Give your home the modern rustic look. Discover 20 innovative ways to upcycle wooden pallets into stylish furniture and accessories for your home and garden – without having to spend a fortune or be a DIY expert.
Welcome
SOURCING PALLETS • The key to making an attractive and well-finished project out of recycled pallets is to use clean ones that are in good condition. Here are some tips for sourcing them affordably or—better still—for free.
DISMANTLING PALLETS • Before starting a pallet project, you need to dismantle it without breaking or damaging any of the boards. Most wood stores will dismantle pallets and sell the planks for a very reasonable cost. This is convenient and cost-effective. However, if you have found some discarded pallets, or simply want to try dismantling them yourself, there are several possible methods.
BASIC KIT • Having the right tools and materials to hand before you start a project is half the battle won. Here are the basic items required, but always check the tools and materials lists before you start to make sure you have everything you need.
COFFEE TABLE • Turn a simple pallet into a super-cool coffee table for your living area. The diagonal slats add a striking design element. You could add extra detail by painting each slat a different color, or keep it simple with a wax finish. Either way, this piece is a showstopper.
SIDE TABLE • This compact little side table is simple to make and will perfectly fill a gap in any room. Tuck it between two armchairs with an elegant coffee-table book and a candle to add a touch of comfort to your living space.
FESTIVE TREE • Rather than chopping down a fir tree to use for a single season, why not make a sustainable pallet tree that you can use time and again? Adorn it with lights, hang baubles from it, or keep it simple and plain. Whichever way, this tree adds a touch of Nordic style to the festive season.
VINTAGE STAR • This star makes a striking focal point for any room. Hang it above a bed or a fireplace, lean it against a wall, or wrap it up and give it to someone special. A coat of chalk paint will give it a vintage look, but bare boards are also effective.
HEADBOARD • With its striking off-center diagonal design feature, this bedhead will make a fantastic centerpiece for your bedroom. This project is for a single bed, but you can easily scale it up for a full, queen, or king-size bed – the process is exactly the same, no matter what size you are working to.
TOWEL RAIL SHELVES • Space is always at a premium in the bathroom. These shelves not only look great in both modern and traditional bathrooms, but are useful too, providing a hanging rail for towels and storage for toiletries and bathroom essentials.
BOOK RACK • Having extra storage space is a positive asset in most people’s houses, and this stylish wooden book rack will provide just that, while adding handmade rustic charm to any room. This is a relatively simple project to make; you’ll find most of the hard work is in the sanding and finishing.
HOME BAR • If you enjoy entertaining at home, this bar—which will work indoors or outside—will be the focal point of all your parties. Paint it to harmonize with your interior décor, or keep it natural for a rustic addition to your yard.
GARDEN BENCH • This sturdy bench will add some homespun vibes and sophistication to any area, indoors or out. You could make two, with a fire pit between them, throw on some comfortable cushions and a couple of blankets, and chill out under the stars on a summer’s evening.
WINE CADDY • Be the envy of any picnic or summer party when you arrive bearing a bottle of wine and two glasses in this stylish caddy! If you are feeling up to the challenge, you could adjust the design so that it holds four glasses.
GARDEN ARMCHAIR •...
