How to Build Wooden Benches

Author Info

Last Updated: April 4, 2024 References

For those of you who are interested in building your own outdoor furniture, this is a must to try. Having a bench will allow for greater seating in your yard, and you can tell everyone that you made it. Here is a quick way build a wood bench. As long as you have basic knowledge of how to use tools (power or hand tools) you will be fine. These five parts, with simple steps, will guide from getting the tools and materials you will need to building the wood bench. Always be aware of where your hands are around a saw to prevent injury.

Part 1

Part 1 of 5:

Getting Started

Download Article

oak, birch, cedar, poplar, pine). Oak is a nice looking hardwood, and cedar withstands the weather well.
2
Gather the tools for the job:
- Impact Wrench or Power Drill or hand drill
- Miter Saw or hand saw
- Tape Measure
- Pencil
- Drill Bits
- Screw bits or screwdrivers that fit the heads of the screws you have
- Ruler or other straight edge
Advertisement
3
Collect hardware you will need:^{[1]
X
Research source}
- 40 pieces of 4 inch long metal straps (they can be found next the L-brackets at a hardware store), and screws to fit them if they don't already come with screws.
  - Make sure the screws are no longer than an inch.
- 34 screws that are 2 inches long (a box of 2" drywall screws will work fine that way you have some extra screws).
4
Start cutting the wood to size:^{[2]
X
Research source}
- A) 3 - 2x6 @ 48 inches
- B) 2 - 2x4 @ 19 inches
- C) 4 - 2x4 @ 25 inches
- D) 2 - 2x4 @ 18 inches
- E) 9 - 1x4 @ 10 inches
- F) 2 - 1x4 @ 17-1/4 inches (the 1/4 inch is for a future step)
- G) 2 - 1x4 @ 48 inches

Part 2

Part 2 of 5:

Assembling the Legs

Download Article

1
You will need:
- B) 2 - 2x4 @ 19 inches
- C) 4 - 2x4 @ 25 inches
- D) 2 - 2x4 @ 18 inches
Attach a (D) 18" 2x4 so that the top of this piece is 16.5" inches from the bottom of the legs, and so the ends are flush with the outside of the legs.

Part 3

Part 3 of 5:

Assembling the Seat

Download Article

Attach the end of a (A)2x6 piece on top of the cross piece (D) on one leg, making sure that it is flush with the outside of the leg.

Part 4

Part 4 of 5:

Assembling the Backrest

Download Article

1
To create a more comfortable backrest, cut an angle at the end of both (F) 17" 1x4 pieces.
- Measure 9-11/16" on one side and 17" on the other side (This is for the skinny side of the board).
- Connect the two spots.
- Cut the line.
3
Put the center of one of the (E) 10" 1x4 pieces in the middle of what you just built.
- If you desire only put one strap per board.
6
Attach the other (G) 48" 1x4 to the ends of the (E) 10" pieces.
- If you desire, only put one strap per board on the bottom.

Part 5

Part 5 of 5:

Attaching the Backrest

Download Article

Attach the angled side of the backrest (F) to the back of the legs (C), using a minimum of two screws per side, allowing the bottom (G) to rest on the seat (A).

EXPERT TIP

Sina Kamran
Hardscape Specialist
Sina Kamran is a Hardscaping Specialist and the Owner of Design Scapes, Inc. in Santa Monica, California. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in customized, site-specific hardscaping and landscaping design/build projects. He's a certified National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) designer, a certified installer with the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), and a Rain Bird Certified Irrigation Professional. Additionally, Design Scapes, Inc. has many 5-star rated reviews.

Sina Kamran
Hardscape Specialist

Building a hexagonal wood bench around a tree creates charming, one-of-a-kind seating for yards and gardens. Building a bench around a tree can make your yard both prettier and more useful. Construct a hexagonal wood seat with legs and braces for stability. This design creates charming, one-of-a-kind seating in your garden or yard.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What are the 40 4-inch long metal straps used for?

Zack

Top Answerer

Step 3 says, "Put the center of one of the (E) 10" 1x4 pieces in the middle of what you just built. If you desire only put one strap per board." Step 6 says, "Attach the other (G) 48" 1x4 to the ends of the (E) 10" pieces. If you desire, only put one strap per board on the bottom."

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

What are the 40 4-inch long metal straps used for?

Zack

Top Answerer

Step 3 says, "Put the center of one of the (E) 10" 1x4 pieces in the middle of what you just built. If you desire only put one strap per board." Step 6 says, "Attach the other (G) 48" 1x4 to the ends of the (E) 10" pieces. If you desire, only put one strap per board on the bottom."

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

The bench was designed using typical US lumber industry sizes. If obtaining wood with the actual dimensions as the wood is called by, you have to do some calculating to figure out how the backrest should be set up.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Stain the wood, if you want, after you cut it for a better looking and longer lasting finish.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you want, you can sand the edges of the armrest to make it more comfortable.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Wear proper hearing and eye protection.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

Impact Wrench or Power Drill or hand drill
Miter Saw or hand saw
Tape Measure
Pencil
Drill Bits
Screw bits or screwdrivers to fit the heads of the screws you have
Ruler or other straight edge
40 pieces of 4 inch long metal straps (they can be found next the L-brackets at a hardware store), and screws to fit them if they don't already come with screws.
- Make sure the screws are no longer than an inch.
34 screws that are 2 inches long (a box of 2" drywall screws will work fine that way you have some extra screws).
19 feet of 1x4
16 feet of 2x4
12 feet of 2x6