Easy DIY Pallet Wood Table Top Replacement

As the first piece of furniture that greets your guests coming into your home, an entryway table should be a beautiful centerpiece that is inviting and will capture attention. When I found this sofa table, I knew exactly where I would put it! But it definitely needed a little love. I used milk paint for the base as you can see here, but the top was an entirely different project. See how I made and Easy DIY Pallet Wood Table Top Replacement.

The top of this sofa table was missing its glass when I picked it up (before here). I wasn't too heart broken because I am not a huge fan of glass tops anyway. Coming up with a new idea for the top of this table was priority. Originally I was going to buy some pine planks and use that until my brother-in-law dropped off a perfect pallet! What is better than a free top with amazing texture?!

Easy DIY Pallet Wood Table Top Replacement

STEP 1: Acquire a pallet

First, when searching for a pallet make sure you inspect them for splitting wood. If the wood is splitting in many places, when you remove the planks they will fall apart. Once you have a sturdy pallet you will need to remove the top planks.

STEP 2: Remove the planks

The easiest way to remove the planks of wood is with a sawzall. Make sure you have a metal blade and position your sawmill in between the plank and 2x4. Next, saw right through the nails. I found this to be a much better alternative than prying them off with a hammer. You can take them off with a hammer, just be careful not to split your planks in the process.

STEP 3: Sand the pallet top

Once you have your planks of wood off they will be really rough like these.

I used 80 grit sand paper and my disc sander to sand the planks. Sand the sides and tops of the planks to create a smooth finish and avoid splinters.

Once you have sanded all your planks your wood should look nice and smooth, but still have a texture to it. I love the texture of pallets, it adds so much character.

STEP 4: Assemble the Pallet Wood Table Top

After your planks are sanded turn them wrong side up and lay them out how you want them for your pallet top table. I didn't want all my seams together so I staggered them. (as you can see above) Next, you will need to brace the underside to hold them together. I used wood glue and a finish nailer to hold the braces on.

Easy DIY Pallet Wood Table Top Replacement

Once your glue has dried, place your pallet top on your piece. The pallets will hang over 1 inch on each side of this table. I then glued my pallet top on and used my finish nailer to secure the top to the sofa table. After my top was secured, I sealed the top with a spar urethane.

So there you have it... a beautiful new top!