Garden benches made of wood - drawings and 95 photos for making it yourself

A garden bench is not just ordinary furniture designed for relaxation. With the help of this furniture you can decorate your garden plot, create entire compositions that will fit perfectly into the surrounding space of your garden or yard. It’s not difficult to make a garden bench with your own hands; the main thing is to choose the design of the furniture, its location and the material from which it will be made.

DIY garden bench

Types of benches

There are many types of benches. The master brings something special and unusual to the appearance of this simple element for the garden. However, all models can be divided according to some common characteristics.

Benches without backrest

This type is considered the simplest, as it consists only of a seat and several supports. Only this can all be implemented in different ways.

• We have before us a reliable, but not very attractive solution. However, the creator of this design still provided for a certain asymmetry - one edge of the seat protrudes beyond the legs, and the other is level with them. The bench is made of thick integrated boards and laminated veneer lumber. Externally, the material is roughly processed. This bench is suitable for many rustic styles, such as American country.

Simple wooden bench without back

• This bench is made of wood and concrete was used for the supports. Such composite structures look good in many landscape design styles, for example, high-tech, minimalism or loft. Concrete parts have clear geometric shapes. Against their background, the varnished board contrasts perfectly and looks very advantageous. Such a bench will also be very stable, but extremely heavy - moving it to a new place will be difficult.

Concrete wooden bench legs

• The back of this model is purely symbolic, so we will assume that it does not exist at all. It is not clear whether it will be comfortable, but it definitely looks impressive. Frame type construction. The basis was steel strips, which were looped and sheathed with a narrow lath. For stability at the bottom, additional stops are welded from a steel corner.

Outdoor benches made of metal and wood
A common disadvantage of benches without a back is the inability to completely relax while resting. You have to either keep your back tense, or create support with your hands on the seat or legs.

Benches with wooden backs

These models have a complicated structure, but they are more pleasant to relax on.

• A master of his craft clearly put a lot of effort into this model. The building material used was wooden beams, unprocessed branches and boards, which were given a rounded shape. All lumber is treated to appear aged and untreated by man. The absence of right angles and straight lines hints at unity with nature. Even the seat itself is slightly rounded inward along a wide radius.

Wooden bench with backrest for 2 people

• To achieve an aged effect, the wood is brushed. All soft fibers are removed from the surface of the material. This reveals its internal structure. A beautiful relief remains, which is further emphasized when processed with paints and varnishes or during firing. On this bench there are brushed boards in a composition with raw cuts of the trunk.

A trunk cut was used for the backrest

• Such designs are not suitable for every garden. Some styles value lightness and grace. An example of such a shop is shown in the photo below. The bench is clearly of factory origin, but if you have the right tools, you can do something like this yourself. In the photo there is clearly a lack of flowering vegetation around the bench.

Lightweight bench made of treated lumber
Assembly of such benches is also not the most difficult. Next, drawings will be presented and methods for their implementation will be described.

Bench with table

Such seats are installed mainly on terraces (read the article about arranging a terrace in a dacha), verandas and gazebos. The combination of furniture pieces forms the finished dining area.

• The photo shows an option for children. The tabletop is mounted on trusses with widely spaced legs. Crossbars are installed across them, to which the suspended bench seats are attached. Such a bench does not require a lot of material; its design is quite simple. In this case, the parts are securely connected to each other.

Wooden garden tables and benches for children

• These benches will withstand more serious loads, since they are not transferred to the table body, as in the previous case - the base under the structure is loaded. In fact, we see three separate objects connected at the bottom by a common strap. This solution gives stability to the thin legs of the bench. The seats and table top are made in an interesting way - a neat frame is formed from the board, the inside of which is filled with flooring. It looks very neat and beautiful.

How to make a wooden bench with a table for 4 adults

• The next model is complicated by the fact that it has backrests. The seats are held in place by common jumpers. It will be awkward to sit down and leave such a table. And if you consider that a backrest has also been added, then the options for this are even more limited.

These wooden benches have comfortable backs
. In general, the inconvenience of placement is a drawback of all such structures. Different people have their own sizes, so hosting guests at such a table can be a bad decision. Also, these beautiful wooden benches require a large and flat area for installation, so they are rarely placed on the ground.

