Do-it-yourself garden bench with a wooden back: drawings

Any garden plot has a specially equipped recreation area where owners and guests relax and spend time. It can be a large complex equipped with many landscaping elements. However, the area of a standard summer cottage does not allow sacrificing a significant part and forces one to limit oneself to a small rest area, the central and main element of which is a garden bench with a backrest. It is purchased ready-made and made to order. But most owners prefer to make benches with their own hands. Let's take a closer look at this issue.

Types of garden benches

Garden benches are distinguished according to certain characteristics. Among the first are the degree of product mobility:

Portable . Can be installed anywhere and removed for storage in winter or in bad weather. The size and weight of the benches should be limited so that it is possible to move them to one point or another on the site. In addition, for storage you will need to allocate space in a barn or other auxiliary room.

Portable bench made of wood

Stationary . They are installed in a predetermined location and cannot be moved. To protect against moisture or other external influences, periodic painting and cosmetic repairs are required. The material for such benches must be strong and durable.

There are few designs of garden benches, the main difference is in the configuration:

Ordinary shop . The simplest design, which is a board on supports of the required height. Its disadvantage is the inability to completely relax ; you have to hold the torso in an upright position with muscle effort. Usually such designs are made in conjunction with a table.
Bench with backrest . The most convenient and comfortable type, allowing a person to lean back and completely relax . Such benches are versatile and effective , giving you the opportunity to sit down for a few minutes or spend a lot of time enjoying fresh air and pleasant conversation.

The small number of designs is compensated by a huge number of design and stylistic options for the implementation of benches. Different materials are used, various technological methods are used to create products according to our own design.

Prices for ready-made garden benches

Country benches

What style of bench is right for a kitchen or dining room?

Full Length Dining Benches – This type of bench is suitable for dining or kitchen tables or pedestal tables where legs are not installed at each of the four corners.

Table Width Benches – These benches have a neat, compact look so you can save space. This type should match the inside length of the table, not the length of the tabletop.

Corner Dining Benches – These are great for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Backless Benches – Thanks to their backless feature, they easily open up your kitchen and dining area. They can save you quite a bit of space if their length is shorter than the table, so you can adjust it neatly.

Dining Bench with Backrest – A backrest provides a little more comfort, support, and seating space.

Preparatory work

Before you begin the actual manufacture of the bench, you should perform some preliminary steps. The main one is the creation of a project, drawing or at least a sketch of the product. This will help you decide on the size, shape and design, and clarify all the necessary ratios (height and width of the seat and backrest, other parameters). In addition, you need to decide on technological aspects - select the type of bench, the material for its manufacture, prepare the necessary tools, etc. Let's look at these stages in more detail:

Material selection

Each owner of a private home has some skills in working with this or that material. Obviously, this will be the determining factor when creating the project. In addition, you should consider:

Strength, durability, decorative possibilities.
Availability and accessibility of material.
Possibility of processing at home.
The number and availability of tools needed to complete the work.

Guided by these considerations, the choice of material is made. Possible options:

Metal . Provides high strength and durability . Various technology options are possible - welding, forging, assembly from ready-made profile elements. Requires appropriate equipment and corrosion protection . As a rule, metal benches are made stationary due to their heavy weight .

Example of a bench with a metal base

Wood . Working with wooden parts is simpler and easier , and almost every home craftsman has basic skills. The material allows you to implement many design ideas and create any shape . In addition, wood is a good heat insulator . The main disadvantage is the tendency to warp , crack , and extremely low resistance to moisture . If a wooden bench is not protected from contact with water, it will quickly rot. It is possible to manufacture both stationary and portable structures.

Simple and lightweight wooden bench

Plastic . It is not susceptible to moisture, does not rot , and does not change linear dimensions. Light weight allows for portable structures. Disadvantages include exposure to ultraviolet rays , as well as fragility when subjected to strong cooling . But the main disadvantage of plastic is the lack of high-tech processing . Prefabricated products are usually used, but there are some designs made from plastic bottles or sewer pipes.

Original bench made of plastic bottles

Concrete . Used for the manufacture of supporting elements. The process is simple, the main condition is the presence of a mold for casting . The main advantage is simplicity , complete identity of all supports, and the ability to manufacture a large number of elements. In addition, the bases of concrete benches do not need to be immersed in the ground - they are massive and can simply be placed on the ground. The disadvantage is the large weight of concrete, the need to observe a certain holding time for crystallization.

