With everybody becoming a bit more conscious about the effect that we have on the environment, upcycling and DIY is becoming a lot more popular.
It is so much more environmentally friendly to construct something new out of bits and pieces you already have than it is to buy a flatpack kit from your local furniture store, and it can be incredibly fun to do.
In particular, one common object that has become popular to repurpose lately is wooden pallets. They can be used to build so many different things, from home bars for parties to bookshelves, the opportunities are endless.
Today we’ll be looking specifically at constructing a bed out of pallets. Now, this might seem a lot more daunting than other things you could build out of pallets just because of the sheer size of a bed, but the result is amazing.
So if you’re interested in making a DIY pallet bed, this guide has all the information you need. From the tools and materials you need to a simple method to follow, this guide is your one-stop shop to making a pallet bed from scratch.
What is a DIY Pallet Bed?
As its name suggests, a DIY pallet bed is a bed that is constructed through the use of wooden pallets.
Out of all the different things you can construct using pallets, beds are one of the most popular because they allow people to challenge their creativity.
The panels are joined together to make a bed frame that is uniquely yours at a fraction of the cost of buying one.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or you want to spice up your home with something that you can make yourself, a DIY pallet bed might be a great option for you.
What you will Need
Before we dive into the method behind building a pallet bed, let’s first take a look at all the different things you will need to build the pallet bed. There are two different categories of things that you will need: tools/equipment and materials.
First, let’s take a look at the tools that you will require. You will more than likely already own these, but this list is a great way to gather everything that you need before you begin building. You will need:
- A tape measure
- An electric drill
- Electric sander and plenty of sandpaper
- A ventilation mask
- Screwdriver bit
- Drill bits (pilot and countersink)
- Combination square
- Hand saw or table saw depending on your preference
- Paint Brush
You will also need a variety of different materials to be able to build a pallet bed. Despite the name ‘pallet bed’, the list of materials that you need is not limited to just pallets and you will require a lot of different materials for the construction process and the process after it is constructed. These materials include:
- 4 Pallets (they must be identical and they must together be big enough to fit your mattress)
- Extra pallet boards to fill in any potential gaps (optional)
- 4 Spring Head nails
- An Orientated Strand Board
- 40mm Panel Pins
- Wood Screws
- Connector Plates
- 9 Industrial Castors
- Chalk Paint (we recommend grey)
How to Make a DIY Pallet Bed
Before we get into the method of building a DIY pallet bed, it is first important that we highlight that this method works on the presumption that your pallets have been prepared for use in the bed.
This might require you to remove leftover nails, or alternatively you can buy pallets that are designed and prepared specifically for DIY use.
To construct the pallet bed, you will need a large open space on the floor. If possible, it would be best to construct the bed in your bedroom to reduce the amount of movement the bed has to go through once it is constructed.
You should begin by laying all 4 of your pallets flat on the floor, with the face of the pallet facing down on the floor. You should align the 4 pallets in a 2 x 2 rectangle, ensuring that all of the pallets are facing the same way. These 4 pallets construct the base of your bed frame.
The next step is connecting all of the pallets to one another. The pallets will connect with one another via the blocks, so your first step is to make a countersink and a pilot hole in every block.
Using your electric drill with the screwdriver bit you should screw them together with the long screws. For added strength, you can add the flat connector plates to these areas.
Next, you should use the additional pallet boards to fill in the gaps. This will give a better look and also give the base of the pallet bed a dense structure for more strength.
Following that, it is time to attach the castors. You should split the 9 castors evenly between the pallets, attaching three across the top, three across the bottom, and three in the middle.
You will need screws and your electric drill with the screwdriver bit to do this. You should try to connect the castors to the blocks of the pallets if possible as these are the stronger part of the design.
You should then flip the bed so that the castors are touching the floor, and secure the wheels so that the bed will not move as you work on it. If necessary, you should sand the pallets to remove any splinters.
After that, you have a few decorating options to choose from. If you want to paint your bed we recommend using chalk paint as these work best with pallet wood.
There are a variety of different colors you can choose from which allows you to pick the one that suits your bedroom best.
Alternatively, you may prefer to thoroughly sand and teak the pallet bed with wood stain. Or if you are a fan of the natural color of the pallets you can simply leave it as it is. The choice is completely yours.
Summary
In short, constructing a DIY pallet bed is actually very easy to do. It might seem like a daunting task due to the size of a bed, however, it is constructed in just a few simple steps.
So if you’re short on cash or simply want to make something of your own, a DIY pallet bed might be the perfect choice for you.