Creating Garden Furniture from Pallets

Pallet furniture has been soaring in popularity recently. 

Not only does it have a stylish, rustic appearance that can give your garden’s look the edge, but upcycling pallets in this way provides a number of other benefits.

For instance, it’s an environmentally friendly way to reuse pallets that would otherwise likely find their way into landfill or be burned for fuel. 

Plus, they can help save you money on traditional garden furniture which may be more expensive.  

In this article, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about garden furniture from pallets, including the types of furniture you can create and tips on how to do so.

What is pallet furniture? 

The term pallet furniture refers to wooden pallets that have been reused or upcycled into a variety of furniture types – most typically furniture that will be used in gardens and outdoor spaces.

While a pallet’s primary use is to transport, lift and store heavy goods, transforming pallets into garden furniture is not the first time that they’ve been used in an alternative way.

In fact, in medieval times, pallets used to be used as makeshift beds. Cloth or straw would be placed on the pallet to cushion the wood, and servants would sleep on them. In some cases, servants would even sleep on pallets at the bottom of their masters’ beds so they could attend to them at any time. 

These days, pallets can be incorporated into gardens and outdoor spaces in all manner of ways. 

We’ll explore how to make garden furniture from pallets in the following sections. 

Pallet furniture ideas 

Pallets are extremely versatile, and the list of garden furniture made from pallets is extensive. 

Let’s outline just a few of the garden furniture from pallet options you can choose from…

Garden bench

Enhance your outdoor space with a seating area by transforming pallets into a stunning garden bench. You can customise the size of the bench depending on the number of people in your household, and paint it any colour or style depending on your home’s unique appearance and your preferences.

Planters 

By removing small sections of a pallet, you can create minimalist planters in which you can grow all kinds of plants, flowers and even vegetables. The solid wooden structures provide the perfect habitat for growing all kinds of vegetation. 

Storage units 

Create bespoke and innovative storage units by utilising pallets in a truly unique way. 

By hanging a pallet on the wall and applying hooks to it, you can provide a place where garden tools, plant pots and other garden essentials can be safely stored.

Low garden tables 

Al fresco dining is extremely popular these days, and you can create great garden dining tables using pallets to enhance this experience. 

Upturned pallets can be crafted into tables of all sizes, providing you with a rustic picnic area to enjoy eating with loved ones. You can even add table legs to the pallet if you want a more formal eating area. 

Small tables can also be created to provide a place to put your drink while you relax in the sun. 

Shelving units 

Another great storage solution, transforming pallets into shelving units is a great way to keep your garden items in order. 

You can store plant pots in the pallet’s beams, giving it a beautiful appearance that takes the aesthetic of your garden to the next level. 

The pallets can also be painted the same colour as your garden fences so they align with your specific style. 

Outdoor sofas 

If you love the idea of having outdoor furniture in your garden but sofas are proving too expensive, this is a great cost-effective solution. 

By prising pallets apart and nailing them to wooden frameworks, you can create incredible statement corner sofas that add a great seating area to your outdoor space. Finish it off with cushions for a more cosy and professional appearance. 

How to make garden furniture from pallets

If you’re looking to make use of leftover pallets by turning them into stunning garden furniture, there are a number of options available to you.

One of the simplest and easiest pieces of garden furniture made from pallets is a garden bench. No matter your experience level, whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or a complete novice, by following the simple steps below you will be left with a practical and stylish new addition to your garden or outdoor space. 

What you need to make a garden bench from pallets

If you’ve decided to build a garden bench from wooden pallets, there are a number of things you’ll require in order to successfully carry out the task.

This includes:

• Wooden pallets (at least three)
• An electric sander 
• Garden furniture chalk paint 
• A small paint roller 
• A paint brush
• Cushions 
• An electric drill with screws 
• Metal joining plates for the pallets 

Once you’ve got all of this equipment to hand, you’re ready to start transforming your pallets into a stunning garden bench. 

Let’s find out how…

How to make a garden bench from pallets   

If you’ve decided to make a garden bench and you’ve got all your equipment ready, you can begin building your excellent garden furniture made from pallets.

Simply follow the below step-by-step guide and you’ll have a great, unique garden bench in no time!

Source your pallets 

Before we delve into the process of building the bench, just a note on how to source pallets. If you already have access to leftover pallets, you won’t need to worry about this.

Often, pallets can be sourced for free. Simply head to your local supermarket, construction sites or hardware stores and see if they have any going. More often than not they’ll be happy to help.

If you’re finding it difficult to find pallets for free, you can get them online for very low prices.

Prepare your pallets 

In order to achieve the best possible results, it’s worth taking some time to prepare your pallets before getting to work.

Take some time to review the condition of the pallets, if there are any nails that are dangerously sticking out, make sure to remove them. 

As well as this, you should use a sander (an electric one will be easier) to sand all of the surfaces, edges and sides of the pallets. This will ensure that the pallets are smooth and there are no splintered edges that could cause harm to you or others later on. 

Add a wood treatment 

We’d also recommend applying a wood treatment to ensure your pallet furniture is long-lasting. 

This will prevent any rotting from setting in in the future, and you can find great wood treatment products online or at your local DIY store.

Paint the pallets 

Before you start putting the structure of the bench together, you should paint it first. As well as making the wood more aesthetically pleasing and of a colour that aligns with your unique look and style, adding paint can protect the wood from the elements.

Oil and water-based applications are the best types of paint to use on garden furniture, and you can often purchase paints that are formulated specifically for this purpose. 

We recommend chalk paint as it offers a great rustic look that is perfect for any outdoor space.

Apply the paint in the direction of the wood’s grain. Using a roller is the best way to achieve an even finish but you can also grab a brush to address those hard-to-reach areas. 

Give it a couple of coats and wait for it to dry. Then, flip the pallet over and do the same on the other side.

Secure the base 

Put one pallet on top of another and screw it in place using a drill. Use one metal panel on each corner and four screws per corner of the pallet. 

This will provide a solid foundation for your bench. 

Create the back 

Now, you can secure the back of your bench.

Prop your final pallet in a vertical position and, again, secure it in place with your drill and screws.

Dress your bench

Now your bench is ready to use, you can dress it as you please with cushions, throws, pot plants and a whole host of other outdoor furniture accessories.  

A garden bench is just one piece of pallet furniture that you can create to enhance your garden. No matter what you’re trying to create with pallets, there are a whole host of resources online to help. 
In addition to this, you can discover more home improvement blogs on our website.