How To Transform Wood Pallets Into A Beautiful Custom Console Table

Experienced DIYers know that the possibilities for a reclaimed pallet are virtually endless. With enough leftover pieces, you could fill several weeks with unique wood pallet projects to give your home a cozy, cohesive, and extremely budget-friendly overhaul. And if you need a little extra storage to hold decor, pictures, and other odds and ends, a wood pallet console table could be just the thing to complete the space. All you need to get started is a pallet, an extra board to act as the table top surface, and the tools to cut and combine them.

Since you'll be using the pallet in the home and performing tasks like sanding, cutting, and staining to complete the project, sourcing safe materials is crucial. Follow the essential precautions when working with pallets, such as avoiding those with an "MB" or "SF" label indicating that hazardous pesticides have been used on the wood. After acquiring your pallets, you'll need an orbital sander and a selection of paints or stains fitting the rest of your decor to finish off your design.

A basic pallet console table involves a pallet standing on one end with the deck boards (the boards making the pallet's surface) running parallel to the floor. A separate board sits on top to make the table's surface. Console tables typically stand 28–32 inches, though you can customize yours to any height. Measure your space to ensure your table will fit, and cut the pallet to size. For a clean, symmetrical design, cut an equal amount from each side of the pallet to narrow it. Pry the cut boards off the stringers (the structural pieces running perpendicular to the deck boards) from the side pieces you removed. YouTube channel Artisan Made offers up an easy way to do this with a hammer and a few scraps of wood. You can then attach these stringers to the ends of the deck boards in the center area, making walls for your slimmed-down table.

Sand the table and apply paint as desired. If you want a classic weathered, distressed aesthetic, TikTok user @preciousposh shows how you can achieve a shabby chic look by painting the deck boards and sanding. Add a stain to the table top board to complete the design. Since this low-profile table isn't sturdy when freestanding, you'll need to use a bracket (like this simple L bracket from Home Depot) to connect it to the wall. With your table in place, you can move on to your next pallet DIY storage project!