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    Home » DIY Crafts » Upcycling Ideas

    Make a Potting Bench from Pallets & an Antique Window

    Published: May 24, 2018 · Modified: Apr 26, 2020 by Christina Dennis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 34 Comments

    Learn how to build a potting bench from pallets, recycled lumber and an antique window with this step-by-step tutorial. This rustic, shabby chic DIY is perfect for your farmhouse style garden!

    How to make a DIY potting bench out of old pallets, reclaimed wood and an antique window

    This post is part of this year's Outdoor Extravaganza blog hop hosted by Shauna of Satori Design for Living. After you've read my post, make sure to hop on over to all of the other outdoor "paint & built it" themed projects linked at the bottom.

    How to make a DIY potting bench out of old pallets, reclaimed wood and an antique window

    I've always wanted a cute little potting bench to use for potting plants or as a beverage stand for BBQs - there's something so very farmhouse about them! When I happened upon an old pallet on our property and some old pieces of wood in our back field, I thought they'd be the perfect candidates for making an upcycled potting bench. I also had an antique window that I was no longer using as indoor decor, so I added it to my materials list, too!

    Here's how I made a cute, rustic potting bench from a pallet, 4 lengths of old lumber and an antique window.

    How to make a DIY potting bench out of old pallets, reclaimed wood and an antique window

    I used an old pallet (it's already cut in half in the above photo), an antique window, two pieces of 2x4s that were 36" long, and two pieces of 2x6s that were 68" long (36" long plus the height of my antique window). Luckily my pallet was exactly the same width as my antique window, but if yours isn't you might have to cut your pallet down a little to match your window's width.

    How to make a DIY potting bench out of old pallets, reclaimed wood and an antique window

    First, my husband Sean cut my pallet in half lengthwise with a skill saw to create two pieces for the top and bottom shelf of my potting bench. As I mentioned above, you may also have to cut some width off of your pallet to make it match your window's width in order for this potting bench design to work.

    How to make a DIY potting bench out of old pallets, reclaimed wood and an antique window

    Next I used deck screws to fasten the a 36" long 2x4 piece of wood to one of the front outside corners of one of pallet shelves. I attached the other 36" long piece of wood to the other front outside corner. Then, I fastened the 68" 2x6 piece of wood to the back outside corner of the same pallet shelf, and I attached the other 68" piece to the opposite back outside corner of the pallet shelf.

    I made sure that there were 36" of wood below the shelf (for the leg) and 35" above (to attach to the window, later). If your window is taller than 35", you'll need to find/cut your leg pieces accordingly.

    How to make a DIY potting bench out of old pallets, reclaimed wood and an antique window

    Then, I carefully placed my antique window between the back two pieces of wood, on top of and aligned with the back of the pallet shelf. I fastened the window to the wood using deck screws.

    How to make a DIY potting bench out of old pallets, reclaimed wood and an antique window

    Next, I placed the bottom pallet shelf in between the legs at the bottom of my potting bench and raised it off the ground using scrap wood pieces. I screwed the legs to the pallet shelf with the deck screws.

    How to make a DIY potting bench out of old pallets, reclaimed wood and an antique window

    As a finishing touch, I managed to find another piece of scrap 2x4 that I cut to size and used as a top shelf on my potting bench. I attached it in between the top of the back legs with screws.

    How to make a DIY potting bench out of old pallets, reclaimed wood and an antique window

    I hummed and hawed over it, but I finally decided to paint the bench instead of leaving it rustic. I found a gorgeous robin's egg blue colour of paint called Dreaming of the Day by Cloverdale Paint, and did a very quick and messy paint job. I still wanted to the piece to look a little rough and weather worn, so a quick coat of paint with a few random missing patches did the trick!

    How to make a DIY potting bench out of old pallets, reclaimed wood and an antique window

    I made a little sign with some leftover wood & an acrylic paint pen to attach to the top of the potting bench...

    How to make a DIY potting bench out of old pallets, reclaimed wood and an antique window

    ... and I attached this cute little chalkboard hook I had on hand to one side of the bench to store scissors and pruners.

    How to make a DIY potting bench out of old pallets, reclaimed wood and an antique window

    I LOVE how this little guy turned out and it looks extra cute on my studio's back deck!

