UK · Updated 2026 · How-to

DIY Projects Using Reclaimed Timber: 20 Ideas Under £100

Reclaimed scaffold boards, pallet slats and site offcuts unlock 20+ high-impact DIY projects that cost £30–£100 in materials and £0 in machinery you don't already own. The 20 below are the ones our editors' readers actually build.

Top 5 fastest builds

  • Scaffold-board coffee table (2 hours, £35)
  • Pallet-slat planter wall (3 hours, £15)
  • Board-and-batten TV console (4 hours, £60)
  • Bathroom shelving trio (2 hours, £25)
  • Kitchen open shelving (3 hours, £45)

Tools you need

Drill/driver, orbital sander, mitre saw (or a good handsaw), tape, pencil, wood oil. That's it.

Frequently asked questions

+Should I plane scaffold boards?

Sand only for rustic; plane for furniture-grade finish. Planing loses the character marks — most buyers of reclaimed keep them.

+What oil finish is best?

Osmo Polyx or Fiddes Hard Wax Oil. Two coats, 24 hours apart, buff between.

More SurplusBuilder guides