Garden benches made of wood - drawings and 95 photos for making it yourself

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 benches

There are many types of benches. The master brings something special and unusual to the appearance of this simple element for the garden. However, all models can be divided according to some common characteristics.

Benches without backrest

This type is considered the simplest, as it consists only of a seat and several supports. Only this can all be implemented in different ways.

• We have before us a reliable, but not very attractive solution. However, the creator of this design still provided for a certain asymmetry - one edge of the seat protrudes beyond the legs, and the other is level with them. The bench is made of thick integrated boards and laminated veneer lumber. Externally, the material is roughly processed. This bench is suitable for many rustic styles, such as American country.

Simple wooden bench without back

• This bench is made of wood and concrete was used for the supports. Such composite structures look good in many landscape design styles, for example, high-tech, minimalism or loft. Concrete parts have clear geometric shapes. Against their background, the varnished board contrasts perfectly and looks very advantageous. Such a bench will also be very stable, but extremely heavy - moving it to a new place will be difficult.

Concrete wooden bench legs

• The back of this model is purely symbolic, so we will assume that it does not exist at all. It is not clear whether it will be comfortable, but it definitely looks impressive. Frame type construction. The basis was steel strips, which were looped and sheathed with a narrow lath. For stability at the bottom, additional stops are welded from a steel corner.

Outdoor benches made of metal and wood
A common disadvantage of benches without a back is the inability to completely relax while resting. You have to either keep your back tense, or create support with your hands on the seat or legs.

Benches with wooden backs

These models have a complicated structure, but they are more pleasant to relax on.

• A master of his craft clearly put a lot of effort into this model. The building material used was wooden beams, unprocessed branches and boards, which were given a rounded shape. All lumber is treated to appear aged and untreated by man. The absence of right angles and straight lines hints at unity with nature. Even the seat itself is slightly rounded inward along a wide radius.

Wooden bench with backrest for 2 people

• To achieve an aged effect, the wood is brushed. All soft fibers are removed from the surface of the material. This reveals its internal structure. A beautiful relief remains, which is further emphasized when processed with paints and varnishes or during firing. On this bench there are brushed boards in a composition with raw cuts of the trunk.

A trunk cut was used for the backrest

• Such designs are not suitable for every garden. Some styles value lightness and grace. An example of such a shop is shown in the photo below. The bench is clearly of factory origin, but if you have the right tools, you can do something like this yourself. In the photo there is clearly a lack of flowering vegetation around the bench.

Lightweight bench made of treated lumber
Assembly of such benches is also not the most difficult. Next, drawings will be presented and methods for their implementation will be described.

Bench with table

Such seats are installed mainly on terraces (read the article about arranging a terrace in a dacha), verandas and gazebos. The combination of furniture pieces forms the finished dining area.

• The photo shows an option for children. The tabletop is mounted on trusses with widely spaced legs. Crossbars are installed across them, to which the suspended bench seats are attached. Such a bench does not require a lot of material; its design is quite simple. In this case, the parts are securely connected to each other.

Wooden garden tables and benches for children

• These benches will withstand more serious loads, since they are not transferred to the table body, as in the previous case - the base under the structure is loaded. In fact, we see three separate objects connected at the bottom by a common strap. This solution gives stability to the thin legs of the bench. The seats and table top are made in an interesting way - a neat frame is formed from the board, the inside of which is filled with flooring. It looks very neat and beautiful.

How to make a wooden bench with a table for 4 adults

• The next model is complicated by the fact that it has backrests. The seats are held in place by common jumpers. It will be awkward to sit down and leave such a table. And if you consider that a backrest has also been added, then the options for this are even more limited.

These wooden benches have comfortable backs
. In general, the inconvenience of placement is a drawback of all such structures. Different people have their own sizes, so hosting guests at such a table can be a bad decision. Also, these beautiful wooden benches require a large and flat area for installation, so they are rarely placed on the ground.

