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How to Build An Easy DIY Corner Bench

closeup of corner bench copyNeed Seating for your outdoor space? I sure did.  Ok so I am the queen of repurposing and salvaging things.  And often I have problems throwing things out.DIY Corner Bench
So one day I’m sitting outside on my deck and I go to place my drink on my side table. It literally fell over at my very touch. Well needless to say,  I didn’t expect that.  Yes, that table was 10 years old and had been repainted every year for the past 5 summers, but I was sure it had at least another 2 or 3 summers left in it.  So this prompted me to inspect my seating.  To my surprise  almost every seat that I had purchased from the thrift store and refinished (4..ok 5 years ago) had some level of dry rot.  Darn, I needed to replace everything.  But instead of getting down about it I took it as a sign that I needed to redecorate.  So I put my thinking cap on.  Problem: I needed seating.  My budget:microscopic.  But what I did have was a whole bunch of 2x3s that someone so graciously gave me recently because they were downsizing.  So one Saturday morning while looking at the empty space where my table once stood I came up with a plan.  I’ll build a simple corner bench.

DIY Corner Bench$20 Corner Bench

You know the drill people, Let’s get Dirty!..ok dusty cause this is super easy.

This corner bench easily seats 5 to 6 people…depending on the size of the booties of course. 😉  This project is low cost and very simple with all straight cuts. Approx. $20. This time around I tried my hand at Sketchup.  This was my first time working with Sketchup.  I know I’ve got a lot to learn in terms of maximizing its use. So if I made any errors or if you have any suggestions,  by all means please share.

Materials

  • 9- 2x3x8
  • Exterior pocket screws 2 1/2″
  • Exterior nails 2 1/2″
  • Corner bracket

Cut List

  • Seat Top:   1 – 60″, 1 – 66″, 1 – 72″, 1 – 78″, 1 – 84″, 1 – 90″, 2 – 96″,
  • Seat (Under Support beams): 3 –  17 1/2″
  • Legs(each): 2 – 16″, 1 – 12 1/2″

DIY Corner Bench Top View  DIY Corner Bench Under the bench  DIY Corner Bench Back view  Corner Bench legs  Corner Bench front view

Steps

 DIY Corner Bench DIY Corner Bench I wanted to make use of all my scrap wood to reduce the over all cost (i.e no money spent). So I laid out all my scrap wood.  I wanted to use everything.  So I joined pieces together to create the lengths I needed for each piece. I joined together using my pocket screws and wood glue. If you do this you will want to stager the seams of the wood pieces when laying out the seat.  Also you’ll also need additional support beams under the seat.

However if your using solid 2×3 lumber simply cut the 2×3 for the seat to size as displayed in the cut list.

DIY Corner Bench

Once the seat boards are cut its time to lay it out and attach.  Using wood spacers (I cut 10 – 1/4″  pieces of the wood to act as spacers) lay out the boards and attach the seat support beams.  To make this process go smoothly and reduce board movement as I nailed everything in place, I screwed the middle support beam in place then nailed the remaining areas.  I liked this project because I actually love using my hammer.  Hahaha. I’m telling you, it’s the best way to let out all your frustrations.  Hold that handle up and just let gravity do all the work. 🙂

DIY Corner Bench DIY Corner Bench DIY Corner Bench DIY Corner Bench DIY Corner Bench DIY Corner Bench DIY Corner Bench DIY Corner Bench

Once the support beams were in place it was time to make the legs.  Create the legs by joining the two 16″ pieces together with the 12 1/2″  piece of 2×3.  Then using pocket screws attach under the seat next to each support beam.  The middle leg should be placed in the middle about 27″ over from side legs.

DIY Corner Bench DIY Corner Bench DIY Corner Bench

Cap off the front of the seat by placing the 2nd 2x3x96  flat face up against the other 2x3x96 board.   Finally, flip over and your bench because you are done.

DIY Corner Bench

Sand to smooth out any splinters and imperfections in the wood. The last thing you’d want is for your guests to sit on any splinters or scratch themselves on any rough points.  Stain and seal with a waterproofing sealant.  Secure to the deck using corner brackets on the floor.

DIY Corner Bench DIY Corner Bench

So one hour later, I was done. 🙂 ok 2 hours later. I’m serious, how easy was this.

DIY Corner Bench copy

So what do I build next? Additional seating? Storage? Shoot I need to change the lighting out there.  We’ll see.

Till Next time. ~T.

 

Find the Tutorial on YouTube

 

 

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