How To Build A Bench Seat – Easy Outdoor Bench Plans 2025

Hello!

Here you will find woodworking plan on how to build a bench seat. Simple, however detailed outdoor bench woodworking plan with measurements you can follow. This design is sturdy, beginner-friendly, and uses common lumber sizes.

Related: Outdoor Dining Table DIY Project

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Materials

• 2×4 boards – (6 pieces, 8 ft long)
• 2×6 board – (1 piece, 8 ft long)
• Exterior wood screws (2½”)
• Wood glue (optional)
• Sandpaper + outdoor finish/sealant

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Cut List

• Seat slats: 2×6 board cut to 48″ (2 pieces)
• Legs: 2×4 boards cut to 17″ (4 pieces)
• Side supports: 2×4 boards cut to 12″ (2 pieces)
• Long stretcher: 2×4 board cut to 42″ (1 piece)
• Apron pieces: 2×4 boards cut to 48″ (2 pieces)

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Assembly Steps

1. Build the legs: Attach two 17″ legs with a 12″ side support between them, forming a rectangle. Repeat for the other side.
2. Connect the legs: Secure the two leg assemblies with the 42″ stretcher, placed between them about 6″ from the ground.
3. Add aprons: Attach the 48″ 2×4 aprons along the top of the legs for stability.
4. Install seat: Lay the two 2×6 boards side by side on top, overhanging slightly on each side. Screw them into the aprons.
5. Finish: Sand smooth and apply an outdoor wood sealant or paint.

Final Dimensions: ~48″ (length) × 14″ (width) × 18″ (height)

Here’s a simple diagram of the outdoor bench plan with labeled measurements. It shows the seat, legs, stretcher, and final dimensions for easy visualization.

Here’s the exploded view of the outdoor bench showing how the seat boards, aprons, legs, side supports, and stretcher all fit together. Each part is labeled with its cut size for clarity.

Here’s the cut list diagram for the outdoor bench. Each board is shown separately with its quantity and measurements so you can easily cut and organize the pieces before assembly.

I will add a printable PDF woodworking plan for you to download.

This printable PDF bench plan includes all above mentioned:

• Materials list
• Cut list
• Step-by-step assembly instructions
• Simple diagrams (seat plan, exploded view, and cut list)