Bench-sofa

This is the same bench with a back, but there are design differences. Firstly, soft pillows are always laid on top of the seat and under the back, secondly, they are made lower and are not placed in front of the dining tables, and thirdly, the seat is made deeper so that you can literally lounge on it.

• Like the previous option, these benches, due to their large dimensions, are installed on spacious terraces. This sofa is made from sanded and varnished boards. The pillows are stuffed with several layers of foam rubber and have removable covers so they can be washed (read the article on how to make pillows for garden furniture).

Bench-sofa corner

• Such structures usually have angular shapes, so processed timber of the correct cross-section is used for their manufacture. They do not differ in elegant shapes, so assembly will not be difficult - it is enough to build a strong frame, which is then covered with boards. These sofas look good in new style gardens.

Sofa with closed sides

• Old pallets are suitable as the main material for such a sofa - their shape and design correspond to the style of similar structures. Furniture made from pallets is a godsend for a loft-style garden. This material is inexpensive and very durable.

Decorative and protective treatment

Wood is the most common material for garden furniture. It is easy to process, light and durable. In terms of tactile sensations, the surface of wood is much more comfortable than metal or concrete.

As a rule, wood is treated with impregnations with an antiseptic effect, and then covered with decorative compounds - waterproof paints, enamels for exterior use, stain, yacht varnish, wax, oil. It must be taken into account that natural material does not like ultraviolet radiation and reacts to sunlight with photodestruction. Therefore, choose paints and varnishes with a UV protective component.

If you like old things with their own history, even a new bench can be turned into an antique artifact. For this purpose, artificial aging, or brushing, is used.

Soft fibers are removed from the surface of the wood with a stiff brush, and the exposed structure is emphasized with paints and varnishes. The resulting effect is very picturesque. An aged bench looks harmonious against a background of greenery and grass.

Blowtorch firing is used as a decorative and protective finish. As a result of heat treatment, wood becomes denser, increasing its resistance to moisture, rotting and mechanical damage.

Materials for making benches

We have already seen what materials are used for garden benches, but there are no specifics yet. In this chapter we will analyze everything point by point.

The work can also use concrete, natural stone, metal mesh, hemp, logs and much, much more. Products made from other items look interesting. An example of this is shown in the following photo.

Bench supports from cart wheels

Assembly methods

Various types of fasteners are used to secure parts to each other:

• Self-tapping screws for wood. They differ from self-tapping screws for metal with a wider thread pitch. Installed in pre-drilled holes to prevent wood from splitting. The length is selected on the basis that the hardware should fit into the attached part by 1/3 of its thickness.
• Bolts. Connect two boards through a through hole. They are tightened with nuts and wide washers to prevent the wood from pressing through at the fastening point.
• Nails. Traditional fasteners for wooden structures. To avoid cracking, the rod is trimmed with pliers or filed with a file. A blunt point does not push apart, but breaks the fibers, thereby preventing the formation of cracks.
• Staples. They are U-shaped rods driven into 2 adjacent parts.
• Overlays. Fastening with perforated or serrated plates, corners, and brackets is widely used for furniture manufacturing and construction.

For external work, only corrosion-resistant fasteners are used - stainless, brass, galvanized or oxidized. It is not advisable to use black, it rusts quickly.

In carpentry, you can do without hardware at all and make connections on dowels. Wooden cylinders with a diameter of 6-10 mm are placed on glue in the prepared holes and keep the parts from moving. The adhesive composition must be intended for outdoor use.

A popular type of joining wood structures is mortise. A groove is made in one part, and a tenon is formed in the other. During installation, glue is used, and the joint is strengthened with nails or self-tapping screws.

Do-it-yourself benches for a summer cottage made of wood

Now let's talk a little about making such pieces of furniture. Let's look at two options.

