Pallet Potting Bench

It has been a hot minute since I have built anything pallets. Not because I don't like building or don't love free wood, but because pallet furniture tends to be more rustic, which isn't really my style anymore. 

But, there are certain pieces of furniture that scream, "Build me out of pallet wood!" so that is what I did when the Pro-Start (cooking) students at my kids' former high school asked for a donation for a fundraiser to go to nationals. I donate to the school functions often and what I donate totally depends on the timeline and what I might have available. I decided I wanted to build a bigger piece and thought a potting bench/outdoor buffet bar would be perfect for this time of year.

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I didn't take step by step pictures, but you can find detailed directions for making a potting bench in my book, Crafting with Wood Pallets that you can PURCHASE HERE!

I wasn't really sure what I was making, but when I found a half of a pallet (pictured above) in my workshop, it said, "I want to be a potting bench." The spaces between the pallet boards is perfect for a potting bench because they allow dirt and water to drain. Every board on this bench is from pallet wood.

I made the bench counter height. The back height was as tall as the boards I had to use as the back legs. 

I added a board as a backsplash and then the upper board for hooks. A wider, pallet board was placed on top for a shelf. The hooks came from a thrift store key hook hanger thanger I bought. 

I used paint I had on hand to add some color, slapping it on sparsely. I used a bright yellow, a burnt orange, and a mossy green. I did not paint all of the wood. When the pint was dry, I sanded some off and then stained the whole potting bench with Early American stain. I did not put any paint on the top shelf. It was finished with a spar urethane made for outdoors.

I added a larger coat hook on one front leg. This is perfect for a towel or larger gardening tool.

I put a bottle opener on the other front leg in case the owner needs a cold drink after a long (or short) day of gardening. The bottom shelf is a great place to store extra pots and it helps to make the piece more sturdy.

I staged this on my front porch where you can see a little of the spring painting I haven't shared yet. Oh, and look at my giant sunflowers! The potting bench is on its way to the auction where I hope it fetches a good price to help our local culinary students go to nationals.