How to make a pallet bed

The resources of the old bed are depleted, and the funds are limited? Or thoughts about self-assembly of furniture have been swarming in my head for a long time? So it's time for a pallet bed. Anyone can make such furniture.

You don't have to grind complicated parts, buy and master professional tools. After all, the material for construction is actually ready. It remains only to process it a little, fold it into the desired shape and secure it!

Benefits of a pallet bed

It's cheap - this is perhaps the main advantage of such furniture. But, despite the absolutely budgetary cost, it looks stylish and fits perfectly into a number of modern design trends. For example, for an apartment in the spirit of a loft, it is difficult to come up with a more suitable bed.

As soon as the need for pallet furniture disappears, it can be disassembled in a couple of hours. And the remaining pallets can be disposed of or stored in the pantry / garage for emergencies.

What other advantages does a pallet bed have:

• inside you can run the LED strip to get a unique design;
• a rigid and stable frame is obtained from pallets;
• if you cover the bed with thick plywood, you get a stylish podium;
• it is ideal furniture for a summer residence, a veranda of a country house;
• if at some point the size of the bed is no longer satisfactory, you can change it by adding or removing pallets.

For those who have just moved to a new apartment and did not manage to settle in with permanent furniture, a pallet bed will be a godsend.

Types of pallet beds

You can assemble a simple single couch from pallets, they will do it. a full double bed and even a small sofa. This material allows you to experiment with the design, for example, to build a stylish set with bedside tables and a headboard. At the same time, the costs for unique designer furniture will be minimal.

Single bed

The simplest option is a pallet bed for one person. It is suitable for a teenager or as an extra bed in case guests arrive. Furniture requires a minimum number of pallets - you can get by with 4 pieces (if done without a headboard).

Double bed

It is as easy to assemble as a single bed and can easily become a full-fledged sleeping place if you purchase a quality mattress. An original solution will be a headboard made of timber or treated pallets. They can also be used to build small tables for storing things.

Crib

This design is a little more difficult to manufacture, since the crib needs to be equipped with bumpers for the child's safety. However, making a cradle from pallets is easier than from other wooden materials. A very important step will be the processing of pallets: sanding, varnishing or paint.

Bunk bed

The easiest way to make a child's dream come true is to build a bunk bed for his bedroom. The work will take a minimum of time, and the result will be accepted with a bang. To make a two-level bed from pallets with your own hands, you will need to saw some pallets (to create sides).

Loft bed

A wide loft-style bed can be assembled in a matter of hours. It does not have to be made high: two pallet levels are enough. Another option is to make a berth on a small podium so that a step forms. This will help to correctly zone the apartment and create a cozy place to sleep.

Pallet furniture fits perfectly into the loft style. Therefore, such a bed will look better than any other in a similar interior.

Where to get pallets

The best part is that you can get pallets for free. It is worth asking in large shopping centers, hardware stores. Some companies are ready to provide them free of charge. You can find free pallets by using ads on specialized sites.

If you can't find free material, it's okay. Pallets are sold in wholesale and retail lots. Companies and individuals sell new and used pallets.

DIY pallet bed

So how do you make a pallet bed? You need to think over the design, prepare tools for processing wood and assembling the structure, familiarize yourself with the drawing and not forget about safety precautions.

All work is recommended to be carried out with protective gloves and goggles to avoid injury.

For some work, an open space may be required. For example, it is better to grind and paint pallets on the balcony or in the courtyard of a private house. So in the apartment there will be less dust and there will be no pungent smell of paints and varnishes.

Pallet bed assembly tools

The absolute minimum of tools will help you create a real masterpiece. You will need:

• household drill;
• grinding machine or sandpaper;
• drill for wood;
• hammer;
• fasteners, screws, nails;
• screwdriver.

This is enough to assemble a reliable bed with your own hands. It remains only to choose the decor. To give furniture a unique touch, you can equip it with lighting or paint it in your favorite colors.

Useful for decorating:

• primer for wood;
• varnish or paint;
• painting tools;
• extension cord for two sockets;
• neon tape / duralight;
• fasteners for the LED element.

A bed with illumination is perfect for a child's room: during games, soft light will create a mysterious atmosphere, and at night the child will not be afraid to be alone.

It is categorically impossible to save on the lighting element.

Drawing

The bed assembly scheme depends on its model. We offer several drawings of popular types of pallet beds that you can assemble at home yourself. The instructions are simple, so even novice craftsmen will cope with the task and understand how to make a bed from pallets.

Before preparing a project, you need to take into account that pallets come in different sizes. Large Euro pallets are suitable for making a bed. Consumption will be economical, and fewer components are required. It may be possible to find or order a retail batch of non-standard oversized pallets - this will greatly facilitate the task.

Step-by-step assembly instructions

The foreman's first task is to clean the pallets. If used pallets were purchased, they should be thoroughly washed with a cleaning agent, to get rid of dust and dirt residues. In a private house, you can wash them with a watering hose.

After the pallets are dry, they need to be sanded. It is easier to do this with a machine, but sandpaper is also suitable, especially since it is useful for processing hard-to-reach places. After completing the work, the pallets must be wiped with a damp (but not wet) cloth to remove the remaining chips and dust.

Woodworking will help keep the pallets (and therefore the bed) free from pests and moisture. First, the surface must be primed and completely dried. After that, the pallets are covered with paint or varnish.

To get a rich color, you need two or three coats of paint. Each layer is dried and only then a new one is applied.

Further - the simplest and fastest. The pallets are fastened according to the selected drawing. It is necessary to apply a markup, make holes along it with a drill. Using self-tapping screws and nails, connect the parts into a finished structure.

All that remains is to lay down the mattress, decorate the sleeping place and enjoy the rest on the brand new stylish bed.

What else can be made from pallets

What else can be made from such a simple and easy-to-use material? Almost anything. For example, a pallet rack will become a stylish addition to a loft bed. Small pallets are suitable for it. If the furniture will fit tightly to the wall, pallets can be sawn lengthwise to get ergonomic shelves for dishes, books, souvenirs.

Tables, chairs, sofas and benches can also be made by yourself. The assembly principle is simple and intuitive. The main thing is to calculate the height and width of the products in order to purchase a sufficient number of pallets.

For a table or bar counter, you will need to choose a ready-made countertop or order it according to individual measurements.

Perhaps, only wardrobes and kitchen sets cannot be made from pallets. The rest of the furniture for home and summer cottages can be made on their basis.

Video: do-it-yourself pallet bed

Photo 50 pallet bed designs