How To Build a Garden Bench with Ryobi Tools
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful spot to sip your morning coffee or a stylish seating solution for hosting outdoor gatherings, building your own garden bench is an enjoyable and rewarding DIY project. With the right tools and a clear plan, you can craft a sturdy outdoor bench that perfectly complements your garden, patio, or yard. Using Ryobi’s reliable and easy-to-use power tools ensures that this project is approachable, even for beginners.
This guide will show you how to easily design and construct your own DIY garden bench, highlighting every step along the way and incorporating helpful tips for success.
Why Build Your Own Garden Bench?
Before we get started, you may be asking, "Why build a bench when I could just buy one?"
Building your own garden bench comes with several advantages:
- Customisation: Design a bench that perfectly suits your space, style, and needs.
- Cost-effectiveness: Re-purpose materials like pallets or pressure-treated wood to keep costs low.
- Satisfaction: Enjoy the sense of accomplishment from creating something with your own hands.
Crafting your own DIY outdoor bench ensures that your furniture is not only functional, but also a unique reflection of your personal style.
Creating a Pallet Bench: DIY Garden Bench
While some people may choose to buy a bench or build one from a kit, there are creative and cost-effective ways to approach this. Consider exploring how to build your own outdoor bench.
Creating pallet garden furniture has become a popular trend in recent years. Turning a pallet into an outdoor bench is a “life hack” which can create quite a unique look in your garden. When selecting your pallet, try to choose one entirely made from rot-resistant oak (or one partially of oak with larger cross-beams made from pressure-treated 2x4), with slats at half an inch think.
Materials You’ll Need
- Pallet - Ideally made of sturdy oak or combined with pressure-treated lumber)
- Wood: 8ft pressure treated 2x4
- Outdoor wood screws
- Wood Glue
- Sandpaper (80-120 grit)
- Outdoor wood stain or paint
- Polyurethane Sealant (optional)
Tools Required
With your materials and tools ready to go, you’re all set to begin building your garden bench.
How to Make a Bench
Step 1: Turn the pallet into a bench seat and back
Use your Ryobi Cordless Circular Saw to cut the wood to the required lengths:
Take your pallet - a 48-in x 42-in oak pallet is recommended - and remove the slat in the middle. From this you can make six saw-cuts to turn the pallet into a bench back and a bench seat.
Measure 17 inches on the slat for a comfortable seat back. Next, mark off the same 17 inches from the end of each of the four major cross-members where you will make your cut. Set your saw to cut 2 inches deep and cut along the marks. Flip over the pallets to complete cuts on the other side as the boards will be too deep for one cut.
Take the shorter pallet section which will be your bench back and stack it vertically on the long section. You will see the bench taking shape.
Step 2: Make the legs and armrest supports
Use your Ryobi Cordless Circular Saw to cut the wood to the required lengths:
Use the 2x4 to create your legs and armrests supports. Cut the 2x4 into four pieces at a size of 21 ¾ inches.
Step 3: Sand the pieces
Smooth all edges and surfaces using the Ryobi Orbital Sander with 80-grit sandpaper, followed by 120-grit for a polished finish. Sanding prevents splinters and ensures the stain or paint adheres evenly.
Step 4: Attach legs to the bench
Next, you should raise the bench on blocks with the rear of the seat’s bottom 8 inches from the ground and the front of the seat’s bottom 10.5 inches above. This is only a recommended level, so you can set the height to your wishes.
Now your bench is in position, fasten the legs using your cordless drill. Ensure you have enough power to drive the 2 ½ inch self-tapping deck screws through the boards and into the sides of the bottom back.
Run the screws through the leg boards into both the seat back portion and the bench seat. This will fasten the two bench sections together. We recommend four screws in the bottom section, four in the top and then two in the bottom of the seat back - make this close to the set to give your bench added support and strength.
Double check your measurements to ensure they’re right for your bench. Run four screws into each of the front legs and fasten them to the front of the bench sides. Your bench should now be self-supporting!
Next, for added strength, toe-nailing a screw (at an angle to join two pieces of wood) into each of the two sets of supporting beams of the seat and back. This joins the two sections together which will prevent the bench from bowing down from weight put on it in the centre.
Step 5: Create and attach your armrests
The pallet slat you removed at the beginning of the process can span over the bench legs front and back to make armrests. Cut off at an angle and run two screws into the arm and into the rear leg and front leg to fasten it. Use another pallet slat to create an armrest for the other side. If you don’t have another slat free, take one from the rear of the back or the underside.
Step 6: Finish your Bench
- Sand the entire bench again to remove any rough spots.
- Apply a weather-resistant stain or paint in your preferred colour. Use a polyurethane sealant for extra durability if desired.
- Allow the bench to dry completely before placing it outdoors.
DIY Bench Optional Upgardes
- Add cushions, throw pillows or padded seats for extra comfort.
- Install armrests or a backrest for additional support.
- Personalise your bench with carved designs or engravings using your Ryobi Trim Router.
For curved or decorative details, the Ryobi Jigsaw is perfect for making precision cuts.
Your Outdoor Haven Awaits
Congratulations - your garden bench is complete! You've crafted a beautiful, sturdy piece that’s as functional as it is stylish, all while saving costs and showcasing your creativity.
Whether used as a gathering place for family and friends or a peaceful retreat to enjoy nature, your handmade garden bench will undoubtedly enhance your outdoor space.
Your Next Ryobi DIY Project
You can also start thinking about your next DIY project and Ryobi have all the tools you need to get it done. Get all your power tools and garden tools from us.