Today’s pallet project is a super simple and useful one!
Do you have a tangled clutter on your table or desk? This easy-to-build pallet shelf / charging station will organize everything and take care of the mess in no time!
Made from pallet scrap wood, it can sit on a desk, or hang on a wall to free up even more space!
Plus a little gift: you will get some lovely vintage crate labels as a free download too at the end!
Before we start, here’s a very helpful article on where to find and how to work with pallets-
You probably know how much I LOVE vintage orchard crates from this post- how to make pallet wood crates and transfer images to wood easily!
Today we are taking a different approach, let’s start!
Materials and tools:
- a pallet (here’s a very helpful article on where to find and how to work with pallets)
- jigsaw or circular saw to cut the wood
- hammer and a pry bar to remove a couple of slats from the pallet
- hand sanding pad, glue, modpodge, or spray adhesive
- a printer to print the label, and this really nice and inexpensive Neenah Paper Exact Index Cardstock
- nails or screws, and picture hanging wire for hanging
We started out with pallet scraps from our 2-pallet potting bench project.
As you can see when we cut the “legs” to the right height, we were left with the end pieces which are about 6″ of stringers and a board on each side of the 2 stringers.
If you are starting from a whole pallet, just cut off a 6″ section at the end of the stringers (they are the 2″x4″ usually, and the boards are 1″x4″), and leave the boards attached as shown above.
In order to make the pallet shelf charging station, all we need to do is to add a piece of wood on the bottom, and an optional piece on the back.
We can get these 2 extra piece of wood from the same pallet. Use a hammer and a pry bar to get a couple of extra boards, and cut them to the right length. Use nails or screws to attach the boards to the bottom and back side.
Next, give it a good sanding, so no scratches or splinters in future use.
Now comes the fun part: let’s put a vintage label on our pallet shelf !
Not only do I have a 1920s peach crate label for you at the end to download, but also 2 other vintage crate labels!
Print this pretty peach crate label out and cut it out on a piece of paper. I prefer this really nice and inexpensive Exact Index Cardstock because it’s less likely to wrinkle.
I used Elmer’s spray adhesive here. But Elmer’s glue or Modpodge will both work nicely too.
Apply a even coat of adhesive or glue, attach the label to the wood, and finish with a coat of Modpodge . This will protect the surface by making it more water resistant.
To hang this pallet shelf charging station on the wall, add a couple of screws on the back side, attach a piece of picture hanging wire or string, and glue or nail two piece of scrap foam or thin wood towards the bottom so it would hang flush.
Now all the clutter on our table disappeared, and everything found its happy new home here in this little pallet shelf charging station.
And here is the download for you!
Can’t get enough vintage printables? Print out these free vintage seed packets and see how to make them into wall art!
Happy Creating!
I just found you and I think I’m in love….with your ideas, that is! I have a free source of pallets (local newspaper printer in town) and I will build a kitchen island from some of them. Then I will build wooden crates (decorated, thank you very much!) in which to store things under my kitchen island! Thank you 1,000 and more for giving me something to get my creative juices going in my new retirement.
Thank you Nancy! have fun with those pallets! 🙂
Sorry, but the vintage crate labels are not downloading ..can you help .. I’m pressing download but nothing is happening..is this a fault…I had downloaded them in the past, but I must have deleted them and would like to use these again please.
The transfers have worked great I’m very pleased with the look. Thank You.
hi Julie! some browsers may block the pop-up to save files. if you see the images you can right click and save. if not, try chrome or firefox or internet explorer perhaps?
Great article up until I try to find the free crate labels in full size. where is the link?
the link is above the crate label collage image!
Great idea….thanks for the labels!
Ah this is a great idea. I have such a mess of cables in the dining room. Definitely something to think about in our new house 🙂
Great project! I love how you add labels, the transferred ones you show are really cool!
What a cute idea! I love the label you placed on it, so cute!
Ananda, your charging station is fabulous and great tutorial too! Love that you included vintage label printables too.
This is such a clever idea! Love the wood crates with all the transferred images!
What a great idea! I love the label, as well – it looks perfect on the charging station!
Awesome project, Ananda! It’s fun and functional and totally versatile too. Thanks for the DIY!
We need this at my house! There are devices and cords all over my kitchen countertop and it drives me nuts. What a great idea for containing them all to one spot. Your graphic makes this project especially attractive.