Pallet garden furniture ideas

So how do you go about building outdoor furniture from pallets? There are so many different styles of furniture that can be made from used pallets. 

Be sure to familiarise yourself with any safety manuals, for power tools for instance, and wear protective equipment where required, such as gloves and goggles. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with an expert if you are unsure of how to approach a task safely.

• Pallets form a great basis for creating new pieces of furniture for your garden. Give your palette furniture some personality by adding a splash of colour. This is easy to do using exterior wood paint. Exterior wood paint is available in a wide range of different shades, meaning the possible colour combinations are endless. If you’re not sure what to choose, white paint is always a great choice for brightening a space and giving you a blank canvas. You can always come back and add some colour or pattern later on. 

• Before you begin, sand your pallets down using sandpaper or a machine sander to smooth out any rough edges. You’ll also need to watch out for any loose nails or screws, removing these using a hammer or screwdriver. Pallet furniture is known for being a more rustic, DIY alternative to regular garden furniture, however there’s no reason not to take the time needed to prep your boards thoroughly and achieve a high quality finish.

• Next you’ll need a paint brush or roller for applying your chosen shade of paint. While a paint roller will help you achieve a faster, more even finish, it is likely that you will still need a paint brush to reach into smaller corners and tricky areas. 

• Don’t forget to stir your paint thoroughly before you begin and apply multiple thin coats of paint as opposed to one thick coat. Where possible, try to paint outside for maximum ventilation and fast and even drying times. Always make sure your paint is completely dry before adding another layer.

Pallet coffee tables

An easy DIY project that will transform the way you use your outdoor space, pallet coffee tables are a great way to utilise leftover pallets. To build your pallet coffee table, simply clean and sand two wood pallets before stacking them on top of each other. Secure using a drill and some screws. 

Then it’s time for the finishing touches, such as positioning your new coffee table on an outdoor rug, adding a potted plant or vase of flowers. You won’t believe the difference these décor choices can make to your furniture pieces, you just need to get creative. You’ll be enjoying your morning coffee in your new outdoor space in no time!

Comfortable seating area

Create a comfortable seating area in your garden from a stack of used wooden pallets. 

For armchair style seating, stack two pallets on top of each other and then fix another pallet to the back of this stack to create a backrest. Use plenty of screws to fix in place. Build as many individual seats as you need, or combine to form a larger seating area. You can even create an L or U-shaped wooden pallet sofa. 

Seating pads and cushions are essential for completing the look, and can work wonders to transform old garden furniture into something new. 

Planters

Used pallets are ideal for making vertical planters that can be mounted on a wall or fence. As well as giving you more space to grow plants, vertical pallet planters help keep your plants safe from garden pests and animals that might eat them.

To make your own planter, prep your pallet by removing any loose screws or nails and sanding as required. Turn a pallet on its side and affix smaller planks underneath the horizontal struts for resting plant pots on. Why not try creating your own kitchen herb garden with a range of delicious herbs?

Pallet flower bed

Used pallets are also perfect for crafting many other kinds of flower bed, dividers and markers. The best thing about building a pallet bed is that it can be tailor made to suit your garden, potentially maximising your planting space.

Use individual planks of wood from your pallets for making wooden walkways or borders, dividing up sections of a flower bed or vegetable patch, or making signs for labelling different produce. 

Storage area

Used pallets can also be used to create the perfect storage rack for garden forks and trowels, or maybe even your BBQ tools. Why not try hanging your items from storage hooks? Tools hung in this way can even double up as a rustic feature for your garden or tool shed. 

Garden bar

Would you believe us if we told you that five wooden pallets are all it takes to make your very own garden pallet bar? Stand four upended pallets vertically and arrange them in a square. Use the fifth pallet to create the top surface of your garden bar. You can also create a rectangular shape by using six pallets instead of four, or a larger square using eight pallets. Perfect for entertaining, a pallet garden bar could be exactly what you need to spruce up your patio. 

With a little imagination, soon you’ll be sipping sundowners in the peace and tranquillity of your own garden surrounded by softly lit lanterns and twinkling fairy lights. Add some glasses and bar accessories and you’re all set, ready to enjoy your new pallet furniture.