Want Something Recycled In Your Hallway? Decorate The Walls With Shelves Made From Used Pallets

Recycling items for decorating is not a new concept. In fact, you may have already taken part in some do-it-yourself projects around the home in which you've used leftover construction items. If you have access to a pallet, you can create a unique hallway shelf for your wall. This guide explains what you'll need to do the job and what steps to take to create a unique shelf.

Step 1: Collect Your Supplies

Visit a big box store, warehouse or home improvement store and ask if you can take one of their old pallets off their hands, if you don't have one. Many of these types of establishments have some that are broken or cracked, so they can't use them any longer. Other items you'll need include:

• circular saw
• pry bar
• level
• pencil
• coarse-grit sandpaper
• wood stain
• medium paintbrush
• box of drywall anchors
• hammer
• electric screwdriver
• long wood screws

Step 2: Cut the Pallets

Use the pry bar to remove the second and fourth slat on the flat part of the pallet. You should then have a pallet with only three slats. Pry off the sides of the remaining slats, located on the inside portion of the pallet.  

Use your circular saw to cut the pallet's legs just below the top slat. Cut the legs off the top and bottom of the middle slat and then cut the leg off the top of the bottom slat.

When complete, you should have three slats, ready to use in the next steps.

Step 3: Sand the Pallet Slats

Sand the entire surface of the slats with the coarse-grit sandpaper until you have a smooth finish.

Step 4: Stain the Pallet Slats

Apply the wood stain to the slats with the medium paintbrush. Wait for the stain to dry before moving on to the final step.

Step 5: Hang Your New Shelf on the Wall

Place the level on the wall where you want your shelves to hang. Once the level indicator suggests a straight line, place a dot on the wall to indicate where the shelves will hang. You'll need three dots total; one for both ends of the pallet slat and one in the middle.

Drill small starter holes on the dots with the electric screwdriver.

Place one of the drywall anchors on the hole and use the hammer to insert it the rest of the way into the wall so that opening of the anchor is flush with the wall.

Hold your new pallet shelf over the anchors and screw in the long wood screws into the ends and center of the shelf and then into the anchors.

Plan to spend a couple hours, from start to finish, on this project. When you're finished, you'll have a great shelf to display photos, awards and other mementos in style on a great recycled item. For more tips on interior design, visit Botany Decorating.