Home Decor and DIY: Day 16 - Build a Bench and Planters

Day 16 - Build a Bench and Planters

Welcome back! You can see links to the complete series here, and enter my Lowe's gift card giveaway here. In this series, we're seeing what we can make out of 2x4s. I want to keep it cheap, keep it easy, and keep it totally doable for anyone. Today project is fun and versatile - and we'll be looking at even more design options for it tomorrow. Today we'll be building a bench and planters!

These would be a great addition to any backyard or patio. And they are super versatile! You can build just a planter, just a bench, or a few each to piece together how ever you like! It's never to early (or late?) to think about sprucing up our yards, right? :)

Saw

Drill

2 1/2” screws (or Kreg Jig & 2 1/2" self tapping screws)

4" screws (or Kreg Jig & 2 1/2" self tapping screws)

Wood glue

Wood filler

Planter Shopping List (this is for one planter, buy double if you want two planters!):

3 - 2x4s @ 10' long

1 - 2x4 @ 8' long

Bench 2x4 Cut List:

(A) - 4 @ 17" (legs)

(B) - 2 @ 32 1/2" (front/back)

(C) - 2 @ 14" (sides)

(D) - 5 @ 39 1/2" (seat)

(E) - 4 @ 21" (legs)1

(F) - 12 @ 11" (front/back)

Bench Dimensions: 39 1/2" wide x 19" tall x 17 1/2" deep

Please read all the directions before beginning, and cut your pieces as you go, measuring before each cut. Use 2 1/2” screws or pocket holes with 2 1/2" screws unless otherwise indicated. Always use glue. Pre-drill and countersink your screws. I have not built from these exact plans, so measure lots to make sure things work out!

Step 1: Build a Bench

Like how I made that all into one step? :) Start by building the front & back of your bench. Use a front board (B) to connect two legs (A). It should be flush with the top of the legs. Attach the front board using your Kreg Jig and pocket screws, or by drilling through the legs into the front board with 4" screws and glue. Repeat to build the back section.

Now connect the front and back sections using the side boards (C). Each board should be flush with the top and outside edges of the front and back sections. Attach the side boards using a Kreg Jig, or by drilling through the front (and back) of the legs and into the sides with 2 1/2" screws and glue.

Now you can attach the seat boards (D). These boards sit side-by-side across the top of the bench and should be flush around all sides. Attach them by drilling down through the seat boards into the sides & legs with 2 1/2" screws and glue.

If you just want a bench, you're done! Fill your holes, sand, and paint or stain as desired (Be sure to choose an outdoor product!). But if you want a few planters to go with it, keep reading.... :)

Step 2: Build a Planter

Start by using 6 of the planter front boards (F) to connect two of the planter legs (E). The front boards sit on top of each other and the whole stack should be flush with the top and bottom of the legs. Attach the front boards using a Kreg Jig and pocket screws, or by drilling through the legs and into the front boards with 4" screws and glue. Repeat to build the back section.

Now connect the front and back sections using the side boards (G). You will use 6 on each side, again stacked on top of each other and flush with the top and outside edges of the legs. Attach these boards by drilling through the front and back of the legs into the side boards with 2 1/2" screws and glue.

Now you can put a bottom in your planter. You probably don't want to actually put it at the bottom of your planter, because you probably don't need that much dirt in there! Try installing the bottom boards (H) about 8-12" down from the top of the planter, depending on how much room you think your plants will need. Once you choose your depth, attach your bottom boards by drilling through the front & back sections into the bottom boards with 2 1/2" screws and glue. Your boards should be evenly spaced about 3/8" apart to allow a little space for drainage.

Now you can finish your planters. Start by filling any holes sanding everything down, and finishing with paint or stain and polyurethane. Be sure to choose an outdoor product!

Did you build both pieces? Then go ahead and put them together however you like! Try a simple bench with a planter on each end, or add another bench and planter to make an L-shaped arrangement for a corner. There are so many possibilities.