With an estimated 2 billion wooden pallets in use every day, it’s no wonder this material is such a popular choice for home do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. From furniture to shelving to storage, there seems to be no limit to what you can build with these iconic industry staples.
If you’re looking to change up your bedroom, this DYI pallet bedframe is a perfect weekend project. Follow these steps to create a one-of-a-kind furniture piece to suit your personal style.
Step 1: Gather
For this project, you’ll need four pallets for the base and two for the headboard. If you want a higher bedframe, you will need an additional four pallets for each layer, about 5.5 inches per layer.
Standard wooden pallets in the U.S. are 48 x 40 inches, so the bedframe platform will be larger than your queen and even king mattress. If you’re comfortable with power tools, feel free to trim the pallets down to a size that works best for you.
When collecting materials, pass on wet, discolored or odorous pallets. Look for pallets stamped with “HT.” This stands for “heat-treated” — rather than chemically treated — and is generally safer for household use.
Step 2: Sand
Use an electric sander to smooth the surfaces of the pallets, and pay extra attention to the edges. It shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes per pallet with an electric sander.
Step 3: Paint or Stain
If you are aiming for a rustic, shabby-chic look, apply a single coat of paint with a brush—the more wood grain you can see, the better.
You can use spray paint to get the job done faster, but keep in mind that this will result in a more finished look. If you want to preserve the natural wood look, simply opt for a nice stain.
You’ll then finish the job with a coat of polyurethane to protect your wooden bedframe.
Step 4: Build
Lay the pallets flat next to each other, and place 4-inch mending braces in the middle sections where the pallets touch. You can use as many or as few braces as you want, but fewer braces will make it easier to disassemble your frame in the event of a move.
Before attaching the braces, create screw holes using an electric drill to avoid splitting the wood.
If your platform is going to be more than one pallet high, attach the layers vertically with 10-inch brackets on each corner in addition to the mending braces between sections.
Finally, flip the remaining two pallets on their sides and attach the headboard to the base with the 4-inch braces.
Worried that your hard work will go to waste if you decide on a different bedframe in the future? You can upcycle your creation once again: Just detach two of the pallets from the base layer and reattach underneath to create a taller, narrower day bed or window seat.
As a building material, pallets are highly versatile. From coffee tables to wine racks, there are plenty of dining room and living room ideas for upcycled wooden pallets.
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