Wooden bench without backrest

Basic parts of a simple form.
For work you will need the following materials:

1. 4 boards with a section of 80*30 mm, length 1500 mm
2. One beam with a cross section of 70*40 mm of the same length.
3. Two 40 cm pieces of 40*30 mm timber.
4. Glued board measuring 1000*1000 mm or larger, 40 mm thick - shaped supports will be cut from it.

Finished drawing of a wooden bench
All parts will be fastened with self-tapping screws.

1. To begin with, a template is made from a sheet of cardboard that follows the shape of the legs of the bench (you can develop your own design).
2. The shield is marked on it - two identical parts are needed.
3. The edges of the workpieces are sanded and rounded with a milling cutter to add beauty.
4. Next, a rectangular hole with a cross section of 70*40 mm is made in them, and the corresponding beam is hammered into them. The parts fit tightly and can additionally be joined with PVA glue.
5. A short block of wood is placed on top of the posts to create a wider support for the flooring.
6. The boards for the seat are mounted with a certain indentation.

Wooden bench with backrest

Again, the complexity of the job will depend on the type of structure.

Drawing of a wooden bench with dimensions

Do-it-yourself wooden bench drawings
A very clear and fairly simple plan. It indicates the dimensions of all parts and shows their shape. Despite the fact that the structure has a curved appearance, it is assembled from a rectangular beam and slats. There is not enough information on the type of fastener, its dimensions and installation points, although all this can be modified yourself.

Bolted connections will hold the best quality. Options for dowels, grooves and ridges are also reliable, but without being a carpenter, you won’t be able to make them well. Also, feel free to use stainless steel self-tapping screws - they are durable and not subject to corrosion.

Blueprints

When planning the manufacture of a garden bench, you need to think about the appearance of the product and draw a detailed drawing. Drawings for making benches are easy to find in finished form.

A detailed drawing will allow you to correctly calculate the consumption of materials and think through the technology of work.

The size of the product is calculated based on the need for seating. It is not advisable to make a small bench for a summer cottage where a large family is relaxing.

For work, you can use the standard overall dimensions of a garden bench.

To comfortably accommodate three adults, the seats are 150 cm long. The width of the seat is usually 40 cm. The height of the bench is 45 cm from the ground, while the height of the back is 90 cm.

The bench should be installed at an angle of about 20 degrees, this will make using it more convenient.

At the planning stage, you need to think about ways to attach the backrest.

Note!

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How to process wood

Since many tree species are not “friendly” with a humid environment that causes rot, products used outdoors must be carefully processed. Such protection will also protect against exposure to ultraviolet radiation, from which the material can fade and change its true color. Finishing is also done to transform the appearance of the wood. To do this, take the following compositions:

• Colored opaque paints that completely hide the wood texture. Various compositions are used, from which we want to highlight acrylic-based options. This material creates a durable and long-lasting coating. It comes in different colors. The material hardens in the form of a film.

Opaque paints

• This material looks like varnish, but it is not. In contrast, a vapor-proof film is not created on the surface - the wood still breathes. Azure saturates the wood with deep tones. It penetrates its structure and reliably protects it from moisture and ultraviolet radiation.

Azure

• Varnishes create a film on the surface and prevent water from getting under it. This material can be transparent or colored. For outdoor use, it is best to choose the option for yachts, as it will last a very long time and create an even, glossy finish that shines very beautifully in the sun. Clear varnishes are used in combination with various impregnations, for example, stain.

Wood varnish

• One of the oldest and best ways to protect wood is to coat it with oils. This material penetrates deep into the wood structure, giving it water-repellent properties and a beautiful deep shade. Oils are used to treat decking near swimming pools and even on piers, which indicates a high degree of protection (the choice of oil for garden furniture is discussed in the article).

Wood oil

Useful tips

To make garden benches, you should use high-quality material. The service life of the product will be extended by treating wooden and metal elements with special primers, paint and varnish.

The surfaces of the parts should not have irregularities, burrs, or protruding sharp parts of fasteners.

