I made my faux pallet wood box out of a fence post from Home Depot. I love the look of reclaimed and weathered wood. Wood that looks as if it has stood the test of time, and bears the scars of years worth of rough handling adds instant character to just about any DIY project. I’ve tried to use pallets as a quick and cheap alternative to reclaimed wood.
However, I don’t like the work.
I don’t like trying to fit them in the back of my little SUV, finding storage space for them in our overstuffed garage (full of good potential projects) and I’m not good at all when it comes to taking the darn things apart.
Some projects were a lot easier before my son left for college and I’ve had to get creative!
My answer? A faux pallet wood box that looks just as good, costs about $1 and takes a fraction of the time commitment.
Why not?
If I can save time, save precious budget dollars AND get the same look…then, why not? 🙂
Building it was a snap. I started with a six foot cedar fence post. It’s about 3/4″ thick and the perfect width to make a wood trough box. I used my jigsaw to cut the board into sections, and my favorite Ryobi Airstrike Brad Nailer to put it together. It took about 15 minutes.
Cut list for faux pallet wood box.
- bottom board at 17 1/4 inches
- 2 sides at 18 1/4 inches
- 2 end pieces 3 3/4 inches
If you want a different size box, choose the length of the bottom piece first. Next measure for your sides, which are slightly longer. They will cover the two end pieces. Last you’ll measure the two ends which fit inside of the sides. I attached the two long sides to the base first and the ends last.
We finished the construction on the new master bathroom addition last week (which is turning out amazing!). I haven’t had time to find our fall or Halloween boxes of decorations. Our home is looking pretty slim on the fall decor this year. This will have to do. It’s not too much of a compromise though, I really like how it turned out:)
I decided to add a simple stencil on both sides and fill my box with pretty fall colors.
I like to use floral stems instead of seasonal picks because there is always a better selection and I get a lot more bang for the buck 🙂 They fill a lot of space when I take them apart and use the little branches or sections to build my arrangement.
I needed to add a little height under my candle to have it stand out and used a styrofoam block underneath it in the box. A little spanish moss goes a long way in filling up the open space and its great for holding the berries, leaves and other smaller stems in place.
Simple and it looks great!
That’s all there is to it! I love my faux pallet wood box! My version is much easier and faster to make than lugging a pallet home, cutting it up, and then building the box!
So what do you think? Would you skip the pallet and go for the look…or are you a pallet purist?
Looking for more fall decor ideas? You might like my Limed Wood Holiday Candle Holder , or this DIY Book Pumpkin and if you need a little fall cheer at your front door , here’s a great idea.
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MaryJean says
I love the use of old wood. Whenever I’m going to be working on a new project my first stop is my garage to see if I have any wood there that might do the trick! This is a really cute idea!
Wendi says
Hi MaryJean! Thank you too. I loved the idea of using fence boards instead of pulling apart pallets. That’s just too much work for me. Lucky you to have a garage stash, I have to keep mine to a small amount since we are so limited on space 🙂 Thanks for your visit and sweet note as always!
Jenny @ Refresh Living says
I love this, and I am also all about making something that is the fraction of the cost it would be to buy it! Thanks so much for linking up with us at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link. 🙂
Wendi says
Thanks you for hosting such a quality party Jenny! I’m all for making any project thrifty, especially if it comes out this good! Have a great week & thanks so much for your visit:)
Tara @ Lehman lane says
Wendi, your faux pallet box looks great and so cheap to make. I love how you styled it for the fall. Thanks so much for sharing your projects @ Dream. Create. Inspire. Link. I hope you are having a great weekend. Take care, Tara
Wendi says
Thank you Tara… I love a good project that’s thrifty too, especially when it turns out as good as this one did:) Thanks so much for your visit!
Carole West @ Garden Up Green says
Great box, I love building boxes they never get old. This looks great!
Wendi says
Thanks Carole …and yes to the box building! They work for everything. Thanks so much for your visit & have a great week!
Theresa @DearCreatives says
I really love your pallet wood box. I hope to make something similar this year. Pinned & shared. Thanks for the tutorial.
Wendi says
Your welcome Theresa 🙂 It’s easy and using a fence board was so much easier than taking apart a pallet! Share a picture on my Facebook page when you do!
Alayna @AlaynasCreations says
I’m with you – pallets are a pain to pull apart! Even with the husband taking pity on me and doing all the diassembly last time I worked with them I’m not sure I would do it again – but I love the look! Great idea!
I am co-hosting the #HomeMattersParty link party this month and would love to have you stop by for a visit. The next party opens at midnight Friday! alaynascreations.co
Wendi says
Hi Alayna, I so agree, pallets are a huge pain to take apart that’s why I knew there was a better option out there:)
Audra @ Renewed Projects says
Cute box. 🙂 The good thing about not using an actual pallet is you don’t have to worry about cleaning the wood. Sometimes a pallet can be so gross!
Wendi says
Audra.. That is such a good point. I gave up on pallets, they were just too much work to take apart and dealing with old nails was a mess. I’ll take a nice clean $2 fence post anyday! Thanks for your visit:)
Jordan@the2seasons says
This is so great and we will be featuring it as one of our Saturday Selections tomorrow! Have a great weekend.
Wendi says
Thank you so much Jordan:) Using a fence post was such time saver…and who doesn’t need more time? Wishing you a great weekend as well!
Deborah says
LOVE LOVE LOVE this!! GREAT JOB! Will be shouting this project out.
Wendi says
Awesome! Thank you Deborah! I’m looking at it on my table as I type and love it:) Enjoy & share a picture on my FB page when you make one!
Lindsay says
I’ve just started getting into wood projects, and this one is now on my list! So easy and cute! Where do you get your stencil letters? I love the look of pallets, but storing them is a beast! I love that you made this for only a $1.00, and I also think I know I need to ask for some tools for my next birthday;)
Wendi says
Lindsay…Yes! Put a few power tools on your list! I Love the Ryobi One line because they are affordable the batteries last forever and they fit “me” in size and power. I picked up the stencils at Home Depot in the painting section for about $2. This really was a very easy project and little wood boxes are great to decorate with any time of the year!
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
I love a wood box for seasonal displays and yours looks great! I hear ya girlfriend re: taking apart pallets. I took apart one last year and it was my first and last attempt. Like you I use fence boards – so much easier. I can’t wait to see the completed renovation reveal!
Wendi says
Marie, As simple as this was, I’ve never made one! Seriously…I’ve been eyeing them for the longest and wouldn’t purchase one because of the “I can make that” mindset! Yeah…I’m all over the fence post for faux pallet look! ..The renovation reveal is just a few days away! Cheers XO