    How to make a DIY potting bench out of old pallets, reclaimed wood and an antique window

    It's such an adorable piece that hardly cost me a thing and only took a couple of days to build.

    Now tell me: Would you ever try building a potting bench out of reclaimed wood?

    Watch my video below to learn how to make a potting bench from pallets:

    Come have a look at the other outdoor paint & built-it projects that my blogging friends are sharing today:

    Satori Design for Living | Vinyet Etc. | The Happy Housie | The DIY Mommy

    PMQ for Two | Clean and Scentsible | Finding Silver Pennies | Casa Watkins Living | So Much Better with Age

    Zevy Joy | Shades of Blue Interiors | Amber Tysl | Craftberry Bush | A Pretty Life

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    • How to Set Up a Cricut for the First Time (Step by Step!)
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shauna

      May 24, 2018 at 8:02 am

      It looks like you and Laurie were on the same page. Love this little project. I wish we had room for something like it, but these town lots are tight. Another reason to move to the country! Thanks for sharing your beautiful OE projects once again 🙂

      Reply
    2. Stephanie @ Casa Watkins Living

      May 24, 2018 at 9:07 am

      I love this idea! What a great way to repurpose a window and the potting bench looks so pretty. Great color!

      Reply
    3. Jamie

      May 24, 2018 at 10:05 am

      Christina! This is amazing, girl! I love how you made this and love the color too. Great job!
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        May 25, 2018 at 7:49 am

        Thanks, Jamie!

        Reply
    4. Laurie @ Vinyet Etc

      May 24, 2018 at 10:47 am

      How sweet your potting bench is and you picked the perfect colour too, gorgeous! You know what they say, great minds think alike! xo

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        May 25, 2018 at 7:49 am

        Thanks, Laurie. Haha great mind do think alike love your potting bench

        Reply
    5. Jo-Anna Rooney

      May 24, 2018 at 3:19 pm

      Christina this turned out gorgeous!! I knew you would make something fabulous with those pieces! And the colour is perfection

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        May 25, 2018 at 7:48 am

        Thanks so much, Jo-Anna

        Reply
    6. ariel

      May 24, 2018 at 3:51 pm

      I love that everytime I see your husband doing a project, he's in PJs.
      This is a great way to upcycple some palettes, and it fits your style perfectly!

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        May 25, 2018 at 7:47 am

        Haha thanks, Ariel.

        Reply
    7. Danielle

      May 27, 2018 at 11:47 am

      Oooooh, I love what you built with reclaimed things. The color is so dreamy, too!

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        May 27, 2018 at 2:28 pm

        Thanks, Danielle

        Reply
    8. Sara

      May 27, 2018 at 2:50 pm

      I love this soooooooo much! Gotta make one for myself!

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        May 29, 2018 at 7:49 am

        Yes you do!

        Reply
    9. Krista

      June 03, 2018 at 8:53 am

      I REALLY LOVE this Christina!! Such a fantastic DIY - I'd love to try it myself someday! Pinned and thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        June 03, 2018 at 12:10 pm

        🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

        Reply
    10. Debbie-Dabble

      June 05, 2018 at 3:25 pm

      Absolutely love your sweet potting shed!!!
      hugs,
      Deb

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        June 07, 2018 at 8:22 am

        Thank you, Debbie!

        Reply
    11. Kasia|Wooden Pallet Projects Toolbox

      June 14, 2018 at 9:28 am

      This is a super cute idea! And I also do love projects from pallets but it's a shame I don't have as much time as I'd like to do more. I've managed to make a herb garden, a coffee table and a sandbox for my little girl. My next project is a garden sofa and a table as well. Will see if I find the time 🙂 I love the color too! You completely nailed the worn/rough look. Thanks for sharing Christina!

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        June 15, 2018 at 7:23 am

        Thanks for stopping by and it sounds like you’ve made some wonderful things yourself!

        Reply
    12. Eileen

      June 05, 2020 at 9:05 am

      This is really fantastic. so easy and so so pretty. I love the color!!

      Reply
    13. Suzy

      January 08, 2021 at 10:20 am

      Thanks for the inspiration, I too can’t decided weather to paint it or not.

      Reply

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