Bench-sofa

This is the same bench with a back, but there are design differences. Firstly, soft pillows are always laid on top of the seat and under the back, secondly, they are made lower and are not placed in front of the dining tables, and thirdly, the seat is made deeper so that you can literally lounge on it.

• Like the previous option, these benches, due to their large dimensions, are installed on spacious terraces. This sofa is made from sanded and varnished boards. The pillows are stuffed with several layers of foam rubber and have removable covers so they can be washed (read the article on how to make pillows for garden furniture).

Bench-sofa corner

• Such structures usually have angular shapes, so processed timber of the correct cross-section is used for their manufacture. They do not differ in elegant shapes, so assembly will not be difficult - it is enough to build a strong frame, which is then covered with boards. These sofas look good in new style gardens.

Sofa with closed sides

• Old pallets are suitable as the main material for such a sofa - their shape and design correspond to the style of similar structures. Furniture made from pallets is a godsend for a loft-style garden. This material is inexpensive and very durable.

Precautionary measures

Once the choice of design type has been made, it should be taken into account that among the entire variety of various types of benches and benches, there are a number of general safety rules:

• All materials used during assembly, regardless of metal, wood, plastic, must have a perfectly smooth surface to avoid splinters, burrs, etc., getting into the skin.
• It is better to refrain from having sharp corners and protruding elements in the design.
• The height of the seat should be safe in case a child falls.

Materials for making benches

We have already seen what materials are used for garden benches, but there are no specifics yet. In this chapter we will analyze everything point by point.

Material, photo:	Description:
Treated lumber	Available in the form of slats, boards and beams. All this is used in structures of different sizes and complexity. Selecting the type of wood, the correct cross-section of parts and proper processing of materials allows you to create strong benches. Glued and bent wood is a separate category. This material is incredibly durable, moisture resistant, and does not deform due to changes in humidity.
Benches for summer cottages made of metal and wood	Wood combines beautifully with metal, which is known for its durability. The frame of the structure is most often made of iron, which is covered with wood, but there is another option when only metal inserts are used as decoration of the product. The structures are assembled from various parts. Are used: Profiled pipe; Rods. Plates. Corners. Benches with forged inserts look very nice (options of forged garden furniture are presented in our article).
Block piece material	The base of the bench can be built of brick, or these hollow concrete blocks. The last option is considered the easiest to implement. In the photo on the left you can see that the blocks are simply folded into certain shapes, and the timber is inserted into the voids in them. To prevent the bench from being flimsy, it is better to tie the materials together. The brick base is placed on the mortar - it will be very reliable. This bench will be stationary.
Hand-cut bench made from solid logs	Uncut wood is also often used for benches. These include driftwood, branches, and logs. Log models are extremely difficult to make, since you have to work with solid wood, precisely adjusting the gaps of the parts. It is difficult to do this without proper experience. Such benches are suitable for many national styles of Europe and Russia (you can see options for furniture made from logs at the link).
Pallet bench	We included furniture made from pallets in a separate category, since they are used containers and are already put together according to a certain principle. On our website there is a separate article on garden furniture made from pallets, be sure to read it.

The work can also use concrete, natural stone, metal mesh, hemp, logs and much, much more. Products made from other items look interesting. An example of this is shown in the following photo.

Bench supports from cart wheels

Workplace

In order for the selected design to turn out as intended, the work site must be properly prepared:

• For ease of marking and cutting, a wide platform is needed that does not restrict movement.
• Lighting must be sufficient.
• It is necessary to provide access to the electrical network.
• It is advisable to have a vice or clamps.

Do-it-yourself benches for a summer cottage made of wood

Now let's talk a little about making such pieces of furniture. Let's look at two options.

Wooden bench without backrest

Basic parts of a simple form.
For work you will need the following materials:

1. 4 boards with a section of 80*30 mm, length 1500 mm
2. One beam with a cross section of 70*40 mm of the same length.
3. Two 40 cm pieces of 40*30 mm timber.
4. Glued board measuring 1000*1000 mm or larger, 40 mm thick - shaped supports will be cut from it.

Finished drawing of a wooden bench
All parts will be fastened with self-tapping screws.

