Whether you’re enjoying some fresh air or having friends over for dinner, a furnished patio can be the perfect place to relax at home. But for many homeowners, a high-quality furniture set can range anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the size of the patio. If you’re willing to put in some elbow grease, wood pallets are a durable, eco-friendly and stylish way to DIY your own backyard patio decor. Not only are they a versatile woodworking foundation that you can turn into all kinds of pallet furniture (including garden walls, bar carts and more), butyou can usually get them for free. Read on to learn where to find free pallets this spring —and our favorite pallet ideas.
In This Article:
- How to Find Free Pallets
- Wood Pallet Herb Garden Wall
- Wood Pallet Cool Box
- Wood Pallet Patio Chairs
- Wood Pallet Table
- Wood Pallet Bar
- Wood Pallet Compost Bin
- Wood Pallet Cart
- Wood Pallet Statement Art
- More Pallet Projects and Pallet Ideas
1. How to Find Free Pallets
Since many businesses have to pay a third-party service to pick up old shipping pallets, offering to take them off business owners’ hands often saves them time and added expenses. In addition to local retailers, you can typically find free pallets at construction sites, newspaper companies and even Craigslist.
Are All Pallets Safe to Use?
Not all wood pallets are safe to use for your DIY projects, so be sure to look out for a unique IPPC (Internal Plant Protection Convention) code printed on the pallets you want to grab. Each code starts with a country code followed by a three-digit number and one of the following letter combinations: HT, MB or DB.
- HT means “Heat Treatment” and is safe to use
- MB means “Methyl Bromide” and is NOT safe to use or burn (this is a toxic chemical)
- DB means Debarked and is safe to use
2. Wood Pallet Herb Garden Wall
Growing your very own herb garden doesn’t have to take up a ton of space. In fact, a vertical pallet herb wall can be a low-footprint option that leans attractively against the wall of your house. Aside from basic woodworking tools, all you’ll need are a bit of paint, landscaping fabric, staples and potting soil to get started. Once your garden wall is up and running, fill it with your favorite herbs and greens that you can pick fresh to add to your favorite meals. For visual learners, check out this video tutorial.
3. Wood Pallet Cool Box
Tired of schlepping between the kitchen and patio just to bring out fresh ice and cold bottles? A wood pallet cool box is a stylish way to keep your beverages and snacks at the perfect temperature, and putting one together doesn’t require expensive or hard-to-find materials and tools. You’ll need a cooler that you build the cool box around, and prop it up on four legs for easy access. So whether you’re chilling IPAs or storing sandwiches for a backyard picnic, this is a great addition to your patio corner. Check out the instructions here.
4. Wood Pallet Patio Chairs
Your options for wood pallet chairs are pretty much endless: Adirondack, love seat, chaise lounge, swing, bench. With some paint and DIY upholstery (burlap coffee bean sacks are great, as well as standard outdoor pillows and cushions), you can have your own pallet chair within a few hours. Pro tip: take a bit of linseed oil and varnish to waterproof your pallet wood. Simply remove the cushions and bring them in when the forecast spells rain. Check out this tutorial for building a pallet chair.
5. Wood Pallet Table
A set of pallet chairs wouldn’t be complete with a patio table to match. You can use a single pallet —or attach several of them together — to create a farmhouse dining option or a low-to-ground coffee table centerpiece. Splash on some paint and set a few planters on top to create the perfect level surface for wine glasses, books and more. This video can help you get started.
6. Wood Pallet Bar
A patio bar can be a pricey investment, but if you make one yourself with pallets, you’ll stay in complete control of the shape, size and cost. This is a project that may take a bit more planning (after all, you’ll need to consider how many shelves you want or whether your bar has a foot rail and wheels), but the outcome will bring the party to your backyard. While you’re at it, set aside some time to build a few pallet bar stools as well. Tutorial here.
7. Wood Pallet Compost Bin
Repurposing wood pallets is already an eco-friendly activity, so why not take it a step further and build your own pallet compost bin? Composting food scraps and yard trimmings can actually reduce your material waste by 30 percent, and turns what would otherwise be landfill into nutrient-rich matter for your soil. Three pallets are enough for a one-unit bin, but you can tailor any number of pallets to make one that’s right for your needs. Learn more from the video here.
8. Wood Pallet Cart
Save yourself excessive back-and-forth trips with a compact kitchen cart that you can roll between your kitchen and patio. From dishware and ice buckets to appetizers and wine bottles, a DIY wood pallet cart is the perfect size for all your backyard hosting needs. During the colder months (when you’re cozying it up indoors), you can make good use of the cart as a kitchen island or pantry storage solution. Follow some of these tips to get started.
