38 DIY Pallet Wood Signs to Make and Create

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Creating a wooden pallet sign is a great way to introduce a chic and rustic hanging into your home. While there are simple designs you can make, such as an inspirational quote on a wood-stained background, there are also so many other ways you can create fantastic homemade pallet signs.

Keep reading to see some of my favorite projects. Here is how to make a wood pallet sign with little or no DIY experience:

A rustic love pallet sign

DIY Pallet Wood Sign Projects

These really straightforward and easy-to-follow DIY projects are a great place to start when you are building your first pallet sign or if you need some clarity on a certain step as you are crafting. Make sure that you start here before you begin your next pallet wood project.

1. Simple DIY Pallet Signs Instructions

This simple wood pallet project is a great place to start and get a full breakdown of how to pull apart the pallet, remove the nails, trim the edges and reattach them to create the base. You may also use a stainable wood filler if needed.

​Such a pallet will go great along with your ​gun storage cabinet if you wish to disguise it as something else.

Chestnut club pallet sign

This step-by-step instruction post also has a bunch of pictures to help you go through the creation process. I specifically love the section about how the paint will look on the sign if you opt to paint, stain or even leave it natural.

Get started here: www.thediyplaybook.com

2. Long Quote Pallet

This DIY pallet was put into the getting started section to give you some great tips on how to map out and place a longer quote evenly on the board. Feel free to resize one of my scroll saw patterns.

Quote pallet

Check out this DIY tutorial: www.theturquoisehome.com

Painted Pallet Wood Sign Ideas

Below are some of my favorite pallet signs DIY projects created with painting and decals.

3. Two-Toned Quote

This two-for-one painted pallet sign gives you a long quote with a shorter one painted a different color in the words to give you a dual message on one sign.

Color blocked text

Don’t worry about wasting your paint – you can always use it for repainting the deck in your backyard.

See the finished product here: www.bloominghomestead.com

4. For Sisters

This DIY pallet sign is a great gift for your sister. The pink wood distressing effect is really easy to do, even if you have never tried it. Paint the wood with the pink matte color first and then, once it is dry, paint the sign white.

Sister pallet

Once the white layer is fully dried, use a light grade of sandpaper to rub the wood sign to easily lift the white and show the pink underneath. Make sure that you allow both layers of paint to fully dry, though. If they are still wet when you begin distressing, the paint won’t rub right and may chip off in large chunks.

Check out this great sign here: www.ithappensinablink.com

5. Favorite Love Story

Love pallet sign

The included link to this beautiful DIY pallet is for buying, However, you should easily make one yourself. Place the broken down and trimmed boards together with the top woodworking tools and equipment then use ​black paint for the first layer.

Follow-up with a thick white coat for the letters. Modge podge the letters onto the white background and then paint the entire board grey. Once everything is fully dried, peel up the letters and use some light sandpaper to distress the top, bottom and sides to reveal the black base.

See the inspiration here: www.aimeeweaverdesigns.com

6. Reverse Pallet Sign

Welcome pallet sign

What sets this DIY sign apart from the rest is the small sideways securing boards are utilized as a part of the front design. This layout gives the sign a caged look by putting the words between the securing bars.

Instead of modge podging the single cut-out letters on one color while painting another over them, this DIY task demands that you keep the natural wood look as its background.

You can hand paint the letters after tracing with a light pencil or use a vinyl stencil and similar tools.

Check out this great project here: www.u-createcrafts.com

7. Monogram Sign

Personalize your home decor with this striking family name sign. All you need is a pallet sign base, printed out paper letters for tracing, and some paint.

S pallet sign

These easy-to-do guidelines give your painted crafts the structure and beautiful design. No need to worry about making mistakes when you are using paint. I’ve got you covered.

Set this on a table as a decor piece along with some of my homemade DIY mason jar crafts.

See the instructions for this sign here: www.whatsonmyporch.com

8. Snow Inspiration

Get ready for some winter fun with this really cute wood sign to set or hang around your home. The white words on a dark wood design really bring out the rustic beauty.

Let it snow pallet sign

The design for this cut-out stencil was made from cricket and utilizes freezer paper stencils which is cool to try.

Take a look here for the instructions: www.livelaughrowe.com

Bonus: Take your DIY Christmas decor to the next level with my holiday scroll saw patterns!

9. Hung with Ribbon

There is just something about adding a touch of ribbon to signs made out of pallets. It gives them a softer design element and makes them easy to hang.

