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Reclaimed Pallet Wood Chest

Spring cleaning is a grand idea for sure, but I also feel any kind of purging is therapeutic and good for the soul. I’ll be honest and say that I’m a hopeful person with the optimistic outtake on life most times. However, reality can set in and give a sort of rude smack. Am I right? Well, first take a look at my reclaimed pallet wood stash.

Reclaimed Hardwood Pallets Before | prodigalpieces.com

Several years ago, JC, brought home hardwood pallets made of ash and a bit of cherry and maple. While the idea is wonderful to save them, having time to make use of them is another issue. I’ve held these aside with hopes to treat myself to a massive butcher block cutting board for my kitchen. You can also see how I’ve used it HERE to make a bee skep. So, early this winter, I decide it is now or never since I’ve been asking my husband for this as a gift for many years now for Christmas or birthday. Better to just do it myself as it will never happen otherwise.

DIY TIME

As most fun girls do, they treat themselves to things every once in a while. However, in my case I have to mainly have necessity determine my purchases. When we were working on our kitchen remodel, I purchased a bench-top planer to help us get the job done quickly. I love these kinds of gifts. You know my motto: #toolsoverjewels

Benchtop DeWalt Planer | prodigalpieces.com

Likewise, it’s come in handy for so many DIY projects. Here’s a peek at some of the pallet wood I pull out that is still quite shaggy.

Reclaimed Pallet Wood Before Planing | prodigalpieces.com

Ain’t it purdy? Take a look at one board after I planed the wide sides. Wow!

Planed Ash Reclaimed Pallet Wood | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

What’s more is that you get all sorts of good wood shavings to use in the garden. Also, note that this pallet wood is not chemically treated. Make sure you look for an “HT” for heat treated wood.

Reclaimed Pallet Wood Shavings from Planing | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

NEXT STEPS

Then, while I’m doing a celebratory dance at finally getting somewhere for this project to be complete, I realize the wood is not maple (as I took a closer look at the grain). HUGE downer…ash is not a good wood for making a cutting board. While it’s super solid, it’s more porous deeming it a safety hazard for holding bacteria. BOO. So, I set it aside and decide to wait until another idea strikes.

That’s what leads us to today. Finally, I’m back at it as we’ve reached a heat wave of a whopping 24° F. Time to break out the flip-flops…not. I take an inventory of thickness of the wood and find that 5 of the boards are 1 ¾” thick, while the rest are 1 ½” thick. Talk about serious awesomeness!

Rought Cut Reclaimed Pallet Wood | prodigalpieces.com

Also, notice the notch in the wood. Each board has that so I need to rip the boards on my table saw as wide as I can. However, I did call JC in to help with this as the saw was acting up and making me nervous. I still have nerve damage in my two fingers I buzzed while remodeling in our mudroom.

My goal is to use the wood length and width to its fullest with having little, if any, waste. You can take a peek at my past builds here in my project gallery. After some sketches, I come up with this…at least for one side. The short pieces are scrap from ripping the thicker pieces with the notch.

Rough Assemble of Sawn Reclaimed Pallet Wood by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Not only do we have nail holes left from the original pallet assembly, but also this gorgeous grain.

ASSEMBLY

Next, to assemble, I use my pocket joint jig and get even more sore. haha. In addition, if you see some lady walking down the street all bent over and moaning with aches, that would be me. Holy smokes is this wood hard to cut and drill! Plus, it doesn’t help I’m terribly out of shape.

Pocket Joint Jig to Assemble Ash Reclaimed Pallet Wood | prodigalpieces.com

Then, I wise up and break out my impact drill to lighten my load. An impact drill is like asking your Dad to open the wickedly stuck jar lid…more force and strength. Booyah! Here’s the bare bones assembly of the reclaimed pallet wood from using every inch of the length and width thus far.

Assembled Reclaimed Pallet Wood Chest Frame | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

MORE BUILDING

While I could make this into many things from here, like a console table with hidden storage and shelf below, or maybe a shoe rack with tilt shelves. What would you do with it? Instead, however, I want to make it into a chest for storing blankets, laundry, memories…you get the idea. So, in order to do that I need to cut side panels out of luan (a thin plywood). Then, to contrast the beautiful wood grain in the ash, I paint the panels a soft green.

