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?
I dunno…the name you’ve picked is pretty apt. I love the table though…especially those legs. Sounds like you’ve got your hubby trained well. I like the finished results with the Giggle Juice, & now you have a nice light to take your photos. Nothing beats outside light.
No Florence, not trained. But we do share a love for fixing up things. and it was natural for him to want to salvage these beauties. The light is perfect. I get lots of light where the table is positioned.
It turned out great. The photos look fabulous. I will have to try the “giggle juice”. I have never heard of making a stain like that. Interesting.
This was my first time, and I’ll admit I was sceptical before I treid it but once I applied that stuff I was amazed. The addition of the rusty nails gave the wood a warm tone that I was not expecting.
I love your home and all is charm! Love the drunken table, what a fabulous idea.
Maria
Maria I am glad it is not tipping over, now I can use it for my photo shoots.
Mary,
I enjoyed the tale of the drunken table! What a great table for setting up your photo shoots! I’ve been after my husband to make me a few backdrops . . . I’m still waiting. Great job and I’m glad it all worked out in the end! Pinned to share too.
Laurie
Laurie your husband is busy with that masterful canoe. When he is done with his art he will be able to make your backdrops. I had this idea in my head for months so don’t think it happened overnight.
Mary,
Who in the blog world could pass up turned wooden table legs? You now have a wonderful table for all kinds of projects, not just photography…. I can see potting plants on it.
Thanks for sharing at Monday Social.
Judith
Judith I am already getting lots of use out of it as a backdrop for my projects. The sunlight is perfect for picture taking out there.
Cute idea and I love all those natural elements. Love it when you can create wonderful with a few pieces of this and that.
The best things are found in nature Carole. And when they dry up they are even lovlier.
Hi Mary, I love love love this piece, and the way you decorated it is awesome!! PINNING!!!
Thank you Christine. I think it matches your aesthetic perfectly.
Oh Mary, we’ve had some table legs like that. It’s so frustrating but rewarding when you finally win. I love your table and your fall touches.
Well done!
Thanks Lisa. I was lucky that the hubs bought them home.
Hey Mary, love your drunken table and it’s so important to have that ‘perfect’ photography spot. And i’d imagine, with your weather, you’ll be able to use it year-round.
And I love a piece with history, with a story, and your little table has it in spades!
Thanks for the story of the drunken table…it’s a good one.
Hugs, Lynn
Lynn, if you don’t have a good spot for photos you can waste hours on editing and it still won’t look good. This was such a blessing in disquise for me.
Mary – such a great DIY idea! I love the nature inspired squash decorations as well! Happy Fall!
They are so pretty the real ones and when we are done with decorating, we can make pumpkin pie, which is what my girls are looking forward to.
Mary, nobody could pass by this post with that name!! You amaze me with your redos.
Thank you so much for sharing at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. 🙂
Stacey, I’ve gotta keep you on your toes! Anyway, what else could I have possibly named it?
Love the color of the Giggle juice! And I can almost smell the Rosemary…
Haha. The rosemary smells heavenly, the giggle juice not so much.. haha.
What a clever and cute table.
Thank you Julie. I am so happy with how it turned out.
HiMary, I think the drunken table is the perfect name for it. Who wants a perfectly straight table anyway? It will make the perfect place for your photographs.
We don’t see those pallets as much as we used to, but when my husband sees one he’ll always pick it up. He actually made the picket type fencing that goes along the top of our wall out of pallet wood.
xx
Exactly Debbie, I think perfection is overrated!! These things are so versatile and lately I’ve been collecting them for future use.
I’ve read a lot about the vinegar stain but haven’t had the chance to try it. Mary, I love the way it turned out on the pallettes and those legs are gorgeous. It looks like the perfect spot to do your photography! I love it! xo
Carla, I had seen it around in some blogs, and then when Marie did it, well I just had to try it. Needless to say it has exceeded my expectations. The color is so warm and beautiful.
Your husband is the best for picking these up! Don’t you love it when they find something and know that you could turn it into something cool? I find that more special than flowers! It means they are listening and they believe in you, that is the coolest!
I really love the table, the stain color is perfect, not too light and not too dark, and I can’t believe you made it yourself! Talk about giggle juice? It would make me happy enough to giggle too!
And the contrast between the legs and the top is stunning! I’m not surprised that you repurposed this into something so lovely, I need to find some curvy legs of my own!
I have to agree with you Nikki. These legs are way more special than flowers. And he is in tune with me when it comes to my blog. That really makes me happy.
Now that the table is done, I love photographing using the other pallet as backdrop.
This is super cool!!! love this project & thank you for linking up to Waste not Wednesday link party we post our favs tomorrow and I chose yours!
Thank you Kellie. I will be sure to pop on over on Wednesday.
I just love that your hubby brought those amazing legs home!! Your table turned out great 🙂 Thank you for sharing at TaDa Thursday!!! I love all of your posts!!
Thank you Susanne. I love sharing my blogging with him and he is happy to contribute whenever he has the time.
LOL–drunken table! I think it has great rustic charm, Mary. You and your husband do good work together 🙂 Thanks for linking up your posts with us at Vintage Charm.
Diana, I am so glad he found those legs. Now I am using it for my photo backdrops.
Nice upcycle!
Thank you Donna. I am really getting lots of use out of it.