Malaysian self-taught DIYer on how to make your own coffee table by upcycling pallets

The completed coffee table made by upcycling pallets. Photos: Aida Ihsani

Step into the new year with a DIY project that embodies fresh beginnings using discarded pallets. Last year, we explored sustainable gifting with a planter and now we are upcycling pallets into a coffee table.

Imagine taking those worn-out pallets you see lying around and turning them into something useful for yourself.

Building a DIY coffee table allows you to give your space a personal touch while being resourceful. This will also be a perfect start for you to be crafty and environmentally conscious in the new year.

So let’s give yourself, and those pallets a new lease on life!

PROJECT - Upcycled Coffee Table

Materials

Top - 3 pieces of 65cm x 15cm pallets

Legs - 4 pieces of 46cm x 4.5cm pallets

+ 4 pieces of 41cm x 4.5cm pallets

Tools

Ruler

Drill driver

Sander with 320 grit sandpaper

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Mask

Goggles

Start by cutting your pallet wood into the sizes you need using any available cutting tools. Pallet wood is soft enough to be cut with a handsaw.

Start by cutting your pallet wood into the sizes you need using any available cutting tools. Pallet wood is soft enough to be cut with a handsaw.

You will only need to measure and mark on the four pieces measuring 47cm x 4.5cm.

You will only need to measure and mark on the four pieces measuring 47cm x 4.5cm.

With a drill driver, make holes using a countersink drill bit where you marked. If not, no worries – you can skip this step.

With a drill driver, make holes using a countersink drill bit where you marked. If not, no worries – you can skip this step.

Time to put it together! Connect the leg pieces using a drill driver with a Philips bit and 1¼ inch screws.

Time to put it together! Connect the leg pieces using a drill driver with a Philips bit and 1¼ inch screws.

Now, you should have two legs that look alike.

Now, you should have two legs that look alike.

Grab a sander with some 320 grit sandpaper to make those top boards and leg pieces nice and smooth. Adjust the grit based on how rough your pallet wood is.

Grab a sander with some 320 grit sandpaper to make those top boards and leg pieces nice and smooth. Adjust the grit based on how rough your pallet wood is.

Lastly, flip your boards bottom-side up and attach the legs from underneath. Repeat with the other leg on the other side.

Lastly, flip your boards bottom- side up and attach the legs from underneath. Repeat with the other leg on the other side.

Aida Ihsani is a self-taught DIYer and woodworker with over eight years of experience. Through her women’s woodworking workshops, she has empowered over 1,000 women to be confident in using power tools and start their DIY journey. For more on Aida’s workshop, visit www.aidaihsani.com or @iamaidaihsani on Instagram. The views expressed are entirely the writer’s.