How to Make Perfect Pallet Furniture for your Garden

How nice has this recent weather been?! Compared to last Easter this one is a cracker, and if Instagram is anything to go by then the nation (well, interiors fans) have been prepping their gardens and getting them looking stylish for a summer of hanging out with friends and family. What I have seen a trend for is for making your own pallet garden furniture, including ‘sofa style’ seating and an outdoor seating bar, with several popular accounts showcasing their gorgeous homemade stuff, including the use of pallets. 

Well, if you like this look, I’ve got a fantastic upcycling tutorial when it comes to how to make pallet furniture here with a little help from my paint favourites Rust-Oleum who I have featured before in other DIY tutorials (I will link my other posts and projects at the bottom of this page). Using Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Garden Furniture Paint and wooden pallets, you can create something stylish whilst saving a few bob. 

Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Garden Furniture Paint (available in 8 shades) is ultra-durable, bringing a new lease of life and colour to garden furniture. It contains a biocide to protect the paint from fungal degradation and is designed to resist cracking, peeling and blistering for up to 6 years before first maintenance.

Make sure you get some cushions to compliment your chosen colour of pallet garden furniture too! Wooden Garden Furniture is a reliable and stylish choice for outdoor spaces, especially when used with creative DIY projects like this.

How to Make Pallet Furniture – You will need:

• Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Garden Furniture Paint (or other furniture paint)
• Wooden pallets
• Small roller and tray
• Paint Brush
• Paint stirrer
• Paint tin opener
• Electric drill with screws – we used metal brackets too

Directions for making Pallet Furniture:

Step One

Ensure surfaces are smooth, dry and free from contaminants. Take your chosen shade of Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Garden Furniture Paint and paint the pallets.

This clever paint requires no priming, is water resistant and is mould and alge resistant too. Use a mini roller for an even finish.

One to two coats will be needed, and you’ll need to leave the paint to dry for one hour before flipping the pallet over and painting the underside. You might need to use a brush for the harder-to-reach areas.

Step Two

Create the base of your bench by stacking one or more pallets to the right height. When you’re happy, secure them with screws and an electric drill.

Add another pallet propped in a vertical position create the back of your chair. Again, secure it in place with a drill and screws.

Step Three

Dress for comfort! I found that Homebase, among other places, sells special pallet furniture cushions that fit perfectly on top of its pallets.

Add colour with more scatter cushions, pot plants and fairy lights.

FAQs: Making Pallet Furniture 

Q: What is the best paint for pallet furniture in the UK?

A: Many DIYers and furniture upcyclers in the UK recommend Rust-Oleum (like I’ve used here) for its durability, ease of application, and wide range of finishes. There are other options available though, so this isn’t the only one on the market. However, I’ve found that it’s ideal for both indoor and outdoor pallet garden furniture.

Q: Do you need to sand pallets before painting?

A: Yes, sanding pallets helps to remove splinters, smooth out rough wood, and ensure better paint adhesion—especially when using finishes like Rust-Oleum chalky paint or Rust-Oleum spray paint.

Q: Can I use Rust-Oleum on outdoor pallet furniture?

A: Absolutely! Rust-Oleum offers outdoor paint options that are weather-resistant. Just make sure your pallet wood is clean, dry, and sealed for extra longevity.

Q: Where can I get pallets for free in the UK?

A: Many local garden centres, hardware stores, and supermarkets have spare pallets. Always ask permission, and check for the HT (Heat Treated) stamp for safety.

Q: What types of pallet furniture can I make at home?

A: Popular pallet furniture ideas include coffee tables, outdoor seating, garden bars, shelving units, headboards, and even pallet planters. Anything goes really! 

Tips for Prepping Pallets Safely Before Painting

You must prepare your pallet wood properly before starting to transform it into a rustic coffee table or garden bench. The finish will improve with this approach, particularly when you use Rust-Oleum paint, as it will help to keep your furniture will stay safe and durable for a long time.

1. Choose the Right Pallets

Various pallets pose safety risks because they have undergone chemical treatments or encountered hazardous substances. The “HT” stamp indicates that the pallet has undergone heat treatment which is used for sanitisation instead of chemical methods.

Stay away from pallets that display the “MB” marking because it designates the use of methyl bromide which is a toxic pesticide prohibited by multiple nations – not what you want to be sitting on, or eating your dinner off!

Where to find safe pallets in the UK: Visit garden centres along with builders’ merchants and small retailers to find safe pallets. It is necessary to seek authorisation before collecting pallets and perform thorough inspections on them.

2. Clean the Pallets Thoroughly

Pallets accumulate dirt, oil, and mildew deposits when they remain outdoors.

Remove debris and dust by scrubbing with a stiff brush.

Wash with warm water and mild detergent.

Ensure the pallet has completely dried before proceeding to sand or paint.

Pro Tip: Boost your cleaning solution with white vinegar to enhance its effectiveness against mould.

3. Remove Old Nails and Staples

You should really use a claw hammer, nail puller, or pry bar to safely extract any embedded nails or staples from your pallets. Both safety and the eventual look of your pallet furniture project will rely on this important step.

Safety tip: Protect your hands and eyes with gloves and eye protection during the nail removal process from weathered wood.

4. Sand the Wood Smooth

Pallet wood is often rough and splintery. The sanding process enhances safety in handling while preparing a smooth foundation for painting.

Start with coarse-grit sandpaper (e.g. 60-80 grit).

Follow up with finer grit (e.g. 120-150 grit) for a smoother finish.

For intricate areas and bent surfaces use a detail sander.

When wood surfaces are smooth they enable Rust-Oleum chalky finish paint to spread uniformly without creating streaks or blotchy areas.

5. Optional: Treat or Seal the Wood

Before painting outdoor furniture apply a clear wood preserver as it helps prevent rot and insect damage.

When choosing Rust-Oleum products for outdoor furniture you should select options such as Rust-Oleum Garden Furniture Paint because they commonly contain primers or sealants in their formulas.

Top 5 Pallet Furniture Ideas for UK Gardens

Compact outdoor spaces like small patios, courtyards or balconies in UK gardens will look fab with the charm and sustainable functionality of pallet garden furniture! A pallet sofa, corner bench or outdoor seating bar is a good ‘starter project’ as a beginner-friendly option that creates a cozy seating space for gatherings, and only needs outdoor cushions and a lick of weatherproof paint for completion.

A pallet coffee table or side table serves is a great conversation-starter for outdoor areas, and can you can even attach castors or a glass top for a classy, non-DIY look. I absolutely love the look of a pallet herb garden or planter, and these work well in vertical setups. They create a really striking visual effect when placed against fences or brick walls, so often ideal for small UK gardens that lack floor space. You can transform your outdoor entertaining with a pallet outdoor seating bar or drinks station which will impress guests at your summer barbecues and house parties. Mount simple pallet shelving units to walls or fences outdoors for stylish display options for plants, lanterns and garden tools. Everything that I’ve mentioned here is generally budget-friendly in terms of garden projects and cost, and also allow you to add your own creative flair and look to your outdoor space. Finish them with outdoor paint colour choices to match your exterior colour palette!

What do you think of this ‘how to make pallet furniture’ upcycle? I Would love to hear in the comments below!

See some of my other DIY and creative projects.