9. Wood Pallet Statement Art
A bit of statement art can elevate your patio and add much-needed color and flair. When it comes to pallet art, your options are endless: you can create picture frames mounted to the wall, cut out and create letters and designs from pallet planks, paint landscapes or affirmations across a pallet slab, and even use pallet sections to mount vases and planters.
10. More Pallet Projects and Pallet Ideas
Pallet projects can save you money and give you the chance to create the patio and backyard of your dreams. While the pallet ideas above are meant to get you started, check out this list of 122 DIY projects for more inspiration, as well as these tips from Earth911 on how to tell whether your pallets are safe for reuse.
As an AI language model, I can provide information and insights on various topics, including the concepts mentioned in the article you provided. I have access to a wide range of knowledge and can provide answers based on that information. However, it's important to note that I don't have personal experiences or opinions. I rely on the information available in search results to provide factual information.
In the article you shared, the main topic is about using wood pallets to create DIY patio decor. The article suggests that wood pallets are a durable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective option for creating various items such as garden walls, bar carts, patio chairs, tables, compost bins, carts, statement art, and more. It also provides tips on finding free pallets and offers links to tutorials and instructions for different projects.
How to Find Free Pallets
The article suggests several places where you can find free pallets, including local retailers, construction sites, newspaper companies, and even Craigslist. Many businesses have to pay a third-party service to pick up old shipping pallets, so offering to take them off their hands can save them time and expenses.
Are All Pallets Safe to Use?
Not all wood pallets are safe to use for DIY projects. The article advises looking for a unique IPPC (Internal Plant Protection Convention) code printed on the pallets. Each code starts with a country code followed by a three-digit number and one of the following letter combinations: HT, MB, or DB. HT stands for "Heat Treatment" and is safe to use. MB stands for "Methyl Bromide" and is NOT safe to use or burn as it contains a toxic chemical. DB stands for "Debarked" and is safe to use .
Wood Pallet Herb Garden Wall
A wood pallet herb garden wall is a low-footprint option for growing your own herb garden. It can be created by leaning a vertical pallet against the wall of your house. Basic woodworking tools, paint, landscaping fabric, staples, and potting soil are needed to get started. Once the garden wall is set up, you can fill it with your favorite herbs and greens to add fresh flavors to your meals.
Wood Pallet Cool Box
A wood pallet cool box is a stylish way to keep beverages and snacks at the perfect temperature on your patio. It can be built around a cooler and propped up on four legs for easy access. This project doesn't require expensive or hard-to-find materials and tools. It can be a great addition to your patio corner for chilling drinks or storing food during backyard picnics.
Wood Pallet Patio Chairs
Wood pallets can be transformed into various types of patio chairs, such as Adirondack chairs, love seats, chaise lounges, swings, and benches. With some paint and DIY upholstery, you can create your own pallet chair within a few hours. Applying linseed oil and varnish can help waterproof the pallet wood. It's recommended to remove the cushions and bring them indoors when it rains.
Wood Pallet Table
To complement your pallet chairs, you can use a single pallet or attach several pallets together to create a patio table. The table can be a farmhouse dining option or a low-to-ground coffee table centerpiece. Adding paint and planters on top can create a level surface for wine glasses, books, and more.
Wood Pallet Bar
Building a wood pallet bar can be a cost-effective alternative to buying a patio bar. It allows you to have complete control over the shape, size, and cost. This project may require more planning, considering factors like the number of shelves, foot rail, and wheels. Additionally, you can build pallet bar stools to complete the setup.
Wood Pallet Compost Bin
Repurposing wood pallets for a compost bin is an eco-friendly activity that can reduce material waste. Composting food scraps and yard trimmings can turn them into nutrient-rich matter for your soil. You can use three pallets to create a one-unit bin or tailor the number of pallets to your needs .
Wood Pallet Cart
A wood pallet cart can be a convenient solution for transporting items between your kitchen and patio. It can be used to carry dishware, ice buckets, appetizers, and wine bottles. During colder months, the cart can also serve as a kitchen island or pantry storage solution.
Wood Pallet Statement Art
Wood pallets can be used to create statement art pieces for your patio. The possibilities are endless, including creating picture frames, letters and designs, painting landscapes or affirmations, and mounting vases and planters.
These are just a few examples of the projects you can create using wood pallets. The article you provided also includes additional pallet project ideas and a list of 122 DIY projects for more inspiration. It's important to note that when working with wood pallets, it's recommended to take safety precautions and follow proper guidelines to ensure the durability and stability of the finished products.
