25 best DIY pallet wall tutorials & designer tips on how to create beautiful accent wood wall paneling easily, plus alternative ideas such as peel and stick boards & wallpaper to get the look with less work!
A pallet wall or shiplap wall can instantly transform a room. We will look at more shiplap walls in another article. This one is all about pallet and natural wood wall ideas, DIY tutorials and best tips!
A plank wood wall is very easy and low cost to DIY. Pallet wood is a great free material for these projects. However, there are some important basics which will make your DIY process easier and create better results.
How to choose pallets for DIY pallet wall.
The most important thing is to find HT stamped pallets, which are heat treated vs chemical treated. If you are wondering “where can I get pallets for free?” or “how to I dismantle pallets?” here’s a detailed guide all about finding and working with pallets-
*Some resources in article are affiliate links. Full disclosure here.
How to clean and prepare pallet wood for DIY projects.
Pallet wood should be sanded to prevent splinters, cleaned thoroughly. You can use a pressure washer, or a good brush with some soapy water. After cleaning and rinsing the pallet wood, let them dry before use.
Basic tools you will need to create pallet or wood walls
- pallet buster or deck wrecker to take apart pallets, a saw to cut wood, sanding pad & 100 to 150 grit sand paper, work gloves & safety glasses
- stud finder (must have!) , a drill, screws, brad nails and a nail gun
1. How to install a pallet wall
A popular way to install a pallet wall is to first screw 1×4 wood onto wall studs. The advantage is that you can use brad nails and a nail gun to attach pallet wood to the 1x4s instead of screwing lots of pallet boards to the wall studs.
2. Wood accent wall with staggered joints
This gorgeous bedroom accent wall looks really natural because of the staggering pallet wood joints.
3. How to create natural wood color variations
If you want to have a variety of different color wood planks, there are a few different ways to do it. The easiest way is to stain some of the wood. You can buy wood stains, or make your own wood stains easily for 1/10 the cost, tutorial here!
You can also leave some wood in the sun, they will age to a darker color in just a few days.
Use vertical boards to create a clean edge at the end of the horizontal wall paneling.
4. How to build a wood accent TV wall
This tutorial offers great tips on how to hide wall mount TV wires when you build a pallet or shiplap wall.
5. DIY pallet kitchen wall.
This pallet wood wall is a great example of beautiful styling and decorating!
6. Installing a pallet wall on plywood
Katie and Jeremy decided to build their pallet accent wall on plywood screwed to studs. They shared lots of tips here such as sorting pallet wood by width and condition, and how to work around window, outlets, etc.
7 . Whitewashed pallet wall.
Whitewashing pallet wood creates a soft and natural weathered wood look, which is perfect for this modern farmhouse style room by Owen’s Olivia!
Related article: 3 easy techniques on how to whitewash wood and create weathered wood look on all types of wood.
8. Multi-color pallet wood wall
Monica has great tips in her tutorial: place each board on the wall temporarily with one nail to see the layout first. Then label the boards and take them to the garage to stain or whitewash.
9. How to add colors to a plank wood wall.
This DIY plank wood wall combines the clean look of shiplap with the rustic charm of pallet wall, plus a touch of weathered grey and coastal blue. How creative!
10 – 11. Herringbone pattern wood wall
In addition to the popular horizontal paneling, a wood wall can have interesting patterns such as diagonal and herringbone.
12 – 16. Peel and stick wood planks.
Made of 100% reclaimed weathered wood or barn wood with back adhesive strips, these DIY peel and stick planks are almost as easy to install as wallpaper, and you will get a real wood wall!
You can find this set here,
Peel and stick paneling also comes in different colors. These whitewashed weathered wood planks are gorgeous!
Below is a video tutorial by Lia on how to install these planks.
You may also love: How to create distressed paint and weathered wood finishes – 7 easy techniques!
This mixed color peel and stick wood wall is gorgeous too!
17 – 20. Pallet wall in the kitchen and living room.
A pallet wall can be used as a great accent wall. The natural wood wall adds warmth to a traditional or modern white kitchen (Source: 17 | 18 )
A wood plank wall also look great in colorful and boho style rooms! ( Source: 19 | 20 )
21 – 24. Pallet wall and shiplap wall in the farmhouse kitchen.
These beautiful farmhouse kitchens are some of my favorite on instagram! Check them out here and here. To see more beautiful homes and gardens, visit us on instagram here at apieceofrainbow.
25. Plank wood wallpaper.
No painting, cutting, sanding, or nailing. Shiplap peel and stick wall paper makes it so easy to have a wood wall! You can find them on Amazon.
12 Most Beautiful DIY Shed Ideas with Reclaimed Windows
Make Wood Stain in Any Color – 7 Easy Recipes!
Make a Two Pallet Potting Bench
Best & Easiest Way to Transfer Images to Wood & Canvas
Bland Patio to Tropical Paradise: A Renters’ Pallet Remodel
DIY Wood Pallets Ideas, Tips & Projects: An Ultimate Guide
Easy Wood DIY Headboard & Bedframe
Beautiful DIY Ottoman { From a Pallet and a Mattress Topper! }
DIY Pallet Living Wall with Tropical Plants
DIY Beautiful (& Free!) Vintage Wood Crates from Pallets
How to Whitewash Wood in 3 Simple Ways!
