16 DIY Pallet Bed Plans for a Chic Bedroom

Use one of these free DIY pallet bed plans to build yourself an inexpensive bed, headboard, or even reclining swing. Making furniture with pallets is easy, affordable, and allows you to be earth-friendly. Reusing an item that would otherwise be thrown away reduces trash from landfills. The pallet aesthetic suits many design styles, from boho, eclectic, and rustic to industrial, minimalist, and more.

It's simple to make a pallet bed. You only have to stack the pallets to complete the base for something basic. Extra steps, like sanding, repainting, staining the wood, or adding a headboard or footboard, are optional.

Pallet beds can last about three to five years, depending on the condition of the wood. Also, check that the wood looks clean, isn't rotting, or doesn't have insect activity—that wood will degrade much quicker. It should be free of stains. Carefully check for jutting nails or sharp spots.

These DIY pallet beds have another advantage: they look great.

Warning

Only use untreated pallets for home furniture. Look for an International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) stamp on the surface of the pallet, which is required on those coming from outside the United States. Avoid using pallets that are marked with MB (Methyl Bromide) or SF (Sulfuryl Fluoride), both of which leave behind chemicals you don't want in your pallet furniture.

Pallets stamped HT (heat-treated using steam or dry kiln heat) or DH (dielectric heated using microwaves or radio frequencies) are OK.

The Best Places to Find Free Pallets Near You

01 of 16

Minimalist Pallet Bed Frame

The Wonder Forest Blog

If you're looking for the easiest way to build a pallet bed, this tutorial from The Wonder Forest Blog has got you covered. It only requires a few pallets, which can be cut and reassembled to fit a double bed. It's an easy building project that would be great for a beginner. The result is a relaxed boho vibe that would look great in any bedroom.
02 of 16

Rustic Headboard Design

Mum Life Stories

This very detailed tutorial from Mum Life Stories will take you through the process of building a DIY pallet bed headboard. Starting with taking apart the pallets and ending with a coat of stain, you'll find everything you need here.
03 of 16

Farmhouse Trundle Pallet Bed

Infarrantly Creative

If you're up for more of a challenge, you can build this farmhouse pallet bed from Infarrantly Creative with a rolling trundle. The pallets are taken apart, and the wood is then used to form the design on the headboard and footboard. Included are directions on how to build the bed frames. This would be a great addition to a kid's or teen's room.
04 of 16

Wide Platform Pallet Bed

Honey and Fizz

Look what a fresh coat of paint can do to a pallet. This free DIY pallet bed plan from Honey and Fizz uses four pallets to form a base for a double bed. Some room has been left on the side to act as a small table. The finishing coat of paint completes the project.

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05 of 16

Toddler Pallet Bed

Lori Danelle: Maker of Things

Pallets are cut and reassembled to build the frame for this DIY toddler pallet bed from Lori Danelle: Maker of Things. The headboard, footboard, and optional side rails are made from pallet wood. This plan is sized for a toddler bed, but you could easily make some adjustments to fit a larger bed.
06 of 16

Pallet Headboard With Country Charm

Fiddle Leaf Interiors

With this free building plan from Fiddle Leaf Interiors, you can create a beautiful rustic headboard made out of pallets. You'll need some 2-by-4 metal brackets, nails, and screws along with the pallets. You can build this pallet headboard in an afternoon with a few tools.
07 of 16

Pallet Swing Bed

The Merrythought

This unique pallet bed from The Merrythought is raised by ropes connected to a tree. The final product is a pallet swing bed that can be fun inside or outside. This straightforward project will come together in no time.
08 of 16

Pallet Beds for Children

Fresh Mommy Blog

These DIY pallet beds from Fresh Mommy Blog are perfect for kids and look adorable when set side by side. There are two different styles of beds here, and there are directions on how to create each. Besides the pallets, you'll need some plywood and basic tools.

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09 of 16

Shiplap-Inspired Pallet Headboard

This Mamas Dance

This plan from This Mamas Dance will take you step by step through building a pallet headboard that resembles shiplap. It's a fun farmhouse look that would go great in a bedroom. A supplies and tools list is also included, so it should take you no time to be ready to go.
10 of 16

Pallet Day Bed on Wheels

Under the Sycamore

This DIY pallet bed plan from Under the Sycamore builds a day bed that can also be used as a casual couch. It was made as a reading bed and would be perfect in a kid's room or playroom, but you could also use it in a bedroom as a bed frame. Caster wheels are added to the bottom of the pallet bed, making the whole thing mobile.
11 of 16

Stenciled Pallet Headboard

Little Bits of Real Food

This easy project from Little Bits of Real Food is a perfect DIY project for beginners. Pallet boards are taken from found pallets, then braces and glue are used to assemble the headboard. What makes this special is using a stencil to paint a pattern on your finished headboard.
12 of 16

Basic Twin-Sized Pallet Bedframe

Allison's Illustrated Life

If you want to build a basic bed frame out of pallets, this is a wonderful tutorial from Allison's Illustrated Life. Two pallets are used to make this twin-sized DIY pallet bed frame. Some sanding and painting are required to finish them off.

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13 of 16

House-shaped Headboard With a Shelf

My Happy Simple Living

Go beyond the usual pallet look with these DIY pallet house-shaped headboards from My Happy Simple Living that were built to fit twin-sized beds. You'll disassemble the pallets and assemble them into this unique design. There's also an added shelf that any treasures can be kept on.
14 of 16

Eclectic Headboard With Lights

Live from Julie's House

Pallets are torn apart and built into something new again with this DIY project from Live from Julie's House using 2-by-4s and pallet lumber. This high, eclectic-style headboard includes instructions on how to add lighting to the headboard.
15 of 16

Pallet-style Toddler Bed With Underbed Storage

The Mombot

Here's an adorable toddler bed build from The Mombot that doesn't use found pallets. This bed frame resembles pallets and is made out of new wood boards. This plan leaves room for storing shoes, books, or toys under the frame.
16 of 16

Outdoor Swing With Cushions

iSaveAtoZ

A frame with two pallets will get this swinging pallet bed from iSaveAtoZ. An unexpected building material used to build this is pool noodles for the foam edges, which do an excellent job holding the cushions in place.

FAQ

How many pallets does it take to make a bed?

Pallets come in different sizes; the most common size is four feet by 40 inches. Based on this standard size, you'll need at least two pallets to make a one-level twin-sized bed. You'll need more to give the bed more height by stacking them. For a one-level full, queen, or full-sized bed, you'll need at least four pallets.
What are the disadvantages of pallet beds?

The biggest disadvantages of pallet beds are the possibilities of being exposed to off-gassing from harmful chemicals used to fumigate the wood, bringing inside insects hitchhiking on the wood, or using supermarket pallets contaminated by bacteria on fruits and vegetables, like E. coli or salmonella, or mold and mildew. That's why it's important to select your pallet materials carefully.
Do you need a box spring for a pallet bed?

You do not need to use a box spring on top of a pallet bed since the slats from the pallets are supportive enough for the mattress.

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