8 HOW TO GARDENMAKE FURNITUREPALLET

Pallet garden furniture is a brilliant addition to any outdoor space, providing you with bespoke seating on a budget.

What’s more, it ticks all the sustainability boxes too as you’re creating something totally unique out of reclaimed materials.

■ Pallet wood is a great choice for making furniture provided it’s not treated with chemicals. Many DIY retailers now sell pre-treated, kiln-dried and FSC accredited pallets, so you know that they’re safe to use. You can also source them for free – ask at supermarkets, construction sites or hardware shops. Look for ones that are in good condition – avoid any with cracks, splintering or rot.

■ ‘Some initial prep is needed to use pallets for garden furniture,’ explains construction expert Thomas Goodman from Myjobquote (myjobquote.co.uk). ‘Check for any nails sticking out and if the wood is rough, it’ll need sanding to remove sharp edges and prevent splinters.’

■ You should always give the wood a couple of coats of outdoor paint so it can stand up to the weather long-term. Apply it using a mini roller for an even finish and a brush for those harder-to-reach areas.

■ Create the base of your bench by stacking two or more pallets on top of each other. When you’re happy with the seat height, secure them with screws using a drill. ‘The easiest way to join pallets together is using galvanised metal joining plates and screws,’ continues Thomas. ‘Screw into the chunkier wood in the middle section, rather than the side slats, for a solid fixing.’ Next, prop another pallet in a vertical position to create the back of your seat.

■ Many retailers, such as Homebase, Manomano.co.uk and Amazon sell special bench seat pads that are a perfect fit for pallet furniture. Finish with a few colourful scatter cushions and enjoy!

IDEAL HOME TIP You'll need three pallets to make a two-seater sofa or six for a four-seater.