16 Easy and Stylish DIY Floating Shelves & Wall Shelves
How to create a beautiful outdoor room with pallets!
How to create a beautiful outdoor room with pallets!
Happy building! See you next week!
Great Job!
Fantastic ideas and great pictures. Thank you for the inspiration!
Wow what an amazing idea! I’ve been searching for a project to use up some extra pallets and never even thought of an accent wall, it’s so unique! Love seeing the kitchen/dining ones, I’m only just getting into DIY so the Herringbone wall is out of the question even though it looks great.
Lots of new ideas to think about… thanks for such a great list!
Hi Ananda,
My name is Dan. I own and run a business in Salt Lake City, UT called SLC Pallet Walls. Your website is awesome and you rank so well on Google. When I google “Pallet Walls” you are literally on the second page. It looks like I just missed getting on your blog post in January about “DIY Pallet Wall: 25 Best Accent Wood Wall Tutorials”. It is getting some serious traction. Is there any way you can do a blog on your site for my product? I know it’s a long shot, but I’m a small business with very little money to hire an SEO expert…so I thought I’d reach out to you and see if there was any interest on your side. I don’t know if you do this sort of thing or what kinds of deals you’ve previously worked out with other people. But I’d love the opportunity to work with you. Thanks for your time.
Dan
hi dan! thanks for asking! we don’t do paid links on our site, and all sponsored or affiliate links are no-follow which means it would not add much to SEO. i would build up content on instagram and other social platforms, which are great for local businesses. 🙂
I am buying a new condo and can’t wait to do a pallet wall in my bedroom !! Thanks for the wonderful ideas !
I really like the whitewashed wood planks! We are thinking about using it in our bathroom remodel! So excited!
I am interested in the peel and stick paper. I made a cardboard fireplace and wrapped it in whitish/ gray bricks. My son said how much did the bricks cost mom? Contact paper has grown up. Thank goodness. My new kitchen will be adding some wood to the walls.
have fun building the wood wall Jody!! 🙂
That all looks so inviting. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning.
An awesome step-by-step guide and tips, especially for new starters. This is very helpful, thank you for this guide!
I like the peel and stick wood planks and would like to frame around the bathtub with them. will the moisture that the planks are exposed to affect them or the adhesive? thanks for any help.
hi margaret, great question! i would definitely call the supplier of the product brand you want to use and ask them, because there are lots of variables from adhesive to sustrate, etc!
The timeless beauty of a simple horizontal plank wood wall is just irresistible.
Could this product work in an RV trailer? Would it stay stuck during a winter?
hi debbie, i believe yes. i would call and ask about the adhesive qualities of the specific product, and if they recommend a stroner adhesive for your situation 🙂
I love it! Thank you for sharing these beautiful projects. I always want to have a pallet wall somewhere in my house.
OMG! I just loved your blog post. You have shared great ideas. A lot of hard work must have been put into these projects.
I love shiplap! We just built a new house and put shiplap on our step ceiling in the living room. It came out great!
I want to try something similar on a small wall in my hallway. Your post has been super helpful!
I am buying a new house and can’t wait to do this in my bedroom !! Thanks for the wonderful idea !
I am in love with these wooden pallets. Great Work! Hard work always gives you beautiful home.
I love it. It gives you that rustic/country feel. It makes the house feel more cozy, without a doubt. Thanks for all the design ideas!
SOOOO much inspiration here. Thank you so much for this. Pinning!!!
These are beautiful. We have a wood tile wall in our guest bathroom and I love it. It really adds a pop to the space.
The Shiplap wall does look like quite the incredible project. I am impressed at how it looks. Such a great project.
I love these tutorials, I also have a couple in different colours and on both planes in my studio. thank you for the generous shares and many options.
OMG these looks are incredible. I’ve recently gotten into DIY, but this is next level!
Thank you very much, I love it!
Wow I just love the wood walls! The wood walls give such a homey, rustic feel to a space!
love the way ship lap looks, Thanks for the list! They’re all beautiful!
I loved this article. I have pinned it for the future. I feel totally inspired!
Love these looks and have done a few tutorials on them myself!
I absolutely adore the idea of having shiplap on every single one of my walls, but sadly, I rent and can’t do it. I have heard that places like Walmart have removable wallpaper with a shiplap print on it for a really decent price, but some people said that it shines in the sun and looks like crap. 🙁 Oh well.
Thanks for the list! They’re all beautiful!
I love the look! It makes it feel so homey and comfortable!
LOVE these walls! Every one of them! I clicked over to your tutorial for white washing…loved that too! I’ve white washed quite a few ways, but have never used a scraper on reclaimed wood. I can’t wait to try that!
I love the wall decorated with wooden pallets. For someone who is DIY-challenged this task looks herculean. Your ideas are awesome.
Gayathri
We recently visited a family friend who bought a new home, gutted it and totally redecorated the entire place. She lives on a lake so it is all themed mermaids and lake house. She did shiplap under her kitchen bar area. She loved the look so much, she bought clear acrylic bar stools so that the shiplap would be the focus. I love the wood pallet wall in your post.
I just love the way shiplap looks. I really like the wall that has all the different colors in it!
Those are some AMAZING projects! I love the look.