Sturdy compost bins can be easily built from recycled wooden pallets. Scrap pallet sides featuring hardwood slats can be easily set together to form a solid recycling bin for exterior use. Because the slats are spaced 3 to 4 inches apart, they allow for the plentiful oxygenation of the composted materials, which is required for thoroughly transforming household refuse into rich, black earth. Composting bins help consumers save money on gardening soil and trash collection costs.
Wood pallets can be converted into unique and artistic furniture, including tables, chairs, wall designer pieces and workbenches. For example, stacked pallets can form dining or end table while the wood of deconstructed pallets can be used to build a rustic chest of drawers or dish hutch. After sanding and painting, pallets become attractive enough for dining or sitting rooms; the irregular appearance of the pallet's wood forms the basis of their attractiveness.
Items such as small-size storage compartments for utensils, decorative wall hangings or message boards can be easily made by deconstructing wood pallets, removing the used metal fasteners, and rebuilding them into useful knick-knack holders. The strong hardwood slats can even be milled into cabinets or storage bins suitable for storing dry food. With the use of a few basic carpentry bench tools, the rough boards can be prepared for use in basic kitchen furniture and decor.
Pallets are made from strong hardwoods, such as oak, poplar, birch and ash. Due to the presence of knots and irregular wood grain patterns, the wood pieces are selected for pallets because they don't meet the high visual standards for finish wood boards sold in home centers and lumber yards. However, a carpenter can turn these individual wood slats into usable finished hardwood boards. With the use of a table saw and finish planer, after all of the metal fasteners are removed from a pallet, the boards can be milled to finish quality. These finish boards are suitable for fine finished furniture, such as dining room tables and master bedroom suites. In these home projects, the knots and wood grain patterns add to the unique beauty of a handmade project.