Garden bench plans

This step by step diy woodworking project is about garden bench plans. This article features detailed instructions for building a nice garden bench, along with complete diagram. If you are a beginner when it comes to woodworking, this project could be a needed challenge to learn new skills and to build something outstanding with your own hands.

Before starting the actual construction project, we recommend you to plan everything, as to save money and to keep the costs under control. Adjust the size and the design of the garden bench to suit your needs. In addition, we recommend you to invest in high-quality materials, such as pine, redwood or cedar, as they have a nice finish and are highly durable, especially in a humid environment.

It is essential to invest in high quality materials, that are also water-resistant, such as pressure-treated lumber. Cut the components at the right size by using a circular saw and smooth the cut edges with a sand block. Don’t forget to ask a skilled friend to assist you during the project, especially if you don’t have a large expertise in the field. You need someone to hold the components into place, while you drive the screws in.

Made from this plan

Building a garden bench

Materials

A – 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 17″ long FRONT LEGS
B – 2 pieces of 2×12 lumber – 34 3/4″ long BACK LEGS
C – 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 22 1/2″ long SUPPORTS
D – 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 17″ long SUPPORTS
E – 2 piece of 2×6 lumber – 57″ long, 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 57″ long SEAT
F – 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 57″ long, 1 piece of 2×6 lumber – 57″ long BACKREST
G – 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 44″ long STRETCHER

1 piece of 2×6 lumber – 8 ft
1 piece of 2×6 lumber – 10 ft
1 piece of 2×12 lumber – 8 ft
3 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft
1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 10 ft
2 1/2″ screws
filler, glue, stain

Tools

Safety gloves, glasses
Miter saw, jigsaw
Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

Use a good miter saw to make the angle cuts
Drill pilot holes before inserting the screws

Time

One Week

Garden bench plans

Building a garden bench

Building the back leg

The first step of the woodworking project is to build the back legs of the garden bench. As you can easily notice in the diagram, you need to mark the cut lines on the 2×12 slats and get the job done with a circular saw. Smooth the cut edges with sandpaper after making the cuts, to get a professional result.

Front leg

Build the front legs out of 2×6 lumber. Place the legs on a level surface and make sure you align them with great care.

Building the sides

Fitting the braces to the legs is the next step of the woodworking project. In order to get a professional result, we recommend you to build the braces out of 2×4 lumber. Cut the ends of the braces at the right angle and size before attaching them to the legs. It is essential to fit braces on both sides of the legs, for a professional result.

Drill pilot holes through the braces and through the legs before locking them together with 5″ carriage bolts. Leave no gaps between the components and make sure the edges are aligned properly.

Building the bench seat

Build the seat of the bench out of 2×6 and 2×4 lumber. Center the slats to the sides and secure them into place with 2 1/2″ screws. Pre-drill the components, in order to prevent the wood from splitting.

Building the backrest

Center the slats to the backrest supports, drill pilot holes and secure them into place using 2 1/2″ screws. Smooth the edges with a router or with fine-grit sandpaper, in order to get a professional result.

Installing the stretcher

Fit the 2×4 stretcher to the bottom of the bench, in order to add support to the structure. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the stretcher and secure it to the bottom braces using 2 1/2″ screws. Make sure the corners are square before inserting the galvanized screws.

Garden bench plans

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. Fill the holes with wood filler and let it to dry out for several hours. Check out the rest of the woodworking projects, to see more ways to improve the look of your garden.

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