Pallet Deck Ideas for Your Pool: 12 Creative DIY Projects That Wow

Pallet wood decking costs $0 to $3 per square foot in materials (free pallets from local warehouses, or $5 to $15 each from lumber yards and online sellers) and builds a functional poolside deck in a single weekend. The reclaimed-wood look pairs naturally with above-ground pools, stock-tank pools, and small in-ground pools where a full composite or hardwood deck would overshoot the budget. Below are 12 pallet deck ideas for your pool with pallet sourcing, treatment methods, structural framing, finish options, and cost breakdowns for each design.

1. Rustic Reclaimed Pallet Deck

Deconstructing 10 to 15 standard 48 x 40-inch pallets and re-nailing the boards onto a treated-lumber joist frame creates a rustic pool deck with the weathered, grey-toned surface of reclaimed wood. Source heat-treated (HT-stamped) pallets from local warehouses, distribution centres, or industrial parks (most businesses give them away for free or charge $2 to $5 each). Avoid pallets stamped MB (methyl bromide treated) because the fumigant residue is not safe for bare-skin contact areas like a pool deck.

Build the joist frame from 2 x 6 pressure-treated lumber ($5 to $8 per 8-foot board) on 16-inch centres, set on concrete deck blocks ($5 to $7 each from Sakrete or Quikrete) spaced every 4 feet. Rip the pallet boards to a uniform 3.5-inch width on a table saw, sand with 60-grit then 120-grit sandpaper, and fasten to the joists with 2.5-inch stainless-steel or coated deck screws ($8 per pound). A 10 x 12-foot rustic pallet deck costs $150 to $400 in framing, fasteners, and finish materials, plus free to $75 in pallet stock.

2. Raised Poolside Platform

A raised pallet deck (12 to 24 inches above grade) gives swimmers a platform for towelling off, sunbathing, and stepping down into an above-ground pool at a comfortable entry height. Build the subframe from doubled 2 x 8 pressure-treated beams on 6 x 6 posts set in concrete footings (12-inch diameter Sonotube forms, $8 to $12 each, filled with ready-mix concrete), and deck the surface with sanded, sealed pallet boards or a mix of pallet boards and new 5/4 x 6 deck boards ($1.50 to $3 per linear foot) for a stronger walking surface.

A raised deck over 30 inches above grade requires a guard rail (36 inches tall with balusters spaced no wider than 4 inches) per residential building code, so plan the deck height to stay under 30 inches if you want to avoid railing costs. Add a set of two or three box steps (built from the same pallet boards over a treated-lumber frame) at one end of the deck for ground-level access. A 12 x 16-foot raised pallet deck at 18 inches above grade costs $400 to $900 in framing and materials, roughly one-quarter the cost of a comparable composite deck from Trex or TimberTech. High deck builds over 30 inches use the same post-and-beam framing method scaled up with longer posts and deeper footings.

3. Natural-Finish Minimalist Deck

Leaving pallet boards in their raw, unfinished state (sanded smooth but not stained or painted) gives the deck a clean, Scandinavian-minimalist look that weathers to silver-grey within 6 to 12 months of outdoor exposure. Sand each board to 120-grit, round the edges with a palm router or sandpaper block to prevent splinters, and apply one coat of a clear UV-protective wood oil ($15 to $25 per quart from Penofin or TWP) that preserves the natural wood grain without adding colour.

The natural finish works best with oak or maple pallet boards, which have tighter grain and higher hardness than the common southern pine pallets. Sort incoming pallets by species (look for heavier, tighter-grained boards) and reserve the hardwood boards for the deck surface while using the softer pine boards for hidden framing and blocking. Re-apply the wood oil once a year in spring, after power-washing the deck surface with a fan-tip nozzle at 1,500 PSI to remove winter grime and mildew without gouging the soft wood.

4. Tropical Bright-Colour Deck

Staining or painting pallet deck boards in tropical colours (turquoise, coral, mango, lime green, or sky blue) turns a budget pool deck into a vacation-vibe hangout that looks like a beach-bar floor. Use solid-body exterior deck stain ($25 to $40 per gallon from BEHR DeckOver or Cabot Solid Color) for full coverage that hides the pallet grain, or semi-transparent stain ($20 to $35 per gallon from Ready Seal or TWP) for colour with visible wood texture underneath.