Laundry hanger pallet sign

You can attach ribbons in a few ways. Use hot glue to attach the ribbons or twine on the back for an attachment that can hold lighter signs. You can also use a drill bit to make a hole at the top of the pallet for fitting the ribbon through or you can tie a ribbon to picture frame loops using screws.

Check out this tutorial here: www.littlebitofpaint.com

10. Chalkboard

I love the color contrast of the black chalkboard paint with the bright turquoise lettering. You can easily achieve this look by painting the turquoise first, modge podging the stencil letters down, and then painting the entire sign in chalkboard paint

See the instructions here: www.thewoodconnectionblog.com

11. Biking

If you enjoy the chic look that biking pictures bring to a room, then this is a great DIY project for you to try. It can be a great gift to your significant other.

Bike pallet sign

Use letter stencils for the words or write them with a pencil before you paint. You can order this cute bike stencil if you don’t think your freehand drawing is as passable as your letters are.

​You’ve got to see this project here: www.aglimpseinsideblog.com

12. Porch Pallet Sign

Outdoor pallet sign

Instead of taking the pallet apart, you can opt to keep it in the original form and paint it.

Keeping the entire wood pallet intact gives you a much larger surface than you would have if you took the pallet apart and trimmed the boards down. With this large canvas, you can choose to paint it or keep it natural​.

Such DIY wood pallet signs look great when perched onto the house. You also use one to warn outsiders of your dogs right next to the wooden fence for your pets.

See the inspiration here: www.remodelaholic.com

13. DIY Wall Art

When making pallet signs, you don’t have to always use words or quotes. You can create beautiful simplistic artworks to give your home a rustic look.

Flower pallet sign

While this stunning piece was created freehand by an artist, you can also opt to use a large stencil and some paint.

Take a look here: www.persialou.com

14. Precious Hands and Feet

Get your little ones in on the pallet sign artwork by creating a hands and feet sign. Make sure that you are using non-toxic paint, though.

Feet love pallet sign

See this sweet project here: www.inspirationalmomma.com

Single Board Designs

Pallet signs don’t always have to be multiple boards, instead, you can create some really great signs with just a single board. These smaller boards look great over door frames or above cabinetry and windows.

15. Single Board Dated Sign

Here is a project that is great for getting the most bang out of your single wood pallet. Using this basic design, you can make multiple pallet signs for your home or make some gifts with the leftover.

Anniversary date pallet sign

All you need to make this sign is one board, cut down to the size you want, painted and then personalized with the quote or date.

Take a look here: www.blesserhouse.com

16. Farmhouse Home Sign

I love how simple yet complex this finished design is thanks to a small greenery circlet that is the focal point of this home sign.

Wreath home pallet sign

To make this DIY project you can stencil, freehand, or even glue wooden letters onto a single pallet board. However, if you want the greenery circle to have a full effect, I suggest you use paint for the other letters and skip the additional 3D letters.

If you want to learn how to make your own shed from scratch, check out my guides:

See the project here: www.504main.com

17. Interchangeable Howdy

Wreath howdy pallet sign

If you want something more out of the circle wreath sign then this is the project for you.

The circlet can be designed for different seasons or themes so that you can switch it up to reflect your home’s decor or the current holiday. The included circlet wreath inspirations cover Christmas​ among other holidays and even seasonal decor such as spring, fall, ​summer and more.​

You can also incorporate ​a wooden soccer ball or other round cutouts with a ribbon behind.

More on this DIY: ​theamericanpatriette.com​​​

18. Embroidered Sign

This really neat sign is unexpected when it comes to DIY pallet signs, but can be a great asset to your home for years to come.

Threaded hello pallet isgn

You will need to have the word that you want to use printed out on a piece of paper and use a punch awl to poke holes from the letters onto the wood pallet piece. Use my guide on how to use drill bit to create the holes. 

Tip: You can print out the letters “USA” to serve as your home’s decor for independence day.

Take a look at the rest of the instructions here: www.mysocalledcraftylife.com

19. Welcome

Vertical welcome pallet sign

Not all signs need to be side to side, and I love this one that hangs vertically by a door or window. This lengthy single-board sign is also great to help create a straight side for a picture wall that has ​ a lot of different picture frames already.

Check out this great sign here: www.housebyhoff.com

20. Three Tiered

With this great single board pallet sign, you can bind each board together with some colorful felt or leather strips to create a saying or to name the people in your family.

Three tiered pallet sign

The ​material you choose is tied onto the ends to secure and hold each board in place. If it feels unstable you can add some hot gun to secure each board. You can use as many single-board words as you need for the perfect craft.