1. To begin with, a template is made from a sheet of cardboard that follows the shape of the legs of the bench (you can develop your own design).
2. The shield is marked on it - two identical parts are needed.
3. The edges of the workpieces are sanded and rounded with a milling cutter to add beauty.
4. Next, a rectangular hole with a cross section of 70*40 mm is made in them, and the corresponding beam is hammered into them. The parts fit tightly and can additionally be joined with PVA glue.
5. A short block of wood is placed on top of the posts to create a wider support for the flooring.
6. The boards for the seat are mounted with a certain indentation.

Wooden bench with backrest

Again, the complexity of the job will depend on the type of structure.

Drawing of a wooden bench with dimensions

Do-it-yourself wooden bench drawings
A very clear and fairly simple plan. It indicates the dimensions of all parts and shows their shape. Despite the fact that the structure has a curved appearance, it is assembled from a rectangular beam and slats. There is not enough information on the type of fastener, its dimensions and installation points, although all this can be modified yourself.

Bolted connections will hold the best quality. Options for dowels, grooves and ridges are also reliable, but without being a carpenter, you won’t be able to make them well. Also, feel free to use stainless steel self-tapping screws - they are durable and not subject to corrosion.

Purpose

A bench is a structure traditionally consisting of several elements: a shelf for sitting, a backrest, and armrests. Intended for relaxation in a sitting position, it can have smooth or sharper outlines. They are located in crowded places, as well as parks and squares; they are widely used in gardening plots and summer cottages.

This device has gained its popularity due to its practicality. The bench is easy to manufacture, there are no requirements for the shape, size and quality of materials, it is suitable for various placements and does not require special skill in manufacturing, just a little experience in handling power tools.

How to process wood

Since many tree species are not “friendly” with a humid environment that causes rot, products used outdoors must be carefully processed. Such protection will also protect against exposure to ultraviolet radiation, from which the material can fade and change its true color. Finishing is also done to transform the appearance of the wood. To do this, take the following compositions:

• Colored opaque paints that completely hide the wood texture. Various compositions are used, from which we want to highlight acrylic-based options. This material creates a durable and long-lasting coating. It comes in different colors. The material hardens in the form of a film.

Opaque paints

• This material looks like varnish, but it is not. In contrast, a vapor-proof film is not created on the surface - the wood still breathes. Azure saturates the wood with deep tones. It penetrates its structure and reliably protects it from moisture and ultraviolet radiation.

Azure

• Varnishes create a film on the surface and prevent water from getting under it. This material can be transparent or colored. For outdoor use, it is best to choose the option for yachts, as it will last a very long time and create an even, glossy finish that shines very beautifully in the sun. Clear varnishes are used in combination with various impregnations, for example, stain.

Wood varnish

• One of the oldest and best ways to protect wood is to coat it with oils. This material penetrates deep into the wood structure, giving it water-repellent properties and a beautiful deep shade. Oils are used to treat decking near swimming pools and even on piers, which indicates a high degree of protection (the choice of oil for garden furniture is discussed in the article).

Wood oil

Dimensions

Of course, during the assembly of the frame, everyone determines the dimensions as they wish, however, there are standards that are suitable for all types of structures and are used not only when designing garden furniture:

• The seat height is between 40-47 cm. This level was chosen not only for safety reasons, but also taking into account the height of an adult.
• The depth of the seat is within 55 cm. The depth of the seat should be proportional to the height. For example, the lower the seating position, the deeper the seat. It is also possible to install the seat at an angle to the back, i.e. raising the front edge one or two centimeters.
• The backrest height is up to 100 cm. This size ensures a comfortable back position.
• The backrest is installed at a right angle or a slight slope.
• In order to determine the width, you should take into account the approximate number of seats based on 50 cm per person.

Additional functionality – awnings over benches

If there are no shady areas on the site, then an additional canopy can be provided for protection from the sun. Let's look at several options for its implementation.

The canopy can be installed separately or made part of the structure, as in the presented photo. Here we see 4 racks made of timber, on which the top trim is made. The roof is formed by boards installed on edge - the classic form of a pergola. Lath trellises were added to the sides of the structure. All this will become a reliable basis for climbing plants, which after a while will provide beautiful and cool shade.

Pergola canopy

Installing a large canopy can be made from a simple bench into a swing. This functionality will be appreciated by both adults and children.

