Decorating advice with Resene
Seen some wooden pallets lying around? With a bit of skill you can turn them into a rustic coffee table. Finish with Resene Aquaclear – a waterborne urethane varnish or if you want a pale wood grain effect you can use a whitewash.
Follow the step-by-step instructions below.
Top tip: Most pallets in New Zealand are now either heat-treated or kiln-dried – look for the initials HT or KD to be sure your pallets are safe to use for furniture. Do not use one that has an MB stamp – this stands for methyl bromide and can be toxic.
To get the look: Mark varnished the wooden floor with Resene Polythane.
Other ideas: For a pale wood grain effect finish the table with Resene Colorwood Whitewash.
You will need:
- 65mm screws
- 90mm screws
- 50mm x 25mm reclaimed timber
- Clean cloth
- Drill with 3mm drill bit
- Electric sander
- Hammer
- Large clamp
- Paint stirrer
- Paintbrush
- Resene Aquaclear satin. For a pale wood grain effect finish the table with Resene Colorwood Whitewash.
- Sandpaper
- Saw
- Screwdriver
- Two wooden pallets
Step-by-step instructions
![How to build a pallet coffee table How to build a pallet coffee table](https://kidspot.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92-pallet-coffee-table-step-1.jpg)
Step one
Using the hammer, carefully disassemble one of the wooden pallets and remove all nails.
![How to build a pallet coffee table How to build a pallet coffee table](https://kidspot.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92-pallet-coffee-table-step-2.jpg)
Step two
Take two of the larger sections of wood and cut into four 450mm lengths to form the table legs.
![How to build a pallet coffee table How to build a pallet coffee table](https://kidspot.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92-pallet-coffee-table-step-3.jpg)
Step three
Smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.
![How to build a pallet coffee table How to build a pallet coffee table](https://kidspot.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92-pallet-coffee-table-step-4.jpg)
Step four
Clamp one of the lengths of wood to the underside of the second pallet, as shown, and fix with 90mm screws, drilling pilot holes first. Repeat with the other lengths of wood to form the table legs.
![How to build a pallet coffee table How to build a pallet coffee table](https://kidspot.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92-pallet-coffee-table-step-5.jpg)
Step five
Measure, mark and cut the 50mm x 25mm reclaimed timber to fit between the gaps in the table top and fix with 65mm screws. Again, drill pilot holes first.
![How to build a pallet coffee table How to build a pallet coffee table](https://kidspot.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92-pallet-coffee-table-step-6.jpg)
Step six
Sand the entire table using the electric sander and then wipe off any sanding residue with a clean cloth.
![How to build a pallet coffee table How to build a pallet coffee table](https://kidspot.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92-pallet-coffee-table-step-7.jpg)
Step seven
Carefully stir the Resene Aquaclear.
![How to build a pallet coffee table How to build a pallet coffee table](https://kidspot.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92-pallet-coffee-table-step-8.jpg)
Step eight
Apply three coats of Resene Aquaclear to the table allowing two hours for each coat to dry.
This project is from the Ways With Wood series with Mark Rayner for Resene.
For more colour ideas and inspiration, view the latest looks online and visit your local Resene ColorShop.
Article created with information from Resene.co.nz
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