Now that many of us have no choice but to work from home, finding the right furniture and décor that satisfies both a fashionable feel as well as office-environment is no easy task. Trends come and go, so finding furniture that withstands the test of time is important. For those in need of some easy home office renovation ideas, you can find inspiration wherever you look – even in pallets.
These flat wooden structures are commonly used for the transportation and display of goods in the likes of supermarkets and storage facilities. However, have you ever thought of a pallet table for a desk or a pallet shelf for your files? Although this concept may sound rather bizarre, recent Google search data find that ‘pallet furniture’ is becoming an increasingly searched term across the UK, with the term increasing from just 6,600 searches in January 2020, to 33,100 by July 2020.
To help inspire a quirky new office addition to your renovation checklist, we discuss what the nation is searching for when it comes to pallets and how you can freshen up your home office with them.
Pallet tables
Whether it be for the central dining room piece or a desk for your home office, the term ‘pallet tables’ has experienced significant increases in monthly search volumes from 1,300 searches in January 2020 to 4,400 searches in July 2020. The nation is looking for creative new pallet desks too, with the term ‘DIY pallet desk’ increasing by 40% from January 2020 to July 2020.
Although you could purchase a pallet table ready-made from a supplier, opting to make your own means you can add a quirky twist that is unique to you.
Firstly, decide what size office table or desk you want and purchase three pallets that match the size. Alternatively, saw the pallet you have to be the right size and shape.
Since pallets tend to have large spaces between each wooden slat, remove the slats from one of the other pallets using a hammer and chisel and nail them in between the gaps of your main pallet. Make sure to remove all the old nails out of the pallet and secure the slats with new ones. Already, your office tabletop has appeared!
For the legs of the table, use the third pallet you have and saw the slats to meet the length required of the tabletop. For extra strength and balance, use the full thickness of the third pallet, rather than just the individual slats. Then nail them to the tabletop using carriage bolts for extra strength. Finally, smooth the surface down using sanding paper and paint with wood stain.
Once the woodwork is done, decorate the desk however you please!
Pallet shelves
Although a wooden pallet doesn’t initially spring to mind when we think of a new shelf to put up in our home, it does make for a rustic and retro-style piece to hold your office supplies. The term ’simple pallet bookshelf’ has experienced an increase of 150% from January 2020 to July 2020, proving to be an increasingly desired type of decor by the nation.
With the help of some wood-stained pallets, you can craft together a timeless pallet shelf that adds a retro and rustic aesthetic to your home office. Complete the shelf off by adding a set of golden fairy lights around the borders to add a cosy, cottagecore-inspired touch to the frame of the shelf.
Garden furniture
Although the winter months are in full swing, now is the perfect time to start thinking of some outdoor-office ideas that allow you to work outside once the warmer months approach. Or, for those with the likes of a firepit, you can work outside whatever the weather! According to recent data collected, woodland, cottage-style vibes are popular at the moment, and pallet furniture captures that perfectly.
The term ‘pallet garden furniture’ has increased from 2,400 searches in January 2020 to 6,600 searches in July 2020. For those that are looking for a new addition to your deck area that allows for you to work outside, the term ‘pallet sofa’ has excelled in popularity over the years too. The phrase was searched for 1,300 times in January 2020, rising to 12,100 searches in July 2020.
Other than for work purposes, a pallet sofa provides a stylish touch to your back garden furniture too. To save time on figuring out how to DIY your pallet sofa, you could purchase a one pre-made from a supplier and then add your own décor to it once it arrives. For example, get creative with colours and paint it to match your garden aesthetic. Or, purchase a variety of cushions and throws to add to it and make it comfortable enough to do a full day’s work on.
Before committing to working outdoors, it is important to ensure that our outside space is ready; give everywhere a quick check over for any common problems, such as a blocked gully – the last thing you want to be distracted by while working is a pungent blocked drain!
When it comes to quirky office décor, there is inspiration wherever you look. Since the UK has a newfound adoration for pallet-crafted furniture and a need to work from home if possible, learn a new DIY skill this winter and assemble a timeless furniture piece that adds a stylish touch to your office décor.