There’s a never-ending list of DIY projects you could do attempt. But if you’re just getting started, you should try one of the easier ones. Creating a simple pallet wood sign out of recycled wood pallets is probably the best way to dip your toes in the DIY waters.

Image source: The DIY Playbook

Materials needed for a pallet wood sign

Once you’ve got all the material ready, you could take your time to figure out the precise dimensions and location of the wood sign. Perhaps it can cover an exposed power cable for a TV or other electronic device. Either way, identify the space you want to hang it before you get started – too big and it won’t fit, too small, and it will look disproportionate on the wall.

Build your pallet wood sign in 6 easy steps

Here are the six easy steps to creating a wood sign out of a single pallet:

  1. Disassemble your pallet. Take away all the nails and sides to leave behind wooden boards that are usually 3 feet long and about 2 feet wide.
  2. Use a table saw to cut the wooden boards down to size. Make all the sides smooth with a sander and keep the dimensions uniform.
  3. The grit sander needs to be used on the top panels only. Polish the side that faces out, but makes sure you don’t over polish it.
  4. Glue the polished wooden boards onto the frame. Every board needs to be evenly distant from the other. Leave just enough space to be able to clean the board every once in a while.
  5. Use a cleat hanger to hang the sign on a wall. You’ll need to glue the cleat hanger onto the back of the sign, but a hammer in some nails to make sure the sign is sturdy enough.
  6. Finally, paint whatever you like on the front of the sign. Most people prefer a motivational quote or slogan. But you could probably just let your creativity run wild and draw something onto it. Or maybe you could try to do a photo transfer on it?

Wood signs don’t need to be restricted to your walls. You can hang them outside as a signpost or leave them leaning against a wall so that you can move around the house whenever you like.

Wooden pallets that come along with huge shipments usually go to waste. But they’re so versatile they could probably be used for thousands of unique and creative DIY projects. The neat wooden boards can be torn down and put back together to create everything from table lamps to adjustable lounge chairs. Why let something this useful go to waste?

Examples of original pallet wood signs

Below are some examples of cool pallet wood signs for your inspiration! ;)

Image Source: The Thinking Closet
Image Source: WiscoFarms
Neokentin

Engineer, Co-founding partner of 1001Pallets. I earned my Engineer degree in Aeronautics & spatial telecommunications and navigation systems from INSA (Toulouse, FR). I worked as a sub-contractor for Airbus Aerospace & Defense for more than 12 years; I was the guy who worked on the black box inside the aircraft that give its exact position, useful if you want to land in the right place :). Since September 2015 I'm full-time working on 1001Pallets.com & Recyclart.org. I'm passionate about recycling, vintage & refurbished things; I'm always amazed by the creativity of people around the world and how with their two hands and some imagination they can transform almost anything into beautiful objects, I also love to explore flea market in search of the "unfounded" object. I'm also a kind of a geek, and I'm behind the technical aspects of 1001Pallets.com & Recyclart.org, so if something is not working as it should, it's all my fault, and you should contact me for debugging purpose. In my spare time, I love going in the countryside, hiking in the mountains, drinking a delicious glass of wine with my friends and traveling to explore the beautiful places of this earth and meet other people and cultures.

View Comments

  • How did you attach the wood strip to the brick wall? It appears that you have attached the sign to the exterior of a house. His would you recommend doing this?

    • Where might be a good place to find pallet wood. I like the idea alot, but don't know where to find wood to use.

      • Freebie alerts, download ap. They always have a lot of free pallets on FA for my area. Different size and shapes at times too. Try some some sites that let people post free items. Offer up has free items posted by people. Neighbors does. (Not behind grocery stores Ha.) I would think alleys too.

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