Decorating Guides
Get Multiple Uses Out of the Humble Wooden Pallet
Wooden pallets are easy to transform into good-looking, functional pieces of furniture. Read on to find out how
In a world where recycling is becoming the new mantra (one which is here to stay, I hope), the wooden pallets that are used in transportation and storage are a fantastic resource to reuse in a home’s décor. From indoor furniture to outdoor seating to design accessories, the humble wooden pallet has become an integral part of the modern industrial ethos of interior design.
Pallets come in varying degrees of hardiness and readiness; use them for the purpose required as per their stability. You can most likely score them for free or at a nominal charge, either from the local supermarket or warehouse or even the kabadiwala. With some patience and a lot of sandpapering to avoid splinters, you can pretty much make whatever you please.
Pallets come in varying degrees of hardiness and readiness; use them for the purpose required as per their stability. You can most likely score them for free or at a nominal charge, either from the local supermarket or warehouse or even the kabadiwala. With some patience and a lot of sandpapering to avoid splinters, you can pretty much make whatever you please.
In case the idea of an entire bed and end-of-the-bed bench made out of pallet seems a bit of an overkill, you could settle for just the latter as a small statement piece. Throw a rug or some cushions over it for colour … and a softer seat. You could even have the pallet upholstered to match the linen on your bed for a more chic look.
Solace in storage
They are an excellent alternative to Ikea storage shelves. The great thing about pallets is they fit into any space with a little bit of cutting and sawing. Knock together a storage unit, paint it to match the décor or leave it bare. All those awkward spaces that you didn’t know what to do with can now be fully utilised.
They are an excellent alternative to Ikea storage shelves. The great thing about pallets is they fit into any space with a little bit of cutting and sawing. Knock together a storage unit, paint it to match the décor or leave it bare. All those awkward spaces that you didn’t know what to do with can now be fully utilised.
Coffee and conversations
Pallets make great coffee tables – and conversation starters. The caster wheels on this table allow it to be moved anywhere, and it’s got storage space for magazines and knick-knacks.
Tip: Place a sheet of glass on top if you’d like a more polished look and an even surface. Make sure it’s thick and heavy enough to remain stable and immovable.
Pallets make great coffee tables – and conversation starters. The caster wheels on this table allow it to be moved anywhere, and it’s got storage space for magazines and knick-knacks.
Tip: Place a sheet of glass on top if you’d like a more polished look and an even surface. Make sure it’s thick and heavy enough to remain stable and immovable.
Outdoor relaxation
Instead of spending a small fortune on patio furniture, wood pallets are creative, cost-effective and can be comfortable, too. In this picture, pallets have simply been placed together to form a seating area. There was a very little bit of carpentry involved – just to attach the backrests (more pallets). But you can dispense with those, and just arrange pallets to suit your seating plan. Throw on plenty of cushions and bolsters for comfort – et voila! you have patio furniture. Pallets also make it convenient to have as many or as few pieces of seating as you’d like.
Instead of spending a small fortune on patio furniture, wood pallets are creative, cost-effective and can be comfortable, too. In this picture, pallets have simply been placed together to form a seating area. There was a very little bit of carpentry involved – just to attach the backrests (more pallets). But you can dispense with those, and just arrange pallets to suit your seating plan. Throw on plenty of cushions and bolsters for comfort – et voila! you have patio furniture. Pallets also make it convenient to have as many or as few pieces of seating as you’d like.
Bulletin board
The simplest of ideas – turn a pallet into a pin-up board or recipe holder or photo gallery. ’Nuff said. All you need to do is remove the legs of the pallet and hang it up.
The simplest of ideas – turn a pallet into a pin-up board or recipe holder or photo gallery. ’Nuff said. All you need to do is remove the legs of the pallet and hang it up.
Divide and rule
Pallets can be used as partitions indoors or outdoors. A pallet room divider has an unconventional look and can be customised to any size you want.
