Want to make your own garden bench? Great idea! A wooden garden bench is not only practical, but also a lovely addition to your garden. In this blog from Boender Outdoor Garden Furniture we explain step by step how to tackle this. You'll read which wood is suitable, what to look out for in the design and we'll give you a clear step-by-step plan. This way you'll easily make a sturdy and comfortable garden bench.
Which planks for a garden bench?
If you're making a wooden garden bench yourself, Douglas planks are always a good choice. Douglas is a strong timber that naturally lasts a long time. You can choose untreated Douglas, but also impregnated Douglas wood. Impregnated wood is pre-treated against moisture and mould, whilst with untreated wood you can apply a stain or oil yourself, such as HK wood stain. This way you'll keep the warm colour of the wood and give it a natural appearance.
Besides Douglas, you can also choose other types of wood such as:
- Hardwood (for example bangkirai or azobé)
- Impregnated pine wood
- Oak wood
How deep should a garden bench be?
You can of course determine the dimensions of your garden bench yourself, but for a comfortable seating position, a seating depth of 50 cm is recommended. Are you using a thick back cushion? Then add the thickness of the cushion to the standard seating depth. If your back cushion is 5 cm thick, for example, you'll make the seating depth 55 cm. Read more in this article!
Preparation: what should you do first?
Good preparation is half the work. Think carefully in advance about the following points:
- Where will the garden bench be placed?
Determine whether the bench will be in the sun or shade, and how much space you have. - What shape will the bench have?
Do you choose a straight bench, a corner bench or a tree bench? - Do you want a backrest and armrests?
This determines how complex the design will be. - Make a working drawing with dimensions.
You can make one yourself or search for an example online. - Choose the right wood and order the materials.
Think of screws, stain or varnish, and possibly cushions.
Step-by-step plan: how to make your own wooden garden bench
Step 1: Gather all materials and tools
Make sure you have all the wood, tools and fastening materials ready at the place where the bench will be positioned. A bench is often heavy, so it's handy to build it directly in the right place.
Step 2: Saw and treat wood to size
Saw all parts to size, such as seating, legs, railings and support. If you're going to treat the wood with stain or impregnating agent, do this before you assemble the bench. This way the wood is well protected all around.
Step 3: Build the substructure
Start by making the base: the frame and the legs. Use a spirit level to check that everything is straight. Then screw the seating onto the frame. Check that the bench is stable and that you can sit on it comfortably.
Step 4: Backrest and finishing
Attach the backrest and any armrests. Use sturdy screws and check again that everything is straight. Finish the bench by sanding sharp edges and possibly applying an extra protective layer.
Make it yourself or buy instead?
If you enjoy getting stuck in, this is a nice weekend project. Would you prefer a ready-made solution? At Boender Outdoor Garden Furniture you'll find a wide range of wooden garden benches – from robust park benches to luxury tree benches. You'll always find a model at our store that suits your garden and your style.
Also see: Wooden garden benches
