Creating a bench yourself, for your own home or garden can be a rewarding project for all DIY enthusiasts, regardless of experience level or skills. There are many types of benches to choose from: wooden, stone, plain or worked. Choose whether to copy a ready-made project or simply use it as a starting point, leaving your imagination free. Read the article and build your first outdoor or indoor bench.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Stealing the Idea from Ikea
Step 1. Buy a sturdy, narrow bookcase
Since bookcases are not made for sitting, the bench will be more suitable for children than adults. But "stealing" the idea from Ikea with this project will provide you with a place to prepare children for school.
Try the Expedit shelf (the column one with 5 shelves). It is particularly suitable because the square shelves can be used to store baskets and boxes even in a horizontal position. This way you will have a place for children to sit to change shoes, to put on gloves and a hat, as well as to store backpacks and other items
Step 2. Turn the shelf on its side
Assemble the shelves as directed by the manufacturer and then lay the bookcase on its side. The side that is now resting on the ground will become the base for sitting.
Step 3. Add wheels or legs
Go to a home improvement store and buy the legs for the bench. You can also buy wheels (such as those for shopping trolleys) or furniture feet made of wood or metal. Buy the ones that best meet your practical and aesthetic needs. Secure the legs to the four corners of the bench, as indicated on the instructions for the product you bought.
- At least 4 pins are recommended, but 6 is better.
- Make sure the screws do not interfere with other fastening components. Watch out!
Step 4. Turn the shelf to the opposite side
This way he is now resting on his legs, and you've got a real bench!
Step 5. Add some padding
You can have a custom-made pillow made or buy one that is relatively thin and square. Glue strips of velcro to the surface of the bench to hold the padding in place.
It is better to put the softest and "hairiest" part of the velcro on the pillow because it is easier to wash
Step 6. Add the finishing touches
You can paint your bench a different color if you wish, you can also buy baskets or other boxes to put between the shelves.
Method 2 of 3: Reuse an Old Bed
Step 1. Buy and fix an old bed frame
You need a wooden headboard and footboard; if they are joined together, detach them. For this project it is best that the footboard has a single flat frame, or two frames with a uniform top edge. When you have the whole frame and you have divided the headboard and footboard, sand them to remove the old paint.
Step 2. Take your measurements and mark the midpoint of the footboard
Draw a vertical line that you find the middle with a pencil or marker.
Step 3. Cut the footboard
Use a precision electric jigsaw and divide the footboard in half, following the line you drew earlier. The two pieces thus obtained will become the sides of the bench, while the headboard will become the backrest.
Step 4. Create anchor points on the footboard
Along the practical cutting line of the holes to insert wooden pins paying attention to the diameter. Measure the holes starting from the ground, and create them on the other half of the footboard so that they match.
- The number and position of the holes depends on the shape and style of the bed.
- If your bed does not have a standard configuration, you will need to change the way you connect the headboard to the footboard. It may be necessary to attach them to the sides rather than facing each other.
Step 5. Attach the footboard to the headboard
Insert the pins after applying glue in all the holes and fix the components. At this point your bench should start taking shape!
Step 6. Connect the session
Turn the bench so that it rests on the backrest and fasten the slats with section 2.5x15 cm (cut to the right length) to the footboard, using L-brackets and wood screws. Fix them at the height you want, compatibly with the footboard measurements. Use as many slats as you need to create a comfortable seat.
If you want to make a door sill, add a strip with a section of 2, 5x7, 5 cm to the base of the seat frame
Step 7. Secure all seams
Seals all joints and crevices to make them stronger. Flip the bench over during this step, if necessary.
Step 8. Add the finishing touches
Color the bench, if you want (with an outdoor paint, if this will be the location of your furniture). You can also add pillows or padding.
Method 3 of 3: Starting from Zero
Step 1. Cut the side pieces for your bench
Take a single board with a 5x25 cm section and obtain two equal pieces of the size you prefer, which will be the height of the bench. Use a circular saw or a precision electric jigsaw.
Step 2. Secure the frame arms
Use 5x5cm wooden slats cut to 20cm length and connect them to the side frame about 3.5cm from the top edge. Use wood screws of the right length, two screws for each arm that penetrate at least 3.5 cm.
Step 3. Pin the sides together
Use two planks of 20 cm and with the section of 2, 5x10 cm. The top of each plank should be flush with the edge of the side piece. Drill holes for the pins in both 5x5cm laths and do the same on the 2.5x10cm slats so that they fit together. Join them together with the dowels and then, with the wood screws, secure them to the sides (two screws for each side and for each strip).
Step 4. Build the session
Take two boards of 20 cm and with a section of 5x10 cm. You should leave a small gap between them and with long screws secure them to the sides of the bench; you should use six screws on each side.
Step 5. Paint the bench or use a primer
Advice
- You can add elements to the bench, depending on the use you want to make of it. If you use it at home you can put cushions on the seat. If you plan to sit on it for a long time, you can build a backrest or armrests.
- Search online and visit those home improvement sites that provide bench designs. Some may charge for it, but there are also some for free.
