As I promised when I shared my plank wall tutorial I am showing you how to build this super cute DIY wood bench. I used Ana White’s plans and modified them to fit my space, since my entry way is pretty small. Plus, I used a few different size boards because I wanted to use up my scraps. Yay for using scraps! 🙂 I only had to buy 1- 2×4 to build this! The rest were scraps! I told my husband this was actually a $2.89 cent bench. He gave me a “ya-right” look…:)

So… my tutorial will be for the smaller size I built.

This bench is 4 feet long, 14 inches deep, and 17 inches tall. Perfect for my small entry way!

Overall, this bench is not hard to make but but there are a few angled cuts, so be patient and accurate as you measure.

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DIY Wood Bench-Materials you will need:

• (2) 2x4x8
• (1) 1x4x6
• (1) 1x6x8
• Miter Saw
• Drill
• Wood Glue
• Sander (or sand paper)
• Kreg Jig
• Pocket Screws (2 1/2″ and 1 1/4″ size)
• Nail Gun with 2″ brad nails
• Dark walnut stain or finish of choice
• Sander (or sand paper)

Cut List

1. (2) 2x4s cut at 14″
2. (4) 2x4s cut at 15 1/4″ with ends beveled at 10 degrees, ends are parallel
3. (2) 1x4s cut at 14 1/8″ cut at 45 degree angles, ends are parallel
4. (2) 2x4s cut at 12 1/2″ from long point to long point. Ends angled at 10 degrees, NOT parallel
5. (1) 1×4 cut 24″
6. (1) 2×4 cut at 27 1/2″
7. (2) 1×6 and (1) 1×4 cut at 4′ …that’s FEET…(for the seat)

Here’s the whole family of cuts you should have 🙂

Once your wood is cut you will need to drill pocket holes in all of the pieces except the 14″ pieces (pic #1). You all know how much I LOVE my Kreg Jig. Guys, this little device is the bomb! Here’s a short video on how to use it! It’s the easiest way to put boards together in an “L” shape.

The pictures below are numbered to match the list of cuts I gave you. I am also specifying the placement of pocket holes with red arrows. The teacher in me is emerging! haha:)

Picture 1-don’t drill any pocket holes in these pieces

Picture 2. These are the legs. Drill pocket holes on the top end of each leg, on the longer beveled side, this is the side facing the inside of the bench (red arrows mark where the pocket holes go on the second pic)

 

Picture 3. These are the 2 diagonal middle pieces. Drill pocket holes on both ends. I only drilled one pocket hole on each end because of the angle.

Picture 4. These are the pieces that will go in between the legs (front to back). Drill pocket holes on both ends.

Picture 5. This piece will go right underneath the seat. Drill pocket holes on both ends.

Picture 6. This is the crossbar on the bottom in between the legs. Drill pocket holes on both ends.

Picture 7. This will make the seat of your bench. I used (2) 1x6s and a (1)1×4 cut at 4′ long. You could use boards of the same width here (4 – 2x4s or 4- 1x4s would work well too), but remember?,  I wanted to use my scraps 🙂 In the end I really liked how the seat turned out using the 2 different widths!  You will be joining these pieces lengthwise to make the seat.I drilled the pocket holes where the red arrows are pointing and used 1 1/4″ pocket screws to join the pieces. If you are using this bench outside, the wood experts recommend you leave a little space in between the boards (1/2″) to allow for expansion.

Now that you have all of the pieces cut and pocket-holed (ha, I just made that a verb!) let’s put this thing together already!!!

Bench assembly

***A note on pocket screws: I used 2 1/2″ pocket screws in the 2x4s  and 1 1/4″ pocket screws in the 1x4s and 1x6s ***

You will first assemble the legs. Attach pieces #1 and #2 as seen below. Notice  I placed each leg

1 1/2 inches from the edge.

 🙂

Then you will need to attach the 2 angled pieces (#4) and screw them in between the legs. Make sure you place them flush to the outside of the bench, 2″ from the bottom.

You will end up with two of these pieces

Now that the legs are built you are ready to add the top and bottom crossbars (Pieces 5 and 6) You can’t see the pocket holes on piece 5, because they are behind it. Attach this piece with 1 1/4″ pocket screws from behind.

Then add the bottom crossbar (#6). Starting to look like a bench!!

Lastly add the middle cross pieces (#3). NOW we’re talkin’!

I secured the seat with wood glue and 2″ brad nails 

Here it is again! Ready for some light sanding and stain! I used wood filler to fill all of the pocket holes, then lightly sanded.

I used a dark walnut stain. I just brushed it on with a paint brush, let it sit for 5 minutes then wiped off the excess. I worked in sections. What a messy job that is. Wear gloves!

Once it was all dry I gave the edges some light sanding for a distressed look! So cute. And so cheap to build! Try it!

If you like this, I would love for you to share it and pin it for later!

And as soon as you build it, send me a picture!!!

Build away!

~Janice

 

 

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