You may have a beautiful garden but without a place nearby to sit, how can you admire it? While purchasing an outdoor bench may seem like the easiest solution, benches can be expensive — and there’s no way to customize a store-bought bench to fit your garden’s theme.
Building a garden bench instead won’t just save you money, it will also mean you get a personalized bench for your home. DIY garden benches need a plan, however, and that’s where we come in.
We’ve put together 18 free garden bench plans to take your outdoor paradise to the next level.
Important Details to Consider When Building a Garden Bench
Before you start pulling out tools, there are a few important details to consider when building your garden bench.
Garden Bench Size
Like any carpentry project, exact measurements are crucial, and you’ll want to map the size of your garden bench. Consider the width of the seat, how many people you’ll want it to fit, and how high off the ground it will be.
Types of Materials to Use
While most garden benches primarily use wood, you can customize the type of wood. Raw wood adds a natural touch to the bench while recycled wood tends to be easier on the wallet.
Garden Bench Location and Climate
Don’t forget about the location of your garden bench, or the kind of climate it’s going to endure. Scope out a spot that gives you the best view of the garden. And, don’t forget that you’ll likely need to winterize your garden bench once winter rolls around.
You may also want to consider investing in a protective cover for your bench as the temperature drops. It’s always a good idea to clean your outdoor furniture before winter sets in.
Free Garden Bench Plans to Consider
Every great garden bench begins with a plan. Here are 18 free garden bench plans to build.
Easy DIY Rustic Sitting Garden Bench Plans
This easy DIY rustic bench is a great option for beginners who may not be familiar with carpentry work. You’ll only need three boards to create it, and the design is simple enough that this bench won’t look out of place in any garden. You have the option to drill pilot holes, or add any components you want.
Front Porch Garden Bench Plans
For a spacious bench that could easily fit 2 to 3 people, this front porch garden bench is simple to make and has a detailed tutorial for beginners. Add a coat of paint to match the color of your house, and it’ll be a stylish seat to admire the garden.
Rainbow Garden Bench
For a pop of color, look no further than this rainbow garden bench. While you can build the bench from scrap, these drawings and ideas also work great if you have an old bench to repurpose. You can customize the color scheme, and make each slat a different color.
Raw Cherry Wood Garden Bench Plans
If you want for a garden bench that’s as natural as your garden, you may want to consider making this raw cherry wood bench. The plan includes both a written and video tutorial for beginners. You’ll need some screws, and you can use the pocket hole technique as well.
Easy Planter Garden Bench
Always looking for more space to plant? This planter garden bench may just be what you need. The bench sits in between two planter boxes that you can fill with whatever you want. While this project may be ambitious for some beginners, the tutorial and plans are easy to read and follow.
Curved Fire Pit Bench
When you’ve got a big family or a large group of friends, a curved bench is exactly what you need — whether or not there’s a fire pit involved. This is definitely a big project that requires some carpentry experience.
Twin Bed Garden Bench Plans
Got any vacant twin beds lying around? The plan for this garden bench shows you how to repurpose these old beds by using the footboard and the headboard to form the base.
Bench With Storage Space From Home Depot
A bench may be pretty to look at, but there’s no reason it can’t be functional as well. This bench plan looks best if you have a back porch or deck that overlooks your garden, but you can place it anywhere you’d like.
Planter Bench With Lattice
For those with a little bit more experience doing carpentry projects, this planter bench with a lattice is ambitious and rewarding. This garden bench is a dream, but if you’re able to build it, you’ll have a space to plant some of your favorite flowers.
Simple Garden Bench Plans
The materials and the tools for a garden bench can be expensive, but if you follow this tutorial, you’ll have a simple seating area for less than 20 dollars. Even if you’re not working with a tight budget, the design of this simple bench can be appealing.
Easy Outdoor Garden Bench
If intricate designs aren’t your thing, this garden bench is simple and quick to build. Keep in mind that the seat of the bench is one slat wide, which may not offer enough support for everyone.
Traditional Garden Bench Plans
If you like the look of traditional or store-bought benches, this plan is a great pick. The design of this bench is sturdy and.
Simple Box Storage Bench
Another bench that you can use for storage, this simple box garden bench is great for storing gardening tools in the box, or spare cushions for your outdoor furniture. Keep in mind that there’s no back support in this design.
Picnic Table Bench
That picnic table sitting in your backyard may be convenient for eating, but if you follow this plan, you’ll be able to convert it into two benches. This design is great if you frequently have people over and need a large sitting area.
Recycled Door Bench
Don’t toss out that old door! Consider recycling it as a garden bench. You’ll use part of the door for the back of the bench, and a few wooden slats for the seat. If you’re not a fan of the door color, you can always slap on a new coat of paint.
Garden Loveseat Bench
Looking for a garden bench that feels a bit more modern? This loveseat garden bench is fit for two.
Cinderblock Garden Bench Plans
If cutting wood and contouring horizontal slats doesn’t sound appealing, these garden bench plans use cinderblocks as support. Of course, using found or upcycled cinderblocks is the best option, but if you can’t source any, you can buy new ones at your local home improvement store.
Arbor Sitting Area Bench
This plan might look intimidating to some, but all your hard work will pay off. You’ll get a gorgeous seating area that’s sturdy enough to last for years. And that arbor is totally gorgeous, too.
Final Thoughts
When your garden is in full bloom, the best way to admire it is with a matching garden bench. From simple, rustic designs that won’t take you more than an hour, to intricate, eye-catching plans, there’s a garden bench plan for everyone.
With so many garden bench plans available, how can someone determine which one best suits their garden? Are there specific factors to consider, such as garden size, existing decor or personal preferences?