No COUCH potatoes here....

Pallet Couch!

I call this the tornado resistant (not tornado proof - cause nothing really is) pallet couch because it weighs so much, you need 2 people to move it. Of course I used really heavy pallets cause I wanted it to not go anywhere, but once you start stacking them, they become incredibly heavy.

This color is called Proud Peacock. I LURVE it! It is EXTERIOR paint from CLARK & KENSINGTON, an Ace Hardware brand.

So, I started out with 3 big blue pallets that were 47 x 36". These are super heavy and weather resistant, which means that they are made with pressure treated wood and coated with protectorate. Over time though, they break down from breaks and cracks and they will need to be sealed again to keep for even longer! This is why we paint. (Plus because we love pretty colors).

One of them will get cut in half to use as the back board. Break out that jig saw or sawzall and cut in half on one side of the middle feet. Remove the lengthwise boards but leave the base board and feet intact, because you will use them later.

Once you have all your pieces cut, Sand EVERYTHING. This step will take you the longest. I do not wish my house guests to get skewered by splinters or shards that I forgot to get rid of, so I sand the heck out of it. To get the big shards off, I use the sanding tool on the Dremmel and work out all of the sharp spots and holes that are too small for the sander to get.

HLT: Run your fingers or a linen cloth over the whole piece to find the splinters that you missed while sanding.

Dust off all of the pieces, and then you are ready to paint! These monstrous pallets used about a half gallon of exterior paint. I always get a gallon anyways, so that I can match it later if I have to and to know that I will have enough.

HLT: Paint all of your pieces BEFORE you assemble. It will take way more time and much body contorting to get all of those tight spots after the fact.

PALLETS ASSEMBLE!!!!

 

Using 3" decking screws, connect your pallets together by drilling pilot holes though the top layer foot into the bottom, them screw them together.

Next, attach the base board with feet to the back part of the top layer. Then use the discarded boards from earlier to lean the half pallet to the position you are comfortable with. You may have to cut the boards down, depending how laid back you prefer.
Screw all boards in to make the piece solid.

Now it's time to add the slats.

These can be left over pieces from anything. Any length or width - you just want them to be the same height or they will be uncomfortable to sit on. Start from the middle and match them up laying until you get your pallet covered. Use your jig saw to cut off the excess overhang.

Repeat for the backer piece. Screw in all your boards. I used 1 1/4 length screws for this part to avoid having exposed screw backs poking through.

Sand everything! Clean and Paint!

Add pillows and a cushion if you like, but after all that sanding, it is nice enough by itself.

So go make something fun!

-Deborah