How to build a garden bench. Don’t you sometimes get tired of paying someone else to do something that you can easily do yourself? I know I do. Not only is it fun and relaxing, but it’s rewarding as well. Let me show you how to build a garden bench in your backyard!
When I bought my new home, the first thing I did was look for a place to have a garden. One of the features that made this place so irresistible was that it had a backyard with just enough room for me to create my dream garden. Besides the flowerbeds and different plant species, garden bench design ideas how to make a bench seat I wanted to include outside furniture in my garden area. The easiest pieces of furniture that I could find were some wooden benches that were simple yet stylish.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| **Materials Required** | Wood:
Fasteners:
Tools:
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| **Design Options** | Types of Benches:
Style Considerations:
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| **Building Steps** | 1. Planning:
2. Cutting Wood:
3. Assembling the Bench:
4. Finishing Touches:
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| **Maintenance Tips** | 1. Regular Cleaning:
2. Reapply Finish:
3. Repair Damage:
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Garden Bench Design Ideas
🧱 How It Works
- Back‑to‑back seats: simple, sturdy, no backs—great for strong build, but not comfy for long sits.
- Raised seat with armrest back support: seat higher than armrests lets people lean back when tired. Easier for those who need rest while gardening.
- Straight wooden bench: bench top on two legs, matching width and length. For two or three people, go wider (6–8 ft+).
đź“‹ Materials or Tools Needed
- Wood (for seats, legs) or stone/metal for sturdier builds
- Screws, nails, hardware
- Stain or paint for weather protection
- Optional: cushions (fabric/foam)
- For storage bench: waterproof container or box under seat
⚙️ Step‑by‑Step Instructions
- Choose material & style (wood, metal, plastic, stone).
- Decide on comfort needs: backrest? armrests? cushions?
- Cut components: seat top, legs, backrest or armrest supports.
- Assemble: attach legs, foot run‑outs, optional back/arms.
- Finish: sand, stain/paint, seal.
- Add cushions or storage container if desired.
âś… Pros and Cons
| Style | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Back‑to‑back bench | Simple, sturdy | Uncomfortable long‑term |
| Lean‑on armrest bench | Easy rest, ergonomic | Slightly more complex build |
| Wooden/stone bench | Timeless, durable | Wood needs upkeep, stone is heavy |
| Storage bench | Dual‑purpose, neat | Needs weatherproofing |
🔍 Compared with Similar Methods or Products
- Stone vs wood: Stone lasts forever and needs little upkeep; wood is lighter and DIY‑friendly .
- Ergonomic bench features: Slightly curved back, seat angle ~95–105° supports posture and comfort.
đź’ˇ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Seat too flat: add slight seat slope for comfort.
- No armrests/backrest: avoid for long sitting.
- Too low seat: aim for ~18″ height for easier standing/sitting.
- Legs extending past seat: causes tripping—keep them inside or add kickspace.
đź‘· Who Should Use This
- Weekend DIYer: Basic wooden or storage bench.
- Comfort‑focused gardener: Bench with backrest, ergonomic curves, cushions.
- Low‑maintenance outdoor user: Consider stone or resin storage bench.
🧰 Expert Tips
- Add storage under seat for tools or cushions.
- Seal wood every couple of years.
- Position under shade or arbor to protect finish and improve comfort
- Use slatted wood with small gaps for water runoff.
đź“Ś Quick Facts
- Seat height ~18″, depth 12–18″ (bench with back)
- Allow ~24″ per person on seat length
- Storage benches hide tools, cushions, toys
đź“Š Visual Table & Checklist
Build Checklist
- Material & style chosen
- Seat height 18″, depth and width planned
- Backrest/armrest angles ergonomic
- Weather‑proof finish
- Cushions or storage features
Here’s a simple step-by-step tutorial on how to build a garden bench. Here we are building a simple wooden bench seat, but the same method can be used to make an ornate garden bench with elaborate turned legs.
Step 1: Decide on size and proportions of your garden bench. We wanted ours to fit in a small space between two trees, so we decided on a width of 90cm and length of 200cm. This meant that the seat would be 40cm wide (2 x 20cm planks) and 70cm long (3 x 30cm planks).
Step 2: Choose which wood species you want to use for the bench seat and buy it in bulk (at least 4m). We chose sawn softwood because it is easy to work with and looks good in most settings. You’ll also need some wood glue if you’re not used to working with wood.
Step 3: Cut your planks into shorter lengths for the seat components (we cut ours into 20 x 30cm lengths). Lay out all the pieces for each component side by side so you can check for possible gaps between them. Make sure that all edges are flush with each other otherwise there may be gaps between them when you assemble them later on (see
There are many ways to build a garden bench. Some people prefer to build the entire bench from scratch and others prefer to use pre-made parts. The materials you use will depend on your budget and the look that you want to achieve.
Whether you decide to DIY or hire a professional, there are some things you should consider before getting started.
