The days are getting longer, the sun is starting to peek through… yes, the fine weather is back! All you want to do now is sit out in the sun on your garden sofa, with a cold drink. And if you don’t yet have any garden furniture to your taste, we’ve got a little idea for you: make your own garden furniture out of pallets! It’s a budget-friendly idea that you can pull off with a bit of upcycling and just a few tools. You can make a coffee table, an armchair, a corner sofa – whatever you need. So, if you want to find out how to make your own garden furniture from pallets, read on!
DIY: tools and accessories for your pallet garden lounge set
To start with, here are the tools you’ll need for your DIY pallet garden lounge set:
- A saw (preferably a jigsaw or circular saw, to get the job done quicker)
- Stainless steel nails or screws
- Pallets (of course!) which you can sometimes find for free in the backyards of supermarkets or DIY stores. Just ask, they might give you some!
- A hammer
- Sanding block or sander (with safety goggles and gloves)
- A crowbar
- Castors
- Comfortable cushions that you’ll love! There’s something to suit every budget
- A wood stain or varnish to protect your wooden garden lounge
Step 1: wooden pallets
First of all, work out how many pallets you’ll need, based on the dimensions of your patio or garden. Bear in mind that for a coffee table, a sofa or an armchair, two pallets’ worth of material is sufficient. If the pallets are too large for your space, don’t hesitate to cut them to size with a saw! Also, if you want slightly taller furniture, feel free to add legs cut from a spare pallet.
Don’t forget to include the backrest in your calculations, and allow for an extra pallet for the coffee table. You’ll need extra planks to fill the gaps between the planks of the coffee table.
Of course, you don’t have to make cushions for your sofa or armchair, but it does make them more comfortable! For inspiration, do have a look at the various pallet garden lounge sets on Pinterest – there are loads of ideas!
Once you have all the pallets you need, sand them down so that the wood is smooth. Sanding the wooden pallets also helps the paint, varnish or wood stain you apply afterwards to adhere better! To sand your pallet, rub the surface with a sanding block or a sander. Of course, if you’re using a sander, don’t forget to wear safety goggles and gloves for your own safety!
Next, to ensure the wood is weather-resistant, you’ll need to apply a wood stain, paint or varnish. Paint allows you to choose the colour of your garden furniture, varnish gives it a glossy finish, and wood stain allows the wood to breathe!
In any case, you’ll need to reapply a layer from time to time. It’s very important to protect your furniture. It would be a shame if your garden furniture couldn’t withstand the rain!
Step 2: the sofa!
Once you have all your pallets and they have been sanded and treated, put them together to create the shape of your sofa. A corner sofa, with a chaise longue on the right or left, is, for example, very comfortable for stretching out your legs!
Next, nail or screw the pallets together so that they hold firmly. A quick tip: make sure you choose nails or screws that won’t rust!
For the backrest, simply attach the pallet vertically to the seat.
Then all you have to do is choose some comfortable cushions in colours you like!
For an armchair, simply do the same but on a smaller scale, and for a bench, make it slimmer and without cushions!
Step 3: the coffee table
The coffee table is even easier to make! Secure two pallets together, one on top of the other. Then, using a crowbar, pry the boards off a pallet you’re not using. Fit these boards between the boards of the coffee table to fill in the gaps.
Finally, if you want a coffee table on castors, simply screw them onto the four corners of the table, and you’re all set! There you have it: a practical, stylish coffee table on castors that matches your sofa!
Step 4: Decorating!
Once your furniture is assembled and your cushions are in place, all you need to do is add a few decorative touches!
To achieve this, here’s a tip: go for a variety of decorative items! Mix and match candles, lanterns, fairy lights, vases… or even plants, which will really enhance your outdoor décor! A small cushion here and there, in addition to the seat and back cushions, wouldn’t go amiss either. You can vary the colours and materials to create an interesting mix-and-match look.
There you go!
So there you have it: a terrace garden set made from recycled materials, on-trend and worthy of Pinterest! In fact, just as with the design of your pallet furniture, do have a look at some décor ideas on Pinterest. Your homemade pallet garden lounge set will be lovely to use in the summer on your terrace or in your garden. But in winter, don’t forget to bring it indoors and clean your cushions to keep the set in good condition for as long as possible!
