21 Pallet Deck Ideas, Designs and Plans [With Pictures] (2024)

As the weather gets warmer, the idea of sitting out on a deck is incredibly enticing. But what if you don’t have a deck? Do you have to abandon your idea of a perfect surface for lounging and gathering in the summer sun?

Luckily, no, you don’t. You can make a DIY pallet deck, giving you an ideal space for summer fun.

And, when you’re looking for pallet deck ideas, there is a slew of them available. Here’s a look at some of the best pallet deck plans and designs around.

Pallet Deck Ideas, Designs and Plans

1. Purely Pallets Deck and Furniture

If you have access to high-quality, uniform pallets, this plan could be your best option. Aside from some cleanup and painting, you don’t modify any of the exposed surfaces. You let the pallets steal the show instead.

Mostly, you’ll spend your time in prepping, painting, and fastening the pallets together. That means this project can create a large deck, as well as some seating and a table, pretty quick, making it a solid choice for time-crunched DIYers, too.

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2. Simple Wood Pallet Deck

If you want to get a deck made from pallets together fast, this could be the plan for you. It uses 48-inch x 48-inch two-way barrel pallets, each of which can hold up to 1,200 pounds. Now that’s a sturdy deck!

Otherwise, it requires very few supplies, just some concrete half blocks, paint, and gravel (or sand). In the end, it’s an affordable and quick option, allowing you to start enjoying your deck in no time flat.

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4. Wood Pallet Backyard Deck

For this wooden pallet deck, the pallets serve as a level base. That means, you don’t need the highest-quality pallets to get started, as you’ll be covering those boards during the build.

The pallets can even be randomly sized. Since free pallets can be a bit inconsistent, this is a great option if you don’t get a uniform set.

After placing the weed barrier and pavers, you arrange and attach the pallets. Then, you add 2x4s to the top, creating an attractive platform to use as a deck.

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4. DIY Staircase Pallet Deck

If you’re looking for more than a single-level surface, these pallet deck plans are the way to go. It creates a staircase design, giving you the ability to bring together an existing deck and a lower section of the yard.

Even though the plan is more ambitious than a simple platform, it’s still affordable, thanks to the use of pallets. Plus, pallets make the construction less labor-intensive, saving you time and energy, too.

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5. Easy Pallet Deck

This small pallet deck is all about simplicity. After manually leveling the ground, you start by placing a weed barrier. Then, you cut the pallets to size and place them. The only finishing touch is some brick around the edges.

Now, since the pallets are resting on the ground, this approach isn’t ideal for wet climates or spots with insufficient drainage. But, if you live in a desert area, it could work, at least for a while.

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6. Pallet Deck Construction and Furniture Plans

If you want more than just a deck, these plans could be the ones for you. Along with an overview of how to put together the ground-level surface, you’ll find details about pallet sofa ideas, swing designs, and more.

As with the option above, the pallet floor isn’t raised, so it might not last long in rainy climates or if you have poor drainage. If you go this route, make sure to seal the wood to give it a protective layer, ensuring it will last a bit longer than it might otherwise.

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7. Makeshift Deck from Pallets

Just because you’re in a rental property doesn’t mean you can’t add a deck. These makeshift deck plans don’t require anything permanent, like concrete footers. But you still end up with a nice, party-ready surface.

With this option, the final result is a platform. It isn’t a fully raised pallet deck, as the wood bases of the pallets do sit on the ground. However, if you’re looking for a temporary deck to enjoy, it’s worth considering.

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8. Beautiful Pallet Deck

Just because you’re building a deck made of pallets doesn’t mean the results can’t be stunning and sturdy. These plans are a bit more involved, so they aren’t ideal for beginners. But, if you’ve tackled a few DIY construction or home improvement projects in the past, they might be right for you.

This is another approach that isn’t raised. Make sure the space underneath has great drainage. Otherwise, only go with this option if you live in a drier climate.

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9. Pallet Terrace

If you’re simply looking for some inspiration, look no further than this pallet terrace. The project doesn’t come with full instructions, so this isn’t ideal for beginners who need a step-by-step guide.

However, the provided pictures do give you a basic idea of how construction went. You get glimpses of the pallet base and how the surface was placed. If you can extrapolate a bit, it could be enough to get you headed in the right direction.

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10. Raised Pallet Deck

These instructions create a deck that was lifted off the ground, allowing it to serve as a deck for an RV trailer. But you could adjust the plans to work with any area that demands a bit of height.

Additionally, a finished floor is part of the project, creating a visually attractive outcome that’s incredibly sturdy. If you aren’t afraid of an ambitious pattern and have the tools necessary to cut down and reattach boards, it’s worth checking out.