Paint or stain every board before installation (lay them across two sawhorses and roll or spray both faces and all four edges) so the colour covers surfaces that will be inaccessible once the boards are screwed to the joists. Alternate two or three colours in a random or repeating pattern (every other board, every third board, or random assignment) for a playful, multi-toned deck. Colourful stair treads in the same tropical palette connect the pool deck to a raised patio or yard level above. A 10 x 10-foot tropical pallet deck costs $100 to $250 in stain plus $100 to $300 in framing materials.

5. Zen Garden Pool Deck

Combining pallet decking with raked gravel beds, smooth river stones, and a single specimen plant (a Japanese maple, a bamboo clump, or a dwarf pine) creates a zen-garden pool surround that feels meditative and calm. Build the pallet deck in an L-shape or U-shape around the pool, and leave a 3-to-4-foot-wide strip between the deck edge and the pool coping filled with 2 inches of white or grey pea gravel ($35 to $50 per ton) over weed barrier fabric.

Set 3 to 5 large, smooth river boulders ($20 to $50 each from a stone yard) in the gravel bed in an asymmetric grouping, and plant the specimen tree in a low-profile concrete or ceramic planter ($30 to $60) at the inside corner of the deck. Stain the pallet boards in a dark tone (ebony, dark walnut, or charcoal) so the wood recedes visually and the white gravel and green foliage stand out as the focal points. A zen-themed pallet pool deck costs $300 to $700 total, including the deck, gravel, boulders, and plant.

6. Vertical Planter Wall on Deck

Standing a pallet upright, stapling weed barrier fabric across the back and bottom, filling with potting soil, and planting through the slat openings creates a vertical planter that doubles as a privacy screen between the pool deck and the neighbours. One standard 48 x 40-inch pallet holds 8 to 10 plants in three rows, and two or three pallets side by side build a 10-to-12-foot-long living wall that screens the pool from a side yard or alley.

Plant the pallet planter with heat-tolerant, trailing species: wave petunias, trailing lantana, sweet potato vine, creeping jenny, or string of pearls. Water the vertical planter every 1 to 2 days in summer (gravity drains the soil faster than a horizontal bed) and feed with a water-soluble fertiliser every 2 weeks. Brace the standing pallet against a fence post or a deck railing with two L-brackets ($2 to $4 each) so wind does not topple it into the pool. A three-pallet living wall costs $15 to $30 in soil, fabric, and fasteners, plus $20 to $40 in plants.

7. LED-Lit Pallet Deck

Running LED strip lights ($10 to $25 per 16-foot roll from HitLights, Philips Hue Outdoor, or Govee) under the deck boards, along the deck perimeter, or inside the joist bays creates a ground-level glow that lights the pool area for nighttime swimming without post-mounted floods or overhead string lights. Choose IP65 or IP67 waterproof-rated LED strips for outdoor pool use, and mount them with the adhesive backing or stainless-steel clip brackets ($0.10 each) on the underside of the joist frame.

Wire the LED strips to a 12V power supply ($10 to $20) plugged into a GFCI outdoor outlet, and control the colour and brightness with a remote ($5 to $10) or a smartphone app (Govee Home or Philips Hue). Porch lantern setups use similar LED strips inside lantern frames for a matching glow that connects the front entry to the backyard pool area. An LED-lit pallet deck adds $20 to $50 in lighting materials and draws about $0.50 per month in electricity at 4 hours of nightly use.

8. Mixed-Material Texture Deck

Alternating pallet-wood sections with bands of gravel, river stone, or concrete pavers across the deck surface creates a textured, mixed-material pool surround that breaks up the wood grain and adds drainage channels between the decked zones. Build 4-foot-wide pallet-board sections separated by 2-foot-wide gravel strips (framed with steel garden edging, $3 to $5 per linear foot, and filled with 2 inches of pea gravel over weed barrier fabric).

The gravel strips function as built-in drainage channels that carry splash-out and rainwater away from the deck boards, reducing standing water and extending the pallet-wood lifespan. Alternatively, set 12 x 12-inch or 16 x 16-inch concrete stepping-stone pavers ($1 to $3 each from Pavestone or Home Depot) flush with the deck surface at 24-inch intervals for a stepping-stone path across the pallet deck that provides a hard-surface walking route for bare feet sensitive to wood texture. A 10 x 14-foot mixed-material deck costs $250 to $550 in combined materials.

