DIY Patio Bench

A small patio bench can be placed anywhere outdoors that it is needed.

Whether you want to place a bench on your patio or anywhere else around your home and garden, purchasing a decorative bench can be expensive. Luckily you can build your own patio bench in just a weekend and have a comfortable place to sit readily available whenever you're outdoors. With a do-it-yourself bench in place, you can surround it with potted plants, place decorative cushions on it for relaxed seating or paint it with outdoor paint for a stylish look.

Things You'll Need

• 2 boards, 2 by 4 inches, 6 feet long
• 4 boards, 2 by 4 inches, 2 feet long
• Galvanized screws, 4 inches long
• Drill
• 4 posts, 4 by 4 inches, 2 feet long
• Drill bit, 1/2-inch
• 8 lag bolts, 1/2-inch diameter, 8 inches or longer
• Wrench
• 4 boards, 2 by 6 inches, 6 feet long
• Sandpaper
• Clear sealant, paint or stain, as desired

Instructions

1. Set your 6-foot, 2- by 4-inch boards on the ground, parallel to each other, two feet apart. Place the four 2-foot, 2- by 4-inch boards perpendicular to and inside the 6-foot boards. Align the two outermost 2-foot boards with the ends of the 6-foot boards to form a rectangle. Space the two remaining 2-foot boards two feet apart within the rectangle like rungs of a ladder.

2. Drill two screws through the 6-foot boards and into the 2-foot boards at each point where they connect to create the framework for the bench. Stand your four posts upright and set each post into its own corner of the frame to form the legs of the bench.

3. Adjust the legs so they are flush inside each corner. Drill through the 6-foot boards an inch from the top edge of the frame and into the legs of the bench once at each leg. Slip a lag bolt through each hole and secure the accompanying nut with a wrench.

4. Drill through the 2-foot boards an inch from the bottom edge of the frame and into the legs of the bench, careful to avoid intersecting the lag bolt. Slip your remaining lag bolts through these holes and secure with a wrench. Flip the framework over so it rests on the legs.

5. Spread out your 2-by-6-inch boards over the top of the frame so they run side by side. Space the boards evenly 1/2-inch apart and make sure they are flush along all four sides of the frame. Screw two screws through the boards and into the frame at each point where they align over the 2-foot boards of the frame.

6. Sand over the entire bench to smooth away splinters and avoid clothing snags. Finish with a clear sealant, paint or wood stain as desired, following the directions on the product.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to make the patio bench more decorative, consider painting on designs that incorporate your outdoor style such as adding ladybugs, butterflies, landscape scenes or vines.

References

• "Deck Designs"; Steve Cory; 2005
• "New Complete Guide to Landscaping"; Better Homes and Gardens; 2002