Build a Garden Bench This Weekend: A Beginner's Project from Nicks Timber
A proper timber bench, built by you. Ready by Sunday evening.
Every garden needs a good bench. Somewhere to sit at the end of the day, a place for the kids to perch while you're doing jobs outside, or just a quiet spot with a view of whatever you've been growing.
The thing is, a well-built timber bench isn't something you need to buy — it's something you can make, even if you've never picked up a drill in your life. This project is genuinely achievable in a single weekend, costs a fraction of what you'd pay in a garden centre, and will last years longer if you use the right timber.
Here's how to build a classic, simple garden bench from scratch.
What You're Building
A freestanding outdoor bench, approximately 1.5m long, with two solid timber legs at each end, a comfortable seat, and an optional back rest. Classic. Sturdy. Looks like it belongs in a proper garden.
What Timber Do You Need?
For outdoor furniture that lasts, you want one of the following:
Pressure-treated softwood — cost-effective and long-lasting. The treatment protects against rot and insects. Perfectly good for a bench that will live outside year-round.
Larch — our personal favourite for garden furniture. Naturally durable, takes stain and oil beautifully, and has a lovely warm grain. If you want a bench that'll become a proper garden feature rather than just a functional seat, larch is worth the slight extra cost.
Hardwood (oak or iroko) — the premium choice. Incredibly long-lasting and develops a beautiful patina outdoors. More expensive, but if you're making a bench as a proper project to be proud of, hardwood is hard to beat.
For a 1.5m bench, here's a simple cutting list:
- 2 x seat boards — 150mm x 38mm, 1.5m long
- 4 x leg pieces — 100mm x 50mm, 450mm long (two per end)
- 2 x leg braces — 75mm x 50mm, around 350mm long (these connect the two legs at each end, forming an A-frame or H-frame)
- 1 x stretcher — 75mm x 50mm, 1.5m long (runs underneath lengthways, connecting both leg assemblies and giving rigidity)
We can cut all of this to length for you at the yard.
Tools You'll Need
- Drill and screwdriver bit
- Stainless steel or galvanised screws (4mm x 70mm work well for this build)
- Sandpaper (80 grit and 120 grit)
- Clamps if you have them — helpful but not essential
- Tape measure
- A square for checking right angles
- Saw for any final trimming
How to Build It
Step 1 — Build your two leg assemblies
Each end of the bench has two legs connected by a horizontal brace. Lay two leg pieces parallel on the floor, roughly 350mm apart at the base, and screw a brace piece across them — about 100mm up from the bottom. This creates a simple H-shaped end frame. Make two of these, one for each end of the bench.
Check each one is square before the screws fully bite. A small engineering square or even a book corner works fine for this.
Step 2 — Attach the stretcher
Stand both leg assemblies upright, 1.5m apart. The stretcher runs along the bottom, connecting them lengthways. Screw through the leg braces into the ends of the stretcher. This single piece is what stops the bench racking side to side — so make sure it's properly fixed.
At this point you should have a sturdy, freestanding base.
Step 3 — Fix the seat boards
Lay your two seat boards across the top of the leg assemblies. Position them so there's a small gap between them — about 5–8mm — for drainage. Screw down through each board into the top of each leg. Two screws per board per leg end is solid enough. Again, pre-drill to avoid splitting.
If the ends of your seat boards overhang the legs slightly — 50mm or so — it looks much better and gives it a more considered, finished look.
Step 4 — Sand everything
This step makes all the difference. Work through 80 grit first to knock back any rough surfaces or sharp edges, then finish with 120 grit. Pay particular attention to the edges of the seat boards — you don't want splinters.
Round off all the corners of the seat boards slightly. It takes two minutes and makes a real difference to how the finished bench feels.
Step 5 — Finish the timber
For outdoor timber, a good quality exterior decking oil or wood stain gives the best protection and brings the grain to life. Apply with a brush or cloth, let it soak in, and give it a second coat after an hour.
Leave it to dry overnight and it's ready to use.
Want to Add a Backrest?
Once you've got the basic bench built, a backrest is straightforward to add. Two vertical back posts fixed to the outside of the rear legs, with two or three horizontal back rails screwed across them, gives you a comfortable supported seat. The same timber sizes work well. Come and talk to us if you want to take it a step further — we're happy to help you work out the extra materials.
A Bench That's Actually Yours
There's something genuinely satisfying about sitting on a piece of furniture you made yourself. It doesn't need to be perfect — small variations and the odd character mark are what make handmade things worth having.
We've been supplying timber for projects like this for over 170 years. We know our wood, and we're always happy to help a first-time builder get the right stuff for the job.
Pop in, tell us what you're making, and we'll get you sorted. 🪵
