On many occasions you have surely seen pallets inside containers, on the sidewalks of the streets or in industrial estates. But the truth is that the life of these objects does not end with the transfer of the merchandise. That is why we are going to tell you 5 ideas so that you can give new life to wooden pallets.
Undoubtedly, pallet decoration is in trend. This is an inexpensive option, they are easy to treat and the results are impressive. Other than that, it’s the perfect way to kick-start creativity without a huge investment, and reuse materials that would otherwise go to waste.
What things can be built with pallets?
Recycled pallets are a very special material, since they are natural, renewable and, due to their composition, they favor the presence of carbon within the wood. This means that it prevents the carbon dioxide that is released by other materials from being in contact with the environment. Being something of great help to stop air pollution.
In this way, there are many things that can be built with pallets, such as beds, chairs, shelves, decks and chairs.
1. Bed made with pallets
The first thing to keep in mind to make a bed with recycled pallets is the height at which you want it. This is because the pallets normally have a height of approximately 10 cm.
If you want to build one at ground level, to obtain an oriental look, it will be enough to use about four recycled pallets. On the other hand, if you want a higher bed, you should multiply the amount by four taking into account the desired height.
The materials needed for the construction are: 6 pallets, wooden strips, screwdriver, electric saw, hammer, sander, paint varnish, glue and screws. Once you have the materials, you have to treat the wood by applying a fungicide. This will prevent moisture and fungus damage.
Once this is done, the next thing is to sand the wood and proceed to remove all the screws and nails that may be present. The next thing is to paint the wood and then apply a layer of varnish to make the bed strong and durable. The next step is to join the pallets that will serve as the headboard. A very creative idea is to place them in a T shape.
To join the rest of the pallets it is necessary to use the wooden strips, placing the four recycled pallets together using nails. Avoiding that these remain in visible places or where they cause inconvenience.
2. Table built with pallets
It is the most popular creation among furniture made with recycled pallets. It looks quite good not only for a terrace, but also for the garden. You can add legs or wheels, but if you prefer you can rest it on the ground. The materials that are needed are the following: sandpaper, a couple of pallets, wood putty, paint or varnish, wood roller, brush type trowel and 4 legs or wheels.
When you already have the materials, the main thing is to make a design of how the table made with pallets will look like. If you want it higher, you will have to add more pallets. The pallets you use have to be the same. Correctly sand the wood, making sure to remove nails, screws and splinters in the case of recycled pallets.
Now you must apply a treatment for the wood, especially if the table will be placed outside. If you want a natural finish, cover the wood with a layer of varnish. If you want a little color, add paint and then a clear varnish.
To make a table with legs or wheels, you must decide which pallet to place at the bottom and towards the ends of the bottom, screw the elements. Place adhesive for mounting the wood on the surface and proceed to place the other pallet on top. You will have to wait at least 24 hours for it to dry.
3. Pallet deck
Although making a pallet deck is a bit laborious, it is a very creative way to decorate a space. And to build it you will need several pallets, waterproof wood varnish, wood screws and wooden planks that will serve to hide the spaces between the pallets.
The first thing you have to do to build a pallet deck is to place the pallets where you want to make the platform. You can even add a ladder to make the space more eye-catching. Once the entire structure of said platform has been created, the next thing is to cover the empty spaces using the wooden plates, so that the entire surface is uniform.
Try to place the wooden planks in each of the spaces that remain between the pallets, not only in the front parts but also on the sides. Join the planks together using the wood screws. The next thing is to apply the varnish you have chosen and let it dry following the product instructions. Once this is done, the platform is completely ready to enjoy a practical and elegant deck made with pallets.
4. Pallet chair
Building a chair with pallets is a very creative idea to get nice furniture without having to invest a lot of money. One of the advantages is that you can paint the chair in the color you prefer and use it to decorate exteriors or living rooms. To make a chair using pallets you will need two pallets, a saw or electric saw, a carpenter’s hammer, a sander, screws, paint, glue and varnish.
One of the first steps in making this type of chair is to disassemble each of the pallets and cut the pieces. Now we proceed to make the base and legs of the chair. Screwing three pieces of pallets in an H shape and placing two more that serve to hold.
Place several pieces of pallets on top of the main frame to build the seat. You will have to make the base for the back of the chair by joining three pieces of pallet forming a kind of U. Screwing them to the base so that everything is fixed. On top of the U structure you must place the pieces of pallets that are longer, avoiding spaces between them. This part will serve as the back for the chair.
Take another piece of pallet and proceed to place it as an armrest. Repeating this same procedure for the other armrest. Once the entire structure is elaborated, the next thing is to sand the furniture and paint it the color that you like the most. Let the paint dry and then apply a coat of varnish to make the chair stronger and more durable.
5. Shelving made with pallets
Working with pallet wood allows you to create very useful pieces and a good idea is to build shelves with this type of wood. The basic materials to build a shelf with pallets are: pallets, sandpaper, brush, saw, background for wood, varnish and nails.
First you must select the pallets and check if they are in good condition or if they need prior treatment. In the event that they are recycled pallets and they have imperfections, you should take some time to prepare them. If they have been outdoors, you will have to apply some products that serve to eliminate bacteria and mold that is produced by humidity. Where the ideal will be to apply a fungicide.
Once all this process is done, the next thing is to cut the pallets. This is a task that does not require much effort, since the shape of the pallet makes the job easy. Unless you have an original shape in mind for your shelf. The next thing will be to decide if you want to paint the shelf or leave the natural tone of the pallet. There is also the option of reinforcing the tone of the wood by applying a layer of varnish.
One trick you probably didn’t realize is to apply a little beeswax to the shelf to give the wood a smoother texture. This is highly recommended if you are building a shelf that you will be taking things from or touching at all times and not just decorative. You can also paint it in an old style by implementing small gradient touches or applying paint in one direction and in several layers.
To give the shelf more strength, you will need to place some nails and hooks on the back that you will have to use depending on the model of the shelf. This way it will have more resistance when you put weight on it. Likewise, it will be attached to the wall and it will fall so easily.
Font:
Handspire, The furniture, Twenergy, Paintings mirobriga.