This article was created for eBay via Fractl in fall 2014.
They’re tranquil for reading or napping on a hazy summer day… romantic for nighttime cuddling under the stars… and of course, fun for swinging. The pallet swing bed just might be the most versatile and lowest-cost yard feature you can build (or that you can get your crafty significant other to build.)
Required materials:
- Two pallets (and possibly a third for extra boards)
- Three 2 x 4 pieces of lumber (at least 80 inches/6.7 feet long to make a twin bed)
- Drill
- Screws
- Saw
- Measuring tape
- Rope or chain
- Bedding
Get Your Pallets
Pallets come in different sizes and styles. To build a twin-sized pallet swing bed, get pallets that are at least 39 inches wide (the majority of them are).
Where do you get these things? You can always order pallets online (they’re even on Amazon.com) or look for sellers on Craigslist. However, that would defeat much of the purpose of a pallet project: recycling free building materials. Your best bet is to ask nicely at small, local, independent businesses such as garden supply stores, nurseries, hardware stores, etc.
If you see pallets put aside at a business or construction site, ask before snagging them in case the business re-uses them or returns them to their source.
Some cautious blog-folk suggest taking care with where you get your pallets in case they’ve been contaminated with anything like fungus, critter poop, bug infestations, some sort of deadly plague, etc.
There are a few ways to help assure that you choose wisely. Naturally, avoid any pallet that appears to have had mysterious liquid spilled on it.
Next, look for a stamp. Pallets frequently show an IPPC logo that indicates several pieces of information: a two-letter country code (such as US), a number assigned by the National Plant Protection Organization that indicates the producer, and “HT” for Heat Treatment or “MB” for Methyl Bromide. Heat-treated pallets are considered ok for personal use while the chemically treated pallets are not. If you see a “DB,” that indicates the wood was debarked.
If you remain concerned about any possible ick factor:
- Don’t eat your pallets.
- Do spray them with a bleach solution, let them dry, and seal them.
Build Your Bed
You can determine the size to build based on what bedding you’d like to put on top, such as a twin mattress, outdoor seating cushions, or just a big pile of pillows and blankets, etc.
1. Place your two pallets on the ground and slide your three 2 x 4’s inside: one along each inside edge, and one in the middle.
2. Adjust the spacing of your pallets to reach your desired bed length. Allow about 5 extra inches beyond your mattress length so you’ll have room to tie ropes at each end. (A good pallet bed length for a twin mattress, which is 75 inches long, is 80 inches.)
3. Screw the boards to the pallets.
4. If there is a gap between your pallets, use additional lumber or pallet boards to fill it in.
5. Saw off any excess length if your 2 x 4’s are longer than your new bed.
6. Drill holes in each corner of the bed (top and bottom boards) wide enough to thread your rope or chain through.
Hang Your New Bed
1. Decide how you want to hang your new pallet swing bed. There are a variety of styles you can use to string your rope or chain.
2. Get a rope or chain with a high working load limit from a home improvement store. The length you’ll require will depend on the height of your tree branch and how you choose to hang the bed, so determine these to get your estimate. Then, err on the side of caution and buy it long.
3. Get tying. If you’re unsure how to tie a secure knot that suits your hanging style, look for video tutorials or check out apps such as “Knots 3D” for step-by step instructions.
Make it Comfy
Make sure all of your bedding is appropriate for the outdoors, or that you bring it inside as needed. (Clean bed=great. Wet bed=not great. But you already knew that somehow.)
If using an indoor mattress, insert it into several vinyl covers and keep an eye on whether the covers get any punctures (got local critters with claws?) or whether any moisture seeps in through the openings.
Options to take it even further:
1. Hang mosquito netting from the tree.
2. String up lights.
3. Add a little table for your book and beverage.
Tips:
Understand that the swing is heavy so it won’t move much on its own in the breeze. However, if you push, it can swing as high as the ropes allow.
The weight limit of your swing will depend on your pallets, your tree, and your rope, so use your best judgment. It’s probably not a good idea to pile all your friends onto it at once or to dance on it. (This will take some supervision if you have kids or interesting house parties.)
To protect your tree, consider using “cambium protectors.” These are sleeves that keep the rope from chafing or cutting into the tree’s bark.
Consider protecting and personalizing your pallet swing bed with wood stain or paint. This will ensure that it looks beautiful even when it’s bare because you’ve brought the bedding indoors.
For lazy swinging, hang another rope from a nearby branch so that it reaches down to the pallet swing. Just pull the rope to make the bed swing without having to put your legs on the ground.
If you don’t have a usable tree, consider other hanging possibilities such as under a porch, deck, gazebo, or pergola. Also consider re-using an old swingset frame, or erecting something similar using wood or poles.
For more of a loveseat or child-sized bed, downsize the pallets to fit an old crib mattress.
Once your new pallet swing bed is in place, you just might be too excited to relax—until you lie down. Worth it.