Turn Scrap Wood Pallets Into A Cute, Rustic Hose Storage Solution

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Spring is that time of year when you remember everything that went wrong with last year's garden hose storage. When you head to the hardware store to buy a hose reel or hanger, the thought of investing in yet another expensive plastic contraption that is sure to break within a few years is dismaying. It turns out that all you need is a little free time and an (also most likely free) wood pallet to craft a way to store your hose. If you are just a little nifty with simple carpentry tools, you can turn scrap wood into a charming hose storage solution that's sturdier, cheaper, and a lot more interesting than store-bought options.

There's nothing new about using a simple wood pallet to keep a garden hose organized. However, the clever design and decorative front panel of the DIY hose hanger shared by YouTube creator Suart86 offers an advanced twist on the idea. Suart86 mounts three J-shaped arms to crossbars, and raises the center arm about 2 inches higher than the others. The hose drapes naturally and evenly over the arm when coiled.

All you need are a few pieces of scrap pallet wood to start. There are plenty of places to find free pallets near you, including Facebook Marketplace, local hardware stores, pet supply and food stores, and recycling centers. Cut the wood pallet into three boards that are 12 inches long and six 7-inch boards. You'll also need two 9-inch-long crossbars to hold the J-shaped pieces together. Finally, you'll need a small piece of scrap plywood for the decorative heart shape on the front of the hanger, plus some basic tools, like a saw, a hammer, and nails, or an electric drill and screws. You could also get some wood glue.

There are a lot of budget-friendly wood pallet DIYs that add extra storage around the house. For this particular project, start by attaching one of the two short boards you cut earlier to the long board at a right angle. You can use a hammer and nails, a drill and screws, or wood glue. If you want to make something really durable, use a combination of nails or screws and wood glue. Then attach the second short piece at a right angle to the first one, creating the J-shaped hook to hang a coiled hose on. After assembling all three J-shapes, lay them face-down on a flat surface. Pull the center J-shaped hook upward by about 2 inches. It should sit slightly higher than the other J-shaped pieces, creating a tiered surface that will ensure the hose hangs neatly.

Nail, screw, or glue the crossbars onto the back side of your hanger to secure the J-shaped hooks in place. Thicker crossbars provide more security and are more durable. Then cut out and attach the heart shape for the decorative front. You could also buy a garden-themed wooden cutout for the front — this Sniggle Sloth Solid Wood Plant Sprout Shape costs just $6. Crafty YouTuber Suart86 finishes the piece with a clear polyurethane spray, but you could also consider painting it to match your existing exterior design palette. Mount your new hose storage solution outdoors using a flexible system, such as the Blulu Bird House Hanger Bracket. Got a particularly long or heavy garden hose? Add another J-shaped hook to either side of the hanger to make it bigger.