Repurpose Old Wood Pallets Into A Custom Planter For An Instantly Elevated Look

Pallets have seemingly infinite uses. They're perfect for creating your own compost bin. And they can even be transformed into a wow-worthy outdoor bar. One pallet upcycle you might not have thought of yet, though, is turning them into elegant custom planters.

Planter boxes are gorgeous, but often pricy. But if you can source an old wooden pallet to create your planter, not only can you customize it to the exact size and shape you need, but it will also be free, as long as you already have the necessary tools. These tools include a saw, a drill, a hammer or pry bar, and screws. And of course, don't forget your gloves and safety goggles.

To find a pallet, you can ask in community groups or just visit local businesses and warehouses and ask if they have pallets they are getting rid of. You may even find some put out on the side of the road for your area's bulk trash pick-up. If you are planning to grow vegetables or other edible crops in your planter, make sure to take one that is not made of pressure-treated wood. There should be a stamp or marking on the pallet to let you know what chemical processes it was exposed to.

There are a wide variety of ways you can turn pallets into planters, but one relatively easy design requires just one pallet. Begin by disassembling the pallet using a pry bar or hammer, and remove or bend down the nails so they are not sticking out. Cut three of the planks into quarters. Then create three rectangular boxes by screwing two of the shorter boards to two longer boards. Now, stack the three boxes on top of each other, and secure them together by putting a vertical piece of wood in two of the inner corners and screwing the sides into it. 

Next, you'll need to screw in the other short pieces you cut to create the planter's floor. Your gorgeous planter garden is now ready to fill with potting mix and the flowers and veggies of your choice. To save a little money, you can also use pool noodles and pine cones to help fill the empty space in the large planter, so you won't need as much potting soil.

If you want your planter raised off the ground slightly, you can use small pieces of the leftover pallet to create feet to lift it up. To do this, just put one piece of wood in each corner. You can also stain and seal it to help it match your decor and last longer.