing, a hexagon side table and a media center with storage cubes. There’s even a patio day bed that hides a folding guest mattress, a coat rack that takes about 20 minutes and a cozy reading nook for the kids. Some are weekend builds, and a few are five-minute wins. Before you start, look for pallets stamped HT, which means heat treated, not chemically treated. Perfect for the living room, the bedroom and the back porch!
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. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. Pallet Bed Swing
Picture a lazy afternoon on a swing big enough to stretch out on! This bed swing uses two identical pallets joined with 10-foot pressure-treated 2x4s, screwed in with decking screws, plus the cut-off ends as a frame for extra strength. Prime and paint it white, drill holes for the rope with a spade bit and hang it from a sturdy branch. Pool noodles on the edges keep it splinter-free, and outdoor chair cushions make it comfy. Make sure your pallets are free of chemicals before you start!
Get the full tutorial at iSaveA2Z.
26. Hexagon Pallet Side Table
Need a spot to set your coffee between two porch chairs? This hexagon side table comes from just one or two pallets! Pull the pallets apart, saving both the top planks and the 2×4 runners. Build two hexagon frames from the 2x4s with 30 degree miter cuts, then wrap the sides with 18 of the narrow planks and top it with the thicker ones. Sand with 100 grit and finish with a dark stain. Look for pallets stamped HT, heat treated, not chemical.
Get the full tutorial at Lemon Thistle.
27. Pallet Top Table
Got a wobbly little bench or table someone was giving away? Give it a pallet wood top! Tighten the legs, unscrew the old seat and cut scrap plywood to the same size. Then cut pallet boards into triangles at 30 degrees and glue them onto the plywood in a pattern. Once the glue dries, trim the edges with a circular saw, cover them with mitered trim and sand everything smooth. Spray paint the base a bright color and add a clear coat. Perfectly imperfect!
Get the full tutorial at My Love 2 Create.
28. Pallet Media Center
Want a long media console with tons of storage? Build cube shelves from pallets! Pick pallets that are exactly the same size, pull the staples, then cut each one in half and remove the underside boards. Glue 5/4 boards onto the upright slats to make each cube taller, stacking layers with foaming glue, then top with the second half. Sand with 200 grit, stain dark walnut and seal. Line the cubes up under the TV and fill them with baskets. It takes patience, but it’s not hard!
Get the full tutorial at Taryn Whiteaker Designs.
29. Pallet Porch Table
Want a porch table that cost you nothing? Two hardwood pallets are all it takes! Take them apart by sliding an oscillating tool’s flush cut blade between the slats and stringers to cut the nails without wrecking the wood. Cut the stringers into legs and two rectangular frames, pre-drilling so they don’t split, and screw it together. Lay the slats across the top, then paint the base white and stain the top. It’s just right for holiday decor by the front door.
Get the full tutorial at Her Tool Belt.
30. Rustic Pallet Wood Bookshelf
Love the reclaimed look but want something rock solid? This bookshelf is built from 2x10s and 2x4s joined with pocket holes, then wrapped in pallet wood for that rustic texture. Use spacers so the shelves line up evenly, check everything with a square and a level, and dry fit your crates as you go. Glue and nail on the pallet boards at random staggered lengths, then add a pallet wood face frame. Free building plans are on the page. Anchor it to the wall, it’s heavy!
Get the full tutorial at The House of Wood.
31. Pallet-Backed Bookshelf
Got a tired old bookshelf with a bad paint job? Give it a pallet wood back! Scrape off any peeling paint and freshen it with a coat of creamy white. Pull a few broken pallets apart, cut the boards to fit the back and wash them well. Lay the shelf down on blankets and arrange the boards so the colors and nail holes mix. Pre-drill tiny holes so the old wood doesn’t split, then nail them in. It takes about 20 minutes and looks amazing!
Get the full tutorial at Over The Big Moon.
32. Pallet Headboard
Dreaming of a rustic headboard made from weathered boards? Start by hunting for oak pallets, which are sturdier and better looking than pine. Here’s the trick, press a thumbnail in and if it dents, it’s pine. Cut boards free with a reciprocating saw instead of prying them apart, sand every side with 60 grit, then gray-wash or bleach the boards to even out their tones. Build on a square scaffold leaned at about 45 degrees and move boards around until the layout looks right.
Get the full tutorial at The Thinking Closet.
