3 ideas for creative furniture made from pallets

In the spirit of growing awareness of sustainable management, care for the environment, and the lowest possible carbon footprint, we are increasingly resorting to the reuse or recycling of old and discarded materials and products. One such grateful and very useful material are wooden pallets, which can be found in many places. Pallets, wooden bases, specially designed for more efficient transport of bulk cargo, are certainly one of the most frequently used recycled wooden products. From them, we can make innovative, creative, and beautiful pieces of furniture in different styles.

If you are at least a bit creative and have also some manual skills, you can make a lot out of pallets. Therefore, we are presenting three creative ideas on how you can easily create sustainable furniture from pallets, which will brighten up the spring look of your garden, terrace, balcony or your home.

Coffee table

Spring with its longer, warmer days is finally here. Therefore, it is high time that you, if you haven’t already, set up an outdoor corner to relax while reading, hanging out with family or friends, as well as relaxing. A simple coffee table made of pallets is a wonderful piece of furniture that can give you an innovative look and a personal touch.

What do you need to make a coffee table:

  • Pallets (number of pallets depends on the height of the table)
  • Drill and drill bit (if you are going to mount wheels)
  • Wood screws (if you are going to install castors)
  • Sanding paper
  • 4 swivel castors (optional)
  • Protective glasses
  • Brush
  • Belinka coatings for wood

Coffee table making process:

  • First, clean the palette of all impurities thoroughly. Inspect it carefully and, if necessary, sand the wooden surface to make it smooth.
  • Once the wooden pallet has been cleaned, it is ready for further processing.
  • If you want a mobile coffee table that can be easily moved, screw the wheels to the corners of the lower part of the pallet:
    Turn the pallet so that the bottom of the pallet is facing up. You can choose different sizes of wheels – larger ones, for example, will inspire a more robust, industrial style look. Mark the spots where you will drill small holes. Drill the holes and then screw the wheels onto the pallet. Use smaller screws that will not get through the pallet.
  • The table is now ready for the last step – the application of the coating. If you will use your coffee table outside, on the balcony, terrace or garden, the wood will be exposed to various weather conditions, such as moisture, which is ideal for the wood to be attacked by wood pests. Therefore, before applying the coating for the first time, we recommend that you first coat it with Belinka Impregnant Active, which protects the wood. If you like the look of natural wood, use Belinka Exterier, a water-based stain that emphasizes the structure of the wood. However, if you want to play with colours and want the colour of the table to match the decorative pillows or blankets on the chairs, use your imagination and indulge in creative inspiration.

Plant holder

Real spring is not real without flowering plants and vibrant colours. This simple plant holder can be a wonderful decorative element, and yet at the same time extremely practical, especially if you have a small space available.

What do you need to make a plant holder:

  • Palette
  • Sanding paper
  • Flower beds
  • Planting soil
  • Plants
  • Brackets for hanging flower beds (two per pot)
  • Drilling machine
  • Drill
  • Two hooks
  • Screws
  • Brush
  • Belinka coatings for wood

The process of making a plant holder:

  • Even if the plant holder is not a sophisticated piece of furniture, first remove the dirt and any cod from the surface of the pallet with sandpaper to keep the surface smooth.
  • Then it is time to apply the coating. Firstly, protect the wood with Belinka Impregnant Active, a colourless liquid impregnation coating, and then paint it with Belinka exterier enamel Exterier Email, a white topcoat to protect the wood from weather and other outdoor influences. For a nicer, fuller surface, pre-apply a white primer Belinka Exterier Primer. Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
  • While the coating is drying, plant flowers in flower beds.
  • When the pallet is completely dry, hang it on a wall or facade as if you were hanging a slightly heavier picture. Use a drill to drill two hook holes on each side to hang the pallet. Make sure the screws are large and strong enough. Then hang the pallet on the hooks. You can hang the pallet on the hooks in two ways: the top or the bottom of the pallet facing the wall.
  • When the pallet is securely fixed on the wall, hang larger brackets/hooks to hold the flower beds (two brackets/hooks hold one flower bed).

Finally, you can also paint the new shelf for your flowers or herbs with Belinka water-based stain Exterier.

Bookshelf

Did you know that you can also make a bookcase from pallets? You may really need a little more manual skills for this idea with a modern touch, but if you follow the assembling instructions, you will be able to handle it without any problems.

What do you need to make a bookshelf:

  • Two pallets
  • Six wooden planks
  • Drilling machine
  • Drill
  • Screws
  • Sanding paper
  • Brush
  • Belinka coatings for wood

Bookcase assembling process:

  • Prepare two pallets and six wooden planks (three for each pallet) that you will need for the shelves. First, sand all wooden surfaces with sandpaper until they are smooth on both pallets.
  • When you are satisfied with the sanded wooden surface, attach three shelves to one pallet. The upper part of the pallet should face the wall, and the bottom part of the pallet should face the room. Wooden boards must be as long as the pallet, and the width of wooden boards (shelves) is arbitrary. Since the height of the pallet is relatively low, in this case, it will be the thickness of the shelf; wooden boards can be wider, as this will make it easier to place objects on them.
  • Place the first shelf in its place on the pallet and drill holes in it in three or more places with a drill bit. Attach the wooden board to the pallet with screws. Repeat the same process with the remaining two wooden boards.
  • Repeat the process with another pallet and three wooden boards.
  • The shelf is now ready for coating. For the look of wood in the photo, use Belinka Interier water stain, which emphasizes the structure of the wood. Belinka Interior is intended for decorative protection of wood in living spaces. It has no unpleasant odour, dries quickly, and allows multiple coatings in one day. It is also suitable for coating children’s toys.
  • When the coating is completely dry, fasten both pallets onto the wall with screws.
  • All you must do now is decorate your new shelf. You can place books, photographs, vases, candlesticks, and even green plant pots on it for a touch of green.