Build a Bench with Arms

An Easy to Build Bench

Hey everyone! I bet many of you are busy with your spring decor projects, like building planters, adding seating, gardening, and sprucing up your yard. Well, I’ve got some fantastic news for you! I have some free plans to share with you today that will help you build a bench with arms. It’s a super quick and easy project that will have you enjoying the gorgeous weather outdoors in no time. So, grab your tools and let’s get started!

Materials:

• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws
• 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws
• 1-1/4″ screws
• Edge banding for the seat
• Finishing supplies

Lumber:

• 3 – 1×3 at 8′
• 1 – 1×4 at 4′
• 1 – 1×6 at 6′
• 5 – 2×2 at 8′
• 1 sheet of 3/4″ plywood

Cut List:

• 2 – 2×2 at 24-1/4″ – Front Legs
• 2 – 2×2 at 18″ – Lower Back Legs
• 2 – 2×2 at 20″ – Upper Back Legs
• 4 – 2×2 at 20-1/4″ – Side Stretchers
• 3 – 2×2 at 65″ – Long Stretchers
• 1 – 1×3 at 65″ – Back Slat Frame
• 1 – 1×6 at 65″ – Back Slat Frame
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 23-1/4″ x 68″ – Seat
• 2 – 1×4 at 22-3/8″ – Arms
• 16 – 1×3 at 14″ – Back Slats

 

Step One

Cut the pieces for the legs and the sides. Drill pocket holes in each end of the stretcher pieces, as well as the upper end of the lower back leg pieces. Cut a 5 degree bevel in the bottom edge of the upper back pieces. Attach the upper back piece to the lower back piece (keep in mind there will be a left and a right!) using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws. Attach the stretchers to the front and back legs using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the long stretchers and drill pocket holes at each end. Attach as shown using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the back. Cut the curve in the 1×6 maintaining the dimensions shown. Here is where you can be really creative! The upper back piece would look great with a curve and a carved wood piece in the center!

Drill pocket holes in each end of each piece and secure to the upper back legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The front face of the pieces will be flush with the front face of the legs.

Step Four

Cut the piece for the seat and cut the notches with a jigsaw. If edge banding is being used, it will be applied before the seat is secured.

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the arms. Cut the curve as desired maintaining the 1-1/2″ dimension at the back of the arm to attach to the upper back leg. Drill pocket holes in the 1-1/2″ end. Secure to the leg using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws into the leg, and 1-1/4″ countersunk screws through the arm into the front legs.

Step Six

Cut the pieces for the slats and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure to the upper and lower back using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws maintaining the spacing as shown.

Finish as desired!

The free plans to build a bench with arms will hep create a piece of furniture that is perfect for the indoors or outdoors. The bench will look great in an entryway, in a mudroom, or on a porch! Got a project you’ve completed using my plans? Share photos with me at cher {at} designsbystudioc {dot} com or designsbystudioc {at} gmail {dot} com. I would love to feature your work on DbSC!

Originally posted 2013-05-09 08:00:11.