What Size Pallets for Garden Furniture?

The standard pallet used for most garden furniture projects is the Euro pallet at 1200mm by 800mm, with a height of roughly 144mm. The second common size is the UK standard pallet at 1200mm by 1000mm. Both work well, and the choice usually comes down to what you want to build: Euro pallets suit sofas, benches and coffee tables because 800mm is close to a comfortable seat depth, while the wider 1000mm pallet suits daybeds, planters and raised platforms.

If you are planning a project this weekend, the short version is this. Two Euro pallets stacked give a seat height of around 290mm, which is low. Three stacked give roughly 430mm, which is close to standard seat height once a cushion is added. A single Euro pallet on its side makes a coffee table of the right proportion for a low seating group.

The Main Pallet Sizes Explained

Pallet dimensions are standardised, which is helpful when planning. The sizes you are most likely to encounter in the UK are:

Euro pallet, also called EUR or EPAL: 1200mm long by 800mm wide, 144mm high. This is the most widely available and the most useful for furniture. The 800mm width is close to the depth of a typical outdoor sofa seat.

UK standard pallet: 1200mm long by 1000mm wide, usually 145mm high. Slightly wider and often slightly heavier. Good for daybeds, corner units and platform bases.

Half Euro pallet: 800mm by 600mm. Excellent for side tables, small planters and the corner sections of an L shaped seating arrangement.

Quarter pallet or display pallet: 600mm by 400mm. Suits stools, plant stands and small tables.

Industrial or heavy duty pallet: 1200mm by 1200mm. Square, sturdy and useful for a large square coffee table or a central platform.

Choosing a Size by Project

For a two seat sofa or bench, use two Euro pallets laid end to end for the base, giving a total length of 2400mm, or one Euro pallet for a compact single seat width. Stack three deep for seat height. Use additional pallets set vertically at the back for the backrest, cutting them down to around 600mm in height so the back sits at a comfortable angle when a cushion is added.

For a coffee table, one Euro pallet on its own is close to the proportions of a standard low table, at 1200mm by 800mm. Stack two for height, or add castors, which lift it by 50mm to 75mm and make it easy to move for cleaning. If you like the low table look but would rather not build, our modern garden coffee tables UK sale range covers similar proportions in materials made for British weather.

For a daybed or sun lounger platform, the 1200mm by 1000mm UK pallet is better because the extra width gives room to lie down comfortably. Two laid end to end reach 2400mm, which comfortably takes a standard outdoor mattress or a pair of lounger cushions.

For raised planters, half pallets and quarter pallets are the most practical. They are easier to line, easier to move once filled and less likely to sag. Full pallets used as planters need a supporting frame underneath once soil is added, because wet soil is considerably heavier than most people expect.

Heat Treated Pallets Only

This is the most important safety point and it is often overlooked. Look for the stamp on the side rail. HT means heat treated, which is safe for use in furniture. MB means methyl bromide, a chemical fumigant, and those pallets should never be used for seating, tables or anything that will be handled regularly, particularly around children.

Also check for the EPAL or EUR mark, which indicates a properly constructed pallet with consistent dimensions. Unmarked pallets vary in size and quality, and a project built from mismatched pallets will never sit level.

Avoid pallets with oil stains, chemical residue or unidentified spillage marks. Wood absorbs, and no amount of sanding removes what has soaked into the fibres. Pallets used for food or general goods transport are usually the cleanest option.

Understanding Load Bearing and Stability

A single Euro pallet is rated to carry a substantial static load, so seating is well within its capability. The weakness in pallet furniture is rarely the pallet itself: it is the connection between stacked pallets. Two pallets simply placed on top of one another will slide and rack over time.

Fix stacked pallets together with long timber screws driven through the top deck into the block or stringer below, using at least four fixings per pallet, one near each corner. Add a diagonal brace across the back of any tall arrangement. For anything with a backrest, use steel corner brackets on the inside face, where they will not be seen.

