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Building an outdoor bench

Building an outdoor bench is one of the easiest furniture pieces you can make. It’s pretty straight forward with clean lines and can hold up to years of wear and tear (this one is 7 years strong and still with us!) Although we repurposed spindles to make ours, you could easily use some from the hardware store and paint them. This build takes about an hour and is one of my favorites of all time.Easy DIY outdoor bench - such an easy way to create more seating outside!

HOW TO BUILD AN OUTDOOR BENCH

how to build an outdoor bench

We lucked out and found these spindles at a yardsale. If you can’t find any to repurpose, they are fairly inexpensive at the lumber store (and much less than buying a bench).

frame of DIY outdoor bench

Using spindles for the legs, I cut them off at the length I wanted (looking for a spot that made sense on the round areas and trimmed extra from the solid shank part.) Then I used 1x4s and created a frame with cross beams in the middle and used supports on each inside corner for strength and to help keep the legs secure.

DIY outdoor bench using spindles as legs

I used screws to put the cut off spindles on as legs and cut braces for extra support.

Outdoor Bench tutorial via The Shabby Creek Cottage

We used a 1/2 inch block for a spacer, so that the water will drain off, because it is an outdoor bench after all. And of course, we gave it a coat of outdoor paint to help keep it sealed. {we recoat it every 2-3 years}

Quick and easy outdoor bench tutorial

Once it was done we painted the top but left the spindles to weather with their original paint, and it has brought a beautiful patina over the years to our outdoor bench. From putting beside a long dining table for family get togethers or just hanging out on the porch by the pool, we’ve found this outdoor bench to be one of the most useful furniture projects we’ve ever built.

Love this outdoor bench - looks so easy to build!


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Filed Under: DIY

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. Susie Q says

    May 18, 2009 at 1:34 am

    Amazing! So pretty–and I bow to you…you used the table saw. I’m not allowed to (for my own safety, honestly…stroke in 1994 left me with a wee bit fine motor control. I stand there and boss him around instead ;D)

    Reply
  2. Olive Rue says

    May 18, 2009 at 1:38 am

    I love the bench and it looks like it would be so easy to make.

    Reply
  3. ellen b says

    May 18, 2009 at 1:51 am

    Oh I am totally impressed with your vision and the end result!!

    Reply
  4. marty39 says

    May 18, 2009 at 2:11 am

    Love the bench. What a great project. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  5. Kammy says

    May 18, 2009 at 2:34 am

    Very cool ! What a deal and how creative you have been. Great having a handy hubby ! It will be so pretty outside !
    Hugs ~ Kammy

    Reply
  6. ~~Carol~~ says

    May 18, 2009 at 3:28 am

    I love your bench, and the color you chose is lovely! I always grab spindles when I see them. I’ve made 2 tables so far, and a plantstand. I have no idea what I think I am doing with the rest of them!

    Reply
  7. Allidink says

    May 18, 2009 at 3:31 am

    Great idea for the spindles! You’re so clever! The bench looks great πŸ™‚

    All the best,
    Allison

    Reply
  8. Becky K. says

    May 18, 2009 at 3:45 am

    How creative! I love it!

    Reply
  9. The Tattered Cottage says

    May 18, 2009 at 5:25 am

    Love, Love, Love the bench and very impressed that you did it yourself. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. I so admire your talent. πŸ™‚
    Toni

    Reply
  10. Really Rainey says

    May 18, 2009 at 6:03 am

    I’m impressed too… Its a beautiful bench and your shopping skills are impressive too!
    ~Really Rainey~

    Reply
  11. abeachcottage@typepad.com says

    May 18, 2009 at 6:28 am

    wow I think this is one hot project, gotta say I just love looking at things like this for inspiration

    happy met monday

    Sarah
    ABeachCottage

    Reply
  12. Stacey says

    May 18, 2009 at 11:59 am

    Nice job!

