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30+ DIY Pallet Projects (Unique & Budget Friendly!)

If you’ve ever seen a pallet by a dumpster and wondered what to do with it, these 30 DIY pallet projects will give you some great inspiration. These unique pallet ideas cover a wide variety of decor in your home.

You should also scroll down to the bottom of the post to get a video – learn how to disassemble a pallet. These tips will come in handy for your future wood pallet projects!

Unique Pallet Project Ideas

Recently I went through the Starbucks drive through, which is located very close to a dumpster. And next to that dumpster were several pallets. And my first thought was “these babies need to hop into my trunk so that I can do some pallet wood projects.”

But then my second thought was “I live in a one bedroom apartment; I can’t take them unless I know what I’m going to with them.”

So I ended up getting my latte and heading out without the pallets. I wish I had seen all of these DIY pallet projects before that trip, because then I would have known exactly what to do with them. Can you believe there are so many things you can make from a pallet?

Using Pallets in DIY

I’m obsessed with these unique ideas and can’t wait to share them with you; first I want to address a few common things when tackling projects that use pallets.

Finding Pallet Wood

The biggest question I get from people wanting to attempt these projects is, “where do I get pallets?” Here are the most common places that I find them.

Be sure to ask before taking! I’ve never had anyone deny me yet. People seem to love giving away their pallets. Find them here:

  • Construction sites
  • Feed and pet supply stores
  • Grocery stores
  • Hardware and home improvement stores
  • Landscaping companies
Where to find pallets for pallet wood projects

Picking Your Pallets

After you’re granted permission to take a pallet, grab some gloves. You’re going to want to make sure to protect your hands while grabbing wood that likely has splinters. Be sure to keep a blanket or towel in your car that you can lay down to protect your seats.

Avoid any pallets with liquid marks or strange discolorations. Some pallets are used for transporting food/liquids or toxic chemicals, so it’s best to avoid anything that looks like it leaked.

Preparing for Pallet Projects

Once you get your pallet home, you’re going to a use a pry bar or cat’s paw to disassemble the pallet. You’re going to be prying nails, essentially. You kind of have to wing it a bit based on your pallet. It helps to prop it up on something so you can move the pry bar up and down.

Some people like to continue to use the pry bar and then a hammer to remove the nails. Others like to use a reciprocating saw on the nails once they are exposed. These are typically the easiest way to break up the pallets.

If you have a nail that really won’t budge, you can use a drill. It might take some time, but once you get started on your pallet wood projects, it will totally be worth it!


If you’re ready for the projects, scroll down. There are great options for home and garden with scrap wood. Enjoy!

DIY Pallet Projects

Wood pallets are easy to come by and they can be used to create some amazing things. Here is a collection of 30 projects using wooden pallets. There is something for the beginner all the way through advanced DIYers.


Are you ready to dive in and try something? Get my tips for disassembling a pallet in the video in this post!

What do you think of these pallet projects DIY? It’s hard to pick which one I want to start with first! Let me know your favorite out of these unique pallet ideas in the comments.

We’ve also got quite a few more home decor posts on the blog – I hope you’ll visit some of the following tutorials:

Tim Leinonen

Friday 28th of May 2021

Great ideas. Thanks. I'll try some out. Tim

Cheryl A. Thomas

Monday 2nd of July 2018

GREAT IDEAS!

Alanna Rusnak

Saturday 4th of October 2014

Gasp!! That table!!!! This is a great collection - thanks for sharing it :)