Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Inspiration

Add instant rustic charm to your home: How to make a pallet wall

By

You’ve probably got a long list of home improvement projects waiting to be done. Don’t worry, we’ve all got that list. One great place to start updating your home is with a gorgeous accent wall. We’ve all got that one wall in our home that we’re not sure how to decorate. Maybe it’s at an odd angle, it’s an awkward size, or it’s just boring and you want to revive it. A pallet wall is a rustic, charming addition to any room, and it’s a stylish update for a home with a farmhouse-chic vibe. We’re going to walk you through how to make a pallet wall that accents the room beautifully.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

How do you build a pallet wall?

Before diving into this project, you’ll need to gather all of your materials and tools. Here’s what you’ll need to build a pallet wall:

  • Pallets
  • Pry bar
  • Hammer or pliers
  • Measuring tape
  • Circular saw
  • Sandpaper or electric sander
  • Wood stain
  • Paintbrush
  • Plywood
  • Stud finder
  • Wood screws
  • Electric drill and bits
Recommended Videos

Prep the wall space for a pallet wall

If you have floorboards or crown molding surrounding the wall, you’ll have to remove it for this project and re-install it after the pallet wall is completed. Note that the standard pallet board is 5/16 of an inch thick. If you’re installing pallets flush against a perpendicular wall, you may have to cut off a small portion of the floorboards or moldings on the perpendicular wall to accommodate the pallet thickness.

Related

Prep the pallets for installation

If you got actual wood pallets that you’re upcycling, they’ll need a lot of prep before they’re installed. You want to be sure they’ll look evenly placed and perfectly colored on your wall.

  1. Dismantle the pallets using a pry bar so that each strip of wood is free-standing.
  2. Decide which pallets can be used and which are too damaged or discolored for your project.
  3. Use a hammer or pliers to remove any nails from the boards you’ll be using.
  4. Measure the wall space and then assemble the boards on the ground or another flat surface.
  5. Measure the assembled boards and cut off any excess wood using a circular saw.
  6. Sand down each board so that there are no rough sections that could give you splinters.
  7. Stain each piece of wood with your desired wood-staining product.
  8. Allow the wood to dry completely.

How do you attach a wooden pallet to the wall?

These next steps are crucial ones. In order to install the wood pallets on the wall properly, you’ll have to first put up a layer of plywood that’s secured to the wall’s studs. Then, you can install the pallets onto the plywood. This way, the wood pallets will be evenly placed and won’t damage the wall behind them.

  1. Measure the strips of plywood to ensure you have enough to cover the entire wall space. Cut off any excess plywood.
  2. Stain the plywood the same color as the pallet pieces so that you can’t see different wood colors through any gaps in the pallets.
  3. Allow the plywood to dry completely.
  4. Use a stud finder to identify where the studs are in the wall.
  5. Use a drill and wood screws to install the stained plywood securely to the studs.
  6. Using the drill and wood screws again, mount the individual pallet pieces on the plywood, starting at the center of the wall and working your way out.
  7. Once all pallet pieces are installed, wipe down your new pallet wall with a dry cloth to rid it of dust and debris.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How do you make a living wall out of pallets?

If you need a place to display all those lovely succulents or herb plants, a living wall is a stunning option. Pallets, in their original form, are fairly close to what you need for a living wall, and you can get them into shape for your plant storage with just a few steps. Here’s how:

What you’ll need

  • Pallet in good condition
  • Pry bar
  • Hammer or pliers
  • Staple gun
  • Landscape fabric
  • Wood stain
  • Paintbrush

How to turn a pallet into a living wall

  1. Examine the pallet and be sure your plants will have enough room to grow between the existing slits. If you need more room, remove every other board from the pallet using a pry bar.
  2. Use a hammer or pliers to remove any excess nails that aren’t holding the remaining boards in place.
  3. Stain the pallet with a wood stain of your choice and allow it to dry completely. If you’re using the living wall for edible plants, make sure both the pallet and the stain are safe to use around food.
  4. Lay the pallet on its front and drape landscape fabric across the back.
  5. Measure and cut fabric so that you have enough for about double the length of the pallet.
  6. Use a staple gun to secure the fabric to the back of the a pallet at the top.
  7. Fold and bunch the fabric so that it creates pockets for the plants to rest in.
  8. Staple the fabric to each plank in tight lines, with enough staples to keep soil from spilling through.
  9. Turn the pallet upright and fill the pockets with soil and plants

Pallets are visually appealing and versatile. They’re a great addition to walls or gardens, and they’re easy to work with. Whether you’re looking to create a portable living wall or an entire interior wall with pallets, this guide will help turn your room into a chic, farmhouse-styled space.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Veronica Sparks
Veronica Sparks
Contributor
Veronica Sparks is a writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who loves writing about gardening, home décor, and DIY life. She’s…
Make the most of your living room/dining room combo with these stellar tips
Watch your living room/dining room combo shine with these tips
Gray monochrome living and dining room

Many contemporary homes have open-concept living, meaning fewer walls and shared space between rooms. It's a great idea for those who entertain or want minimal disruption between spaces. It's also good when you have small children and want to keep an eye on them while you're cooking, folding laundry, or watching TV. If you have one large area for your living room and dining room, there are some things you can do to get the most out of each room.

Of course, there's a lot to consider when it comes to which colors to choose, how to arrange furniture in a living room/dining room combo, and what wall and other decor can be used to blend the spaces together. Here's how to find the right mix that works in one collective space.
Small living room/dining room combo ideas

Read more
What colors go with brown? How to make this seemingly drab hue look glam in your home
Brown doesn't have to be boring. Here's how it can jazz up your space
Room with brown walls.

Brown tones have a reputation for being "boring" since these earthy hues often have a tendency to feel dull and bleak for many people. However, this is largely due to poor design execution. If used well, brown shades can enhance a room’s design and bring a new sense of vitality to a space. Brown can be a wonderful hue to add to your home if you're looking to create a luxe and vibrant environment. These rustic shades can be natural, rich, and earthy when paired with complementary colors that let this hue shine.

Unfortunately, many struggle to figure out what colors go with brown, which leads them to create spaces that feel drab, bland, or unfinished. Today, we’ll cover some of the best colors to pair with brown and how this stunning color can help revitalize your space.
What color matches well with brown?

Read more
How much does it cost to finish a basement and add value to your home?
A finished basement is an investment in your home. Here are our tips for getting started on this project
Finished basement seating area with white walls and carpet

If you're looking at home improvement projects that will give you a return on your investment when you sell your home, consider remodeling your basement. If you don't have a finished basement, finishing it will not only increase the livable space in your home but give you confidence that your money will come back to you when you sell. The first question you're probably asking yourself is, "How much does it cost to finish a basement?" Unfortunately, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, but we break down the possibilities below.

Before you get too far ahead of yourself dreaming about all the ways you're going to decorate your new basement, it's important to think about its functionality. Adding spaces like a bedroom or bathroom in your basement will increase the price of the renovation, as will a basement bar or movie room. But these usable spaces will also increase your resale value. You'll want to know your plan before getting quotes because not only will additional electrical, plumbing, and sheetrock be needed for these spaces, but you'll also want to be sure any contractors you use have the requisite expertise to get the job done.
What is the cost to finish a basement?

Read more