30 Incredibly Simple Pallet Wood Projects Even Beginners Can Do

People choose to do DIY projects to challenge themselves and, most importantly, save the money you would spend hiring a professional. Although some jobs require the expertise and know-how of a certified tradesperson, for smaller projects, there is nothing wrong with getting your hands dirty and doing it yourself. However, even at-home projects can cost a fair bit of extra cash if you're not watching what you spend on those additional materials. Wood cost, for example, can rise and fall depending on the market, so it would be great if there were a way to slash the budget without sacrificing quality. Luckily there is an excellent source of free wood that not many people might know about, and you can find it practically anywhere.

Wood pallets are used daily to ship heavy equipment or skids of materials to places and businesses worldwide. But once it has served its purpose, it can either be recycled, reused to export other products, or become a valuable collection of quality wood for the general public to decorate or for countless other projects. Often made of sturdy oak or pine, these pallets are heat treated to make them more durable, according to Box Around the World. And these pallets can be free for you if you know where to find them. Once you have some within your grasp, we have straightforward projects that you can do with that pallet wood.

To build an inexpensive raised garden bed, you can use all the materials provided by a wood pallet. It may require you to carefully dismantle the wood and remove the nails, but by the end of the project — which can take up to 3 hours according to Repurposing Junkie — you should have a nice spot for your flowers.

Having your own gorgeous herb garden wall using a wood pallet can be as easy as flipping a few of the planks from this recyclable material, as per Small Garden Quest. By making a few trenches that can hold your planting soil and popping in some lovely fresh herbs, you can have a delicious addition to your backyard.

By repurposing a few leftover wood pallets and using the tools you might have at home, you can create plenty of outdoor seating that can look incredible. In about five simple steps — according to R.K. Black, Inc. – you can change a pallet into a sturdy bench that could be ideal for entertaining guests in your backyard.

If you happen to have a bunch of wood pallets hanging around and you're not sure exactly what to do with them all, you could always break them down to make many smaller crate boxes or one large storage box. According to The DIY Nuts, you can create rustic wooden crates in just a short amount of time.

If you want to create a little privacy in your backyard and have a beautiful spot to hang your plants and flowers, try piecing together a bunch of wooden pallets using brackets and plenty of screws. You can build a whole wall from this free material if the structure remains properly fastened, sturdy and safe.

The great thing about wooden pallets is that they are already built incredibly sturdy, so when you want to use them in DIY projects, you don't have to modify them much at all. When making a table, just sand it, repaint, pop on a glass or plastic top, then add wheels for easy mobility around the home.

Although building a chicken coop can be an ambitious project requiring more time and energy for more advanced builders, it can be done completely using free pallet wood materials. With so many varieties of chicken coops out there, you can easily find the right project that works best for your outdoor space and feathery friends.

As long as you have time and patience and a handy electric saw, you can create plenty of cute pallet drink coasters from larger wood pallets. These adorable coasters would look amazing on an outdoor patio or as a gift to your DIY-loving friends. Just be sure to have lots of glue on hand.

There's nothing like the imagination of a child. So treat them to some fun backyard entertainment with a play bus made of pallet wood. If you have spare seats from old chairs, you can attach them to the wooden pallet to create the seats, then fashion the steering wheel using a wood board and plastic wheel.

Using the design of a backyard chair made from pallet wood, you can easily turn it into a swing that can be hung from your porch. Follow the instructions on making a chair from Well Done Tips, then just omit the legs and add ropes bolted to the seat to transform it into a swing.

If you're tired of tripping over shoes in the front hallway, you can make a shoe rack using a wooden pallet in no time. Take a pallet and cut it in half. Then you can buff out the rough edges and paint to match the room. Then shoes can be easily placed in the spaces between the boards.

Ideal for hallways or bedrooms, a pallet can be taken apart, and the wood is used to design a coat hanger. By utilizing the long thin wood planks of a pallet, you can nail them vertically to the top and bottom braces. Then install some inexpensive LED lights, mirrors, and coat hooks then your project is done.

A repurposed wooden pallet can be just the thing to make your canine buddy a new bed. For this project, rework the wood to make a simple tiny bed frame, then you can line the inside with a soft sheet stuffed with cozy material or your dog's favorite blanket — a cheap and easy way to make a durable dog bed.

Looking for creative ways to display your precious photographs? A wood pallet can provide a perfect surface and a unique look. To make the wood seem aged, you can use wood stain or even old coffee grounds. A string of lights can illuminate your display while also allowing you to clip your photos on its looping wires.

With just a few minor tweaks and creative use of other materials, you can make a stylish vanity that would work in your bedroom or bathroom. To house your makeup brushes, attach a few metal hose rings that can be used to hold some mason jars. Pop on a mirror and small lights, and your project is complete.