Summer is here! How about trying a new creative project to decorate your garden with pallets? If it scares you, don't worry: it's easier than you think, the cost is very low, and the result is always visually stunning.
For many years, pallets were simply used to organize and transport goods. No one would ever have thought of decorating with pallets! But lately, thanks in part to the explosion of shabby chic style, the rustic look of pallets has started to become trendy and they've transformed into true furnishing elements. Today, garden furniture made with pallets is not only completely accepted, but has become a must-have in the most admired homes.
Let's discover together how to decorate your garden with pallets and make your outdoor space even more beautiful and creative! Oh, and if you're looking for more inspiration to transform your garden into a masterpiece of decoupage and creative recycling, check out our collection of ideas for decorating with wooden crates!
All the beauty of DIY: how to make garden furniture with pallets
Source: adofon.com
Pallet garden furniture, as we mentioned, is very trendy. And it's also very versatile: we can use pallets to build new furniture for our garden, from sofas to tables, from benches to planters.
What do we need to create pallet garden furniture (aside from the pallets, of course)?
- Nails and a hammer, for starters - Wood preservative - A few paintbrushes - Paint (white or pastel shades if you love the shabby chic and Provençal style, or clear matte if you prefer the rustic look of natural wood)
Oh, and some comfortable clothes too!
Source: Pinterest
Pallet furniture is versatile and beautiful to look at; you can use it in so many different ways! Look at the photo above: these pallets have been transformed into a splendid rustic outdoor sideboard, perfect for storing gardening tools and pots. We're sure it would look great in your garden too!
It doesn't take much skill to build garden furniture with pallets: you just need to have a clear idea of the project and have everything you need on hand when you start work. Let's get started!
The garden sofa made from pallets for a dream outdoor living room
We couldn't help but start with the sofa! Outdoor sofas made from pallets are very popular, and it's not hard to see why: not only do they look adorable, but they're also practical and comfortable. And with matching cushions and blankets, you're an easy winner! Simply choose the colors and patterns you like to give the sofa a truly original look.
Source: Pinterest
To build an outdoor sofa, you'll need only three pallets: two for the base, to be stacked, and one, to be used vertically, for the backrest. That's all you need!
The first thing to do, to prevent the wood from splintering and ruining in the future, is to sand its surface. Once this is done, apply a protective sealer and allow the wood to absorb it completely.
Now it's time for the paint: apply at least two coats, always letting them dry for a day between each coat. If you love the shabby chic style, you can try applying brown wax over the dry white paint, but in small amounts and only near the edges: it will give the pallets a delightfully worn look.
Source: balconydecoration.com
Now comes the fun part: it's time to assemble your pallet garden furniture set! Armed with nails and a hammer, secure the two pallets that will form the base, one on top of the other. Remember, the three slats must be at the top! For the backrest, however, the slatted side should face toward the seat, never outward. This will provide adequate back support.
At this point, you have two choices:
- Assemble several sofas to form a larger one (perhaps a corner one!)...- ...or use one or two separate sofas!
In both cases, you could add more pallets vertically to the left and right ends of each sofa, serving as armrests.
Finally, let's think about the seating: you can purchase ready-made outdoor cushions and secure them to the slats with ties; or you can make your own with foam padding and a nice, durable fabric that won't deteriorate with moisture. There you have it: your pallet garden lounge set is ready (and it's gorgeous)!
A pallet garden table for a boho chic outdoor corner
Source: decordivine.wordpress.com
Now that you have an outdoor sofa, you could complete your lounge set by building a pallet garden table, making it the first step towards furnishing your dream boho chic garden! What do we need to build it? Let's start with the pallets. If you don't have a sofa, a single pallet will suffice: you could set up a lovely corner with outdoor rugs and cushions. Otherwise, for your garden table to be as high as the sofa, you'll need to stack two pallets. The boards should face down: these will be the legs of the table.
Furnishing your garden with pallets is easy once you understand the process. The steps are always the same: sanding, wood stain, paint, and finally, nails and a hammer to attach one pallet to the other. Simple and accessible to everyone!
Source: Pinterest
Want to give an industrial look to your pallet garden table? Get four casters (available at many hardware stores) and attach them to each leg. This will make the table easy to move and give your garden a truly original allure. The colors that best complement this style are the natural brown of the wood (perhaps darkened with stain), black, and anthracite gray. For a slightly more elegant touch—ideal with white-painted wood—you can go to a glass shop, have frosted glass cut to the right size, and place it over the tabletop.
See? With very little effort, you can build a fully-fledged garden lounge with pallets. But that's not all, recycled pallets can also be transformed into beautiful supports for flower pots or plants. Find out how in the next section!
Creative DIY: How to Build a Pallet Planter
Source: recycledpalletideas.com
Here's a truly creative idea for recycling pallets in the garden: a pallet planter! Perfect for your terrace or windowsill, this solution will allow you to grow your favorite flowers even if you have very little space. Because that's what we'll build with pallets: a vertical planter that will bring all the colors of the garden right into your home... with a truly minimal footprint!
You can also use it to plant your favorite herbs, as an alternative to flowers: you'll have a perfect, fragrant DIY vertical garden, a practical and decorative solution at the same time.
To build a pallet planter, you'll need a pallet, waterproof tarps, and a staple gun. After following the usual steps (sanding, wood stain, two coats of paint), stand the pallet upright and turn it with the three slats facing you: each of the six spaces will be the base into which you'll place the plants.
Cut rectangles of waterproof tarp and secure them to the wood with the staple gun: you'll need to create pockets, one for each empty space. Then, fill them well with soil and place the plants inside: your pallet planter is ready, you don't need anything else!
If you want to make it even prettier, paint the horizontal slats with chalkboard paint and write the name of the herb or flower you planted under each variety in chalk: the effect will be delightful.
