A garden bench can be one of the easiest structures to build, especially for novice do-it-yourselfers. Pretty simple and straightforward, a bench can just be a plank of wood or slab of concrete supported by wooden legs, concrete blocks, rocks or another material that will support whoever sits on it. Things get a bit more tricky when back supports, ornamentation and an arbor or trellis are added. But you should know your own level of DIY skill and expertise. We've researched an assortment of free plans that will hope you find a bench plan that's achievable for you and will soon have you and your guests sitting pretty.
What: Arbor Bench
Who: This Old House
Suggested Material: Cedar
Estimated Cost: $400
Skill Level: Moderate
Time to Complete: Three six-hour days
This Old House was the original PBS TV series that introduced the concept of homeowners using "sweat equity" to update their old houses. Original host Bob Vila has long since gone on to other projects, but the brand has thrived. This particular project, for a garden bench with an attached overhead arbor made from cedar, could be the focal point for your landscape, and would work well on a deck, by a pool or anywhere in the garden.More »
What: A bench built around a tree.
Who: This Old House
Suggested Materials: Modified pine
Estimated Cost: About $770
Skill and Difficulty Level: Moderate
Time to Complete: 20 hours
The first time I ever saw a tree bench was when I was a child. Actually, it was in a series of illustrated children's books in which the main characters lived in a house that had ad tree in the backyard with a bench around it that Father had built in his spare time, while he was smoking a pipe. Of course, they had what looked to be acreage, and a horse that would come up to the kitchen's Dutch-style door to bum apples off of apron-wearing, pie-bakin' Mom.
So here are plans, from the This Old House crew, should I ever live in a house with a tree that cries out for a bench to hug its trunk. This one looks pretty tempting...More »
What: Planter bench
Who: Sunset
Suggested Materials: Large glazed pots and sustainable decking wood
Estimated Cost: $300
Skill or Difficulty Level: Unavailable
Time to Complete: Moderate
This great-looking contemporary bench is 10 feet long, with a seat made of wood. Made with two large holes at both ends, the seat sits over and rests on top of the glazed pots, which must be sturdy.More »
Who: The Design Confidential
Suggested Materials: Cedar or redwood
Estimated Cost: About $700
Skill Level: Unavailable
Time to Complete: 2 long weekends
Inspired by a dining bench at Restoration Hardware, plans also include a dining table. Wood other than cedar or redwood can be used.More »
What: Wood garden bench
Who: Wood Magazine
Suggested Materials: Knotty-grade cedar and deck boards
Estimated Cost: NA
Skill or Difficulty Level: NA
Time to Complete: A weekend
Wood Magazine specializes in working with wood, so these plans include a cost-saving way to get the knot-free appearance of clear-grade cedar. The project has just eight parts to it, including a contoured bench and mortise-and-tenon joinery.More »
•Arbor Bench
What: Arbor Bench
Who: This Old House
Suggested Material: Cedar
Estimated Cost: $400
Skill Level: Moderate
Time to Complete: Three six-hour days
This Old House was the original PBS TV series that introduced the concept of homeowners using "sweat equity" to update their old houses. Original host Bob Vila has long since gone on to other projects, but the brand has thrived. This particular project, for a garden bench with an attached overhead arbor made from cedar, could be the focal point for your landscape, and would work well on a deck, by a pool or anywhere in the garden.More »
•Tree Bench
What: A bench built around a tree.
Who: This Old House
Suggested Materials: Modified pine
Estimated Cost: About $770
Skill and Difficulty Level: Moderate
Time to Complete: 20 hours
The first time I ever saw a tree bench was when I was a child. Actually, it was in a series of illustrated children's books in which the main characters lived in a house that had ad tree in the backyard with a bench around it that Father had built in his spare time, while he was smoking a pipe. Of course, they had what looked to be acreage, and a horse that would come up to the kitchen's Dutch-style door to bum apples off of apron-wearing, pie-bakin' Mom.
So here are plans, from the This Old House crew, should I ever live in a house with a tree that cries out for a bench to hug its trunk. This one looks pretty tempting...More »
•Modern Planter Bench
What: Planter bench
Who: Sunset
Suggested Materials: Large glazed pots and sustainable decking wood
Estimated Cost: $300
Skill or Difficulty Level: Unavailable
Time to Complete: Moderate
This great-looking contemporary bench is 10 feet long, with a seat made of wood. Made with two large holes at both ends, the seat sits over and rests on top of the glazed pots, which must be sturdy.More »
•Provence Beam Dining Bench
What: Wood dining benchWho: The Design Confidential
Suggested Materials: Cedar or redwood
Estimated Cost: About $700
Skill Level: Unavailable
Time to Complete: 2 long weekends
Inspired by a dining bench at Restoration Hardware, plans also include a dining table. Wood other than cedar or redwood can be used.More »
•Easy-Does-It Garden Bench
What: Wood garden bench
Who: Wood Magazine
Suggested Materials: Knotty-grade cedar and deck boards
Estimated Cost: NA
Skill or Difficulty Level: NA
Time to Complete: A weekend
Wood Magazine specializes in working with wood, so these plans include a cost-saving way to get the knot-free appearance of clear-grade cedar. The project has just eight parts to it, including a contoured bench and mortise-and-tenon joinery.More »