DIY Pallet Table with Reclaimed Wood Legs
See how a pallet and curbside found spindle legs came together to make handy outdoor DIY pallet table for the patio!
This is the story of four table legs that were found out in the road. These poor legs were filthy and covered in mud. But they were curvaceous and full of rugged personality and that is what my husband saw when he spotted them out there by themselves. Little did he know, the can of worms he’d be opening up by bringing them home and trying to transform them into a DIY pallet table!
Making a DIY Pallet Table
Here are the beauties my hubby brought home. They were cracked and in some places even rotting. But he could not resist their lovely imperfections. I guess I must be rubbing off on him.
We sanded the pallet down to get it ready. (Have you seen our collection of 20+ pallet projects to make?)
Of course, for some reason when we nailed the legs on our DIY pallet table would not stand straight. So I took to calling it the drunken table.
Now my husband was determined to make sure those legs were not wobbly. So he came up with this idea of adding a piece of wood and then using brackets to secure the legs onto the pallet. Here is where things went crazy. The bits we used with the drill were worn out, in fact they were useless. It took us days to find the right bits in order to put the screws through the brackets.
At this point you might think we were a little drunk to try it like this, being that we are amateur carpenters. But in fact, it worked and the table didn’t look as drunk on its feet any more.
This whole pallet table looked a little blah to me. I wanted to add some color to it but not use stain. I had seen that Marie of The Interior Frugalista had made a natural wood stain using vinegar and steel wool and I really liked the idea. You can see it here. It gives a rich earthy color to the pallet.
The only problem was I couldn’t get a hold of the #0000 steel wool. Living here in the boondocks has its disadvantages. I used the wool I had and improvised by adding a few rusty nails in the mixture instead. After a few days it was ready.
I applied it straight from the jar, using the steel wool I had. Be sure to wear gloves here as it can get a bit messy. Here it is all dry after one coat.
This is the pallet wood color after three coats of the vinegar cocktail, or as Marie calls it “Giggle Juice”. I love those rich earthy tones.
The next step was to take care of those legs. I had sanded them down earlier.
I chose to paint them white in contrast to the deep earthy tones of the pallet. Here you can see that the cracks are still present. And I let some of the darker color peek through.
You must be wondering what I’m going to be doing with my drunken table. I have placed it outside on the balcony and will be using it to photograph on. The light out here is so much better and I am quite the eyeful with my camera and my pajamas. I’ve added another pallet behind and lifted it up on two pieces of wood to give it height. That will be the backdrop.
Here you can see it in action. This is a vignette I’ve photographed on the table with the lighter colored pallet as a backdrop.
No matter how cold it may get, the light is still better out here so it’s important for me to have this space in order to take good photos.
My repurposed rustic wood slices are so versatile. I use them all year long.
And that is the tale of the drunken DIY pallet table. It took a while to get those legs attached to the pallet. But in the end I think it was worth all the trouble. Thanks to my friend Marie of The Interior Frugalista and her “Giggle Juice”, I am loving my deep dark wood pallet table now.
Of course, you will be seeing a lot more of my drunken table now that it is finally standing tall. Have you ever made any furniture using pallets? Our DIY pallet couch was super easy to make and we enjoy it all season long.
What do you think, should I continue to call it the drunken table or should we come up with a better name for it?
Good Morning, Mary,
Did you get a new blog design? Something looks different. It’s brighter and very pretty.
Your table is adorable. You are so creative with all your re-designs.
I’m not sure if you joined Thursday Favorite Things with this but if so, thank you for sharing and if not, get your bootie over there. I enjoy seeing your posts in the mix.
Happy Sunday, but it might be Monday in your neck of the woods. So have a good week, my friend.
Olivia
Thank yo.u Olivia for that sweet message. I gave the blog a makeover after all I makeover everythng else.
I always try to join up to your wonderful party. I don’t t hink I’ve missed it in a year. Happy Sunday to you.