Painting Side Panels of Reclaimed Pallet Wood Chest by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

In the meantime, while the paint cures I use hemp oil to protect and dress up the wood. I had a little helper who did wonders to make the job fun too. My daughter kept saying, “The wood is so pretty!” Smart girl.

Also, notice I’m leaving some of the wear on the pallet wood to create a textured style. Who doesn’t love a story-telling way?

Hemp OIl Application on Ash Pallet Wood | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Last, with JC’s help on the table saw again, I make a lid for my reclaimed pallet wood chest from scrap plywood cased in a mitered edge of 1″ pine ripped to fit. Likewise, I paint it in the same green. Finally, all it needs is some hinges and we’re good to go.

THE REVEAL

Can I just say I am a little skip-happy with not only being able to build my vision, but also that I get to share it with you. I hope you like it!

Reclaimed Farmhouse Storage Chest Made from Pallets by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #farmhouse #reclaimed #woodworking #diy

Modern Farmhouse Storage Chest Built by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #farmhouse #home #diy #furniture

With little to no scrap, my goal was to build a simple, yet functional piece that had a Shaker-ish sorta look to it while offering storage. It can serve in any room in a home while hiding the daily grind goods we all have.

Top View of Rustic Farmhouse Storage Chest from Reclaimed Pallet Wood by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #storage #furniture #farmhouse

Inside Farmhouse Storage Chest Build by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #farmhouse #furntiure #home #diy

Additionally, nothing makes you feel better than adding your own mark to your work. I’m marking all the things with my branding iron. hee hee. Tell me…what would you store in this chest?

Prodigal Pieces Logo Branded | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Vintage Style Vignette on Reclaimed Pallet Wood Chest by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #vintage #reclaimed #furniture

Also, if you can believe it, I even have some lumber left that I’m eager to make up into something else fun. Any ideas?

Side View of Reclaimed Pallet Wood Chest Built by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #furniture #reclaimed #farmhouse

Handmade Farmhouse Chest with Storage Built from Reclaimed Pallet Wood by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #farmhouse #diy #reclaimed #home

If you’d like to add it to your home story, you can find it and more available in my online shop.

Shop Prodigal Pieces Furniture, Vintage Finds, Handmade Goods, & Supplies for your home | shop.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

SHARE

In order to inspire others, pin, share, forward this post. Let’s pull up our sleeves and DIY!

Larissa of Prodigal Pieces builds this storage chest out of Reclaimed Pallet Wood | See it at prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #furniture #woodworking #upcycled #reclaimed #farmhouse

Up next, here’s a few bits I found at a local ministry’s thrift store. Any guesses? Check it out HERE.

Thrifted Photo Frame Before Makeover | prodigalpieces.com

Sign up for my newsletter to get all the details sent right to you. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Until next time!

blog signatureAlso, more reclaimed pallet wood projects:

Build a relaimed wood desk set as shown built by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #furntiure #home #homedecor #diyGrab those pallets and make your own home decor with these examples by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #reclaimed #pallets #diy #home

Comments

  1. Rebecca - NC says

    You’ve done it again!! You’ve absolutely amazed me with your creativity! ? Who couldn’t use such a beautiful piece with extra added storage??? Brilliant!!! ?

    • Larissa says

      I hope you can tell how much fun I had creating this. Thank you so much, Rebecca!

  2. susan says

    Don’t know how you do it…..come up with all those creative ideas! It’s beautiful Larissa! And too funny you have your own branding iron! Love it ?

    • Larissa says

      Thanks! I build all the time and was hand-writing my name on each. This is much more of a hottie and easier.

  3. Cheryl Atkinson says

    Hi Larissa, you have great skills. Lumber is so expensive right now so you hit the jackpot. Great build.

    • Larissa says

      You ain’t kiddin’ girl! Yes, so pricey and makes it hard to find too. Thanks so much, Cheryl!

  4. Charleen says

    Larissa,you have done it again!!This is such a lovely piece made from scraps. God. Blesses you mightily. Beautiful job. Do you ever keep any thing you make? Take care

    • Larissa says

      How fun to hear, Cheryl. Thanks!! I do, but mostly only for our remodels. I would keep this one for my quilts if I had room. Kids come first. tee hee!

