Pallet Backyard Ideas: 13 Simple Ideas to Transform Your Backyard

When you’re ready to dive into making pallet furniture for your backyard, the first step is getting your hands on some pallets. Pallets are a flat wooden platform used to transport or store goods. You can buy them at local hardware stores or building centers, which usually have a good range to choose from. But if you’re looking to save a bit of money, you might want to scout around for free pallets. Try stopping by local businesses or small warehouses — they often have spare pallets they’d be happy to get rid of. In addition to local retailers, you can typically find free pallets at construction sites, newspaper companies and even on 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

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.

Create a rustic walkway through your garden — or towards a special nook in your backyard — by laying down wood pallets as stepping stones. For this project, you’ll need to dismantle the pallets so you end up with individual wood slats. You’ll need a saw to cut the slats to uniform lengths, a sander to smooth the wood and wood sealant to protect against moisture and rot. Lay the slats closely together on a prepped and leveled path in your garden, and secure them in place with landscaping staples if needed. You can find a tutorial here.

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. 

There are countless ways to make furniture from pallets. Here are some ideas for chairs and tables:

Chairs

You can use pallets to make chairs in a number of styles, including Adirondacks, love seats, chaise lounges, swings and even benches. 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. To finish things off, use a bit of linseed oil and varnish to waterproof your pallet wood. Check out this tutorial for building a pallet chair.

Table

A set of pallet chairs wouldn’t be complete without 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.

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.

Pallets are the perfect object for a multi-level plant stand. Simply stand a pallet upright and use the existing slats to hold potted plants, such as herbs, succulents and small flowers. If necessary, you can reinforce the structure with extra wood screws to handle the weight of the plants. You can also create more space by adding small ledges or additional slats. Don’t forget to paint or stain the wood to protect it from weather elements and match your garden’s color scheme. Find more ideas for plant stands here.

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.

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. Plus, it turns what would otherwise end up in a 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.

An outdoor kitchen space isn’t complete without a 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.

A bit of statement art can elevate your patio and add much-needed color and flair. When it comes to pallet art, you have plenty of options: 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.

Pallets are great for building a rustic fence that defines areas in your yard or adds privacy. Plus, they’re modular — you can align them side by side or stack them for a taller fence. For this project, you’ll need to collect several pallets and, depending on the desired height, either use them whole or cut them to size. You’ll need posts to secure the pallets into the ground, and possibly hinges if you plan on creating a gate. Treat the wood with a weather-resistant stain or paint to make it match the rest of your decor and increase its durability. You can find a detailed list of supplies and steps here.

If you have young kids or want a calming nook for reading and lounging, consider setting up a pallet swing in your backyard. All you’ll need are a strong rope or chains to hang the swing from, carabiners and a secure attachment point such as a heavy-duty tree limb or a metal frame. To make the swing comfortable and cozy, you can dress it up with a thick cushion and outdoor pillows that match your style and are made with water-resistant materials. Don’t forget to remove any nails and sand down the pallets to avoid splinters and pricks. Full tutorial here!

If you don’t have a shed or garage to keep your tools (or simply lack the space), you can whip up a DIY tool storage solution made from pallets in no time. First, start with a pallet in good condition and mount it against a stable wall. You may want to add additional planks for smaller tools (like gardening tools and gloves) or install hooks and brackets to hang items. Then, sand and paint the pallet to your liking. You can check out examples and instructions here.

If you’re interested in setting up a pollinator sanctuary (e.g., a birdhouse or an apiary) in your backyard or garden, pallets are a great budget-friendly way to start. For birdhouses, dismantle your pallet into slats to use as material. You can make multiple small houses and attach them to a tree or a custom stand to create a quaint birdhouse village. For an apiary (a home for bees), you’ll need a pallet, hollow bamboo tubes, small logs with drilled holes and perhaps some straw or dried leaves. Stack the materials in the spaces between the pallet slats, arranging them in a way that creates lots of nooks and crannies for insects to nest. Be sure to secure the structure vertically against a fence or tree in a sunny, sheltered part of your garden. You can find pallet birdhouse instructions here and apiaries here.

Pallet projects can save you money and give you the chance to create your dream patio or backyard. They can also serve as functional structures that help keep your yard belongings organized and accessible. If you’re building pallet furniture and need a place to store extra pallets before you use them, or looking to declutter your balcony or garden, consider using a self-storage unit to make room for your pallet projects. You can find a unit near you using our Storage Locator. If you want more pallet project ideas, 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. Happy building!