Pallet furniture ideas. Check how to make a wooden pallet bed.

Pallet furniture is a popular trend in home decor. It is an interesting and economical solution. A great advantage of pallet furniture is the option to adjust the size and shape to your own needs. Palette elements fit most styles. A fairly easy DIY project that involves pallets is a pallet bed. When done right, it can be very elegant and impressive.

Pallet - an idea for cheap furniture

Until recently, pallets were only used to transport products. Today, pallets are commonly used to build various home décor items or even complete furniture sets. This solution conforms to the upcycling and zero-waste trends, which only adds to its popularity.

The main reason why many homeowners decide to build their own furniture sets out of pallets is the low price. Objects like the pallet bed are a great solution if the budget is low.

It is surely advantageous for those who are furnishing their first apartment or renovating it for rental purposes. Pallet furniture is extremely easy to make and does not require the use of special tools. All that is needed are several trowels, sandpaper or a grinder, and wood protection products. If the pallet bed or other furniture is going to have a particular color, a good paint will also be needed.

Pallet is a common material that can be obtained cheaply or even for free. Ask your local supermarket or hardware store if they don't have replacement paddles. You can also purchase those items directly from the factory or from an online auction. They are not very expensive.

When buying a pallet, remember to check its condition. A pallet bed made from damaged and chipped pallets is not very aesthetically pleasing.

DIY pallet bed - step by step

A wooden pallet bed is one of the most commonly assembled pallet furniture. It is not very difficult to make, you just need the right materials. It may be a good idea to prepare a complete project before you start assembling the parts. It can be helpful to visualize how the completed part should look, which influences the final result.

What is needed for a bed of pallets

Before you start working on a pallet bed, you need to gather all the necessary materials. The most important elements are obviously the pallets. The most popular pallet is the euro pallet (also called EUR pallet or EPAL pallet) with a standard size of 120x80 cm. However, you can use pallets of different sizes. Plan the dimensions accordingly, to fit the mattress.

Please note that the pallet bed should be slightly wider than the bedding, as it may shift when sleeping on it. A typical EUR pallet weighs around 20kg and can hold up to 1,000kg. You can choose lighter items with a lower charge limit; they will also work for a platform deck.

The number of pallets depends on your individual project. For a basic single bed you need a minimum of three pallets. The double bed needs about six items per layer. Carefully plan how many layers you want and adjust the number of palettes you need. If you want to include a headboard in your project, you will need more pallets (depending on how the piece turns out).

Apart from the pallets, you will also need:

• a grinder tool,
• flat metal bars and long screws,
• wood protection - wood stain or primer,
• painting - if the pallet bed is going to have a color,
• paint brushes and rollers.

If you don't have a grinder and can't rent one, you may want to use sandpaper or a sponge. Hand sanding takes much longer, however it can be cheaper. It wouldn't make sense to buy a new grinder just to sand the bottom of your pallet.

How to build a pallet bed?

Start your project from cleaning it up. It is particularly important if the pallets you own were used for storage. First, clean them from dirt such as dust and mud. Then sand all surfaces well. If using a grinder, start by using 60 grit sandpaper, if using 80 grit sandpaper or sponge. For the second smoothing, use 120 grit. Wet the surface afterwards with a damp sponge. When it dries, the wood fibers will lift up. Final sanding requires 240 grit. After smoothing the surface, dust with a damp cloth.

The next step is to put the elements together. Use flat metal bars and screws for this purpose. Lay the pallets on the ground and join them together. It is irrelevant at what point the paddles meet. You can drive the screws into the bottom (if you choose to do so, secure them with an extra layer of felt, to avoid scratching the floor). You can also place them on the sides or on top; you decide if they are visible or not.

When planning a wooden pallet bed, think about additional elements, such as the headboard or the legs. If they are included in your plan, now is the time to build them and attach them to the bed.

The last stage consists of painting the newly designed part. If you want to keep the natural wood pattern, simply coat the surface with wood stain or varnish. You can also decide to give your bed a color; in such a case, use a good paint in a chosen color. You can also use a colored wood stain, which will create an interesting effect.

Pallet bed: which mattress is better?

A wooden pallet bed is just a platform on which a mattress is placed. How comfortable a bed is depends on a good mattress. It must be tailored to your individual needs. Sleeping position, weight, and the number of people sleeping in a bed are all factors that need to be considered when purchasing a mattress. Size is also a very important issue: you need to fit the pallet bed to the mattress, not the other way around.

Pallet furniture - ideas

The wooden pallet bed is just one of the many ideas for pallet furniture. There are many interesting solutions that can be used. These are worth a try as they are simple and easy to make.

The objects you could make are, for example:

1. Pallet swing for your garden.
2. flower bed.
3. center table.
4. pallet dog bed

Your pets can also use pallet furniture. To make a bed for them, you can build a large box out of pallet boards. You can make it even simpler - just smooth the surface of a pallet and put a cushion or mattress on it.

When you create furniture out of pallets, think about multifunctionality. You can add items like wheels or, in the case of tables, glass tops. Europallet construction allows for the creation of drawers, which are useful for storing additional items.

Pallet furniture is an easy and cheap way to furnish your home. Pallet bed might be a better alternative than buying a new piece. Also, it looks interesting with bricks on the wall. It is also a perfect alternative to a standard bed if there is a mezzanine in your house. Consider making the bed yourself; it is not very difficult and you can find many tutorials on the internet. If you don't have enough time or feel confident enough to make a piece like a platform bed, you can also buy one. DIY lovers and artisans often offer their works for sale.

How to make a pallet bed?

Start by creating a project in which you plan the entire construction. Consider things like the size of your pallet bed, the number of pallets, and additional features like legs and headboard.

How to make a pallet bed base?

The simplest wooden pallet bed frame involves joining four pallets lined up in pairs. You can make it taller by adding another layer of palettes.

How to make a garden bed with pallets?

You can simply use the pallet boards to create a flower box. Another method is to seal the holes in the pallet from below and plant the flowers in the holes.

How to make a pallet bed with lights?

If you want lights for your pallet bed, hide them in the headboard. It is best to use LED lights as they are small and lightweight. You can also illuminate the base of the bed by placing string lights in the alcoves.