33. Pallet Outdoor Kids Table
Need a quick outdoor work table for the kids? This one takes about five minutes! Find a pallet, hammer down any loose nails and sand the rough edges. Have the lumber store cut four 2x4s to the height you want, waist high for your child works great, then screw them on as legs with two screws each. The lower slats make a handy shelf for buckets and bins. Leave it natural or paint it a fun color. It’s perfect for messy outdoor science!
Get the full tutorial at Little Bins for Little Hands.
34. Rustic Pallet Bench or Coffee Table
Here’s a rustic bench that can pull double duty as a coffee table! Miter four 2×4 pieces into a picture frame and screw the corners together, then cut a 4×4 post into four 17 1/2 inch legs. Attach the legs, then screw deck balusters inside the frame to make a ledge. Run a circular saw along the pallet supports to free boards without fighting the nails, cut them to fit and nail them onto the ledge. Paint it white and distress it for a weathered look.
Get the full tutorial at Scavenger Chic.
35. Striped Pallet Wood Porch Swing
Dreaming of a porch swing under a big shade tree? You can build one from free pallet wood! Harvest the slats from about three pallets and pull every nail, then build the seat frame and back from scrap 2x4s with pocket screws. Add the arms, fill the holes and sand. Lay out the pallet slats with a simple spacer so the gaps stay even, and attach them with glue or small nails. Paint each slat a different color for that cheerful striped look, seal it and hang it with eye bolts and rope. It’s a summer favorite!
Get the full tutorial at Pretty Handy Girl.
36. Chevron Pallet Coffee Table with a Shelf
Want a coffee table that looks custom but costs next to nothing? Break down a few pallets, pull the nails and rip the boards a little narrower so the pattern looks crisp. Draw a center line on a plywood top, miter the board ends at 45 degrees and glue and nail them down in a chevron. Stain a few boards darker for contrast, then trim the overhang flush and wrap the edge in more pallet wood. Add chunky legs and a lower shelf for books and magazines, and finish with poly. Perfect for a rustic living room!
Get the full tutorial at The Merrythought.
37. Narrow Pallet Side Table
Got a tight spot next to the bed where nothing from the store fits? Build your own skinny side table from three worn pallet planks! Line them up, drill straight through the edges and slide in a threaded bar to lock them together as a tabletop. Sand from 80 to 120 grit until it’s smooth and splinter free, then cut two legs from a thicker pallet and brace them with glued and screwed offcuts. Whitewash with watered-down chalk paint and finish with clear wax. It’s a great beginner build!
Get the full tutorial at A Crafty Mix.
38. Patio Day Bed with a Built-In Table
Have a sunny strip of patio that’s awkward for chairs? Stack four pallets of the exact same size two high and side by side, then screw them together for a base that’s rock solid. Here’s the clever part: the cushion is the foam mattress from a folding guest bed, so it goes back into its frame when the weather turns. Trim a plank off each pallet with a jigsaw so the base matches the mattress width, and the spare length at one end becomes a built-in table for coffee and magazines. Six new planks dress up the front and side, and two coats of fence paint finish it.
Get the full tutorial at Lovely Greens.
39. Two-Tier Rustic Pallet Coffee Table
Two free pallets and a little patience make a rustic coffee table with a magazine shelf built right in. Pry the top boards off each pallet, sand them lightly and screw them back on side by side so the gaps close up, then cut away the leftover frame. Scrap pieces become legs about 8 1/2 inches tall on the bottom pallet. Sand again (pallets are seriously rough), stain, varnish and simply set one pallet on top of the other. The raw wood drinks up stain, so pick a shade or two lighter than you really want.
Get the full tutorial at Wonder Forest.
40. 20-Minute Pallet Coat Rack with a Shelf
This one is almost too easy. Saw the end board off a pallet with a reciprocating saw, nail it across the top as a little shelf, then cut the pallet off just below the curve of the side boards. Sand only the roughest spots, dry brush on chalk paint with a chip brush for a worn look and screw on hooks. The whole project takes about 20 minutes, and the hooks are the only real cost, around $16 for four. Hang it by the door for coats and bags, with room up top for a lantern or a vase.
Get the full tutorial at Re-Fabbed.
41. Kids Pallet Reading Nook
Tuck a cozy reading corner into a playroom with two pallets. Pick the sturdiest square pallet you can find, with slats set close together, sand it to raw wood and cut it corner to corner on the diagonal with a circular saw. Reinforce the front edge with leftover pallet pieces, stack scrap wood squares under the three corners and add rolling casters so the triangle seat sits up off the floor. Part two of the tutorial builds the slatted sides. A foam triangle cut from an egg crate mattress topper with a sheet for a cover makes the cushion.
Get the full tutorial at Kojo Designs.