Stand the finished piece on paving slabs or a gravel bed rather than directly on soil or grass. Ground contact is the fastest route to rot, and a 20mm gap under the base transforms the lifespan of the timber.

Preparing the Timber

Pallet wood is rough sawn and needs work. Sand thoroughly, starting at 80 grit to remove splinters and surface grime, then finishing at 120 or 180 grit for anything skin will touch. Pay particular attention to edges and corners, and round them slightly, because square sawn edges on pallet timber splinter quickly outdoors.

Once sanded, treat the wood. Outdoor wood preservative first, then either an exterior wood oil for a natural finish or exterior paint for colour and a thicker protective film. Two coats minimum, and pay attention to the end grain of every cut piece, because that is where water enters. Reapply annually, ideally in late spring.

Pallet timber is usually softwood, most often pine or spruce, which means it will never match the longevity of hardwood garden furniture. Treated well and kept off the ground, expect several good seasons rather than a decade. If you want something that lasts longer with less annual maintenance, the frames in our modern garden benches UK collection are built specifically for outdoor exposure.

Cushions and Comfort

Cushion sizing is where many pallet builds fall short. The 800mm depth of a Euro pallet is generous for a seat, so a 600mm deep cushion with a 200mm gap at the back for a backrest cushion usually works better than trying to fill the whole depth. For length, standard outdoor cushions come in 600mm modules, so a 1200mm pallet takes two neatly.

Choose a cushion at least 100mm thick. Pallet decks have gaps between boards, and a thin cushion will telegraph those gaps uncomfortably. If the gaps are wide, screw an extra board or a sheet of exterior grade plywood across the top before adding cushions, which also stops smaller items from falling through.

Store cushions inside or in a sealed box when not in use. Damp cushions on damp timber accelerate rot in both. A garden storage box solves this neatly, and our modern garden storage UK sale options include sizes that suit a small patio.

How Many Pallets Will You Need?

As a rough planning guide for common projects using Euro pallets: a two seat sofa with a back takes six to eight pallets. A three seat sofa takes nine to eleven. A corner arrangement takes twelve to sixteen. A coffee table takes two. A single armchair takes four. A raised planter takes one to two, depending on depth.

Always buy two more than your calculation suggests. Pallet timber includes split boards, awkward nail placements and pieces that will not survive removal, and having spares prevents a project stalling halfway through.

When Pallets Are Not the Right Answer

Pallet furniture suits informal gardens, courtyards and terraces where a relaxed look is welcome. It is heavy to move, needs annual upkeep and has a fixed, chunky visual language that does not suit every space. For a small balcony, dining area or anywhere you need slim proportions and easy movement, purpose built furniture is the more practical route. Our modern garden furniture UK sale range covers seating sets, dining sets and loungers designed for British conditions. At Furniture in Fashion we offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes on our outdoor collections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard pallet size for garden furniture?

The Euro pallet at 1200mm by 800mm by 144mm is the standard choice. Its width sits close to a comfortable seat depth and its length matches common outdoor cushion modules, which makes planning straightforward.

How many pallets do I need for a garden sofa?

A two seat sofa with a backrest generally takes six to eight Euro pallets, and a three seat version takes nine to eleven. Buy a couple of spares, since some boards will split during dismantling.

How high should a pallet sofa be?

Three stacked Euro pallets give roughly 430mm, which reaches standard seat height once a cushion is added. Two stacked give around 290mm, which suits a lower, more lounge style seat.

Are all pallets safe to use for furniture?

No. Use only pallets stamped HT, meaning heat treated. Avoid any marked MB, which indicates chemical fumigation, and skip pallets with oil or chemical staining regardless of the stamp.

How long does pallet garden furniture last?

With annual treatment and the base kept clear of the ground, expect several seasons. Pallet timber is softwood, so it will not match the lifespan of hardwood or powder coated aluminium furniture.