Massive bench made of concrete base

A natural stone . Stylish and attractive designs that are created from improvised or specially brought material. Most often, stone bases are made with a wooden or removable soft seat.

Stylish stationary stone bench

Combined designs . A combination of different materials is often used. For example, metal supports are made onto which wooden or plastic backs and seats are attached. Combined benches allow you to combine the strength of metal , the warmth and ease of wood processing , and realize the various decorative possibilities of materials in the most successful way.

When choosing what to make a bench from, you need to remember about tools . Each design option requires the use of a specific set of devices, hand or power tools, designed to work with a particular material. In addition, measuring devices will be needed; for stationary types, it is necessary to make recesses for filling with cement mortar. The list of the required set of tools should be compiled as completely as possible at the design stage, so that during assembly of the bench you will not be distracted by searching for any small details.

Stationary or portable

Stationary benches are installed on supports immersed in the ground and filled with cement mortar for strength and stability. They can no longer be moved to another place, so you need to carefully and thoughtfully choose a place for them.

Metal stationary bench

Portable structures are mobile, can be placed in any convenient place and moved anywhere. This is a convenient option if the site layout has not yet been finalized.

Portable bench made of wood

Such benches are used in more gentle conditions, are not exposed to precipitation, and experience less mechanical stress. However, the constant movement of products requires effort, and storage requires a specially designated place, preferably indoors. Sometimes they make both stationary and portable benches at the same time. The former form the basic version of a relaxation corner, the latter are used when the need arises - a large number of guests, events, and other situations.

Shape and dimensions

The shape of the benches can be different:

straight;
corner;
round;
rectangular.

Round bench placed around a tree

Most of these products are installed permanently. Dimensions are selected based on the characteristics of the site, the expected number of people and the ergonomic requirements of the human body.

Note! The heavier and more massive the bench, the more difficult it is for lovers of easy money to drag it away from the site.

Curved garden bench

There are recommended ratios in the proportions of benches:

Table 1. Recommended bench parameters.

Parameter	Recommended value
Seat height above ground level	400-450 mm
Seat depth	400-500 mm
Seat width	1500 mm
Back height	900-950 mm
Backrest angle	115-120° to horizontal

These values were developed by leading engineers and doctors and allow a person to take the most relaxed and comfortable posture.

What are kitchen corners?

A piece of furniture, as the name suggests, is installed in the corner of the kitchen. The ensemble can include all elements: sofas (straight and corner), table and chairs (stools). But most often the corner is purchased separately in the form of three modules: a long sofa, a smaller seat and a corner pouf . Table and chairs (if necessary) are purchased separately by the owners.

Kitchen Area

As a rule, the assembled configuration of the corner resembles the letter L, but U-shaped models are also available. The design can be solid or modular. In the first case, it is necessary to clarify the orientation of the furniture (right or left). Models are available that allow the use of a longer module as a linear element, while the second element can be installed at a distance. Models with poufs symmetrically located relative to the corner element, each of which can accommodate one person, also fit perfectly into small kitchens. The corner can even be installed in a bay window, only its shape will be semicircular, triangular or polygonal.

Bay window sofa in the kitchen

For housing in which there are not enough sleeping places, and situations when there is a need to accommodate a visiting guest for an overnight stay are not uncommon, a module with a full-fledged folding place to sleep will be a real salvation. A minibar can be placed at the end of the sofa or a folding shelf can be installed, which can be used as a bar counter.

Kitchenette with sleeping area

Bright kitchen corner

Choosing a bench style and design

Design development is a multivariate and complex stage of creating a project. Every person can draw simple models on paper; others will require considerable imagination and artistic ability. The Internet can be of great help, where there are a large number of photographs of finished products made from different materials and in one style or another.

As a rule, site owners create recreation areas in the same style with all other landscaping elements, forming a harmonious image of the site. There are no restrictions in this matter; the criteria are only your own taste, sense of proportion and preferences.

Stylishly designed bench

You can also find ready-made drawings of garden benches online, with dimensions and other useful information. The use of ready-made images gives a tangible impetus to imagination and saves time and effort for those who find it difficult to independently design an original and attractive product design.

