Rustic $15 DIY Bench
Wondering how to make a bench, or better yet, a cheap bench? It’s easier than you think! Build this simple Farmhouse DIY Bench for just $15 in supplies!
Remember that little old table my hubby and I built early in the summer? The little Pottery Barn inspired turnbuckle table?
Well, she {yes, she’s a girl} needed a little accessory. While she loved the beautifully spray painted turquoise and white chairs we had her paired with she felt alone. In need of a rustic wooden partner in crime.
So we build her a little friend bench.
And it only cost us $15.
My hubby was out of town when I built this bench (he drew up a rough plan for me before he left and bought the wood.) I felt like a modern-day superwoman using my new tools I told you about recently. They made it SO easy and SO fast to get this little sucker built.
Tools for Making a DIY Bench.
I cut everything on my miter saw and the angles for the bottom of the bench and the side base notches were super easy to make. I’ve been missing out working with only a circular saw! You definitely can make this bench with a circular saw though if you don’t have a miter saw so don’t let that deter you.
And the impact driver…oh be still my heart! This little powerhouse has an internal anvil that gives it muscle-takes all the pressure off you when using it, just hold it and it pushes itself right in. Don’t believe me? Check out this little makeshift video I made when assembling the bench:
DIY Bench Supplies
- 1 – 2×6 @ 12 feet long (you can cut this one into 2 – 6′ long boards for easier transporting)
- 2 – 2×4 @ 8 feet long
- 2-1/2″ self-tapping screws (try the exterior deck ones) or 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws (for Kreg Jig users)
DIY Bench Plans
And the best part of the entire DIY bench situation? My amazing superstar buddy Ana White is drawing up plans for you to create your very own-and it’s under $15 in lumber! Woo-to-the-hoo!
Check out the $15 DIY Rustic Bench plans here and please give Ana a little “thank you” for drawing up the plans cause you can be assured they are SO much better than anything I would have tried to explain!
Seriously love this bench! Good work! And I am now coveting that Ryobi impact driver.
It’s awesome Kristen! I’ll bring it over if you want to borrow it to try it out!
Stunning!!! I would totally copy you if I could access any of my power tools in the garage without bending over. 🙂 Or if I could bend over.
You’re working on building your own little masterpiece Court!
Oh, I LOVE this bench and it is the perfect BFF for your table!
Thanks so much Keri!!! Happy Friday!
What a great addition to your table…and you can’t beat $15. 🙂
Thanks so much Megan!!
Wow! Seriously? Sharing on my FB page tomorrow! Ah-mazing!! Can you ship me one? I’m dead serious
Hugs,
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com
Thanks so much Jamie! If only you were closer I’d definitely make you one!!
Amazing, Melissa!! I’ve been needing to build a bench for one side of my dining room table (which was built from Ana’s plans). I am so happy you had Ana draw up your plans – so easy to follow! Thanks girl!
Thanks so much Laura! This bench was so easy to build, I was surprised how quickly it came together!
We are planning on making this next week. What stain did you use? I really like the color and would like to recreate the look.
It’s Minwax Polyshades in Mission Oak, one of my favorites!
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is actually nice.
I will be building your bench and matching table this weekend. I had a question about the height of the bench. at 14.5″ it seems low for a table that is 30″ high. since you have both and are using them do you feel like the bench is tall enough? I love the plans for these and cant wait to make them.
Hi Jeremy,
I don’t use the bench with the table-the bench was more decorative for my front porch. I’d definitely adjust the height if you’re using it with a table.
~Melissa
This bench looks pretty big! Out of curiosity, how many adults do you think could fit on it comfortably? These might be just what I’m looking for to use as outdoor seating. 🙂
I think 4 adults could sit on it, perhaps 3 if they needed more wiggle room!
I didn’t see the sizes of the wood. Could you please give them to me. I’m ready with my mitre saw, THANKS
Hi Ann, my friend Ana White drew up full plans-you can find them here: https://www.ana-white.com/2013/10/plans/happier-homemaker-bench
What kind of wood did you use? Pine?
Yes, inexpensive pine planks Megan
The bench is beautiful! I have just started with the tools in the garage but I am slowly building my skills. I will have to save this project for when I feel a little more confident in my ability…lol. It would look so nice in my entryway as a place to stop and put shoes on.
Thank you!
Hi! I came across this project at Ana White, and made a pair for our backyard. I saw you mentioned the stain you used, can you also share any other steps to your process (wood conditioner? something to seal the wood after being stained?) I also used inexpensive pine and really like the finish you ended up with
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Many thanks!
I feel you on the impact driver girl! Hubs got me one and I use it almost exclusively. I finally can drive a screw fully into wood! (And I had thought I was pretty strong). This tool has upped my work options now.
it’s the best, my favorite tool by far! ~Melissa
I love this. My son has been doing some work like this. I can not wait to show him and see if he could do this for me. I would love to have them on my deck!
Great thing, I must admit, I really like this bench, I have to take care of something like that in the spring in the garden.
1. That Impact Driver is awesome and looks like the perfect tool for little weakling me.
2. The bench is equally as gorgeous as the table, and now I’m convinced I need one for my garden patio.
Wonderfully done!
Thanks so much Anna, the impact driver is awesome, you’d love it!! ~Melissa
Thank you for sharing these plans. I made myself one to go with my backyard table and chairs. I also made and gifted a few as Christmas presents for my family and they all love them!!! Super simple and fun to build!! Thanks again!
So glad you liked them Marie! Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much for the plans, Gonna make an entryway bench for the kiddos. Your plans look great, such a life saver.
Glad you like it Amber! I’d love to see a picture when you’re finished!
Any idea what the weight restrictions would be on this? Lovely idea for wedding seating
These benches were wonderful my husband made 16 for our wedding and we put buckets of baby’s breath down the aisle. Now all the benches are dispersed among my family members and we all are still using them 4 years later!!
How many guests did you have?
How many adults per bench?! Can you email me at [email protected]
I would only seat two on the bench as built.
Where did you buy your wood?
How many adults do you think this bench could hold? We are thinking about making them for seating at our daughters outdoor wedding
Can someone who used these for adult seating reply to me about how many adults could seat comfortably? Love to make these for my daughters wedding. 180 guest. Thank you
Came out great! Love the stain that you used.
Thanks so much!