What is important to know

About design and dimensions

If you make a mistake with the size and relative position of the parts, it will be painful to sit on the bench. Therefore, it is better to stick to established rules.

The optimal seat height is 400 mm, width – 350–450 mm. The height of the back from the floor is 800–900 mm, and its angle of inclination is in the region of 100–110 °.

The length of a double bench is 1200–1500 mm, but if necessary, it can be increased to the desired size at the rate of 600–750 mm per person. But remember: to keep the seat from sagging, you may need thicker boards or additional support in the middle.

About protection

Even if you do not plan to use the bench on the street, it is better to treat it with oil, varnish, paint or other topcoat. So the wood will be less dirty and easier to clean, and the product itself will retain its original appearance longer.

For outdoor furniture, such treatment is simply vital: it will protect against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, precipitation and humidity changes.

The choice of impregnation depends entirely on your taste and what is at hand. The main thing is that the protective composition should be designed for outdoor use. For a room bench, this moment is not so important, but it still does not hurt to process it with more resistant protection: if you have to use furniture on the street, it definitely will not suffer.

About convenience

To make the garden bench a favorite place to relax, take care of what is around. Place large flowerpots on the sides, build a fountain, make a trellis with climbing plants, plant a hedge or shrubs. Pave the area under the bench with stone or tile.

It is good to have a couple of pillows next to the bench. A small table on which you can place drinks, a book, and the necessary little things will not hurt.

How to make a bench without a back from a bar

A very simple project that beginners can safely take on. It will take a minimum of tools, materials and time, and as a result you will get a strong and reliable bench that will last for many years.

What you need

• Miter saw, jigsaw or hand saw;
• screwdriver;
• grinder or sandpaper;
• roulette;
• pencil;
• drill;
• timber 50 × 100 × 2500 mm;
• timber 50 × 200 × 2500 mm;
• galvanized screws;
• varnish, oil or paint;
• tassel.

How to do

Cut a wide bar (50 × 200 × 2500 mm) in half. The two resulting parts will become the seat.

Mark and cut the narrower timber into parts: 4 pieces 400 mm long and 4 more – 200 mm long. The result should be a set as in the photo.

Take two bars 200 mm long and two 400 mm long. Assemble a rectangular frame from them, fastening them with screws (two for each joint). To make them screw in better, you can pre-drill holes that will be smaller than the screws in diameter.

In the same way, make the second frame, and the legs of the bench will be ready.

Now lay the cut wide bars 50 × 200 × 1250 mm side by side, aligning them with each other. Turn the sides without knots and with the best pattern down – this will be the front of the seat.

Place both frames on top so that the indents from each of the three edges are 50 mm.

Attach the frame-legs to the seat of the bench with screws, having previously drilled holes for fasteners so that the wood does not split. For reliable fastening, you need 8 screws for each leg.

Turn the product over and carefully process it with a grinder or sandpaper.

Coat the surface of the bench with oil, varnish, paint, or other compound to protect the wood and give it a cleaner look.

How to make a bench from building blocks and bars

A rather primitive, but quite functional bench, which can be made both with a backrest and without from the remnants of building materials. It turns out rough, so a few pillows will not interfere.

Due to the low strength, it is best to install such a bench on a concrete base or a platform paved with tiles: ordinary earth will sag over time, and the bench will warp. It is advisable to place a bench with a backrest close to a wall or other support so that the structure is more stable.

What you need

• Sander or sandpaper;
• 14 hollow concrete blocks;
• 6 bars measuring 75 × 100 × 1500 mm;
• liquid Nails;
• oil, varnish or paint;
• roller or brush.

How to do

Carefully sand the bars so that the surface is smooth and does not cling to clothing.

Using a roller or brush, treat the wood with oil, varnish, paint, or other protective compound.

Make a fitting by assembling the entire structure without glue. Place two blocks on each side vertically, and after a small gap – a couple more horizontally one on top of the other. Lay them on top in two horizontal blocks. If you need a back, add one more standing element.

Insert bars into the holes: four for the seat and two for the back.

If all of you…