Top 15 DIY Outdoor Bench Ideas [Easy To Make]

Have you ever found yourself dreaming of a cozy outdoor bench to relax on during those perfect sunny days, only to be put off by the high prices in stores or the lack of designs that truly speak to you? 

I get it finding the perfect bench that fits your style and budget can be a real challenge. But what if I told you that you could create your own custom outdoor bench without breaking the bank? 

That’s right! In this article, I’ve gathered some of the most creative and budget-friendly DIY outdoor bench ideas that will transform your outdoor space into a stylish and inviting haven. 

Let’s dive into it!

DIY Outdoor Bench

Here are 15 DIY Outdoor Bench ideas that will suit your backyard and sitting areas.

1. Rustic Wooden Bench

Materials:

– Reclaimed wood planks

– Sandpaper

– Wood screws

– Wood glue

– Wood stain or paint

– Paintbrush

– Drill

Procedure:

1. Sand the wood planks to smooth the surface.

2. Cut the wood into pieces: two long planks for the seat and two shorter ones for the legs.

3. Attach the legs to the seat using wood screws and wood glue for extra stability.

4. Sand the entire bench again to ensure there are no rough edges.

5. Apply wood stain or paint as desired and let it dry.

2. Concrete Block and Wood Bench

Materials:

– Concrete blocks

– Wooden beams

– Sandpaper

– Paint or stain for wood

– Paintbrush

– Cushions (optional)

Procedure:

1. Place concrete blocks on the ground in a sturdy configuration to form the base.

2. Sand the wooden beams and place them horizontally across the concrete blocks to form the seat.

3. Paint or stain the wooden beams as desired and let them dry.

4. Optional: Add cushions for extra comfort.

3. Cinder Block Bench

Materials:

– Cinder blocks

– Wooden beams

– Paint or stain for wood

– Paintbrush

– Cushions (optional)

Procedure:

1. Arrange the cinder blocks in two stacks to create the sides of the bench.

2. Place wooden beams across the cinder blocks to form the seat.

3. Paint or stain the wooden beams as desired and let them dry.

4. Optional: Add cushions for extra comfort.

4. Pallet Bench

Materials:

– Wooden pallets

– Sandpaper

– Wood screws

– Wood glue

– Paint or stain

– Paintbrush

– Cushions (optional)

Procedure:

1. Disassemble one pallet to use its boards for reinforcement.

2. Stack two pallets on top of each other to form the seat.

3. Attach the boards from the disassembled pallet to the sides and back for extra support using wood screws and wood glue.

4. Sand the entire bench to remove rough edges.

5. Paint or stain the bench and let it dry.

6. Optional: Add cushions for comfort.

5. Tree Trunk Bench

Materials:

– Large tree trunk

– Chainsaw

– Sandpaper

– Wood stain or sealant

– Paintbrush

Procedure:

1. Cut the tree trunk into a suitable length for a bench using a chainsaw.

2. Slice the trunk in half lengthwise to create a flat seating surface.

3. Sand the flat surface until smooth.

4. Apply wood stain or sealant to protect the wood from the elements.

5. Let it dry completely.

6. Metal and Wood Bench

Materials:

– Metal frame (purchased or welded)

– Wooden planks

– Sandpaper

– Wood screws

– Wood stain or paint

– Paintbrush

Procedure:

1. Sand the wooden planks to smooth the surface.

2. Attach the planks to the metal frame using wood screws.

3. Sand the entire bench to remove any rough edges.

4. Apply wood stain or paint as desired and let it dry.

7. Garden Storage Bench

Materials:

– Wooden boards

– Hinges

– Wood screws

– Wood glue

– Sandpaper

– Paint or stain

– Paintbrush

– Storage bins (optional)

Procedure:

1. Build the frame of the bench using the wooden boards and wood screws.

2. Attach the wooden boards to create the seat and backrest.

3. Add a hinged lid to the seat for storage access.

4. Sand the entire bench to remove rough edges.

5. Paint or stain the bench as desired and let it dry.

6. Optional: Place storage bins inside the bench.

8. Rope-Wrapped Bench

Materials:

– Wooden bench

– Thick rope

– Wood glue

– Scissors

Procedure:

1. Sand the wooden bench to remove rough edges.

2. Wrap the thick rope around the legs and arms of the bench, securing it with wood glue as you go.

3. Let the glue dry completely.

9. Curved Wooden Bench

Materials:

– Wooden planks

– Saw

– Sandpaper

– Wood screws

– Wood glue

– Wood stain or paint

– Paintbrush

Procedure:

1. Cut the wooden planks into curved shapes for the seat and backrest.

2. Sand the pieces to smooth the edges.

3. Assemble the bench by attaching the curved pieces with wood screws and wood glue.

4. Sand the entire bench to remove any rough edges.

5. Apply wood stain or paint as desired and let it dry.

10. Rock and Wood Bench

Materials:

– Large flat stones

– Wooden beams

– Sandpaper

– Wood stain or paint

– Paintbrush

Procedure:

1. Arrange the flat stones on the ground to form the base of the bench.

2. Place the wooden beams across the stones to form the seat.

3. Sand the wooden beams to remove rough edges.

4. Apply wood stain or paint as desired and let it dry.

11. Brick and Wood Bench

Materials:

– Bricks

– Wooden planks

– Sandpaper

– Wood screws

– Wood stain or paint

– Paintbrush

Procedure:

1. Build two brick columns to form the sides of the bench.

2. Place the wooden planks across the brick columns to create the seat.

3. Sand the wooden planks to smooth the surface.

4. Attach the planks to the brick columns using wood screws.

5. Apply wood stain or paint as desired and let it dry.

12. Live Edge Wood Bench

Materials:

– Live edge wood slab

– Metal hairpin legs

– Sandpaper

– Wood screws

– Wood stain or sealant

– Paintbrush

Procedure:

1. Sand the live edge wood slab to remove rough edges.

2. Attach the metal hairpin legs to the slab using wood screws.

3. Apply wood stain or sealant to protect the wood.

4. Let it dry completely.

13. Bench with Planter Boxes

Materials:

– Wooden boards

– Planter boxes

– Wood screws

– Wood glue

– Sandpaper

– Paint or stain

– Paintbrush

Procedure:

1. Build the frame of the bench using the wooden boards and wood screws.

2. Attach the planter boxes to each end of the bench frame.

3. Sand the entire bench to remove rough edges.

4. Paint or stain the bench as desired and let it dry.

14. Industrial Pipe Bench

Materials:

– Industrial pipes and fittings

– Wooden planks

– Sandpaper

– Wood screws

– Wood stain or paint

– Paintbrush

Procedure:

1. Assemble the industrial pipes and fittings to create the base of the bench.

2. Sand the wooden planks to smooth the surface.

3. Attach the planks to the pipe base using wood screws.

4. Apply wood stain or paint as desired and let it dry.

15. Folding Picnic Bench

Materials:

– Wooden boards

– Hinges

– Wood screws

– Wood glue

– Sandpaper

– Paint or stain

– Paintbrush

Procedure:

1. Cut the wooden boards to size for the seat, backrest, and legs.

2. Attach the boards together using wood screws and wood glue, adding hinges to allow the bench to fold.

3. Sand the entire bench to remove rough edges.

4. Paint or stain the bench as desired and let it dry.