Hi Mary! I love that table and the contrast of the darker wood and white legs. What a marvelous idea to have a table outside to photograph on. I could put one right on the back porch! Great job!
Cathy I have gotten so much use out of this table, it has been a life saver. And the light is perfect for the photos. Put one on the porch and you will not regret it.
Mary I not only love the drunken table, but that vignette is awesome! Great job. I love when my Mr. brings home good junk.
🙂 gwingal
Yay, we love the hubbys who have us in mind! Thanks for the vote of confidence Nikki!
I think it’s an interesting table! Came out great. Love those legs! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
Thanks Kim, as long as it doesn’t wobble I’m happy.
Give your husband a hug from all of us who struggle with our DIY by ourselves. My significant other bought a wire brush drill bit to sand a project for me recently and I thought I would have to have my jaw relocated professionally! Although he lugs stuff unendingly for me to and from my booths, it is not something he is interested in although he listens patiently. Your table is awesome, perfect for outdoors. Greece is my dream vacation; I’ve always heard that the light is SOOO bright. Yes, that’s true from your pictures!
Kathy it really is too bright here. That’s why we have the siesta hour and everything closes between 2 and 6 in the summertime. I think most of the masses crawl out in the evening. Thank you for your sweet comment. I hope you make it to Greece one day.
What a project! Those legs are really cool on that table. I love finding unique stuff like that that is being thrown away but has a different value….a new creation. Great idea for a backyard table for your camera shots!
Would you believe me if I told you it is on the balcony. We get great light there and a blogger’s gotta do what she’s gotta do! 😉
Loved this DIY, Mary! You have an amazing way of seeing beauty in things that others don’t. Your hubby seems to be picking up the ‘treasure-from-trash’ gene, too. Those table legs are so lovely now and look great against the pallet table top. That table has so much charm and character. A real rustic beauty.
I was so excited when he bought them home Jelica! Yes he has caught the bug from me we are partners in crime!
I love the story of the drunken table, a perfect name.
What a lovely place to take your photos, I think we all struggle with getting good light, especially in winter. I now visualise you out on the balcony in your PJ’s and maybe a dressing gown, blanket or onesie getting those precious pics!
You got it Julie. Me and my jammies. Thank goodness I live high up so that the people walking on the street don;t see me
Love the rustic pallet table Mary, the vinegar steel wool concoction is one of my favorites for finishing pallets! Thanks for sharing your project at #fridaysfurniturefix.
Thanks Brenda it really gave me such a rich color!
Awesome table, awesome fall decor, awesome tale, Mary! You know me, I love a good story! I have to go check out Marie’s giggle juice. I hate the smell of stain and your results are beautiful. 😊
This stuff smells like vinegar but the smell doesn’t last for long! And you get nice fall colors.
You and your hubby make the perfect pair…he finds the stuff and you put it to good use.
Love this table and the juice was just the right touch.
xxx
That juice was the best. I need to make some more one of these days and find something else to put it on. Hope you are well Doreen
You have to love something from nothing! I love the story of the drunken table. It will be nice to have a place to stage the things you photograph. The light in Greece is always stunning!
That table has been a life saver for me. It is in the perfect spot so that I get the light and not the rain.
Absolutely LOVE!!!!!
Thank you Deborah!
I love your “drunken table”! It turned out so cute, and you and your husband sound like the perfect match! Thanks so much for sharing at Celebrate It!
I don’t have the vision for projects like this #inspirememonday@_karendennis
Very interesting project and I’m so glad you were able to build a space to take your photos. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
I love a good DIY and up-cycle and this project is both! Great project I want one too. Happy Fall, Kippi
What a neat idea and a fun story to go along with it! Your table came out grate, an awesome place to take pictures. I need to set up my own outdoor photo space, it’s just so dang dark in the house and artificial lighting is not cutting it for me!
I very much enjoyed reading the tale of the drunken table and the fall vignette, Mary! It turned out beautifully. Pinning. Thank you for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party.
Great post.