The Upcycler round-up: 5 DIY ideas using pallets and paint

Ah, the humble timber pallet. They’re a dime a dozen and often dismissed as rubbish, but did you know they can actually be the foundation of an incredible array of DIY projects? Just ask Jacob Leaf (Ngāpuhi) also known as The Upcycler. He is the master at repurposing pallets, breaking them down and transforming the boards and stringers into custom pieces that he then elevates with Resene paint or stain.

Luckily, free pallets are usually readily available – check with local bulk stores or supermarkets to see if they have any they can pass onto you.

The key to ensuring your reimagined pallet piece lasts is washing the timber thoroughly first with Resene Timber and Deck Wash and treating any residual mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Another key aspect is to ensure your measurements are correct – as the DIY mantra goes, measure twice, cut once!

Upcycling old pallets saves them from going to landfill and repurposing them into something new is great for the environment, as well as an excellent way to hone your DIY skills. Check out some of Jacob’s pallet projects below and give them a go yourself.

BBQ wall buddy painted in Resene Carpe Diem and finished with Resene Woodsman Whitewash. Weatherboards in Resene Quarter Silver Chalice.

Chair frame painted in Resene Parsley and seat and back finished with Resene Furniture and Decking Oil.

BBQ wall buddy

Warmer weather calls for al fresco entertaining and enjoying afternoons and evenings cranking up the barbecue. Take your outdoor cooking game to the next level by building this super cool BBQ wall buddy shelf. The handy cupboard has a drop down door to keep all your oils, rubs, sauces and utensils tucked safely away – and the door also doubles as a table!

This practical storage unit means you’ll have everything you need right on hand, so there’ll be no need to keep dashing inside to the kitchen. While you can tailor the shelving to suit your specific condiments and equipment, Jacob’s design offers a universal layout to display a wide range of barbecue essentials, as well as an area to hang your tools. Jacob has given his shelf a punchy pop of sunny colour with a coating of Resene Lustacryl in Resene Carpe Diem paired with Resene Woodsman Whitewash, but you can paint yours in a shade to suit your home’s style.

Check out Jacob’s step-by-step instructions to make your own.

Adirondack chair

American Thomas Lee knew the importance of comfort when he designed the Adirondack chair in the early 20th century. He was looking for something that was comfortable to sit on but sturdy enough to cope with the rugged elements of the Adirondack Mountains where he lived – the same goes for the changeable conditions in our part of the world! Jacob has painted his in Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel tinted to Resene Parsley and allowed the natural beauty of the timber to shine through in the seat and backrest by using Resene Furniture and Decking Oil.

Painting tips:

If you prefer a higher gloss finish, use Resene Enamacryl instead of Resene Lustacryl. Or for a lower sheen finish, use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.
If you’re choosing a dark colour, opt for the Resene CoolColour version to keep your chair cooler.
If you can’t choose a favourite colour, use multiple colours to paint the back upright part of the chair – it’s a great way to enjoy more than one colour and brighten up your deck or backyard.

Find out how to construct your own Adirondack chair.

Wheelie bin storage unit stained in Resene Pitch Black.

Wood store painted in Resene Parsley and stained in Resene Kwila.

Wheelie bin storage unit

Council rubbish bins are a necessity, so why not build a stylish house for them to live in, safely tucked out of sight until collection day? Jacob’s one also incorporates a planter box on the top to help it blend in with his garden. Resene Waterborne Woodsman penetrating oil stain in Resene Pitch Black provides a sleek, modern look, while the hinged doors allow easy access to the bins. Once the structure has been built, Jacob fills the planter box with topsoil and plants it out with grasses, which look great and don’t require much maintenance.

Find out how to make this practical disguise for your bins.

A-Frame wood store

Finding a practical outdoor storage solution that also looks good can be tricky, but as always, Jacob has you covered! This A-frame wood store is the perfect place to keep your firewood organised outside.

Jacob gives the A-frame a pop of colour with vibrant green Resene Parsley, while allowing the natural beauty of the timber cladding to shine through with Resene Waterborne Woodsman penetrating oil stain in Resene Kwila. But you can paint yours in whichever hues best suit your home or garden.

Check out the step-by-step instructions to build one for your place.

This build can be easily adapted to fit your railing size.

Fence bar painted in Resene Rapture.

Fence bar

Creative, practical and cost-effective, this fence bar is designed to straddle the balustrade of your balcony or deck and sits flat, creating a handy table. It’s also particularly useful for narrower areas that don’t have enough room for outdoor furniture.

Jacob uses two pallets to build the structure and gives it a pop of colour with Resene Rapture – but you can paint yours in any colour that suits your house style or garden. This fence bar offers an endless amount of uses: enjoying drinks and nibbles when hosting your next summer soirée; setting up your computer to work from home with a view; sitting with a morning cup of coffee and the paper.

Make your own fence bar to enhance your outdoor space.