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Building Under $50 Garden Furniture From Pallets | Upcycling Furniture Ideas

Dreaming of a beautiful backyard oasis without breaking the bank? You’re in the right place, gorgeous! We all love a good DIY project, especially when it saves us thousands and looks absolutely fabulous. Today, we’re diving into the wonderful world of pallet upcycling to create stunning garden furniture that will have your friends asking, “Where did you buy that?!”

Get ready to unleash your inner craftswoman as we transform humble pallets into a gorgeous vertical garden and a chic dining table, all for under $50. Yes, you read that right – under $50! These creative upcycling furniture ideas are perfect for adding personality and charm to your outdoor space.

The Secret Weapon: Humble Pallets

Our secret to success? The mighty pallet! These versatile beauties are often available for around $10 each at secondhand yards. For our projects, we’ll be using three. You’ll find them in pine (lighter and easier to work with) or hardwood.

Pro Tip: Pine pallets are ideal for projects that need to be hung on a wall, thanks to their lighter weight.

DIY Vertical Garden: A Wall of Succulent Beauty for Under $50

Vertical gardens are all the rage, and for good reason! They add incredible visual appeal to any space, big or small. But let’s be real, they can cost a fortune. Not ours! We’re building a stunning vertical succulent garden for a fraction of the price.

What You’ll Need:

• 3 pallets (pine recommended)
• Screws
• Drill
• Wall plugs (if mounting to brickwork)
• Paint (any color you like, black Japan was used here)
• Shade cloth (approx. $10)
• 2 bags of succulent mix (approx. $10)
• Succulent cuttings (free!)

Step-by-Step Vertical Garden Magic:

1. Prep Your Pallets: Our vertical garden will be two pallets wide. You’ll use a third pallet for “parts.”
2. Create Planters: The magic happens by using the bottom side of the pallet as your face. Take boards from your third pallet and cut them to fit into the gaps on your main pallets. Screw these pieces in place to create beautiful little planting pockets.
3. Pimp Your Pallet: Time to add some personality! Give your pallets a coat of paint. Black Japan was used for a sleek look, but any color you have lying around will work wonders.
4. Mount it Up: Secure your painted pallets to your wall. If you’re attaching to brickwork, use wall plugs and screws for a sturdy hold.
5. Planting Perfection:
   • Line your newly formed planters with small pieces of shade cloth. This crucial step keeps your soil in place and prevents it from washing away through the gaps.
   • Fill your planters with succulent mix.
   • Now, for the best part: planting! With your remaining $20, you’ve already bought the shade cloth and soil. This means no money left for plants, but don’t fret! Succulents are incredibly easy to propagate. Take cuttings from existing plants (yours or a friend’s!) and in no time, they’ll grow into a lush, vibrant wall of beauty.

The Reveal: For just $50, you’ll have a vertical garden that looks incredibly special. Once those succulent cuttings grow, they’ll create a stunning wall of greenery, making the pallets virtually disappear. It’s an impressive upcycling furniture idea that truly transforms your space!

Pallet Dining Table: An Impressive Centerpiece for Inside or Out

Did you know thousands of shipping pallets are just waiting to be transformed into impressive family centerpieces? You can create a dining table any size you like! We’re aiming for a 10-seater, proving just how versatile these upcycling furniture ideas can be.

What You’ll Need:

• 4 pallets (2 for the top, 1 for spare parts, 1 for legs)
• Circular saw
• Hammer/pry bar (for nail removal)
• Screws
• Wood glue (optional, for extra stability)
• Sander (optional, for a smoother finish)
• Wood plane (optional, for board uniformity)

Step-by-Step Dining Table Transformation:

1. Calculate Your Pallets: For a 10-seater, you’ll need two pallets for the tabletop, one for spare parts, and one for the legs.
2. Cut the Legs: Grab your circular saw. Make a series of cuts through the middle of one pallet, keeping in mind the finished height of your dining table. As well as cutting the pallet into two pieces, take a bit off the width to get your desired leg size.
3. Achieve Standard Height: Pallet legs will initially be a bit short. The thickness of a pallet (which will be your tabletop) and a small block (cut from your spare parts pallet) will sit underneath each leg to achieve a standard table height of 750mm.
4. Stabilize the Legs: To make the legs stable, drop a piece of pallet board down to the bottom. This also gives you something to fix the stabilizing block into.
5. Remove Boards Carefully: When disassembling pallets for spare parts or to tidy up, slightly tap the boards away from the rail and cut the nails. This is much better than prying, which can snap the timber.
6. Tidy Up: Cut off any rough corners for a cleaner finish.
7. Craft the Tabletop:
   • No two pallets are exactly the same, which adds to their charm! However, when creating your tabletop, try to keep the thickness of the top boards and the type of timber consistent.
   • Even if the pallets look completely different initially, once you’ve planed them (if you have a planer), they’ll look much more uniform.
   • Arrange your two tabletop pallets. You’ll likely need to fill gaps with boards from your spare parts pallet to create a solid surface.
   • Screw and/or glue all the pieces together securely.
8. Assemble the Table: Attach your prepared legs to the underside of your tabletop. Ensure everything is level and sturdy.
9. Finish Strong (Optional but Recommended): Sanding and sealing your dining table will protect it from the elements and give it a beautiful, polished look, whether it’s for indoor or outdoor use.

The Grand Reveal: You’ve just created an impressive family centerpiece that you can dine on, inside or out! These upcycling furniture ideas truly highlight the amazing potential of pallets.

The Versatility of Pallets: Beyond Gardens and Dining

It’s truly amazing what you can create with pallets! We’ve seen everything from Adirondack chairs with matching Lazy Susans to day beds and even kids’ cubby castles. Pallets are incredibly handy in the garden, and with these upcycling furniture ideas, your home will be bursting with unique, handmade charm.

So, gather your tools, find some pallets, and let your creativity bloom! You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve for under $50. Happy DIYing, lovely!