Pallet Project – DIY Deck Island

While in Virginia visiting our DD and SIL, we worked on a couple of projects – an island made out of pallets and a rocking chair painted with homemade chalk paint.

This is a tutorial on the DIY Deck Island.

Project List (affiliate links):

Hammer
3″ Deck Screws
Cordless Drill
Pry Bar
Spray Paint

Glue
2x4s
Ceramic Tile

DIY Deck Island

Since pallets come in all different sizes, we won’t give you exact measurements, since it would do you no good anyway. BUT, I am giving you detailed pictures and will try to answer any questions you may have – just leave them in a comment.

Find two pallets that are the same size.

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

Pry off pieces that you won’t use, carefully.

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

Build a Frame with 2×4’s.
Keep in mind what size you will need the frame to be in order to accommodate the size of tile you plan to use on the top. DH used his (aff links) cordless drill to assemble the frame with 3″ deck screws.

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

The middle section didn’t match up. We wanted a middle and bottom shelf, so in order to add that, the center and bottom pallet pieces needed to be level. DH and Taylor pried off the inside support and added new supports. My DH leveled up the bottom supports.

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

We added slats to the middle supports to make a shelf.

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

DH built a top piece that would set right on top using 2×4’s and pallet slats.

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

Support, cut, nail, repeat.

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

As you can see we worked past sunset – family projects are so fun!

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

Before setting on the top, Jillian and I painted with (affiliate) Espresso Satin Rust-Oleum Painters Touch 2X Spray Paint.
DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

lovemydiyhome.com

lovemydiyhome.com

lovemydiyhome.com

We walked around Lowes looking for table top options. Ceramic tile was perfect and inexpensive.

Taylor added glue and placed the tile.

lovemydiyhome.com

lovemydiyhome.com

lovemydiyhome.com

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

The tile looked unfinished so we added trim.

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

We couldn’t find quarter round that was slim enough, so we used simple square wood pieces to trim it out.

 

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

No, those aren’t my hands, BTW.

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

Trash to treasure – a deck island out of pallets.

DIY Pallet Deck Island {Love My DIY Home}

I’ll never look at a pallet the same.

It does take vision, but if you can see past what a piece is and see how it COULD be, then you can have something useful and pleasing to the eye.

This pallet deck island was made in a weekend without plans or specific directions. Between the four of us, we figured it out and added and subtracted as we went along to come up with a one of a kind deck island. What have you dreamed up that you want to build?

Have you ever worked with pallets?

Can you wing it or do you need specific plans? 

Homemade Chalk Type Paint Recipes {Love My DIY Home}If you are interested in using chalk type paint download my 4 Homemade Chalky Paint Recipes – compared and described with instructions PDF and then make it yourself and save $$. Doing so will put you on my mailing list but feel free to unsubscribe any time. Really. It’s OK. I may cry a little, but I’ll get over it. 🙂

Have a great DIY day!

XXOO

VAL signatureFree eBook

Planning a project? Shop Amazon:

* Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy anything after clicking on one of the affiliate links, I receive a small commission of the sale. The cost to you is the same, and I only link to items that I think would benefit my readers. Your support of this blog is greatly appreciated!

22 thoughts on “Pallet Project – DIY Deck Island”

  1. Your deck table looks great! I love that you all put it together with no plans except imagination, and the tile top just sets it off. I’m sure it will be enjoyed for a long, long time. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Thanks Karen! I just read your post about your lamp shade this morning. Don’t you just love thrift stores? I’m itching to go to one today…

      Reply
  2. I made one similar to this but didn't have the shelf. What a briliant idea! I'm pinning this one, because what could be better than one pallet bar – why two of course! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  3. This is one of the best Pallet upcycles I have seen.  I love it and want to make one for my backyard!  Thank you so much for linking up at The Handmade Hangout.  Featuring tonight at Redouxinteriors.com. 🙂 

    Reply
  4. Nice job.  I could sure use this on my back deck.  The only thing I might do differently is make the shelves accessible from one of the long sides.  Unless I had something specific that was long, which would store there.  Maybe a table umbrella on the bottom and long BBQ utencils on the middleshelf.

     

    Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Love My DIY Home