DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Maya Bench

Another Fantastic Bench for Indoors or Outdoors

This easy to build bench is  great addition to any area of the home. The DIY furniture plans to build a Maya Bench can be constructed out of regular lumber or treated lumber – all straight off the shelf boards. The bench can also accommodate two 24″ x 24″ cushions for the seat as well as a few pillows for the back. This is another easy project that can be completed in a weekend.

Maya Bench - Copy

Materials:

  • 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws* (<– affiliate link!)
  • 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws*
  • 2-1/2″ screws*
  • 1-3/4″ brad nails
  • Wood glue
  • Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
  • Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer

*If building the bench to use outdoors, exterior screws will be used

Tools Needed:

  • Jigsaw or bandsaw
  • Miter saw or circular saw
  • Table saw
  • Drill
  • Pocket hole jig
  • Pneumatic brad nailer with compressor
  • Sander

Lumber:

  • 6 – 1×3 at 6′
  • 1 – 1×3 at 8′
  • 1 – 1×6 at 4′
  • 4 – 2×2 at 8′
  • 1 – 2×4 at 8′

Cut List:

  • 2 – 2×4 at 39-3/4″ – Back Legs
  • 2 – 2×2 at 45″ – Back
  • 7 – 2×2 at 12-1/2″ – Back
  • 2 – 1×3 at 45″ – Front & Back Stretchers
  • 2 – 2×2 at 17-1/4″ – Front Legs
  • 2 – 1×3 at 22-1/2″ – Side Aprons
  • 3 – 1×3 at 23-1/2″ – Seat Supports
  • 1 – 1×6 (ripped to 4-1/2″ wide) at 48″ – Rear Slat
  • 6 – 1×3 at 48″ – Seat Slats
  • 2 – 2×2 at 12-1/4″ – Arms
  • 2 – 2×2 at 26-1/2″ – Arms

DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Maya Bench

Click on the drawings for a larger view!

Step One

Cut the pieces to length for the back legs. Draw the back legs on the 2×4 pieces as shown in the drawing, then cut out using a jigsaw or a bandsaw.

DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Maya Bench - Back Legs

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the back. With the pocket hole jig set for 1-1/2″ material, drill pocket holes in each end of each piece. Secure the longer back pieces to the legs using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws. Orient the pocket holes so they face down.

Secure the shorter back pieces to the longer back pieces using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws at the spacing indicated in the drawing.

DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Maya Bench - Back

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the front and back stretchers. Set the pocket hole jig for 3/4″ material and drill pocket holes in each end of each piece. Secure the back stretcher to the back legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The outside face of the stretcher will be positioned 1/4″ back from the back face of the legs.

DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Maya Bench - Back Apron

Step Four

Cut the pieces for the front legs. Secure the front stretcher to the legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The outside face of the stretcher will be positioned 1/4″ back from the front face of the legs.

DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Maya Bench - Front Legs & Apron

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the side stretchers and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure the side stretchers to the front and back legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The outside face of the stretchers will be positioned 1/4″ back from the side faces of the legs.

DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Maya Bench - Side Aprons

Step Six

Cut the pieces for the seat supports. Secure the supports to the front and back aprons using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Maya Bench - Seat Supports

Step Seven

Cut the piece for the back seat slat. Cut the notches using a jigsaw or bandsaw. Secure the back slat in place using glue and 1-3/4″ brad nails.

Cut the pieces for the remaining slats. Secure the slats in place using glue and 1-3/4″ brad nails.

DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Maya Bench - Seat Slats 1

DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Maya Bench - Seat Slats 2

Step Eight

Cut the pieces for the arms. The longer pieces will have a 5° bevel cut in the back edge. Secure the longer arm piece to the shorter piece using glue and countersunk 2-1/2″ screws through the longer piece into the top of the shorter piece.

Secure the arms to the legs using glue and 2-1/2″ screws. The bottom edge of the vertical piece will be flush with the bottom edge of the aprons.

DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Maya Bench - Arms 1

DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Maya Bench - Arms 2

Finish as desired.

This would be a great bench as extra seating in any room or even at a dining table! Have any questions about the DIY furniture plans to build a Maya Bench? Leave a comment below!

Originally posted 2016-02-10 08:00:50.