This rustic pallet wood box centerpiece is a perfect quick project! You can change out the decorations for the season, and when it is meal time it is so easy to lift off the table without damaging the design!
If you have the time to spend an hour out in your garage, make this pallet wood project. You might just find yourself making one for a friend too!
This post is part of our week-long pallet extravaganza, Pallets Aplenty. Check out all the pallet posts we’ve shared so far here, and be sure to subscribe by email or RSS so you won’t miss any future projects — and follow along over on Facebook and Instagram with #palletsaplenty to see what others have been creating from pallets, too!
How to Build an Easy Rustic Pallet Wood Box Centerpiece
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Click Here to Get a Free Printable Version of This Building Plan
Materials
- 3 – 3’4”x5 ½” pallet wood slats
- Biscuit joiner
- Size 0 Biscuits
- Wood glue
- Vinegar and Steel Wool Stain (for an aged look, details below)
- (optional) ratcheting cargo straps
Cut List
2 @ 4 7/8″
3 @ 24″
Building Instructions
Step 1: Cut
Cut the boards according to the cut diagram
Step 2: Stain
Stain all pieces with the stain of your choice; I used vinegar and steel wool stain. If you don’t have any on hand, you’ll need to wait a few days to start this project!
To create your own stain, fill a mason jar with white vinegar, and then add one fine grade steel wool pad torn into pieces. Then let it sit for a couple of days, shaking and opening the lid a few times each day. It will turn a brownish color when it is ready.
Brush the stain on all sides of the wood. Allow to dry before you continue.
Step 3: Cut biscuit slots on side 1
Cut biscuit slots as shown on one 5 ½” x 24” board. 5/16” from the edge on the edges, and centered on the sides.
Step 4: Cut biscuit slots on ends
Cut the biscuit slots on both 5 ½” x 4 ⅞” pieces as shown.
Step 5: Glue and assemble
Run a bead of wood glue along the ends of the bottom of the box, and place biscuits in slots. Run another small bead of glue over the biscuit. Attach end pieces to bottom, and clamp in place.
Step 6: Cut biscuit slots on side 2
Cut biscuit slots on each remaining 5 ½” x 24” side piece as shown.
Step 7: Finish assembly
Run a bead of glue along all edges of the side pieces where there is a biscuit slot, and attach each side to the already assembled base.
Clamp in place until glue is set. I used some cargo straps to hold everything tight. Sometimes it’s difficult to get the pieces to sit flush when using pallet wood because the boards sometimes have twists. The straps help pull everything together!
Your finished box should have these finished dimensions. I hope you enjoy your new rustic pallet wood box centerpiece! Send us a picture to show us what you put in yours!
We still have lots more Pallets Aplenty projects and ideas coming up! Check out all the pallet posts we’ve shared so far here, and be sure to subscribe by email or RSS so you won’t miss any future projects — and follow along over on Facebook and Instagram with #palletsaplenty to see what others have been creating from pallets, too!
More easy pallet projects to build:
build an easy pallet wood tray
barnwood style pallet wood memo board (a great gift idea!)
and coming up later this week: an easy pallet ladder to store blankets or shoes, or to use as decor!
(subscribe by email or RSS so you don’t miss it!)
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