9. Fire Pit Pallet Deck

Setting a portable propane or gas fire pit ($150 to $400 from Outland Living, TACKLIFE, or Heininger) on a non-combustible pad in the centre of a pallet pool deck creates a gathering spot for cool evenings after swimming. Place a 30 x 30-inch or 36 x 36-inch fire-resistant mat ($20 to $40) or a custom-cut 1/2-inch cement board ($10 per 3 x 5-foot sheet from Hardie) under the fire pit to protect the pallet boards from radiant heat.

Keep the fire pit at least 10 feet from the pool edge (to prevent sparks and embers from reaching the water or the pool equipment), and position it where prevailing wind blows smoke away from the pool and the house rather than across the swimming area. A portable propane fire pit with a 20-pound tank ($15 to $20 per tank fill) runs for 8 to 10 hours per tank and provides 40,000 to 60,000 BTUs of warmth in a 10-foot radius. Four Adirondack chairs ($100 to $200 each from POLYWOOD) or four pallet-wood lounge chairs built from the same pallet stock ring the fire pit for a complete fireside seating area.

10. Artistic Accent Deck

Painting a mural, a compass rose, or a geometric pattern directly on the pallet deck surface with exterior porch paint ($10 to $15 per quart from BEHR or Rust-Oleum) turns the deck floor into a statement piece. Use painter’s tape ($4 to $6 per roll of FrogTape or ScotchBlue) to mask clean lines for geometric designs, or freehand a wave pattern, a sunburst, or the outline of a palm tree for a tropical pool vibe.

Seal the painted design with two coats of clear exterior polyurethane ($15 to $25 per quart from Minwax Helmsman or Varathane) to protect the paint from foot traffic, UV, and pool-water splashing. A single 4 x 4-foot compass-rose design uses less than one quart of paint in 3 to 4 colours and takes 3 to 4 hours to tape, paint, and seal. Repaint high-traffic areas of the design annually, and re-seal the full deck surface every 2 to 3 years to keep the art and the surrounding wood protected.

11. Cozy Lounge Nook

Building a 4 x 6-foot nook at one end of the pallet pool deck with a raised back wall (two stacked pallets stood upright and braced to the deck frame) and a thick seat cushion ($40 to $80 from Classic Accessories or Arden Selections) creates a daybed-style lounge for reading, napping, or watching swimmers. Screw the upright pallets to the deck joists with 4-inch structural screws and brace the top with a 2 x 4 cross bar to prevent the back wall from rocking.

Layer two or three outdoor throw pillows ($15 to $25 each from Sunbrella or Mainstays) against the back wall, and drape a lightweight outdoor blanket ($15 to $30) over the arm for a magazine-cover pool nook that costs under $200 to build and furnish. She-shed porches with a similar daybed-and-pillow setup create a matching relaxation zone in a garden studio that mirrors the poolside nook.

12. Sunbathing Platform

A ground-level pallet deck (framed directly on weed barrier fabric and gravel, with no posts or footings) built on the south or west side of the pool catches the most afternoon sun and serves as a dedicated tanning and lounging area. Build a 8 x 10-foot or 10 x 12-foot platform with 2 x 6 treated joists on 16-inch centres sitting on 4-inch gravel pads, and deck the surface with sanded pallet boards fastened with stainless-steel screws.

Sand the entire surface to 150-grit for bare-skin comfort (pool loungers lie directly on the wood in swimsuits, so splinters are unacceptable on a sunbathing deck), and apply two coats of Thompson’s WaterSeal or Ready Seal in a golden or honey tone ($20 to $35 per gallon) to protect the wood and add a warm colour that stays comfortable in the sun. Place two adjustable chaise lounges ($50 to $150 each from Best Choice Products or Amazon Basics) and a small side table ($15 to $30) on the platform for a complete sun deck. A ground-level sunbathing pallet deck costs $150 to $350 in total materials and installs in one day. Visit The Designers Company for more pool deck, patio, and outdoor living design guides.