How long do I want my bench? A long bench that goes all the way across an area is great for sitting and enjoying the view, but it can also be a bit awkward if you have limited space. If you have a large backyard, then a long bench may be perfect for you. However, if it’s just a small backyard then perhaps something more compact would be better suited for your needs.
What style do I want? There are so many different styles when it comes to building garden benches that it can be difficult deciding which one would suit your home best. From rustic wooden benches to modern metal ones, there’s something for everyone!
Do I have enough room? If your backyard isn’t very big then perhaps building a traditional wooden bench might not be the best idea as they take up quite a lot of space when compared with other options such as concrete or plastic ones which only require minimal
There are many benefits to having a garden bench. A garden bench can be used as a place to sit and relax or read a book, or it can be used as a place to put on shoes before walking into the house. Garden benches also add beauty and elegance to any outdoor living space.
The first step in building your own wooden garden bench is choosing the material you want to use. You can make your own bench out of any type of wood, such as pine, cedar or redwood. But if you want something more durable and weather-resistant, consider using composite wood instead. This type of wood is made from recycled plastic and wood chips that are mixed together with resins so they form solid boards. Composite woods are extremely strong but also lightweight and easy to work with. They come in many different colors and styles so you can match them with your existing decorating scheme.
In order for your garden bench to last for years, it should be built with sturdy construction methods such as mortise-and-tenon joinery (where one piece fits into another). Mortise-and-tenon joints make it easy to assemble pieces together while keeping them strong enough to hold up over time. You’ll need some basic carpentry skills in order to
Are you planning to make a bench, but you are not sure how to do it? This article will help you with the process and show you how to build a bench seat. You can use it in any room of your house, but I think that it will look best in a garden.
Bench seat design ideas
You can choose from many different designs for your garden bench. You can go for a traditional style or modern one. If you want something simple, then just buy some wood and build your own seating area. However, if you want something more personalized and unique, then read on to find out how to make a bench seat from scratch!
How to make a wooden bench seat?
First of all, choose the type of wood that you like best. It can be pine or cedar if you want something natural or oak if you want something more solid and durable. This is important because the strength and density of the wood affects the durability of your finished project significantly
If you’re looking to add some seating in your garden, but want something a little more substantial than standard chairs, then a bench may be just the thing. You can buy them ready-made or make them yourself using simple tools and materials.
A bench seat is a great way of adding extra seating to your garden. It will also look good when it is not in use as it can be used for storage or simply as an attractive feature in its own right.
There are many different designs and styles of garden bench that you can choose from, however if you have limited space and just want somewhere to sit down, then this simple DIY project will suit you perfectly.
Building a garden bench is a great way to add a unique feature to your garden. It can be as simple as using concrete blocks to make a seat and adding a few bricks for decoration. Garden benches are also perfect for creating seating areas around the pool or spa in your backyard and they can be used as a focal point when entertaining guests.
The easiest way to build a garden bench is by using concrete blocks. These blocks come in different shapes, sizes and colors so you can easily match them to your home’s exterior design. Concrete blocks are made from cement, sand and water and these ingredients provide enough strength for supporting the weight of two adults sitting down on the bench at once.
If you want to make your own concrete block bench, then follow these steps:
1) First measure the length of your intended bench seat area and mark out the space where you would like the bench to go. You can do this with chalk or spray paint so that it is easy to see later on when you begin building your bench seat area.
2) Next, place one layer of blocks along both sides of this marked out area so that they are evenly spaced apart from each other at least 1 inch apart from each other (use wooden
A bench seat is an ideal addition to any garden, patio or terrace. The benches can be used to sit on while enjoying the views, relaxing and taking in the sounds of nature. They are also great for entertaining guests and making your home more inviting. If you want to add a new bench to your outdoor space, here are some things to consider before buying one:
Bench Design
When choosing a bench design, you should consider how much space you have available for it. The material you choose will depend on the look that you desire for your outdoor space. For example, if you want a rustic look, then wood would be an appropriate choice of material; whereas if you want something modern then metal may be better suited for this purpose. You should also think about other things like whether or not it should have arm rests or not.
Seating Type
The seating type refers to whether or not there is room for more than one person on each seat. This is an important consideration when buying a bench because sometimes people may want to sit together with friends or family members but other times they may prefer to sit alone without anyone else around them. If this is the case then having seats that allow two people
There are many different types of benches that you can build for your garden or yard. A bench is a great way to add extra seating to your patio or deck, and it can also be used as an accent piece in your yard or garden.
A basic garden bench is an easy project that can be completed in a weekend. This type of bench is designed with simple construction techniques and materials. It is made from two boards that are joined together using wooden dowels or screws. The seat can be made from any type of material, but it is usually constructed from wood slats that are glued together and then screwed onto a frame made from 2x4s.
You will need:
Two 2×8 boards
Three 2x4s
2″ wood screws or dowels
Stain or paint
Sandpaper
Build the frame by attaching one end of each 2×8 board to one end of each 2×4 using two screws on each side. Place these four pieces into position so they form a square corner with all four sides equal in length and width, like this: