Simple DIY Outdoor Bench for less than $10

These DIY outdoor benches are just what I pictured when I was figuring out what I wanted for my back porch. (See the full reveal HERE). They really were easy to put together…for my husband ;). Really though, I think I could have done these and not screwed them up, maybe not as fast, but I think this is the perfect project for even the most beginners of builders. They are really inexpensive too. The lumber cost us less than $10 per bench. I think I spent more on the stain then we did on all four of the benches we built.

Simple DIY Outdoor Bench

For each bench you will need:

• 2-2×4 (you need approx. 13 feet total)
• 1-2×6 (you need approx. 6 ft total)
• A bunch of 2.5″ screws
• Tip: If you are going to make more than one bench like we did, get longer boards like the 12′ or longer. More cuts out of one piece of wood=bigger bang for your buck!

Cuts:

• 8 each 15″ cuts of 2×4 (legs)
• 4 each 8.5″ cuts of 2×4 (supports)
• 2 each 36″ cuts of 2×6 (bench seats)

Once you get all the wood cut it’s time to assemble! We started with the legs.

1. Take 2 leg pieces (15″ pieces) and make an L shape with the long sides of each leg butted up against each other, using a drill and screws connect together.
2. Repeat step one.
3. Now take a support piece (8.5″ cut) and line it up with the bottom of the legs (at this point it doesn’t matter which is top and bottom). Connect to legs.
4. Take another support piece and line it up with the top of the legs, but have the top of the board line up instead of the sides. This will give the bench top something to sit on and give it more support. Connect to legs.
5. Repeat steps 1-4.

Now you should have all of your legs assembled…if you are just making one, you will only need two sets, we needed 8 since we were making 4 benches.

The next step is just placing the 2 2×6 bench pieces on top of the supported top side and connecting them to the bench.

Sand the rough edges where you might get a splinter and you are done!

Unless you are making four, but it doesn’t take that much longer and suddenly you’ll have seating for 8! Each bench seats comfortably 2 average size adults and easily fits 2 kiddo’s, maybe even 3 if they’re little. 🙂

I had to stain mine, because I wanted them to match my cute new glass patio table that I just made over. I didn’t realize that they made white stain so I was super happy! I took the picture below before I decided to fill in the holes, but I did fill them in on the top and the outsides of the benches.They turned out so purdy! It only took a couple coats and I still have a full can of stain…so I probably should have gotten a lot smaller can. I thought about staining the deck, but I figured that would be pretty messy with muddy foot prints and what not. Guess I’ll just have to make some more benches or other fun outdoor furniture that can be stained white! Maybe I can make these for birthday presents or something…hmmm….

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Tiffany

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Tiffany is a stay at home mom to four ridiculously cute kids and wife to one smoking hot McDreamy lookalike. She loves the color white, chocolate chip cookies and sunshine. She is the founder of Making the World Cuter, where she loves to decorate, make cute gifts and fun printables.

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