Get your inspiration here: www.makingmanzanita.com

21. Vegetable Markers

Vegetable markers

For gardeners, this is a great and easy DIY set of signs to help you remember what you planted and where. You can also consider placing these beside your compost bins so you can have one set of plants per bin.

These veggie markers get their dreamlike white design by you painting a single-stroke coat across the middle and then going back to paint feathering out strokes. Since this project is really easy to make, you can add this to your list of outdoor projects to work on during the summertime.

Start crafting there here: www.iheartnaptime.net

22. String Art Welcome

String vase and flowers pallet sign

Add a little bouquet of joy with this great DIY string art welcome sign.

Similar to the previous tall and slim welcome sign, you will keep the board straight up and down, setting the letters on top of one another.

This is also a great season-changing welcome sign since you can create small seasonal flower bouquets to fit in the sign. This will be great to go with some string light decor for a great, intimate ambiance.

Take a look here: www.homedit.com

3D Pallet Sign Ideas

Words are great but sometimes the addition of a 3D element can really elevate your wood pallet sign to a more eye-catching piece.

23. Spooning

You can’t look at this sign without giggling just a little, making it one of my favorites on the list.

Spooning pallet sign

The 3D effect of this DIY pallet sign is the spoons as well as the letters. If you don’t want to or have the setup to stencil your quote, you can opt for using pre-cut wood letters. These letters can be easily stained or painted and glued onto the sign.

You’ve got to see this design here: www.craftcuts.com

24. Twine and Pallet Sign

Using twine or a thick rope is an out-of-the-box way to add lettering to your DIY wooden sign without needing a stencil or paitnt. Plus, its rustic design really matches well with a nice pallet bed that you can build yourself.

Love pallet sign

To make sure that you are outlining the words correctly, it’s best to use a pencil or piece of chalk. Just make sure that your choice of rope or twine is able to bend to the curves. Once your outline has been made, you simply hot glue and attach the twine little by little.

Get the instructions here: www.funkyjunkinteriors.net

25. Create

If you want a great pallet sign for your crafty space then this is exactly what you need to show off some of your skills. Instead of using a pre-made sign, you can create your own two to three pallet board sign with instructions from the first project on this list.

Create pallet sign

If you have kids, then they can help with creating paint splotches and splashes over the canvas as a fun addition to the creative sign.

See the instructions here: www.homedit.com

26. Spelling it Out

Vertical love pallet sign

This simple yet neat sign is a great way to show your family and friends that you love them.

It’s also cheap to make since most of it is made from scrap pallet material and any leftover wood pieces. You can make the letters from simple shapes such as rectangles, ovals, and triangles.

​Nailing them into the board with a brad nailer gives this project an easy way to attach the pieces and offers it a neat, industrial tone.

Check out the plans for this project here: www.not2shabbydarling.com

27. Anchor

Anchor pallet sign

For nautical or seaworthy rooms, this anchor sign is a must-have. It is a simple design that you can use a decal for or simply trace from a printed-out plan.

Keeping true to summer vibing colors, the blue and white pallet sign is sure to be a calming element to your home this summer, helping you chase away the cool weather blues.

Take a look here: www.thehappyhousie.com

28. Wood Cutout Family

The multiple-color background of this wooden sign makes it one of my top picks on this list. It is incredibly easy to make, so you can make one for yourself and one for a friend to display it beside a creative honeycomb shelf.

Family pallet sign

To create the sign, you will need to cut a few boards to size and paint them all different colors. You can pick from the calming blue family like the project shown or brighten up the sign with some pink or coral pastels. 

Get started here: www.dreamingindiy.com

29. Spring Hello

Hello hanging pallet sign

This sign is a balanced blend of industrial and bright flowers to help you chase away the rainy spring days.

You can stain or lacquer the wood pallets to a darker color or choose your preferred paint as the base. Once it dries, attach the letters and then decorate around them. Making signs out of pallet wood shouldn’t take longer than three hours.

See the inspiration here: www.twopurplecouches.com

30. Coffee Sign

This sign is perfect for any coffee lover. It doubles as a great coffee crate decoration above your brewer as well as a cup holder.

Coffee pallet sign

While this craft has been made from a coffee crate top, you can easily recreate it by putting three pallet boards together, attaching rustic hinges, and using a coffee decal or stencil to make it. A perfect match for your rustic pallet coffee table.

Take a look at the sign here: www.funkyjunkinteriors.net

31. For Socks

For socks that get lost in the laundry, this is the pallet sign that you need to help them find their mate. To make it, you’ll need paint, a stencil for the letters, and clothes pins for holding the socks.