Choosing a place to install the bench

Find out how to make a swimming pool at your dacha with your own hands, and also check out the options and step-by-step installation in a special article on our portal.

Interesting models for the garden

Today you can find the most original options for benches and benches for a country recreation area. Among the available projects you can find models for every taste and style:

Benches with built-in flower beds.
One-piece bench with built-in table.
Garden bench made of decorative logs.

There are a lot of options suitable for independent work. By successfully combining various materials, you can create a real masterpiece in your summer cottage.

Step-by-step instructions for making a wooden bench

Let's consider the procedure for creating a wooden garden bench. The process of assembling a regular product, without complex decorative elements, will be described.

Tools and materials

You will need the following tools:

Electric saw (circular).
Jigsaw.
Hand hacksaw.
Electric drill.
Manual or electric planer.
Sander.
Screwdriver with a set of bits, self-tapping screws.
Hammer, pliers, screwdriver, pencil.
Ruler, tape measure, square.
Paint, solvent, brush or roller (optional electric sprayer).

Prices for popular models of electric planers

Electric planer

Set of tools

Attention! Only the necessary tools are indicated; the list can be expanded according to the requirements of your own project or technological need.

Materials:

Edged boards 30-50 mm thick depending on the size of the bench.
Bars with a cross section from 30:50 to 50:50 mm for assembling the planes of the back and seat.

The wood must be properly dried to the required moisture content.

Table 2. Weight of wood of different species depending on humidity.

Wood species	Weight of 1 m3 of wood of different humidity
15 %	30 %	50 %	70 %
Pine	510 kg	550 kg	640 kg	720 kg
Larch	670 kg	710 kg	820 kg	930 kg
Birch	640 kg	680 kg	790 kg	890 kg
Spruce	450 kg	490 kg	560 kg	640 kg

Using the data in this table, you can roughly determine how prepared the material is for work. A moisture content of 70% is freshly cut wood, and 15% corresponds to the state of a chamber-drying solid wood that has been stored outside the chamber for some time. By weighing the appropriate number of boards, you can get an idea of the presence of moisture and the possibility of working with this material without drying.

Important! The planes of the seat and back can be made of boards, but the bars do not warp so much, dry out, and are less susceptible to cracking and being turned by a “propeller.”

Assembly order

Working drawing of a wooden bench

Step 1. Based on the drawing data, blanks are cut from the boards.

Cutting the blanks

Step 2. The surfaces of the parts are processed using a manual or electric plane.

We process the boards with a plane

Step 3. The oblique sections are cut off from the backrest supports and lower crossbars.

We are completing the preparation of the components for our bench

Step 4. The supporting elements are assembled. Self-tapping screws or nails are used, which simplifies but weakens the connection. When connecting parts, you should check the position of the parts using a square.

We start assembly from the bottom, supporting part

Step 5. The supporting parts are connected by the bottom crossbar.

Install a “spacer” between the support legs

Step 6. Planks are installed on top to form the plane of the seat.

Helpers will be very helpful!)

Step 7. The slats that form the back are installed.

Mounting the backrest

Step 8. The assembled bench is carefully processed with a sander, removing all sharp edges, irregularities, burrs or burrs of fibers left by the plane. It is recommended to remove the chamfers so that there is no danger of splintering your hands or other parts of the body.

We carry out final polishing with a grinder

Step 9. The sanded product is covered with several (at least 2) layers of paint. You must wait until the first layer has completely dried before applying the next one. Sometimes interlayer grinding is performed to increase the smoothness and accuracy of the surface. There are no special requirements for the number of layers; it is customary to be guided by the appearance of the product.

Painting our bench

Step 10. To create stationary wooden benches, you can use the same technological sequence, you just need to add the stages of digging recesses and pouring wooden or metal supports into the concrete bases.

Concreted support

The assembled bench is attached to them using threaded connections or regular nails. The stationary option increases the stability of the product, but complicates the periodic painting of the benches - they cannot be turned over to simplify the process.

Video - Simple DIY wooden bench

Simple options

A wooden bench for a dacha can be presented in a wide variety of options.