How to Build a Pallet Pool Deck

1. Source and Prepare the Pallets

Collect 15 to 25 heat-treated (HT-stamped) pallets from local warehouses, shipping companies, or online listings. Inspect each pallet for rot, mould, insect damage, and chemical stains, and reject any boards that are split, warped more than 1/4 inch over their length, or discoloured with green or black mould. Disassemble the pallets with a reciprocating saw ($50 to $75 per day rental) or a pallet buster tool ($15 to $25), pull all nails with a nail puller, and sort the boards by width and thickness.

2. Build the Joist Frame

Lay out the deck footprint with string lines and stakes, set concrete deck blocks every 4 feet in both directions on a 4-inch compacted gravel pad, and place 2 x 6 pressure-treated joists on 16-inch centres across the blocks. Level each joist with composite shims ($3 per pack) and secure the frame with joist hangers ($1 to $2 each from Simpson Strong-Tie) and structural screws. The joist frame is the structural backbone of the deck and must be level, square, and solidly connected at every joint.

3. Install Deck Boards and Finish

Sand each pallet board to 120-grit on both faces, rip to a uniform width on a table saw, and fasten to the joists with 2.5-inch coated deck screws (two screws per board at each joist crossing). Leave a 1/8-inch gap between boards for drainage and seasonal wood movement. After all boards are installed, sand the full deck surface with a random-orbit sander at 120-grit, blow off the dust, and apply two coats of exterior wood stain or sealer, drying 4 to 6 hours between coats.

4. Add Finishing Touches

Install a perimeter fascia board (ripped pallet boards or 1 x 6 treated lumber) around the deck edge to hide the joist frame and block debris from collecting under the deck. Add a set of box steps at the pool entry point, and run LED strip lights under the fascia for nighttime ambiance. Inspect the deck surface monthly for loose screws, popped nails, and cracked boards, and replace any damaged boards immediately because a bare foot on a split pallet board next to a pool is a trip to the emergency room.

Pallet Deck Cost Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Are pallet decks safe around pools?

Pallet decks are safe for pool use when built on a proper joist frame, sanded to 120-grit or finer to remove splinters, and sealed with a non-skid exterior finish. Use only heat-treated (HT-stamped) pallets, never chemically treated (MB-stamped) pallets, and inspect the surface monthly for loose boards, popped fasteners, and surface cracks that could catch bare toes or pool towels.

How long does a pallet pool deck last?

A well-maintained pallet deck lasts 5 to 8 years in a pool environment where the wood gets regular exposure to water, chlorine splash-out, and UV light. Annual sanding and re-sealing extends the life toward the 8-year end, while an untreated or unmaintained pallet deck can show rot and structural failure in 3 to 4 years. The pressure-treated joist frame underneath lasts 15 to 20 years and can be re-decked with new pallet boards when the surface wears out.

What finish is best for a pallet pool deck?

A penetrating oil-based wood sealer (TWP 1500, Penofin Ultra Premium, or Ready Seal, $25 to $40 per gallon) soaks into the wood fibres and protects from the inside without forming a film that peels or flakes. Avoid film-forming polyurethane or varnish on a pool deck because pool water and bare feet wear through the film in one season, and the peeling film looks worse than bare wood. Apply two coats in spring, let dry 48 hours before foot traffic, and re-coat once per year.

Can you build a pallet deck without footings?

Ground-level pallet decks (less than 8 inches above grade) can sit on concrete deck blocks ($5 to $7 each) resting on compacted gravel pads without poured-concrete footings. Decks raised more than 12 inches above grade should use concrete footings (poured in 12-inch Sonotube forms set below the frost line) for stability and code compliance. Check your local building code because permit and footing requirements vary by jurisdiction and deck height.

How many pallets do you need for a pool deck?

A standard 48 x 40-inch pallet yields about 10 to 12 usable deck boards (each 3.5 inches wide and 40 to 48 inches long) after disassembly, covering roughly 10 to 13 square feet of deck surface. A 10 x 12-foot deck (120 square feet) needs 10 to 12 pallets, plus 3 to 5 extra for waste, rejects, and replacement boards. Collect 20 to 25 percent more pallets than the math suggests because not all boards pass the quality inspection after disassembly.