How to Build an Outdoor Bench

This step by step project is about garden chair plans. This detailed woodworking article features complete plans with step by step illustrations regarding the construction of a beautiful bench for your backyard. If you want to build a bench for your garden using common tools and materials, we recommend you to pay attention to the instructions described in this project. Adjust the size and the design of the bench to suit your needs and to fit within the budget.

There are several aspects that any person should take into account before starting the woodworking project. First of all, you need to use weather-resistant lumber, such as cedar, pine or redwood. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the components, if you want to lock them together tightly. In addition, add wood glue to the joints and check if the corners are right-angled. Plan everything from the very beginning, if you want to get a professional result. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

Projects made from these plans

Previous

DIY Planter Box

  

Building an outdoor bench

Building an outdoor bench

Cut & Shopping Lists

• A – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 18″ long FRONT LEGS
• A – 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 30″ long BACK LEGS
• B – 2 piece of 1×3 lumber – 18″ long, 3 pieces – 40 1/2″ long FRAME 
  
• C – 2 piece of 2×2 lumber – 42″ long SUPPORTS
• D – 12 piece of 1×4 lumber – 16″ long BACKREST
• E – 12 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 19 1/2″ long SEAT

• 1 piece of 2×2 lumber – 10 ft
• 1 piece of 2×6 lumber – 6 ft
• 2 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 8 ft
• 5 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 8 ft
• 1 5/8″ screws
• 2 1/2″ screws
• wood glue
• wood filler
• wood stain

Tools

 Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square

 Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander

 Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses

Time

 One day

Related

• Outdoor chair plans
• Lounge chair plans

Make sure you follow us on Facebook to be the first that gets our latest plans and for some other exclusive content. Also, follow us on Pinterest to get many ideas for your backyard from all the internet! See how you can Support Us with no extra costs to you. 

How to Build an Outdoor Bench

Building the legs

The first step of the garden project is to build the legs for your woodworking bench. Mark the cut lines on the 2×6 slat and double check if they are accurate. Use a circular saw to get the job done and smooth the cut edges with a piece of fine-grit sandpaper.

Mark accurate cut lines on the slats, otherwise the end result won’t raise to your expectations. Adjust the size of the legs to suit your needs.

Building the back rest of the chair

Continue the woodworking project by attaching the supports to the back legs. As you can easily notice in the diagram, we recommend you to drill pocket holes at both ends of the 2×2 lumber. Insert 2 1/2″ galvanized screws into the side legs and add glue the joints.

Make sure the corners are square and leave no gaps between the components. Check if the edges are flush one with another before inserting the screws.

Building the front frame

The next step of the project, we recommend you to build the front frame for the chair. Cut the front legs out of 2×2 lumber and the rest of the components out of 1×3 lumber. Take accurate measurement and and get the job done with a circular saw.

Drill pocket holes at both ends of the long components and at one end of the side components. Insert 1 1/4″ after making sure the corners are square.

Assembling the frame of the bench

After building the front frame of the chair, we recommend you to attach it to the back legs. Use a spirit level to plumb the front walls and to check if the seat frame is perfectly horizontal.

Drill pilot holes through the seat frame and insert 1 1/4″ screws into the back legs. Add glue to the joints and remove the excess with a damp cloth. Make sure the whole structure is rigid.

Building the seat

Cut the seat slats at the right size and smooth the edges with fine grit sandpaper. Align the slats into place, making sure the edges are flush one with another. Drill pilot holes and insert 1 1/4″ screws into the frame of the bench. Add glue to the joints and remove the excess with a damp cloth.

Building the backrest

One of the last steps of the woodworking project is to attach the 1×4 slats to the backrest frame. Take accurate measurements and cut the slats with a circular saw. Align the slats to the bottom support, drill pilot holes and insert 1 1/4″ screws into the supports. 

Leave no gaps between the slats and add glue to the joints, in order to create a rigid structure. Smooth the exposed edges with sandpaper and remove the residues.

How to build an outdoor bench

Last but not least, you should take care of the finishing touches. Therefore, you need to fill the cracks with wood putty and let it dry out for several hours. Afterwards, sand the wooden surfaces with 120-grit sandpaper and vacuum the residues thoroughly.

Top Tip: Protect the wooden components from wood decay by applying several coats of stain or paint.

This article was about how to build an outdoor bench. If you want to see more outdoor plans, we recommend you to check out the rest of our projects. LIKE us on Facebook to the the first that gets our latest projects and send us pictures with your woodworking projects.

- EXPLORE MORE IDEAS FOR -