Tips on How to Make a Bench – Advice from Real Woodworkers

Advice on how to make a modern bench for your patio, dining room or lawn

Want to make a bench but don't know where to start? 

Benches are a great woodworking and carpentry project, because you can make easy projects with basic tools like a circular saw and wood glue or more complicated ones with complex joinery made with a portable sawmill.

Practice makes perfect but following these helpful tips can reduce your wood waste and lead to learning new techniques and styles faster. You can make your own bench by using solid materials, following a well-designed plan and by taking inspiration from other makers.

For those just getting started or experienced woodworkers looking to find new inspiration, this article explores helpful advice to get you started on how to make your own bench.

What should I know before making my own DIY bench?

Benches are a universal style of furniture, used indoors and out, for comfortable seating. There are many different styles of benches, from picnic benches which have a tabletop to mudroom benches which are great for storing boots during the winter.

You can easily make your own DIY bench at home, and make an impressive looking live-edge bench using wood milled on a portable sawmill too.

A well-built wooden bench typically takes 2 to 3 hours and requires standard tools and basic lumber.

What materials should I use to make my own bench seat?

Here are some common materials many people use to make their own benches at home:

• • Common lumber used in wooden benches includes 2x4s and 2x6s. These can be purchased at the hardware store or milled up at home with your portable sawmill.

  • You can make a bench from any type of wood, but common lumber choices include western red cedar, redwood or pressure-treated pine to resist rot.

  • Use at least 2 ½ inch deck screws with ceramic coating or stainless steel for fastening.

  • You should opt for exterior-grade waterproof wood glue and finishes for outdoor benches.

What are some good design ideas I should use in my DIY bench?

DIY bench projects can vary widely in style, such as having rustic benches, modern designs, and multifunctional storage benches, catering to different tastes and needs. With that said, here are some general design suggestions you may want to follow:

• • A basic wooden bench usually measures about 4 to 5 feet long and 16 to 18 inches tall.

  • When building benches for outdoor use, securing slats should be done with a spacing of about a ¼-inch gap for water drainage.

  • For maximum durability against elements, apply a high-quality exterior wood stain, sealer, or exterior-grade paint, and reapply sealer every 1-2 years.

Advice from real woodworking projects on how to build a bench

Want to know how to make a beautiful bench out of milled lumber?

Use Spar Finish for Outdoor Benches

Courtesy Nathan W. from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

There are plenty of finishes and varnishes you can use to weather proof your outdoor benches, including wood conditioner in conjunction with other products.

One great way to finish your benches though, as evidenced by Nathan's example above, is with spar varnish. Spar finish is used to seal boat hulls and is great for DIY benches that will stay outdoors and get exposed to sun, rain and other weather.

Don't Let Your Pieces Go To Waste

Courtesy Board Bees Innovations from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

This gorgeous bench seat not only features a back made from a log with a Y-split, giving it a distinct look, but the seat is also made from the same log. Why not use the same aesthetic for the seat and bench top? It's a super easy way to aesthetically connect the two and make the most out of one log.

Try using pieces that might not be straight or whole, you might end up with a distinct bench like this one.

The beautiful wood burned art on the one side ties it all together in a way that should prove inspiring to other carpenters and woodworkers.

Try Doing a Half-Log Bench

Courtesy Karlos A. from the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group.

Milled using Karlos' Woodland Mills HM126 Portable Sawmill, this half-log bench makes simple use of a beautifully finished log with feet carved to slot into the log.

It's an easy way to create a solid bench that won't be easily knocked over in a wind storm that only requires you to mill up half a log. There are many free plans for similar designs online, with a variety of styles of legs for you to choose.

In Summary: What should I know before I start building a bench?

• • Pick a design that caters to your tastes, adjusting the plan for your own style and build preferences

  • A well-sanded bench is easier to finish. Start with low grit sandpaper and make your way up to higher grits to achieve a smooth finish that's easier to apply varnish to

  • Use heavy duty fasteners for use when outdoors or for projects you suspect may come under heavy loads

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why should I apply stain or varnish to my bench?

A: Varnishes seal in your project and project the wood. Applying stain can also enhance the appearance of the wood. For example, mixing 2:1 ratio of water and white paint can create a "white wash" effect that creates a unique look to your project.

Q: I hear cedar is weather resistant, is that the only material I can use for outdoor furniture?

A: You can make an outdoor bench from any wood species, so long as it's properly finished to resist moisture. Use a durable UV resistant penetrating oil or exterior semi-transparent stain to protect your project from the elements.