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DIY Pallet Shelf for Your Rustic or Farmhouse Home

Have you ever seen a stranded pallet by the side of the road? Don’t pass it by – turn it into a unique pallet shelf with this easy tutorial!

Skills Required: Beginner. You’ll need to know how to use basic tools and a saw to cut the shelf. Make sure to have your protective equipment (gloves, eyewear) as well.

Decorative DIY Pallet Shelf for Your Rustic Home

One Sunday morning as we were driving away from church, I noticed a couple of nice looking pallets on the side of the road. And if you’re a newbie to the blog, I love me some reclaimed wood.

There’s this area right across the street from our church building where people pile stuff they don’t want. The last time was this amazing table we picked up for our son’s train set. This time, it was pallet heaven.

It took me a good two weeks to decide that I needed a pallet shelf. The possibilities were endless but when I looked at each room, the kitchen was pretty neglected design wise.

As each room evolves, other ones need a bit of help. So with the help of my handy husband, here’s how to create one for yourself! This is a perfect beginner woodworking project. So if you’re just beginning with power tools, try this home decor idea.

DIY Pallet Shelf

Gather These Supplies

  • Pallet (duh)
  • Pencil
  • Jig saw
  • Nail gun or hammer and nails
  • Sandpaper (optional)
  • Drill and screws
Pallet laying on the ground with a line showing where to cut it

The first thing I did was plan how I wanted my DIY pallet shelf to look and where the cuts should be. The photo above shows where you’ll be cutting with the saw.

Jig saw sawing a pallet

Use the pencil to mark the wood and where you’ll be cutting.

Next take the saw and cut along those lines. Here’s an overview: Count two rows of pallet boards down and cut across the left and center vertical boards.

On the right side of the center board, cut all the way down, both top boards and bottom boards.

Pieces of pallet wood on the ground next to a pallet

You will have extra boards left over. That’s a very good thing! Choose two of the extra boards and secure them as the shelf bottoms with the nail gun.

Nail gun attaching a piece of wood

Also, most pallets have old nails so make sure to add some new ones for support all over.

Wall shelf before

This is the area of the wall where we chose to hang the shelf, just so you can get an idea of the “before.”

Hanging up your DIY pallet shelf can be done a number of ways. I encourage you to find a way that works for you. My husband just used the stud finder and drilled it right to the wall.

how to make a pallet shelf DIY

I was totally fine with that. Before, that wall was okay – but now it’s a piece of art! I decided to leave the wood as is but you can use the sandpaper to clean up the edges or paint it.

We have plans on making this corner a coffee and tea area. I’m even more excited to see it decorated in cute white mugs and maybe a witty sign about caffeine!

Yield: 1 shelf

Pallet Shelf

how to make a pallet shelf DIY

Learn how to make a rustic, DIY pallet shelf in under a few hours! It looks great with farmhouse decor.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Active Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $0

Materials

  • Pallet
  • Pencil
  • Sandpaper (optional)

Tools

  • Saw
  • Nail gun or hammer and nails
  • Drill and screws
  • Stud finder

Instructions

  1. Lay the pallet directly on your work surface, face down.
  2. Use the pencil to mark the cut marks. You'll cut directly to the left or right of the center support piece.
  3. Take the saw and cut along the lines. Count two rows of pallet boards down and cut across the left and center vertical boards.
  4. On the right side of the center board, cut all the way down, both top boards and bottom boards.
  5. You will have extra boards left over. Choose two of the extra boards and secure them as the shelf bottoms with the nail gun.
  6. Add nails around your shelf for additional support.
  7. Use a stud finder to drill the shelf directly in the wall.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a rating or share a photo on Pinterest!


If you liked this DIY pallet shelf, I’d love for you to check out these other project ideas:

Jameela

Friday 20th of January 2023

Got my pallets ready to go.

Amy

Friday 20th of January 2023

Yay! Thank you for trying the project.

Janice

Thursday 18th of February 2021

I have seen the work of the Amish... this looks nothing like what they would make.

Amy

Friday 19th of February 2021

I don't believe it was ever suggested that Amish made this.

C Wang

Tuesday 15th of May 2018

Wow! Very vintage.

Amy

Thursday 17th of May 2018

Thank you! Glad you like it!

Jessica

Thursday 13th of August 2015

Love it on so many levels! Like the idea of turning a wooden pallet destined to die and rot ( although, technically companies have to pay to recycle this pallet wood, so we are saving them money too) into a functional,beautiful, no less than a piece of art that's functional, very pleasing decor... Our home was built in the late 1880's and has the original cellar wood doors and fun finds all over here and there so I love this look, rustic old house charm... Your instructions are very easy to follow as well. I'd go so far as wanting to create " upcycled" wood pallet furniture for indoors as well! That's how much I love this rustic look! Well done and thanks for the share!

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