Introduction: Modern Outdoor Bench
Want a modern expensive looking outdoor bench that actually costs very little to make? Not to mention it also doubles as a coffee and a footrest. Got your attention? Watch the video or read on!
Step 1: Materials & Tools
The materials needed for this project are pretty simple. All you need to make this awesome DIY wooden bench are 2x4s and lots of glue. Here’s what you’ll need to complete this build:
MATERIALS:
TOOLS:
Step 2: Milling Your Wood
While 2x4s are supposed to be straight, it can often be challenging to find perfect boards at the lumber yard. You therefore need to help your boards along the way. Start by milling your 2x4s to take off the round edges and make the surfaces perfectly flat and the edges square. This will also ensure that all your pieces are exactly the same thickness and width.
The best method is to use a jointerand planer, but if you don't have those tools in your shop, you can easily use a table saw instead.
Follow the diagram above. Start by flattening side A on the jointer, then side B. Next, run the boards through your planer with side A down in order to level side C. Finally run all the boards through your planer with side B down to level side D.
Alternatively, if you don’t have a planer and jointer, or just think the above is overkill, use your table saw. Start by shaving off a bit of side B to eliminate the round edges. Do this for all six 2x4s. Then set your table saw to around 3-1/4″ and cut off side D.
Step 3: Making the Cuts
Now that all your 2x4s are square and true, head over to your miter saw to cut the pieces to length. This bench will be 48 inches long and 14 inches tall. The width will be 7 boards on edge, which works out to about 9 inches after the milling process.
Here is the cut list for this bench:
- 3 @ 48″
- 4 @ 41-1/2″ (48″ minus 2 times the width of your boards)
- 8 @ 14″
- 6 @ 10-3/4″ (14″ minus the width or your boards)
Tip: Use a stop block and cut in batches to get consistent length cuts.
Step 4: Glue It All Together
Oh the glue-up process. This is the most challenging part of the build as far as I’m concerned. Take the stress out of it (at least some of it) by dry-fitting and clamping it all up first. Get your clamps ready and into position and make sure you have a lot of glue on hand!
Start by gluing a 48″ piece with a 42″ piece and clamp it. Use a 14″ board to get the spacing right on each end. Continue adding layers making the bench wider. Remove the clamps, add a board, and clamp. Repeat. regularly check for square using a speed square to make sure the legs are at 90 degrees.
Tip: use a mini foam roller to spread the glue evenly across the entire surface of the 2x4s.
Step 5: Sanding
So, hopefully you like sanding.
After you let the glue dry overnight, remove any excess dry glue with a scraper, then sand like there’s no tomorrow. Use and orbital sander, or ideally a belt sander, starting with 60-grit and working your way up to 220 grit for a smooth finish. Aim to get all surfaces flat and even, and the edges perfectly square.
Step 6: Apply Finish
You can start by staining and then applying an exterior wood product like Thompson’s Water Seal, or skip a step and go with IKEA’s 2-in-1 VARDA outdoor stain and furniture protector. Just rub it on with a clean cloth and it’s ready for use in 24 hours.
Step 7: Add Threaded Glides (optional)
Adding threaded glides is a cheap and easy way to keep the bench from direct contact with the ground. This will prevent water from wicking up into the wood and causing damage long term. It will also allow you to adjust the feet in case your surface isn’t perfectly level.
Simply drill some holes into the underside of the legs, tap in the plastic anchor, then screw in the glide. It’s that easy!
Step 8: You're Done!
The hard question is: What will you use your modern build for? A bench? A coffee table? A foot rest? I vote for all of the above.
If you haven't already, watch the YouTube video.
Also check out more fun furniture projects at diymontreal.com ! You can also follow DIY Montreal on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
9 Comments
Question 3 years ago
Will this sag if the it was a 96" bench made of 2X4X96?
5 years ago
Nice job!
1. I would have to make this wider. One landing of an overweight cat would take this down the first day!
2. On soft wood like that, the edges would dent easily. I would soften the edges with a router and corner round bit, or just running the sander over them.
3. I would put the slider feet closer to the ends of the feet.
Reply 4 years ago
I agree with making it wider due to fat cats, perhaps even a 90° design.
5 years ago
In the process of finishing mine (made of cedar and stained with mahogany). Thanks for the wonderful idea!
Reply 5 years ago
Looks awesome! Thanks for sharing :)
5 years ago
Beautiful work, I think I might tackle this in my spare time for the entry :)
5 years ago
Glue Up: What if you glued the tabletop but put in the "leg" pieces without glue so you can focus on just getting the top clamped? When it's set up, then fit the 'leg' pieces in with glue, of course, and you should be better able to handle them during clamping and get truer mating surfaces to reduce sanding/leveling?
Regardless: Very cool idea!
5 years ago
This is a nice design! Your faux box joints are very clever, and you're right--it has an expensive look. I can see this in my garden already. I can also see it adapted as a nice coffee table and all sorts of other things.
Speaking of expensive looks, I saw something similar (but not as stylish) at one of the trendy home stores for around $1,800.....yep, that's two zeroes.
I've got 2 x 4s in the garage...definitely going to make it!
5 years ago
Thanks for the easy inspiration! I can see individually staining or painting the pieces for a striated or muted look.