Step-by-step instructions for assembling a metal garden bench

The design of a stationary metal bench is not difficult. It consists of supports concreted into the ground, to which corners are welded for installing a wooden seat and backrest. Installation of such products is accessible even to an inexperienced craftsman and does not require separate consideration.

Simple metal bench

It is recommended that people who have not undergone professional training use a profile pipe to assemble a portable metal bench. It is equipped with flat surfaces that allow parts to be tightly and securely installed end-to-end or overlapping. For assembly, a welding machine with electrodes or bolts and nuts are used. In addition, you will need:

Grinder with cutting disc for metal.
File for cleaning pipe ends.
Ruler, tape measure, square.
Chalk, pencil.
Electric drill with a set of drills.
Bolts and nuts for attaching the seat slats (or for completely assembling the bench).
Paint, brushes or spray.
Personal protective equipment - welding suit, mask, goggles, gloves, etc.

Prices for angle grinders (grinders)

Angle grinders (grinders)

Drawing of a metal bench from a profile pipe

Second drawing of a metal bench from a profile pipe

Procedure:

According to the working drawing, cut to the length of the workpiece .
Clean sharp edges with a grinder or file .
Weld the details of the side supports according to the drawing data . You should constantly adjust the position of the parts along the square and check the length of the diagonals.
Connect the side supports with the bottom crossbar, grabbing it with point contractions and carefully align the position with the square.
Grab the backrest parts and check their position again using a square.
Boil all connections to obtain maximum strength.
Use a hammer to beat off the scale , and use a grinder to clean areas with sloppy seams.
Paint the bench frame with two coats of paint.
Punch and drill holes for installing the back and seat strips.
Install the seat and backrest . For convenience, they are varnished or painted in advance.

Prices for various types of wood varnishes for outdoor use

Wood varnish for exterior use

Between applying layers of paint, it is necessary to wait for the layer to dry completely, otherwise the coating will not be resistant to moisture, will wrinkle or bubble.

Wrought iron garden bench

Forged garden benches are made by craftsmen with appropriate training and conditions. Products made using this technique are particularly beautiful, stylish, and create a special look for the garden area. Without skills, it is pointless to take on the creation of such structures, but you can order the production of individual parts or elements and assemble them with your own hands on the site.

Video - Making and installing a bench from a metal profile

Sometimes they do it even simpler - they assemble a metal frame, which is decorated with decorative elements ordered from a specialized workshop. The result is a highly artistic product, not inferior in appearance to solid forged benches from famous masters. Such samples require appropriate care, protection from external influences and corrosion.

Forged bench with a seat made of a solid wooden panel

Option No. 2

If you want to make a bench with armrests, you will have to look for two stumps that are slightly higher. Using corners, a horizontal board is nailed to them; a vertical plank will become the backrest.

To somewhat strengthen the structure, deep grooves can be made in the logs into which the seat will be inserted.

Useful tips

We know how else you can decorate your site! We recommend reading our material on the topic – Hedge (fast-growing perennial evergreen).

Experienced craftsmen use some techniques to speed up the assembly or finishing of finished products. Let's look at some of them:

Assembling metal benches with bolts allows , if necessary, to disassemble the structure and reuse the resulting material. At the same time, the nuts must be reliably protected from rust so that they do not have to be cut off.
To make finishing easier, it is recommended to paint the parts before assembly . This applies to wood backs and seats attached to a metal frame, or other components that do not require welding. At a minimum, a first coat of coating is applied, although a full finishing can be done.
When manufacturing heavy parts (concrete castings, massive welded supports for long structures), it is recommended to carry out work as close as possible to the installation site so that you do not have to carry the finished product over a long distance.

Option No. 7

Old chairs can also play the role of material for the construction of a unique and completely budget bench.

In any household there will definitely be a couple of chairs that should have been thrown into the trash long ago, but the well-known Russian habit of leaving everything “in reserve” did not allow this. And now it’s time to give them a chance for a second life.

To create a bench from chairs, simply attach a board to them. In this case, there can be more than two chairs; they can be placed evenly or used to create a semicircle.

Option #5

This option can hardly be called a bench in the traditional sense of the word. To make it you will need to find logs of different thicknesses. They are sawn into pieces of different heights and installed vertically near a tree or wall. With such an unusual bench option, each family member will find the most comfortable seat for themselves.

The only difficulty may be securing the stumps securely.