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11. DIY Pallet Deck Tutorial

Another raised design, this DIY pallet deck, uses two layers of pallets to create the necessary height. Since the base layer rests on the ground, a drier climate or good drainage is a must. Additionally, you’ll want to invest in some sealer, giving the wood more protection.

The result is incredibly refined, as you’ll use more boards to cover the pallets. When it’s done, no one would know that you have a low-cost framework underneath that beautiful deck.

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12. Two-Level Pallet Deck

Another wooden pallet deck featuring multiple levels, this two-tiered design is ideal for people with a little bit of DIY building experience under their belt. You don’t get step-by-step instructions, so you’ll need to be able to figure out how to put it together on your own.

Additionally, this one is more time-consuming. You’ll be creating a herringbone pattern on the floor, and that requires more effort, so keep them in mind before you choose this project.

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13. Pallet Sectional Sofa

Photo by WindowWorks Design

Having seating on your deck is a must. While this project doesn’t have official plans, you can get a decent idea of how the sectional and table go together based on the pictures alone. However, it does require a little prior know-how, so you might want to skip this if you’re a beginner.

One of the benefits of this project is you don’t necessarily need perfect pallets. Some serve as a base, so, as long as those are strong, they don’t have to be pretty.

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14. Elevated Wooden Pallet Deck

With a few pallets, some pavers, some wood for flooring, and the right tools, you could make this nice elevated deck made of pallets. Since it’s raised off of the ground, it can be a good choice for wet climates or if you have doubts about drainage.

Plus, as long as the pallets are strong, they don’t have to look great. The flooring will provide some cover, letting you disguise some imperfections.

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15. Floating Pallet Deck

Technically, this project isn’t a deck; it’s closer to a pontoon raft, making it a floating deck if we’re being generous.

All you need is 55-gallon plastic barrels, pallets, and a few other basics to get started. Once everything’s together, you have a deck that will float gently on a lake.

The design even breaks down with ease, making this floating deck portable. However, you would need a truck and trailer to move it, even in pieces, so keep that in mind before you get started.

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16. Fire Pit DIY Deck

If your idea of a nice evening goes beyond sitting on a deck, consider this wood pallet deck. Along with a great raised surface, you get a fire pit, taking it to the next level.

You will need more than pallets to pull this off, including deck boards, pea gravel, and bricks. So, this isn’t the cheapest design around, but it’s still pretty affordable in comparison to a traditional deck build thanks to the pallet framework.

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17. Pallet Porch Redo

If you want to make a concrete porch look like a beautiful wooden deck, here’s the project for you. You can use the pallet frames as the foundation after removing the boards. Then, you reattach the boards to create a high-quality floor.

The project features a basket weave floor pattern, which is incredibly attractive. You could technically use any pattern you’d like, so don’t be afraid to get a little creative as long as the final result is sturdy.

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18. Large Oak Pallet Deck

This project creates a 17-foot by 14-foot deck, which covers a fairly large space. The overview of the build is reasonably comprehensive, making this a great option for learning about the construction process, even if you use other plans.

One nice feature of this approach is the flooring. Once in place, no one would ever know that the frame is pallets, making it an excellent choice for a refined final look without the cost of a traditional build.

19. Recycled Pallet Deck

One of the handful of raised, multi-tiered designs on this list, this recycled pallet deck requires some know-how. It is more complex, but the instructions are best described as brief, so some prior experience is a must for filling in the gaps.

But, if you can make use of limited information, the result is magnificent. It even includes handrails, making it a great choice for the safety-minded.

20. Pallet Patio Decking

If you aren’t afraid to spend some time dismantling pallets, this DIY pallet decking plan could work for you. The building process is fairly simple, and the instructions add some clarity. Plus, the final result looks like a traditional deck, which is a nice bonus.

The pallets do rest on the ground, so make sure you have solid drainage, or only go this route if you live in a drier climate area.

21. Small Pallet Deck

For a small pallet deck, this project is a strong contender. The result is a simple but sturdy platform surface that isn’t incredibly large.

The instructions are clear and thorough, but they are very involved. Additionally, this project is labor-intensive. For example, it features a multi-stage sanding phase featuring two different sandpaper grit levels.

However, since there’s so much detail in the guide, it could be an ideal option for anyone, including ambitious beginners. Just make sure you have access to the right tools and aren’t afraid of the time involved before you get going.

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Conclusion

If you were trying to figure out how to build a pallet deck, you should be wondering no longer. All of the pallet deck ideas about are great places to start, so consider exploring them all and giving one a try.

I hope everyone enjoyed the list above. If you’d like to share your thoughts or know of any other raised pallet decks worth exploring, share your ideas in the comments below. Also, please feel free to share this list with others, as they might be looking for amazing DIY pallet decking ideas, just like you were.