Check out this cute sign here: www.100things2do.ca

32. Ombre Twine Hearts

Crochet hearts pallet sign

If you have some spare yarn around, this project is a fun afternoon craft that you can make with the kids.

Lightly stain the wood pallet to give it a soft backlight to the ombre hearts. To create the yarn hearts, wrap the yarn around a cardboard cutout. You don’t need to worry about wrapping the heart cutouts neatly, the messier the better with this project.

See this cute project here: www.growingupgabel.com

33. Ampersand

Ampersand pallet sign

The ampersand is a bundle of meanings that have one reason – to connect the people, places, and words in my lives.

This is one of the simplest DIY pallet signs, yet the most elegant designs that you can add to your walls. The jigsaw would be your best option for cutting the pallets in this project.

With beginner-friendly instructions, all you need is a basic pallet, some stain to keep it natural-looking, and a metal ampersand sign that you can nail or glue to the pallet.

Take a look here: thecottagemarket.com

34. Functional Kitchen Sign

Every kitchen pallet sign should have a little function to help you get through the busy mornings, long afternoons, and family dinners. This sign has a little bit of it all to give you the rustic reclaimed wood feel with the functionality of a kitchen organizer.

Bakery pallet sign

Once you paint and add the personalized stenciling words of your choice, you can add hooks or even leftover wine corks to ​hold your utensils or coffee cups. Making signs out of pallets is easy with the right tools.

Match this with your own rustic kitchen bar stools for the perfect look.

Find your inspiration here: www.hometalk.com

35. Laundry Rack

Laundry pallet sign

Keeping up with the functional pallet sign design – this wood, industrial piece will be your next must-have DIY project.

The dual functionality of decor and a place to hang a few items to dry is a great way to help you maximize space in a smaller laundry room. Although you may need to bring out your socket organizer to help you put this together.

After painting and lettering the wooden pallets, connect some industrial metal pipes to create a hanging rack.

Just make sure that you measure and test the distance with a hanger before you glue or nail the pipes in place. You can also add some cork ​to the board to hang smaller items.

You’ve got to check this one out: www.funkyjunkinteriors.net

Modge Podge DIY Pallets

As previously mentioned, you can modge podge letters on these pallet signs in order to secure the simple paper decals while you paint over the area however, you can also use modge podge to adhere pictures and other types of paper to create beautiful pallet signs. Take a look at some of my favorites.

36. 3D Heart

Rustic heart pallet sign

This heart cut out is simple and beautiful, a great addition to any pocket door, wall, room or space in your home. I love the way the small pieces of the heart are put together like a puzzle.

You can paint each piece a different color and modge podge a letter or sheet music on one of the planks to give this heart something to say. You can also name each piece of the heart for the members of your family to make it a more personalized piece.

See the project here: www.scavengerchic.com

37. Vintage ​Wallpaper

Wallpaper printed palelt

Putting vintage floral designs from wallpaper onto wooden pallets to create art is one of the most beautiful designs on this list.

You could make it a standalone art piece or put a stencil over the finished design and add in a quote.

For the DIY part of this task, you will want to trim or rough up the wallpaper with a sander before you begin to modge podge it on.

The more ripped and damaged the paper, the more rustic or antiqued the finished project will be.

Find your inspiration here: www.1001pallets.com

38. Poster

Air balloon painting on pallet

Give your favorite poster the reclaimed wood treatment and trust me you won’t be sorry. This is also a great idea for giving movie posters a rustic and worn look that will have your friends and family wondering how you got such a great movie prop.

For posters you will place the poster down onto a pre-modge podged pallet frame and then add another thick coat on the top.

The real magic of this project is to wait until it is dry to go back over it with an Exacto Knife to carve out the poster material from the space between the boards as well as in any natural wood cracks. 

It takes a little longer, but this extra step will make the poster really melt into the wood. Afterwards, you can coat with an additional sealant for extra protection.

Find your next project here: www.myfancyschmancylife.com

How To Use a Jigsaw For Your DIY Home Improvement Projects

Start Getting Scrappy

So many of these projects can be made with little to no money thanks to the availability of used pallets at local home stores and grocery stores. While you are breaking them apart you should clean the pallets to make sure that there is no leftover residue from their previous use.

Allen runs a popular home website, and understands what it takes to educate audiences through online content. Through his focus at home, Allen developed an insatiable appetite for home improvement projects that he could do for cheap on weekends. Over the years, he has gained valuable experience, which he shares in detail in articles like How to Build A DIY Dining Room Table. His ability to clearly share these DIY ideas is a huge asset, and he is a valuable resource to the home improvement community.