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Pallet furniture videos are everywhere—from YouTube thumbnails promising thousand-dollar profits to DIYers transforming roadside scrap into rustic statement pieces. But is this DIY trend just hype, or a genuine business opportunity for makers?
Chris, a seasoned furniture builder, set out to answer that very question. In a head-to-head test, he built two identical round coffee tables—one from salvaged pallet wood and one from new poplar lumber—carefully tracking the time, cost, and final sale price of each.
The results might surprise you.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Pallet wood is free, but not cheap – The pallet wood table took more than twice the hours to complete compared to the poplar version.
- Time is money – The poplar table cost $115 in materials, but saved over 19 hours in labor.
- Sales results were nearly identical – Both tables sold for around $750, but the pallet version yielded a much higher hourly wage due to its $0 material cost.
- Skill level matters – For beginners, pallet wood’s imperfections and unpredictability may hinder more than help.
- It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme – Selling pallet furniture as a business is feasible, but not without challenges—and rarely as effortless as online videos suggest.
The Allure of Free Wood
Pallet wood’s popularity stems from its availability—often free and found by the side of the road. The internet is full of creators who claim to turn discarded pallets into valuable furniture. Chris, who normally works with high-end hardwoods, decided to test this for himself.
Using some pallets that came with new equipment, he designed a large round coffee table, building four pie-shaped wedges from the short lengths of salvaged wood. Then, he built a second, nearly identical table from poplar—the cheapest commonly available hardwood—ordering from a reputable online supplier.
A Tale of Two Tables
Chris meticulously documented every dollar spent and every hour worked.
- Pallet Table
- Material Cost: $0
- Labor: 34 hours
- Sale Price: $755
- Effective Hourly Rate: $22.20/hr
- Poplar Table
- Material Cost: $115.50
- Labor: 15 hours
- Sale Price: $750
- Effective Hourly Rate: $42.39/hr
While the pallet table netted a higher total profit due to free materials, the poplar table was far more efficient to produce, delivering nearly double the return per hour.
The Hidden Costs of “Free”
Chris found that while pallets offer savings on materials, they introduce significant complexity. Boards vary wildly in thickness and condition, requiring extra jointing, laminating, sanding, and creative fixes using walnut accents and epoxy.
In contrast, poplar boards were uniform, easier to work with, and faster to process into a clean, professional result. As Chris put it, “Spending $115 for that kind of confidence compared to the frustrations of pallet wood? I think it’s a bargain.”
Is It a Viable Business?
Chris explored whether pallet furniture could be more than a hobby. A quick market search found few examples of long-term, profitable pallet-based businesses. One Etsy shop with over 1,300 sales in five years averaged an estimated $80,000/year gross—not net—and that required building five pieces a week.
The reality? Success with pallet furniture likely depends more on content creation and marketing than just woodworking. For most, it’s a creative side hustle—not a scalable enterprise.
When Pallet Wood Is Worth It
Despite the effort, Chris found real joy in the process. Breaking down the wood felt meditative, and transforming discarded material into something functional was deeply satisfying. For hobbyists or eco-conscious makers, pallet projects offer:
- Low-risk experimentation
- A way to fund your hobby through small sales
- The joy of upcycling
But for newer woodworkers, pallet wood’s quirks may lead to frustration. Uniform materials like poplar are easier to cut, join, and finish—helping boost confidence and build skills faster.
Final Verdict: Should You Build With Pallet Wood?
If you’re in it for the money, probably not.
If you’re in it for the challenge, creativity, or sustainability, absolutely.
Pallet wood projects aren’t a fast-track to wealth, but they can be a rewarding outlet for creative reuse and craftsmanship. Just go into it with realistic expectations—and maybe a backup supply of epoxy.