Whether you want to build a pallet bed that is oversized, a simple children's bed or a creative rustic bed frame, comfortable places to lie down for summer afternoons, pallet bed with storage or with wheels, you will find useful advice and suitable designs in this post. Simply be inspired by our collection of ideas to enable more creativity and recycling strategies for your home. In recent years, recycled pallets have become the first choice for many people who want to build their own furniture, and for good reason. Pallets are sturdy, have a rustic look and are easy to work with. These products also speak for sustainability and look great when you have completed a successful DIY project.
Pallets have been around for many years and are mainly used for storing, packaging and shipping various goods. Recently, there are sufficient instructions on how to build a pallet board. The discarded pallets have now become a popular topic for do-it-yourselfers. People particularly put them to good use in home furniture constructions and in wooden home decor designs. We can also use such a bed as a functional piece of modern home furniture and especially in family rooms, guest rooms and most often in our master bedroom. It should always be visually appealing, comfortable and functional. This most wanted piececomfortable living furniturecan therefore be built endlessly with pallets.
So, one of the most popular pallet-based projects that many people like to create at home are the pallet beds. Fully functional and versatile pallet beds give you all the creativity you can muster. Check out the resources and learn the tricks of the trade as you can create many types of beds with a minimal set of tools and materials.
What types of pallets can you choose?
If you want to build and make a pallet bed yourself, you need to choose the right pallets. You don't necessarily have to buy these as you can also find recycled ones. However, here are the most important things to consider when choosing materials:
- If you receive recycled pallets, inspect them and see if they look clean and have no markings. You should avoid the letters MB on the pallet as they have been transporting dangerous chemicals and you do not want such materials in your home.
- When you get your hands on international or Euro pallets, look out for the IPPC logo. This means they are safe to use.
- Heat-treated, steam-treated, or oven-dried pallets are the safest; Learn more about the treatment so you know the wood pieces are safe. Pallets used for domestic transport (compared to industrial or commercial transport) are safer, but you should find out about their treatment, stamps and safety guarantees.
- Avoid colored palettes. While some paints are safe, you don't want to bring the palettes into the bedroom that have gone through unsafe fumigation or painting processes.
- Also avoid pallets that show signs of moisture or wear. The wood must not bend when pressed. Also make sure the pallets look and feel dry and clean.
- Avoid pallets with slats that are too far apart, with broken or cracked slats, and boards that are full of splinters.
- You should also pay attention to the type of pallet wood you take home. According to experts, the most popular pallets are made from southern yellow pine or oak. They are both attractive alternatives in terms of security and robustness.
Choose the right pallet size
Getting the right pallet size is less of a problem as long as you get enough pallets for your magnificent bed. Normally a pallet bed should measure 140×200 cm. So choose these sizes depending on what kind of pallet bed you want to make. As a rule, two or four pallets are sufficient for a double bed. Now that you've already chosen your pallets, it's time to gather the materials and get to work.
Build a double pallet bed
As already mentioned, building a pallet bed requires a minimum of tools. For the bed we imagine you will need the following tools and materials:
- 2 or 4 identical pallets
- Grinding tool with sandpaper
- Drill/screwdriver
- A handful of screws with washers and nuts
- A handful of screws and angle iron
- Wood glue
- Wood varnish or paint along with the right brushes
- Protective equipment (goggles and gloves)
- A vacuum cleaner
- Make sure you have a suitable space to build the bed as things will get messy. You also need some fresh air. So for this reason you can do it in theGarden or backyard, try it in the well-ventilated empty garage or in the workshop near the house. If you want to build the bed in an enclosed space, cover the floors with cardboard or, for example, recycled plastic.
DIY pallet bed – step by step instructions
It's now time to make the bed. Remember that we are preparing it in another part of the house, but putting it together in the bedroom - otherwise you won't be able to get it through the door due to its size.
- First, sand the pallets well with the sanding tool. Use protective equipment and ensure that all sides, edges and surfaces of the pallets are smooth and free of splinters. Afterwards, wipe down the pallets to make sure you have removed any dust and splinters.
- First, vacuum the floor and make sure there are no splinters or pieces of wood lying around that could endanger you, your children or pets.
- Pallets have many uses, and now you decide how you want the bed to look. Use wood varnish for a more rustic, natural look or paint the pallets any color that would suit you in your bedroom.
- Then let the pallets dry in the fresh air for one night. With any type of tint, finish, or clear coat you give them, the palettes need time to dry.
- Next, bring the dry pallets to the room where your future bed will be located. Cover the floor with plastic sheets that you can easily remove to protect the floor from scratches.
- Place the four pallets in a square shape. Attach the pieces with strong wood glue to ensure perfect alignment and stability.
- You can use the drill for pilot holes. Secure the pallets on all sides with angle iron, bolts, washers, and nuts. If you use hinges, make sure you use at least 8 of them for a double bed with a double mattress (2 hinges for each of the four sides of the pallets).
- For more convenience, you can install locking casters in the middle of each long side and each corner.
- Finally, flip the bed over, stand it up, remove the bottom panel and enjoy your new pallet bed.
Additional options
If you want to dress things up even more, you can also make a pallet headboard for the bed. It could be a minimalist piece of furniture that sits in the middle of the room and offers a spectacular view. Additionally, you can use the space under the bed to place small LED lights for a more romantic atmosphere or use narrow baskets or boxes as bed drawers.
If you're building a pallet bed frame, remember that you can turn this adventure into a family-oriented project - kids love getting involved in making their future beds, for example. However, it's a DIY weekend project that's more than a one-day challenge because of the paint and varnish that needs to dry. Therefore, plan your next bed project carefully, gather the materials and tools and spend a fantastic weekend redesigning your bedroom in an eco-friendly and creative way.
