Shipping pallets may look like junk to you. But a bit of cutting, sanding and painting can turn them into nifty furnishings and home decorations. Here are a few tips on how you can give pallets a second chance at life in your abode:

Bed frame

There are two ways to do this. One, you can simply stack several pallets under your mattress. You can have a whimsical setup by stringing lights on the underside. For a subdued rustic look, brush a few coats of paint on it.

Two, you can nail a few stacks of pallets together, and then suspend everything from the ceiling using large chains. To soften the entire look, you can wrap sheer fabric or a string of lights around the chains.

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Accent wall

Create a rustic appeal in your kitchen with a wood-paneled wall. You’ll need five pallets per square foot. The first thing to do is to strip as many planks as you’ll need to cover the wall where you want to place them. Once you’ve had enough planks, nail them in place. Create a haphazard pattern by staggering the position of each piece. When you achieve the look you are going for, sand and stain the entire wall thoroughly.

Coffee table

If you want a shabby chic appeal, you can simply paint a few stacks of pallets and paint them. You can nail them in place or tie the edges with a rope. If you want a more modern style, you can create a solid flat surface by stripping the planks of a pallet and then using them to fill the spaces. Sand everything, stain it and use hairpin legs to fasten it.

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Raised patio

Pallets can be an inexpensive way to have a patio in your home, which is especially useful if you have limited outdoor space. You’ll need to assemble the pallets to cover the area for your patio. Strip the planks on one side and then nail them close together. Apply weatherproof stain thoroughly to ensure the wood won’t be damaged due to moist or water.