How to turn a wood pallet into pool noodle storage

27 Aug 2025

Tame poolside clutter with this bright and beachy DIY pool noodle holder finished in an ombré paint effect using Resene testpots. Reminiscent of turquoise waters, this project brings a splash of colour and coastal style to your outdoor area and is perfect for keeping summer fun neatly in check.

You will need:

• Wooden pallet
• Sander
• Resene Quickdry waterborne primer UnderCoat
• Resene testpots – we used Resene Blue Chill, Resene Dauntless and Resene Time Traveller
• Resene testpot brushes x 3

Step 1: Sand pallet to remove any wood splinters and to create a smoother surface for paint. Clean off any sanding dust.

Step 2: Apply one coat of Resene Quickdry waterborne primer UnderCoat. Allow to dry.  

Step 3: Decide on your Resene paint colour order for your ombré effect. Using separate Resene testpot brushes for each paint colour, begin by painting the outer two colours followed by the centre strip of the middle colour – allow a gap where the ombré crossover of paint colours will be.

Step 4: Now’s the fun part – blending the colours together. To create a smooth ombré effect, use your paintbrush to blend where the colours meet. With light, uneven strokes, drag some of the lighter colour into the next shade, and vice versa. Vary the pressure and length of your brushstrokes to create a natural-looking gradient. Keep working back and forth between the shades until you’re happy with the soft, seamless transition from light to medium to dark.

Step 5: Safely secure to an exterior wall or fence and slide in pool noodles. 

Top tip: Using a separate Resene testpot brush for each paint allows you to keep control with the colour as you are working with the overlapping areas to create the ombré effect. Work fast while the paint is still damp to get the best blend possible.

Top tip: Decks and paths around a pool can get slippery when wet. Keep your family and friends safe by painting these areas in Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path or add Resene Anti-Slip Grip Additive to your paint. 

Above: Pool noodle holder painted in an ombré effect using Resene Blue Chill (top), Resene Dauntless (middle) and Resene Time Traveller (bottom) and wall in Resene Half House White

project Pamela McIntosh
main image Bryce Carleton

Published: 27 Aug 2025