/ DIY Reclaimed pallets. © CC Sara by-sa

Do it Yourself: pallet it be

Published 2 December 2014 by Quentin Chevrier

Pallets are in all the stores, in all the industrial zones, and especially, in a lot of garbage bins. As a cheap, easily accessible, rather ecological material, its characteristics make it almost the LEGO brick of reclaimed furniture design.

First, one technical point : a pallet is nothing more than wood and nails. It’s sturdy, not very pretty, and often full of splinters. But if the basic material is always the same, there are many different types of pallets. (On the other hand, they can all be transported by the same type of transpallet—ingenious.)

Nine types of pallets referenced by American Country Pallet. Each type has its own solidity, usage and tutorial. © DR

Classic garden chair

All you need is 2 pallets and a few planks of wood. The tutorial makes it fairly easy, quick to build and useful. © DR

Pallet bed, or the anti-memory foam

Maybe a bit stiff, but easy to build with 4 pallets, glue and screws. © DR

Pallet shoe rack

Around 8 pairs of shoes per pallet. © DR

Pallet coffee table…

All that’s left to do is match the carpet to the table. © DR

… or the industrial, reclaimed IKEA-inspired pallet dining table

Beware of falling knife between two planks. © DR

And in order to display your brand-new pallet furniture, why not build a pallet house! Minimum 120 pallets necessary…

Pallets can be used whole, or as a source of wood planks to be reassembled. To prevent injury to your back or hands while pulling out each nail with pliers or a hammer, we recommend using the Pallet Breaker.

More palet tutorials on the dedicated website DIY Pallet Furniture

Makery newsletter