    Reply
  13. Chrissy says

    May 18, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    WOW!!! Now thats 2 hours well spent indeed!! Great job, love the legs….take care, Chrissy

    Reply
  14. Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says

    May 18, 2009 at 2:57 pm

    Gina, that’s gorgeous! And I’m totally jealous that you have power tools & can rip things yourself. One of these days, I’m gonna get me more power. Thanks for playing!

    Reply
  15. Angela (from Coupon Makeover) says

    May 18, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    What a GREAT project! I love the bench – good job:)

    Reply
  16. Michelle says

    May 18, 2009 at 3:43 pm

    Nice job!! Very creative!

    Reply
  17. I'm Julia says

    May 18, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    I’m inspired! Love the paint job, very beachy.

    Reply
  18. Carol Ann says

    May 18, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    Great post, love the bench…thanks for the step by step instructions by pictures.
    Have a great week.

    Reply
  19. Rita Kent at TesoroFino.Com says

    May 18, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    I love it!!!! Very creative. Come by to see my transformation! If you like what you see, please subscribe to my blog in the right hand column. Just hit the word “Follow” and stay updated on lots of great tips!

    Reply
  20. Fifi Flowers says

    May 18, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    That looks a like a simple project and it looks GREAT!

    Reply
  21. Traci says

    May 18, 2009 at 5:10 pm

    You rock! I love using power tools too! Great vision for using the spindles for a bench. Love your other posts too. Thanks for visiting my blog today.
    Blessings,
    Traci

    Reply
  22. Lisa says

    May 18, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    The bench is adorable. I am very impressed that you built it yourself. I need to get over my fear of power tools. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  23. Chandy says

    May 18, 2009 at 6:17 pm

    You have skills! Great job on that bench! It’ll be a great summer go to bench that’s for sure!

    Reply
  24. Christi @ A Southern Life says

    May 18, 2009 at 6:57 pm

    What a great find. You did a great job!

    Reply
  25. Scribbler says

    May 18, 2009 at 7:17 pm

    This is great. I too like power tools, and have used spindles for various things besides their intended purpose. Boys shouldn’t have all the fun with those tools!

    Scribbler

    Reply
  26. Kim @ Manning Family Tree says

    May 18, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    I love it!!! And I am so impressed that you did it all by yourself. I guess not everyone is like me. The bench turned out fabulous!!!

    Reply
  27. Linda/"Mom" says

    May 18, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    * I ADORE seeing projects like this ~~~ “Something for (basically) nothing”, except a creative mind & knowledge of hammmer & nails… SOOO COOOOL!!!!!!! HUGE KUDOS!!!
    Best, Linda *

    Reply
  28. the pleasures of homemaking says

    May 18, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    You’re amazing! I’m afraid of power tools so no “ripping” for me! It looks wonderful!

    Manuela

    Reply
  29. Mary says

    May 18, 2009 at 10:56 pm

    I am very, very impressed! I love the bench and can’t wait to see what you do with the rest of the spindles.

    Reply
  30. Dawn says

    May 19, 2009 at 12:54 am

    Aww, what an adorable bench! Great job!

    Reply
  31. Cindy says

    May 19, 2009 at 2:12 am

    Wow. I want to be like you!

    Reply
  32. Darlene - Our Creative Life says

    May 19, 2009 at 6:04 pm

    You could sell any extra legs on ebay!

    Reply
  33. Julie says

    May 19, 2009 at 8:02 pm

    What a great idea. I have about 9 or 10 spindles that my friend gave me because they are redoing an old house and they took them off their porch. They have been sitting in the basement for almost a year with good intentions. Now I know exactly what to do with them. Thanks

    Reply
  34. Christina says

    May 20, 2009 at 1:32 am

    What a fantastic bench you made. Love that big pile of spindles. Oh, the things you can do with them.

    Reply
  35. Sara @ Be Still and Know says

    June 2, 2009 at 3:15 am

    you have some serious skilz!!! I can imagine all the entertaining that can be done with this….for food, drinks, plants, decor…..this is a GREAT project! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  36. Deb says

    July 17, 2016 at 4:38 pm

    I love it! I want to make that too! Thanks for posting!

    Reply

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