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7/30/12

DIY: Make Your Own Pallet Coffee Table

I LOVE free things. When I was walking by World Market on my way home a few months ago, I saw a bunch of pallets sitting by the recycling/garbage area.

I decided to check them out and really liked one of the pallets. I took it but knew I would not be able to carry it home. So I waited 20 minutes for the cab. It cost me $5.

The pallet sat on my floor for over a month. I used it to hold a few books, remote controls, a random candle and some dishes from my table.

But then I decided I should actually do something with it.

If you look at Pinterest, you'll see a zillion projects that people have made with such pallets.

I decided to make a coffee table from mine.

And yes, it'd be ideal if this table would be higher, but I've been unable to find a matching pallet to stack one on top of another. So this is what I have.






The pallet before:





What I did:

1. First, I sanded and stained it. This cost me nothing as I already had some sand paper, stain and brushes.



2. Then I found these wheels on Pinterest and ordered them. That cost me $46.99. But they are RED and adorable.

I broke several drill bits trying to attach the wheels to the pallet. Turns out the bits I was using were too skinny. I guess now I know ;) The screws for the wheels would have cost me about $6, but I had a $5 coupon at Ace Hardware!


3. Then I decided to get a piece of plywood to nail to the bottom of the pallet so that I can actually put books inside. I also purchased a clear sealer to protect the surface of the table. That cost me about $12. Big thank you to Stacey and Luis for drivng me to Home Depot!

And that's the project!


Close up of the shelf aspect of my pallet coffee table and the awesome wheels:




I'm sort of really in with it.



I have another pallet sitting in my condo. I'll let you know if I make something from it :)

35 comments:

Belinda @zomppa said...

I am so dang impressed!! This is so cool...totally inspiring me.

Esi said...

Nice handy work Miss Olga :)

Cara said...

nice work, I'm impressed!

Michelle said...

Yay, I love it! It looks great.

Olga @ MangoTomato said...

Thank you so much!!!

Ellenbcookery said...

This is so cute. Very creative!

lexa said...

I adore this.

chezsasha.com said...

Wow this is so cool! I am proud of you ;)
This is going to make a gorgeous surface for food photos.

DeliciousDish said...

I actually seriously might fly you in for some design consulting. I could never look at a pallet and think it could be an adorable, gorgeous coffee table. You are incredible!! I have no design sense. Can't even pick paint colors.

Stacey Viera said...

So pretty, and so worth the work!

mary said...

zaamazing! Looks great.

Ann Mah said...

Beautiful -- and seriously impressive! I especially love how you created the little shelf for books.

Shal416 said...

Love, Love Love!!

kelly said...

Love this idea, Olga! (and loved watching it transform on Instagram!) I kept seeing pallet gardens on Pinterest, but couldn't find one to take on the project for my patio. I'd love to try this, but make it a smidge higher off the ground. If I stumble upon a pallet, I'll know it was meant to be! :)

Anitha said...

What a masterpiece! Congrats for making it so beautiful!

discojing said...

yes, i agree it's too short, but why does the pallet have to match if you're just stacking it (and will stain it to match?) . the stain looks great with the clear seal - so pro!

Lydia said...

Good job! I use Indian Date Colour to stain wood (gives a soft reddish-brown colour) and fix it with diluted shellac...it gives a natural antique look which prefer over glossy varnishes...of course anything glossy lasts longer...:-)

Elena Frost said...

This is such a clever idea, I love the colour of the stain and the wheels. Any ideas for a tv table? I need one desperately :) Ellie xx

Olga @ MangoTomato said...

Thank you! I wish I had a suggestion for you for the TV table: I need one too. Alas, I think I'm just going to have to find and buy a media stand thingie ;)

Rowantree said...

I noticed that your pallet has the initials "HT" for heat treated. This should relieve some of the chemical worry from the commenters on Apt. Therapy! About a tv/media stand. A friend of mine used an old coffee table and added a shelf underneath for her DVD player, etc. and then painted it and it looks and functions beautifully; it was inexpensive and "green".

Olga @ MangoTomato said...

Thank you so much for your comment and for hopefully setting everyone's minds at ease. Who knew this would have such a blow out on Apartment Therapy? :)

Miss.W said...

tupelo honey cafe!

Olga @ MangoTomato said...

YES!!! Went there when I was in Asheville. LOVE that place: http://www.mangotomato.com/2012/07/dinner-party-with-mccormick-gourmet.html

Peacefulones.blogspot.com said...

Love up it. Well done!

Viviane Britte said...

I'm a fan of pallets ! . Your's is a nice creation Vi

Olga @ MangoTomato said...

Thank you!!!

Melanie Binkley said...

Well just coming in here and haven't read whole thread butttttttttt I'll throw in a idea maybe you have already considered? why not stack several pallets together atop one another to reach the height you want and then you will have lots of shelves too?

just a thought!

Olga @ MangoTomato said...

Thank you, Melanie!
Of course I already considered that. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a pallet of the same size. So it is what it is ;) And I like it a lot!

Shelly Andrade said...

Your pallet coffee table turned out awesome! Love it!!

Rowantree said...

Hi Olga, you may not see this, it's been awhile since this posted, but thought of your table when I saw this one for over $400! https://www.jossandmain.com/Country-Girl%2C-Big-City-Industrial-Cart-Coffee-Table~MWXE1000~E2232.html.

Olga @ MangoTomato said...

That's awesome :)

Reem said...

Olga...
I was at pinterest checking out DIY n I saw this..
Perfect, just soooo perfect!!
Now all I need some pallete... too good!

Sally Keiser said...

I featured this on my blog! http://www.sallyannk.com/2013/03/top-5-pallet-furniture-finds.html

Thanks for the great tutorial! I can't wait to make it. :)

Angie Long said...

I truly LOVE free trash that will become useful... FABULOUS post! Just made a coffee table last Friday out of one sod pallet. Turned out great but wish I had seen yours with the wheels. I used some wooden legs from a previous projects. I would love to know the stain you used. Great colour!!! I've used Dark Walnut by Minwax but, I want to go a bit darker.
I only had my time invested in this project. (since I did not find the Minwax stain) I even reused the nails out of the wooden sod pallet. I just hammered them straight. It was worth it!
I love the idea of turning something that will be trash into something useful.
Thank you for posting!
Angie
xx peace oo

Olga @ MangoTomato said...

Thank you so much for the comment! Glad you liked my table, and congrats on making your own.
Unfortunately I don't remember the name of the stain I used as it was several years ago.
Have fun with your future DIY projects!