***I dream of comfortable pallet furniture surrounding my fire pit. Nights cuddled under blankets on these benches, watching the fire, roasting marshmallows, enjoying the stars. Because I've wanted this so much, I always thought the furniture might be too difficult to build.
I was wrong!
I finished my weekend pallet project in just a few hours, so I was left with a day and a half with no projects! What could I do? Then I spotted my pallet piles. And I saw two pallets nearly the same width. I found a 2X4, and the project was on. THIS would be the weekend I would create my pallet bench!
Materials:
2 equal width pallets (mine were 47" across)
4 equally cut 2X4s (mine were equally cut 26" each)
4 pallet boards barely shorter than your pallets are wide (mine were 45" long
2 pallet boards to use as arm rests. Mine were longer and wider so I can rest a drink, my arm, etc.
2" screws
Tools:
Mitre saw
Reciprocating saw
Sander
Drill
I have labeled the bench with the specific pieces below. I hope it helps! Please feel free to let me know any questions you have.
To Do:
Your two pallets will be knows at your seat pallet and your back pallet. The seat pallet is where you will be sitting, so use your pallet that has the boards closest together for the seat. You will be more comfortable this way. You can use any type of pallet for the back pallet.
Using your sander, sand the pallets as smooth as possible. Pallet wood is not smooth. I've gotten splinters from every single pallet project I've done, and I wear gloves! I'm actually nursing a splinter from this project right now. It may take some time, but when you can sit on your bench without getting splinters, you will be grateful you spent the time sanding.
Take one of your spare pallet boards and cut them to the width of your seat pallet using the mitre saw. This will be the front of your seat pallet, where your legs will hang down. Using two screws, drill this board into the front of the seat pallet.
Using your mitre saw, cut your 2X4 into 4 equal lengths. These are the legs of your bench. My legs were 26" each. Using 2 1/2" screws, drill the legs to the side of the seat pallet so that about 6" are actually on the ground, and the remainder is above the seat. That is where you will attach the arm rests. I had to use my reciprocating saw to create a notch in the seat pallet so that the leg could extend above the seat pallet.
Flip the seat pallet so that the backside is facing up. Measure one of the spare pieces of pallet board to the proper length to fasten to the legs on top. Drills that board across as a brace.
Place the back pallet so that the bottom is flush with the bottom of the seating pallet and the rest of the pallet is supported by the support brace. Attach the back with 2 1/2" screws until stable.
Finally, flip the bench right side up. Take the two remaining spare pallet boards and drill them to the 2X4s that are sticking up. This will be your arm rest. I used a wider pallet board to give me more room to place my computer, drink, or whatever!
I left my bench plain (so far) but it would be really pretty with some outdoor cushions, pillows, paint, stain...let your imagination run wild!
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