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.
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).
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.
I used screws to put the cut off spindles on as legs and cut braces for extra support.
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}
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.
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)
I love the bench and it looks like it would be so easy to make.
Oh I am totally impressed with your vision and the end result!!
Love the bench. What a great project. Hugs, Marty
Very cool ! What a deal and how creative you have been. Great having a handy hubby ! It will be so pretty outside !
Hugs ~ Kammy
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!
Great idea for the spindles! You’re so clever! The bench looks great 🙂
All the best,
Allison
How creative! I love it!
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. 🙂
Toni
I’m impressed too… Its a beautiful bench and your shopping skills are impressive too!
~Really Rainey~
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
Nice job!
WOW!!! Now thats 2 hours well spent indeed!! Great job, love the legs….take care, Chrissy
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!
What a GREAT project! I love the bench – good job:)
Nice job!! Very creative!
I’m inspired! Love the paint job, very beachy.
Great post, love the bench…thanks for the step by step instructions by pictures.
Have a great week.
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!
That looks a like a simple project and it looks GREAT!
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
The bench is adorable. I am very impressed that you built it yourself. I need to get over my fear of power tools. 🙂
You have skills! Great job on that bench! It’ll be a great summer go to bench that’s for sure!
What a great find. You did a great job!
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
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!!!
* I ADORE seeing projects like this ~~~ “Something for (basically) nothing”, except a creative mind & knowledge of hammmer & nails… SOOO COOOOL!!!!!!! HUGE KUDOS!!!
Best, Linda *
You’re amazing! I’m afraid of power tools so no “ripping” for me! It looks wonderful!
Manuela
I am very, very impressed! I love the bench and can’t wait to see what you do with the rest of the spindles.
Aww, what an adorable bench! Great job!
Wow. I want to be like you!
You could sell any extra legs on ebay!
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
What a fantastic bench you made. Love that big pile of spindles. Oh, the things you can do with them.
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! 🙂
I love it! I want to make that too! Thanks for posting!