  5. Niki says

    I really like the contrast of the raw wood against the deep green! I may have said it before but I almost did my kitchen in green until I thought about selling our house and whether or not others would appreciate green cabinets. I’m now in the process of figuring out what to do in my livingroom for storage. I had a cabinet with glass doors that looked too cluttered. I want built ins across the east wall 15 ft. And of coarse as mentioned wood is expensive right now. But if I do it I want to paint them green with a butcher block countertop. As far as this cool chest, I would put my throw blankets and pillows in it, or maybe my dog food bins.
    On another note my husband tried to slice off his pinky once while cutting on his table saw. I don’t like saws at all. Blessings to you Larissa! Great job on this project.

    • Larissa says

      Oooh…that would be so sweet! I love greens inside bringing outside in, especially wood tones paired with it. Ouch with the husband! Saving up for a safe saw. I love saws, just not our table saw. haha.

  6. Michele M / Finch Rest says

    Oh, Larissa – I sure admire the way you make the world a better place taking scraps to become such meaningful pieces.

    Happy birthdays to you and your family, too. Hope it is a fabulous year for you all. Stay well.

    • Larissa says

      You sure do know how to make a gal feel good, Michele. Thank you so much for the wishes and sweet words. Hugs! 😀

  7. Mary says

    I just love and look forward to your posts every week Larissa. Love your sense of humor too…(break out the flip-flops at 24 degrees lol 🙂 When I saw just the frame you created from the pallet wood I thought…i would be mighty proud if I could just make that frame! (and I would 🙂 This is a very sweet piece… Depending on dimensions and if I could put plastic bins in it, it would make an awesome recycling center in the kitchen or oversized cookie sheets, long boxes of foil, extra kitchen supplies.. ❤️ …for just one idea. Its very versatile and can have many functions 🙂 Thank you for inspiring once again!

    • Larissa says

      You are just so fun, Mary, I could hug ya! 😀 I totally would love to keep this for many thing, but alas, lack the space per usual. One day I can build for my dream home!

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Client Love

I love it! Larissa is amazing. She listened to what I wanted and then she took care of the rest! This is my second piece I've bought from her and I'm in love! I highly recommend her.

~ Laurel

Prodigal Pieces
2020-03-21T21:34:13-04:00

~ Laurel

I love it! Larissa is amazing. She listened to what I wanted and then she took care of the rest! This is my second piece I've bought from her and I'm in love! I highly recommend her.

I love this cart, it's exquisite. The item was received in extremely secure packaging, no damage to the item. The delivery person was very professional and courteous. Larissa of Prodigal Pieces is so very amazing. A rating of 10 is deserved. Thank you, Larissa.

~ Stephanie

Prodigal Pieces
2020-03-21T21:39:34-04:00

~ Stephanie

I love this cart, it's exquisite. The item was received in extremely secure packaging, no damage to the item. The delivery person was very professional and courteous. Larissa of Prodigal Pieces is so very amazing. A rating of 10 is deserved. Thank you, Larissa.

I should have left this review MONTHS ago! I absolute love this lunch bag. I honestly carry this 5 days a week. It is the perfect size! Not only can you put your lunch in it, it can also hold your book. I enjoy reading at lunch, so I have all I need in one cute bag. Thank you so much Larissa!

~ Mikki

Prodigal Pieces
2020-03-21T21:43:16-04:00

~ Mikki

I should have left this review MONTHS ago! I absolute love this lunch bag. I honestly carry this 5 days a week. It is the perfect size! Not only can you put your lunch in it, it can also hold your book. I enjoy reading at lunch, so I have all I need in one cute bag. Thank you so much Larissa!

Awww…I love this sweet Cat with an attitude!! SO SO adorable! Well worth the money, and he will become a priceless treasure in my home! Thanks Larissa for always making your ideas turn into true treasures!

~ Sharon

Prodigal Pieces
2020-03-21T21:45:37-04:00

~ Sharon

Awww…I love this sweet Cat with an attitude!! SO SO adorable! Well worth the money, and he will become a priceless treasure in my home! Thanks Larissa for always making your ideas turn into true treasures!

Perfect purchase from start to finish! Absolutely adorable piece so creatively thought out. Packed with the greatest of care with lightening fast delivery. Very customer-oriented and friendly crafter. Could not ask for more! Thank you!

~ Deanna

Prodigal Pieces
2020-03-21T21:52:00-04:00

~ Deanna

Perfect purchase from start to finish! Absolutely adorable piece so creatively thought out. Packed with the greatest of care with lightening fast delivery. Very customer-oriented and friendly crafter. Could not ask for more! Thank you!
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