How to Make your own DIY Pallet Nightstands

DIY Pallet Nightstands

Don’t want to pay ridiculous prices for furniture that can be made for FREE from materials that would otherwise be wasted? Mean either! That’s why I thought you’d like this article on how to make your own DIY nightstands out of pallet wood.

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8 comments

  1. Alex, O Alex. You’re a sweetheart, but sometimes I think you miss the point completely.

    Yes, you can make a nightstand out of pallet wood. And it’ll look rustic, as shown. That’s fine for some people and on some occasions. It’s not something you’d want to run your hand across – or your clothes! True, it doesn’t break the bank, but it doesn’t reward the senses either.

    The thing is, the way you tend to describe these things is that anything you’d have to buy is going to be “ridiculously priced.”

    Take this nightstand, for example: http://scottjordan.com/bedroom-furniture/brooklyn-workshop-prairie-nighstands-tailored-just-for-you/. I have nothing at all to do with this store or this maker. I just can tell you that I have been there a number of times, their sales people are also furniture makers, they have a very low-key style. Their furniture uses quality materials, excellent workmanship, lovely finishes; these are really wonderful pieces of furniture. The nightstand shown here probably sells for $400 or so. Prices are not listed online, and I can’t remember; it’s been awhile since I was there. But for the makers of this stuff, the bottom line is that they want to make something that they can be proud of, that’s beautiful to look at, functional, long-lasting, a tribute to the materials and the people who made it.

    I don’t think that necessarily makes it ridiculously priced.

    So too with the lovely house you listed last week I think… Oh yes, here it is, the article was “DIY Tiny Cabin with Deck: Less than $20k to Build?”: http://tinyhousepins.com/diy-tiny-cabin/. When I look at this cabin, I see the roofline first. It’s two rooflines, and the ends of the roofs have those lovely little upturns, they’re not straight. That means there’s hand-work, craftsmanship involved. Price goes up. Then that neat little clerestory window nestled in on an angle between the two rooflines. Price goes up again. And the radially-fanned lapstrake sunburst design on the front of the house. All of these details are far from basic, and each one adds significantly to the cost it would be to build this house. To my eye, you couldn’t touch this for under $50,000.

    Sometimes small things cost a lot of money. The conscientiousness of the design, to make sure that there’s a place for everything, and you’ve given every opportunity to provide what people need and want in a small package. Building with materials that are going to create a healthier environment for those who dwell therein. All of these design and construction details cost more than it would cost to slap together a typical tract home.

    Tiny House doesn’t have to mean Unabomber shack. You can choose that, if that’s what you like, but those who want to downscale to a more modest living environment do not necessarily want to give up “nice” things. Each of those nice things just has to be needed, wanted, used appropriately, etc. There’s a big difference between that and, say, using only things rescued from the scrap heap.

    1. Thanks, Keith, I don’t always hit the nail on the head. So yours and everyone’s other insights are always welcome.

  2. Of course a power sander and a couple coats of mat finish polyurethane would resolve Keth’s concerns – but if rustic ain’t his thing it ain’t his thing 🙂

    He’s right though, it’s in the craftsmanship – you can make a lovely rustic night table out of a free pallet, but it takes a bit of time knowledge skill and pickiness over which / what pallets you’ll use.

  3. Well maybe I’m just cheap but, I would probably not pay $400 for a nightstand. Someone has some money to burn….. I’ve made pallet things just from seeing them on this website and you can sand the oak pallets down pretty nice and them stain them . Not to bad on the skin or clothes but , I’m sure the $400 feels better , if you have that much money for a nightstand. I’m not part of corporate America I guess. Keep sending cheap options for people like me. Thanks.

  4. I have to agree with Colin. I can’t afford the ” higher ” priced furniture and have made my own from time to time. But I don’t begrudge those who work for it and can afford it. I like the idea for a really rustic cabin, but to use day after day, I would sand, stain and polyurethane them to prevent dust buildup.Don’t forget, the Adirondack chairs were first a lumber camp chair, now refined.

    I would also like to see more homes and styles from the North and N East. Since I am from the Adirondacks, I know that trappers and guides lived in very small cabins all winter, so it would be nice to know if anyone else is still living tiny..

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