Bench with a wooden canopy in the form of a swing

Place for installation of the structure

Before you start making the selected bench option, you must first prepare the location of the structure; for this, it is recommended to take into account some points:

• The device is intended for relaxation and the surrounding environment must match - a quiet place away from the passage, preferably in the shade.
• When sitting down, the vacationer should feel free space and a landscape pleasing to the eye.
• To avoid insect bites, it is recommended to locate the location away from areas of moisture accumulation.
• The bench should be aesthetically combined in appearance with other nearby buildings.

Simplicity and convenience

The preparatory stage is present in all processes. The procedure for making a bench will not be an exception. First you need to prepare drawings of a bench for a summer house, indicating the optimal dimensions. The product without a back has a length of 120 cm, a height of 38 cm and a width of 45 cm.

To smooth the edges of the timber, use cutters. This simplifies the work process, despite the high cost.

The length depends on the cross-section of the beam you choose, then the height of the leg is calculated.

Review of ready-made benches from popular manufacturers

Domestic and foreign manufacturers produce straight, semicircular, U-shaped and L-shaped garden benches, as well as almost any other shape.

The variety of shops will amaze even the most fastidious customers

The best manufacturers of garden or country benches:

• – collapsible models, convenient for transportation and do not require special care, as well as reinforced design options;
• Manufacturer VG-Group - modern products with cast iron made in a classic style;
• Keter Eden Garden Bench (Israel) – a collapsible design, compact for transportation, all-weather, with an opening top lid and carrying handles;
• – combined models made using high-quality materials;
• Double-sided folding bench Mr. Logo is a steel product with a soft rubberized base and decorative plastic inserts, popular for relaxing in the garden;
• The Secret de Maison brand - models in the classic French style, made on the basis of cast aluminum alloy with high-quality paint spraying;
• Manufacturer Green Glade (China) - models with a laconic design, with a frame made of steel, a back and seat made of wood, coated with high-quality varnish.

The luminous bench “Idyll - YM” from the manufacturer Light House is currently of particular interest to consumers. The model has sixteen types of colors, which can be changed using a remote control, and is designed for year-round outdoor use, but requires a connection to a 220V network.

Logs

A DIY garden bench made from logs can highlight the ethnic, rustic style. This design consists of a trunk sawn along.

The backrest is a polished trunk, the legs are made from narrow pieces of logs. All elements are connected into a single whole using metal pins.

Original solutions

Along with the classical approach to the process of making benches, there is also an original one, although solving such a problem requires appropriate materials and tools.

For example, you can also build a bench from a large stone if you attach an appropriate wooden platform to it.

Bench made of stone and boards

If bamboo is available, a seat is also made from it, which will take on a more exotic look.

Made from bamboo, and whole

Or a stone.

Sitting in winter will be unpleasant, but beautiful...

It all depends on the flight of fancy. A real owner does not have unnecessary things or materials in his dacha. With a reasonable approach, you can attach any thing, and it will not just lie around in the country or lie like a dead weight in the garage or shed.

Family Corner

A simple solution would be to build a wooden bench for the dacha around a tree. The design is not at all complicated; even a novice master can handle the flooring.

To create a cozy, warm atmosphere, just add bright pillows and decorate such a bench with flowerpots. Often this corner is supplemented with a swing and a wooden gazebo.

Pergola

An alternative to a gazebo is a “pergola” made in the form of an arch. It is decorated with an abundance of greenery and fresh flowers, and grapevines are planted.

On the opposite side of such a garden bench you can put a small fountain in your dacha. This design will complement the appearance and form the integrity of the picture.

Tool

To make a bench you will need a set of tools consisting of the following items:

• 1) Metal square, tape measure, level.
• 2) Angle grinder with grinding and cutting discs.
• 3) Chainsaw.
• 4) Screwdriver or screwdriver.
• 5) Hacksaw for wood and metal.
• 6) Welding machine, electrodes.
• 7) Fasteners (screws for wood, metal).
• Primer and paint materials.

To avoid injury or injury when using the tool, follow these safety rules:

• 1) The tool must be used in perfect condition.
• 2) All operations must be carried out wearing safety glasses and a respirator.
• 3) The structural element being processed must be well fixed.
• 4) Work with power tools is carried out without mittens or gloves.
• 5) Painting the product is best done outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.