I love to linger in the garden, to actually spend time there. It’s not enough for me to just have the neighbors compliment my yard, or to know I increased the salability of my home. I live for, and in, the garden when I can. To do that, you have to eventually sit down. :) I love a garden bench because they can be easily moved, accommodate a thoughtful spot without blocking the garden itself, and makes an easy DIY project. A garden (or outdoor) bench is a seat, and some means to support that seat. Two blocks and a board will accomplish it, but I think you will agree these DIY outdoor bench ideas are a far step above that, yet almost as easy! Giving yourself a place in the garden to contemplate and de-stress can change the way you look at it. (And everything else!)
Wooden Outdoor Bench Ideas
Everyone loves a charming wooden outdoor bench. Easy to build, these free plans from ‘Love Grows Wild‘ let anyone make this simple garden bench idea that would fit into any style yard. No fancy tools required, and you could have your home improvement center actually do the cuts. Great DIY project for a beginner. You could choose any type of stain or exterior sealer to make this wood bench look like a custom build. (Because, it is! By you!)
We are kinda in love with this easy wooden outdoor bench from ‘Ugly Duckling House‘. Nothing ugly about this, and they made it using scrap 2×4’s and deck boards! And, we think it has this cool geometric design feel. Oh, did we mention, another super easy tutorial for beginners?
‘The Happier Homemaker‘ made this rustic DIY wood bench for less than $15! So if you need a simple outdoor bench project that is budget friendly, this one is it!
DIY Modern Outdoor Bench
From ‘Ana White‘, one of our fav woodworking pros, comes this modern outdoor bench DIY. It is slatted so rain or sprinkler water can drain and not sit on the surface. Also, it looks so cool. Made from simple pine and stained, you could opt to use cedar or a longer lasting wood. She has a great tip to read through ALL the instructions before you start! So many times I wish I had done that!
Rope & Wood Garden Bench Idea
Ok, it was hard to pick, but I might have a fav. This rope and wood outdoor bench is so stunning! And it was made with 2×4’s and some rope! From ‘At Charlotte’s House‘, jump on over and find all the directions to making this bench design. Colored rope?
Curved Outdoor Bench DIY
Jump on over to ‘Ana White‘ and see a curved outdoor bench tutorial by ‘A Beautiful Mess’ that is gorgeous! Perfect for around the fire pit, or just for a comfortable conversation area anywhere in your backyard. Step by step photos and instructions to take you all the way through this project for this stunning white outdoor bench. Oh, and it only cost $125 to build!
Cinder Block Ideas
From ‘Artsy Pretty Plants‘ is this super budget friendly cinder block garden bench DIY. 4×4 lumber, cinder blocks and some paint are the main ingredients here. We like that it has a back for comfort.
This project is a cinder block bench created by ‘Hello Daly‘. I love it because it’s simple for anyone to do, it’s inexpensive, and it will last! I also love it’s more contemporary look. Good step by step photos for this garden bench.
From ‘Fab Every Day‘, this DIY cinder block bench idea could be made in less than an hour, and thats with adhering the blocks together, which is optional. It’s like college bookshelves, on garden steroids!
Colorful Outdoor Backless Bench
From ‘Aristo Crafty‘, Jenny Meese made this colorful DIY bench and shares her “how-to” with everyone. I love the colors she chose! What an amazing way to give yourself some place to rest in the garden, but also to express energy and happiness, just with the choice of paint.
Cedar Bench Ideas
I LOVE this cedar outdoor bench with planters. From ‘My Daily Randomness‘, Britt created this bench project for a Home Depot challenge. Great tutorial for a fun woodworking project.
Outdoor Corner Bench
This DIY outdoor corner bench from ‘Accessorize and Organize‘ has a short tutorial and some step by step photos. This was made from a pallet, so depending on where you find one, is could be almost free to make!
Concrete & Wood Modern Outdoor Bench
Here’s another example of a modern bench that we love…Photo by ‘Foundry Forum‘. We would be proud to have a whole family of these garden benches around our property!
Hopefully you are well on your way to making one (or seem!) of these Awesome Outdoor Bench Projects! We think you will also love our posts on DIY Storage Benches and 9 Brilliant DIY Outdoor Furniture Projects!
I really love this. I am thinking of doing this and earning some money for my children. Thanks a lot.
It’s very nice..so glad u took the time to show how to do it….I think you need to do a bench using the sign..I really liked it.
Bricks/Hollow blocks make beautiful bench/sofa indoor or outdoor. PROCEDURE: Pile bricks/hollow blocks (4 or 6 layers, depending on how low or high you wish it to be, varnish them on the sides to make them to look nicer, lay some removable foam to feel softer on the butt and you now have a steady sofa in no time and will last for a lifetime.
So with the wal paper for Windows or Slibing glass doors, you can still seen out but noisy neighbor’s cannot see in your house from the outside Windows. Right?
Thank you, Deborah Davidson
I love the cinderblock bench with the large piece of wood as a seat, but I have been unable to find the required cinderblocks with the notched out area for the board to set on. I have ask at Lowe’s and Home Depot and nobody seems to know a thing about them. Are they a specialty and where can I find them?
Hi Bernie,
That first photo has no tutorial, it is inspirational only… You could create them with a box form, some concrete mix, and a smaller box to place into the form to create the lip…Let us know if you try it!
http://awesomenessprojects.com/step-by-step-instructions-2
Here are the instructions
Great List!! Pinned just about every single one! Do you have any info on the very top pic? There is no link or info under the photo.
Thanks!
Bonjour !
Merci pour ces superbes selections.
De très bon gout et d’ingéniosité.
J’en retiens au moins 3 pour mes projets.
Cordialement
We’ve made quite a few of the vintage tailgate benches and they are always a hit. We plan on making 3 more to go around our flower pit. Always a conversation starter at parties for sure!
of course, the one I love the most (the first pic) has absolutely no information about it. *sigh*
That bench is inspirational, but you can find it at http://community.thefoundry.co.uk/discussion/topic.aspx?f=9&t=69341. We are looking in to replicating this project with hypertufa carved hocks, stay tuned!
https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/better-homes-gardens/diy/h/22320661/how-to-make-a-concrete-and-timber-bench/
Great post, and thanks for featuring my DIY cinder block bench! We love the bench, and it was so easy to make.
We love your bench too Ramona! Thanks for sharing it!
Thanks so much for featuring my cedar bench project! It’s definitely one of my favourite projects to date!
Totally awesome project, thanks for sharing it with the blogging world Britt!