Use this list of outdoor DIY pallet projects to make backyard, garden, and patio furniture out of free wood pallets for a gorgeous backyard made of recycled materials. (First published in April 2016; this post is regularly updated to improve content and republished.)
Below we have curated a fantastic list of outdoor DIY pallet projects for your backyard, garden, patio, or porch. I am absolutely amazed by the woodworking projects you can build with free salvaged wooden pallets. Quite a few creative people have found excellent ways to repurpose the wood pallets they find into something useful.
So if you have ever wondered, “How can I reuse old pallets” or “What can I make with pallets?” Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite DIY backyard pallet projects. Together, these projects would make an awesome upcycled backyard that will look like you spent a fortune on patio furniture! You might also enjoy this list of Backyard Sandbox Ideas.
Related: Top 10 Sand and Water Tables Kids LOVE!
DIY Outdoor Pallet Projects with Step-by-Step Tutorials
Learn how to transform free wood pallets into gorgeous outdoor furniture for your backyard, patio, porch, or garden with these easy DIY pallet wood projects. The problem with most photographs of DIY pallet projects is that they don’t come with step-by-step tutorials that make them easy to construct. For example, many wooden pallet photographs on Pinterest don’t link to a tutorial or the blog that created it. Which makes them hard, if not impossible, to replicate or build at home.
So we have done our best to find easy pallet projects for beginners from the source, complete with step-by-step instructions for each project that make them easy to build with simple tools like a hammer and nails or screws. Click on the creator of each DIY pallet project on the list to see the instructions for each step-by-step tutorial. And scroll down past the list to see the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about building with wooden pallets.
Related: DIY Outdoor Chalkboard
15 DIY Backyard Pallet Projects
Here’s a list of 15 DIY outdoor pallet projects you can make with salvaged pallets for the backyard, patio, porch, and garden. The photo collages above and below show how most of the wooden pallet projects look when finished on the list below. Click on the creator of each DIY wood pallet project to see the instructions and more photographs. Once built, paint the pallet slats with a wood stain to seal and protect each project and give it an upgraded look.
1. DIY Pallet Swing Bed
Here’s a gorgeous swinging pallet bed that would make any backyard a dream come true. Learn how to make this DIY pallet project on The Merry Thought.
2. Pallet Playhouse or Storage Shed
Use shipping pallets and reclaimed wood to build your kids a funky playhouse. Or use it as a shed in the backyard for storage. Get the DIY details on Instructables.
3. Pallet Wood Chair Or Loveseat
Here’s a cool wooden chair built with wooden pallets that makes a gorgeous loveseat for your patio or porch that any beginner can make. Get the DIY details on Funky Junk Interiors.
4. DIY Pallet Clock
Learn how to make an outdoor wooden clock with pallets that would also make a lovely addition to your DIY home decor indoors with step-by-step DIY instructions on Thistlewood Farms.
5. DIY Outdoor Lounge or Corner Couch Sofa
Have you ever wondered how to build an outdoor couch with pallets? Get the instructions to make a beautiful pallet sofa for your patio or backyard on WonderMom.
6. Wood Deck Cooler
Make a cooler with wooden pallets to keep drinks cold on the patio or in the backyard with the tutorial on Fox Hollow Cottage.
7. DIY Pallet Bar
Build a handsome standing wooden bar for your backyard or patio with recycled pallets with the instructions on Imgur.
8. Rustic Pallet Table
Here’s a gorgeous rustic DIY table made of wooden pallets that can be used as a pallet coffee table for indoor or outdoor use. Or make longer legs and use it as a dining table to add to your rustic home decor. Get the instructions crafted by “Inspire Me Heather” on “The 36th Avenue.”
9. Day Bed Made with Pallets
Make a beautiful wooden day bed that will turn your patio or backyard into a restful oasis with step-by-step DIY instructions on Lovely Greens.
10. Wooden Pallet Deck
Learn how to build a wooden pallet deck from the ground up with the step-by-step DIY tutorial by Hoosier Homemade.
11. Wooden Pallet Bench
Learn how to build a backyard, patio, or garden bench out of reclaimed free pallets with the DIY instructions on Instructables.
12. Freestanding Pallet Herb Garden
Here’s a DIY pallet project that looks like a bookshelf full of beautiful plants. Grow herbs or flowers in this gorgeous verticle plant shelf made of pallets by DIY Show Off.
13. DIY Pallet Wood Raised Garden Bed or Planter Box
We have two great DIY tutorials if you’ve ever wondered how to make a raised garden bed or pallet planter box. Build a raised garden bed out of wooden pallets with the instructions on Pennies into Pearls, or try this easy pallet garden bed by Busy Creating Memories.
14. DIY Pallet Potting Bench
If you enjoy gardening at home, build this cute DIY potting bench made of wooden pallets by Ana White.
15. DIY Pallet Compost Bin
Get instructions to build a compost bin with reclaimed pallets on Nemcsok Farms. We made a compost bin like the one they made with wooden pallets in our backyard with two bays, making it easier to turn the compost and use it in the garden. Click on the link to learn more about the hows and whys of composting.
FaQ’s About Building with Wooden Pallets
Here are a few answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about building with salvaged wooden pallets.
Related: DIY Outdoor Art Table and Mud Kitchen
What are pallets made of?
In the United States, pine and oak are the two types of wood used most frequently to make wooden pallets. While pine is a softwood and oak is a hardwood, the type of wood used to make wooden pallets has little to do with their overall strength or robustness.
How can you tell if a pallet is safe to use?
Some salvaged pallets are treated with toxic chemicals such as methyl bromide, making them unsafe to handle or use as furniture. To learn what pallets are toxic and how to tell if a pallet is safe to use for simple building and construction projects, read THIS informative article by DIY Projects.
Related: How to Make a Fairy Garden
Backyard Pallet DIY Projects
As you can see in the photographs, you can craft several amazing pallet woodworking projects for your backyard using salvaged pallets. Many outdoor pallet projects are fantastic for people on a tight budget because pallets can be found for free. So building furniture and garden structures like raised garden beds or an outdoor pallet sofa can save you money.
Backyard DIY pallet furniture looks fantastic on anyone’s deck or patio. Especially if you use any of the excellent tutorials on the list above. And while the pallet compost bin may not be pretty, it is extremely useful for anyone looking to conserve waste or use fresh compost in the garden. Once again, click the link for information about how and what to compost.
We hope you have as much fun as we do learning to upcycle pallets and build amazing things for your backyard. You might also enjoy these DIY Projects. Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
You’ve done it again, Miss Nell — this is a great bunch of ideas!
Thanks Harriette – I had a blast searching for them all 🙂
So many creative ideas! I absolutely love the playhouse!
I love them all too… and yes, the playhouse is fantastic!
Wow! what ideas. I like DIY pallet swing bed and DIY pallet playhouse ideas. I need it for my backyard. I think My kids like it. It will build memorable childhood for my kids.
Thanks, Sierra!
My favorite memories are of building and playing in spaces in our backyard. I hope your kids enjoy it!
Amazing ideas. I just loved it specially pallet playhouse & Swing sets ideas. I think it will be great fun for my kids. I want to make like this playhouse for my kids backyard fun. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Marria!
I’m so glad you like all of the pallet projects I have featured. I love this collection… the playhouse is divine!
Hi Nell, you can include my idea of a koi pond made up of wooden pallet frame hehe thanks
Hi Gian! I would be happy to consider your pallet project. If it has nice pictures and a tutorial to go with it, use “contact” to send me the link and I will take a look!