To install the bench, you need a flat area without stumps, holes and stones.

It is recommended to make the back and seat from separate parts, leaving gaps between them for ventilation.

The bench should not be placed under fruit trees. Falling fruit will quickly ruin its appearance.

Additional functionality – awnings over benches

If there are no shady areas on the site, then an additional canopy can be provided for protection from the sun. Let's look at several options for its implementation.

The canopy can be installed separately or made part of the structure, as in the presented photo. Here we see 4 racks made of timber, on which the top trim is made. The roof is formed by boards installed on edge - the classic form of a pergola. Lath trellises were added to the sides of the structure. All this will become a reliable basis for climbing plants, which after a while will provide beautiful and cool shade.

Pergola canopy

Installing a large canopy can be made from a simple bench into a swing. This functionality will be appreciated by both adults and children.

Bench with a wooden canopy in the form of a swing

Requirements for a future shop

The constructed bench model should have the following properties:

• Comfort. To make the bench comfortable, it is better to make it with a back or armrests on which you can lean.
• Reliability. The bench must be safe when exposed to heavy loads. Therefore, it is necessary to use high-quality wood and fastenings.
• Moisture resistance and resistance to temperature changes. The bench is usually installed in an open space, so it will have to withstand all seasons of weather. Therefore, it must be free of defects and damage.

To ensure that the product meets all the required characteristics, only high-quality, well-dried material is used in its manufacture. Damp wood is unsuitable.

And the children too

Children's garden bench

It is known how much children love to play on benches, whether it is a noisy group of people rubbing elbows, or a whole doll world of the little mistress. As well as the fact that at the same time they fidget with enthusiasm, crawl, and, not feeling lateral support, flop. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just a child's matter. But there will be less roaring and pouting faces if the children's bench is equipped with low railings. However, it does not need a backrest, so that several shellaputs can approach both from the front and from behind, or sit astride the seat with their legs dangling.

A suitable hybrid of a bench, bench and sofa in this case is shown in Fig. It is better to place this structure near the children's playhouse. However, see what is most convenient for you, this bench is suitable in size for adults, and it is much easier to make than the previous one.

Wooden bench made from old chairs

Sometimes there are chairs left on the farm that are useful for making a rather comfortable bench. If you have two identical chairs, you can safely assemble it.

The assembly process is divided into:

• Disassembling chairs. Only the parts with the back and legs are left.
• The backs are connected using a box of bars of the required section.
• They make a frame that will provide the bench with reliability. Install it at a distance of 20 cm from the floor.
• Cut out the seat.
• Install the seat on the frame.

You can add interesting ideas to any of the manufacturing methods based on your experience working with wood.

In the end, all that remains is to saturate your creation with special preparations for protection, and then coat it in 2 layers with waterproof wood varnish or oil paint for external work.

To rest to your heart's content

At the dacha you want to have a good rest, especially after agricultural work. Therefore, it is highly desirable that the garden bench meets the requirements of industrial ergonomics:

• Seat height 400-500 mm.
• Seat width 500-550 mm.
• Back height 350-500 mm.
• Backrest tilt 74-78 degrees.
• The profile of the seat (back and seat) is smooth, without a dip under the buttocks.
• In the area of ​​the neck and knees, smooth bends of the profile are made back and down, respectively, so that you can throw back your head and tuck your legs without feeling the sharp edge.

Ergonomic garden sofa

Drawings of a garden sofa suitable for such conditions are shown in Fig. Its design is quite labor- and material-intensive, but technologically not complex: it does not contain parts whose configuration would require the use of patterns or templates. Its significant drawback is the large waste of expensive timber, 1.3 m from a 6-meter piece, but not enough from a 3-meter piece. Garden bench-sofa on the trail. rice. It’s simpler and doesn’t require a thick beam, but 4 parts need to be cut out along the grid. Which, however, is not scary if you have a jigsaw.

Ergonomic garden sofa made of boards