Pallets can be used as partitions indoors or outdoors. A pallet room divider has an unconventional look and can be customised to any size you want.
Glory for gardens
Pallets come handy as the structure for a vertical garden. Here, planks have been nailed on to form the bottoms of the shelves and treated so the wood lasts longer, and it’s worth the bother. Hang it up or just lean it against the wall so it’s easy to move around.
Pallets come handy as the structure for a vertical garden. Here, planks have been nailed on to form the bottoms of the shelves and treated so the wood lasts longer, and it’s worth the bother. Hang it up or just lean it against the wall so it’s easy to move around.
Use pallets as a decorative element in the garden. Hollow them out and just retain the frames. It looks even better if you have creepers growing all over it.
Canvas for the artist
Turn a pallet into a piece of art. Distress ‘em, paint ‘em or colour-block ‘em – let your imagination run riot. You’ll be surprised at what you come up with, especially when you know it can be painted over again.
I, personally, would like to spray-paint one in a metallic colour and stencil my favourite motif, a fleur de lis (in black) on it.
Turn a pallet into a piece of art. Distress ‘em, paint ‘em or colour-block ‘em – let your imagination run riot. You’ll be surprised at what you come up with, especially when you know it can be painted over again.
I, personally, would like to spray-paint one in a metallic colour and stencil my favourite motif, a fleur de lis (in black) on it.
Consolidated console
A bunch of pallets stacked one on top of another can be used as a TV console (though here, the TV is hung on the wall). At least all the remotes would have a place for themselves.
A bunch of pallets stacked one on top of another can be used as a TV console (though here, the TV is hung on the wall). At least all the remotes would have a place for themselves.
Winsome wine racks
The best idea, in my opinion, so far – especially for all ye wine drinkers and collectors.
The best idea, in my opinion, so far – especially for all ye wine drinkers and collectors.
Swing away your blues
Use a pallet to fashion a swing (or a suspended day lounge) that can be used indoors or outdoors. How cosy this swing looks, with cushions and a throw. Just make sure to use a sturdy pallet.
Use a pallet to fashion a swing (or a suspended day lounge) that can be used indoors or outdoors. How cosy this swing looks, with cushions and a throw. Just make sure to use a sturdy pallet.
Thought for the day
Have your say the easy way – use it to express your thoughts or paint a catchy slogan.
Have your say the easy way – use it to express your thoughts or paint a catchy slogan.
Too many shoes and too little space?
Whoever came up with this was ingenious. If it looks too untidy for the bedroom, place it in the garage for the less-often-used footwear. If you want easier access to your shoes, paint it for a more refined look so it can go into the bedroom.
Whoever came up with this was ingenious. If it looks too untidy for the bedroom, place it in the garage for the less-often-used footwear. If you want easier access to your shoes, paint it for a more refined look so it can go into the bedroom.
Accent wall
In this informal sitting area, pallets have been nailed together to form an accent wall. You could paint the entire wall for a uniform look or leave it as is and decorate with a few artefacts. The wooden wall and floor give this nook a warm, lived-in ambience.
Read more:
How to keep termites away from your wooden furniture
Unique storage solutions for the entire home
Tell us:
If you have recycled wood pallets in any other way, we would love to know. Share your ideas in the Comments section below.
In this informal sitting area, pallets have been nailed together to form an accent wall. You could paint the entire wall for a uniform look or leave it as is and decorate with a few artefacts. The wooden wall and floor give this nook a warm, lived-in ambience.
Read more:
How to keep termites away from your wooden furniture
Unique storage solutions for the entire home
Tell us:
If you have recycled wood pallets in any other way, we would love to know. Share your ideas in the Comments section below.
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For an Asian-inspired look, pallets are the perfect height for a low bed. They are stable in themselves (use the heavy shipping ones for this) and can be arranged to any size – king, queen, single, twin or anything in between. Leftover planks can be fashioned into a headboard like this one.