This clever Reclining Pallet Lounge Chair requires no special hardware to move. It was my first pallet project. I used around four pallets, and it took me about 24 hours to build, but I’m very happy with the outcome!
My Reclining Pallet Lounge Chair project – Prep:
I dismantled somewhere between 2 and four pallets (several deck boards broke because my technique was still far from refined) to end up with the following:
- 4 boards: 90cm x 7cm x 1.5cm
- 11 boards: 70cm x 9cm x 1.5cm
There was more leftover, half-usable scrap boards of similar dimensions. There are also a lot of the pallet blocks leftover too.
Build:
I recreated those good boards with Tinkercad and figured I’d try and build a lounge chair. I Googled lounge chair angles since I figured 90-degree angles probably wouldn’t make for a comfy chair. The first image result was a goldmine of information for proper chair ergonomics. So with those parameters in mind, I puzzled together a rough idea of how I’d go about building the chair using the material I salvaged.
I sanded the boards down in advance. I assembled the supporting frame per my Tinkercad drawing. I incorporated some of the pallet blocks for stability and strength. I used deck boards to create the legs by butt-joining them and attaching them to the frame. In my drawing, I created the seat angle by tilting two sets of the pallet blocks. I attached support boards from the front to the back of the chair. These will be the boards that the seat will slide on.
I assembled the seat, using two boards underneath to mount all of the seating boards too, and did a decorative carving along the edges. I created two notches towards the back of the seat. This is where the seat back will rest in, and will allow enough “wiggle-room” for the seat to slide forward and the seat back angle to change as it is pulled forward or pushed backward. I installed two stop blocks or cleats on the underside of the seat. These will stop towards the front of the frame, so it doesn’t slide too far.
I assembled the seat back in a similar fashion to the seat but left two boards longer than the others on the bottom edge so that they can easily mount into the seat. The seat back will rest against the supporting chair frame.
Finish:
When everything was installed, I continued to sand some of the boards to bevel the edges where it contacts your legs. I installed more pallet blocks as a sturdy mounting point for the floating armrests and used several fasteners to hold them in place.
I’m really happy with my first pallet project. I think it’s innovative and extremely budget-friendly. Hopefully, my drawings inspire you!
Editor’s note: Don’t forget about our tutorials page – we’ve got lots of handy tips for you, including Easy Ways to Dismantle Pallets! We’ll be expanding it soon! https://www.1001pallets.com/2016/03/easy-way-pallet-dismantling/
Editor’s note: “Tinkercad is a simple, online 3D design and 3d printing tool for hobbyists. Use it to make toys, prototypes, home decor, jewelry, etc.” We are not receiving any compensation, nor are we explicitly endorsing any products mentioned. This is for informational purposes only.
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