Is there something more pleasant than a long-awaited vacation at your beloved summer cottage? Better yet, get together with friends or the whole family. Moreover, in order to comfortably accommodate, you do not need to spend money on expensive garden furniture at all. It can be easily made from pallets with your own hands, it will turn out very stylish and effective!
Where to get pallets
There are pallets in any woodworking enterprise, in a large hardware store or a hypermarket. They are used by transport companies and large warehouses for the transportation and temporary storage of products. Only pallets from food will not work, because they absorb odors that cannot be removed later.
Which pallets are suitable for garden furniture
Any new pallets without obvious defects, large cracks or rot are suitable for garden furniture. They are strong enough and strong, so that they can withstand up to 200-250 kg. Do not use pallets marked IPPC or painted with industrial paints - they are toxic!
It is better to make furniture for the country house from euro pallets or first grade pallets. The rest of the classes allow more defects and damages. The higher the level, the more accurate the dimensions and other characteristics, so that the furniture will be much neater.
New Euro pallets can be certified or not - it indicates the presence of additional sanitization. On the surface there will be a corresponding stamp, which gives a more loft atmosphere. For the garden, additional impregnation with antiseptics and a primer is required - from moisture, mold, fungus and decay.
The standard sizes of pallets that are used in transportation are 80x120x14.5 and 100x120x14.5 cm. Make sure they are the same, otherwise you will need to somehow compensate for the level difference. The bottom deck gives the pallets the increased strength required for furniture.
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How to fasten pallets together
New industrial pallets are not perfectly flat because they don't need perfect sanding to transport and store goods. So first, sand down each drawer with a coarse sandpaper or sander. You will remove all defects, get rid of potential splinters and at the same time prepare the surface for painting.
Trays that have already been used can be washed with warm soapy water and dried outside. After a layer of primer, paint them with wood stain or special paint for wood and cover with water-repellent varnish. To repaint the garden furniture later, you will need to completely remove the entire previous layer with sandpaper.
The easiest way to fasten pallets is with regular long nails. They must be driven into thick joints at a slight angle. A drill and screwdriver will take a little longer, but the connections will be tighter and more accurate. For loaded joints, corners and metal strips are used - such a connection is called a remote connection.
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Garden furniture from pallets - photos and ideas
Summer cottage furniture should be practical, simple and inexpensive. Pallets are perfect for this task, as they make literally anything out of them. The principle of use differs little from the usual constructor, so you can handle it even without experience!
Pallet garden table
DIY the simplest table with just a few pallets stacked on top of one another. You can expand it or make a practical multi-level design. A comfortable solid tabletop will be made from a glass plate.
Pallet benches and armchairs
Budget pallet country seats are benches, outdoor sofas, armchairs and poufs. For a large number of people, an angular or modular design is suitable. You can make a wide bench with or without a back, or arrange a lot of armchairs with smaller soft upholstery around the table.
Stand for flowers from pallets
An ordinary pallet turned upside down is a ready-made stand for flowerpots with seedlings. For stability, make a backing underneath or screw in a couple of brackets. Additional shelves with hooks - and now the multifunctional garden shelf is ready!
Swing for giving from pallets
Almost any garden swing on a frame made of beams with chains can be assembled from pallets. This can be a small child seat, a wide bed with hanging rails, or a spacious bench with a backrest and armrests.
Pallet gazebo
If you have a couple of sturdy beams and a dozen or two pallets, make a covered gazebo. They will make a platform and a roof, so it will be enough to lay a flooring on the roof. Inside, you can throw a few large pillows and put a coffee table.
Fence from pallets
Inverted pallets are ready-made partitions that look just as good as a wooden picket fence. They are suitable for the construction of an aviary, fencing a playground or zoning beds. For stability, immerse each section 15-20 cm in the ground.
Dog bed made of pallets
A pair of pallets is a spacious and comfortable bed for a pet. Make small sides and put inside a mattress with cushions made of dense foam and upholstery. A good alternative to a closed booth, but completely outdoors!
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