Garden Variety Outdoor Bench Plans

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Garden Variety Outdoor Bench Plans

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17 people like this.

Add some seating to your garden with a simple yet sophisticated

bench.
Total Votes: 12

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(8)

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47

Skill Level: Beginner

Estimated Cost: $110
Project Resources:

Project Diagram
Cut List
Lowe's List
6" TimberLok screws, 50-pack
21/4" stainless-steel bugle-head trim screws
See Cutting Diagram for lumber list

Enhance and enjoy your lawn and garden spaces with this super-easy, build-in-a-day bench.

Material Options:
Cedar, Douglas fir, or redwood for the legs;
redwood, composite decking, or pressure treated
for the slats
*Items may be special order in some stores;
product availability may vary online or by store.

Tools
1 quart Olympic solid color stain, Gibraltar gray,
#20264
1 quart Olympic Maximum toner, cedar
naturaltone, #7316
4d nails for slat spacers
Drill with 1/8" drill bit
Random-orbit sander with abrasive disks
Carpenters square
Paintbrush and rags

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Make the Base

Note: The wood used for this project can be left natural or you can apply a stain. If you choose
to stain it, we suggest sanding the treated parts as you proceed using a random-orbit sander
with 80- and 120-grit sandpaper. For cedar, a light sanding with 120-grit paper will do.
From a 10' length of 4"4" cut caps A and legs B to length using a miter saw
(Cutting List, Cutting Diagram). Select the clearest material and cut between
knots to get the best-looking stock.
Secure caps to the legs using two 6" TimberLok screws at each joint. Note the
fastener orientation of the screws at each joint (Bench) to keep from interfering
with each other as you proceed.
Measure the distance between the legs for the length of the stretchers C. Cut the
stretchers and aprons D to length from the remaining 4"4"s.
Turn the ends upside down and use two 6" screws to secure the aprons in position
so they extend past the leg frames by 3" (Photo 1).
With the aprons secured to the caps, roll the bench on its side and fit the stretchers
between the legs. Secure the legs to the stretchers and aprons (Photo 2) using two
6" screws at each location.

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With the end frames upside down, drive the 6" screws through the aprons D into the caps A.

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Rotate the bench on its side and drive the fasteners through the legs B into the stretcher C and
apron D.

To equally space the slats E on the aprons D, use a 4d nail between each slat (and the caps
A).

Finish Up

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Cut 15 pieces of 1"6" cedar for the seat slats E. Select the best 14 to install. (If you
prefer, substitute treated boards or composite decking for the slats.)
Before installing stainless-steel trim screws, drill a 18" pilot hole in the soft cedar
(Photo 3). If you use treated or composite boards, countersink the holes.
To apply a finish, remove the slats and apply the stain to the parts following the
manufacturers instructions. We used an opaque stain for the treated components
and a toned stain for the cedar.
When the finish has cured, reinstall the slats and place the bench in your garden to
admire the view!

Submit Comments & Photos

Gymgirl Houston, TX

10/6/2011 2:11:32 PM

Semeeth,
What was the total cost of your bench?
It looks great!
0 out of 1 people found this comment helpful.

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Kelly Buehler Houston, TX

9/12/2011 10:04:46 AM

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The cut list was updated since I printed it. the original instructions didn't have a dimension for part D,
the long 4x4's. I figured it out with a little math, but it was a bit annoying.
0 out of 1 people found this comment helpful.

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Tony Benicia, CA

7/5/2011 1:08:53 AM

The length of the aprons are 80 13/16"

1 out of 2 people found this comment helpful.

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Sergio Boston, Ma

6/16/2011 10:42:29 AM

built it in one evening with the help of my 6yr. old. Instructions were very easy to follow, except for the
fact that I could not find the lenght of the bench anywhere. The stain on the instructions did not match
the color on the pictures it was very gray so we selected a blueish stain and a composite material for
the top. Very solid bench with 2yr. old twins I don't have to worry about the bench for years to come.
4 out of 5 people found this comment helpful.

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Dave Spokane, WA

6/10/2011 11:55:00 PM

Raise the bottom stretcher an inch or two if the bench may be sitting on an unlevel or rough surface.
6 out of 6 people found this comment helpful.

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Lowe's Creative Ideas

6/9/2011 11:55:39 AM

Sumeeth,
Your bench turned out great! Thanks for sharing your photo with us!
--The LCI Team
1 out of 1 people found this comment helpful.

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Anonymous Saint Louis,Mo

6/8/2011 5:45:52 PM

Wow great idea i got this from a customer when i was cleaning her carpet in Saint Louis, MO
1 out of 3 people found this comment helpful.

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Sumeeth McKinney TX

6/6/2011 6:32:22 PM

A great design and easy to follow instructions

8 out of 8 people found this comment helpful.

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