Adding new furniture to your garden can transform the space into a scenic getaway – but you don’t need to order an expensive set to upgrade your lawn. Read this guide to learn how to build furniture from pallets. They’re budget-friendly resources you can transform into any type of furniture that works best in your garden.

Why Do People Like Pallet Furniture?

There are a few reasons why pallet furniture appeals to people. First, it’s an easy way to add new furnishings to your home without a big budget. Wood pallets are widely available at DIY stores, construction businesses and equipment shops.

You might even have success calling local companies to ask if you can pick up their unwanted pallets for free.

Pallet furniture is also easily customizable. They come apart in minutes so anyone can reshape them into whatever designs they want.

Another big bonus is that the pallet production company has cut each wooden piece already. You won’t need woodworking tools to cut and shape long planks into the sizes you need to make furniture.

How to Prepare Pallets for Projects

Inspect pallets for your upcoming furniture project closely. You’ll need to look for loosened nails or wood staples to ensure you don’t cut yourself on exposed metal.

It’s also wise to test your pallets for structural integrity. Place something heavy on them to see if they’ll support the weight. You’ll need to find replacement pallets so your furniture is safe to use if they seem too unstable due to split wood, loose nails or weathering.

You may also need a wood cleaning product if your pallets have notable stains or weathering damage that ruins their colour. Soap and water are often the best solutions, although you could look into a nontoxic stain remover if you plan to paint your pallets or leave the wood exposed.

Project Materials You Might Need

Cleaning your newly acquired pallets requires supplies like:

• Soap
• Warm water
• A bucket and scrub brush

You could also need tools to strengthen your pallets and make them sturdier. It helps to have tools on standby, such as:

• A wood staple gun
• A hammer and sandpaper
• Extra wood nails

You could look into industrial adhesives if you’re uncomfortable using tools like these or can’t afford to add them to your collection. They’ll bond your pallets with permanent glue but can also be dangerous.

Read the directions on any adhesive products carefully to ensure that nothing gets on your skin or unwanted surfaces. You might have to use it to seal holes in the wood, even if you plan on stapling or nailing everything together.

You’ll also need to consider if you want design tools, too. These could include:

• Paint and paint brushes or rollers
• Wood sealant
• Stencils for decorative designs

It depends on what you want to build and what decorative styles you prefer. Remember that outdoor furniture will have continuous exposure to weathering and sunlight, so sealants are essential to protect against those factors.

Helpful Pallet Furniture Building Tips

Before you find something you want to make, check out essential pallet furniture building tips that will help you prepare for your upcoming project.

1. Find a Design You Love

There are endless ways to use pallets or recreate them into furniture that looks nothing like a pallet. Spend some time looking into potential designs like couches, tables, or pallet walls. You’ll find something inspiring and have a vision for your next garden project.

2. Get the Necessary Supplies

When you’re ready to build furniture from pallets, you’ll need to know which type best suits your project. There are numerous types of wooden pallets, including:

• Standard grade A
• Grade B
• Lightweight grade C
• Standard three-legger grade 3
• Winged (any grade)

For example, a lightweight pallet would be better for anyone making a hanging wall for potted plants, so it wouldn’t put too much weight on the wall.

You may also need to rent equipment, to lift large and flat objects that may be too heavy to carry. A forklift would move the numerous pallets required for your project to your back porch or yard, saving time and effort.

3. Take Some Pallets Apart

Although you can construct things with pallets in their original form, you can also take them apart to make more customizable furniture. Deconstructed pallets result in multiple individual planks and a handful of spacers.

Use the supplies to make a raised garden bed for your patio. The soil would remain enclosed within the planks, but you’d only need a few pallets to make the size you want. Consider this step for any project that doesn’t require pallets in their original form to save yourself a trip to a DIY store.

4. Follow the Instructions

Carefully follow the instructions for whichever pallet furniture you want to build. Using a specific type of screw may not seem important, but it could make the difference between holding your new couch together or it falling apart with use.

Taking your time will result in high-quality furniture that makes your garden or backyard the space you’ve been dreaming about.

5. Finish With Optional Paint or Decor

Don’t forget to add a splash of your personality to your pallet furniture. Paint your new patio table a bright summer colour or decorate it with a vase of flowers picked from your garden. You could also make envelope pillow covers if you decide to make a couch or lounge chair. The added touch of design will make your new furniture look right at home on your property.

Types of Pallet Furniture

Get inspired to make pallet furniture for your garden or elsewhere by checking out the many design types people love to make.

Seating Arrangements

Pallets are typically wide enough to accommodate one person each. You can transform a few into seating arrangements like a couch, lounge chair, armchair or even a bench. Other pallets beneath the furniture will prop it up to standard height and form more structural support to withstand additional weight.

Swings

Everyone deserves to spend more time in the garden they work so diligently to maintain. A swing could make a perfect addition to your yard and make sunny afternoons more enjoyable. Create one with pallets by building a stand-alone, porch or tree swing.

Deconstruct the wood pieces and put them back together into a swing with your favourite colour or cushions for extra comfort. It’s much more affordable than buying a new one. All you need besides the wood is a length of chain to hold the swing up on each end.

Garden Planters

Many people can’t dig into their property to plant a garden for various reasons. A raised garden bed box solves that problem. Make one with a few wood pallets and build it to whichever height you need.

The pieces of each pallet could also transform into custom planter boxes that look great on your porch or a wall planter for vertical gardening. Consider what would look best on your property to build the best planters for your space.

Build Furniture From Pallets

Anyone can learn how to build furniture from pallets by following a few of these simple tips. Think of which type of furniture you’d like in your garden and follow the instructions closely to create the ultimate furniture out of any pallets you can find around your home or at the store.

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Pallet Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@rhsupplies?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

Girl planting Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@kellysikkema?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Kelly Sikkema</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>