Tools and Materials

Tools

Miter saw
Drill and bit set
Tape measure
Carpenter’s square
120-grit sandpaper
Exterior wood glue

Materials

10 - 2 x 2 x 8 clear cedar boards
#7 x 2-1/4-in countersinking-head, stainless-steel deck screws
Olympic Maximum semi-transparent exterior stain, Redwood

Note

Items may be Special Order in some stores. Product costs, availability, and item numbers may vary online or by market. Paint colors may vary slightly from those shown. Availability varies by market for lumber species and sizes.

Instructions

Follow these steps to build this outdoor bench and planter.

Shop Lumber Shop Exterior Stains & Sealers

Create the Bench

From the 2 x 2 boards, cut 32 pieces 15-3/4 inches long and eight pieces 47 inches long (Slat-Style Outdoor Bench and Planter Project Diagrams). Then cut four 1-11/32-inch-long spacers and set them aside for now. Sand the pieces smooth and wipe them clean.

Good to Know

You’ll need a flat work surface where you can build the complete bench upside down, which eliminate exposed screws on the bench top.

Lay a framing square on the work surface with one leg against the side of a 47-inch piece and the other leg against its end. Lay a 15-3/4-inch board on the 47-inch piece with the other end supported, and tilt the square slightly to square the two pieces. Dab exterior wood glue on the upper face of the 47-inch board at the end, drill a 3/32-inch pilot hole, and screw the 15-3/4-inch board to the 47-inch board. Repeat for a second long and short piece. Then use the square to fasten the two L-shape assemblies into a frame.

Good to Know

Each pair of boards will be screwed to the ones below. To keep the screws from being blocked by the screw heads underneath, alternate the pilot hole positions between being slightly inset toward the center on one layer and slightly offset toward the outside corners on the next layer. (The type of stainless-steel screws shown have heads that are narrower than most exterior screws.)

Build a Matching Planter

To make a matching planter surround, cut an even number of 15-3/4-inch-long pieces sufficient to hide the planter you plan to use (Slat-Style Outdoor Bench and Planter Project Diagrams). To calculate the quantity needed, measure the height of your planter. Divide that number by 1-1/2, rounding up to the next highest number. Then multiply that number by 2 for the quantity of pieces to cut, add another two for the bottom slats, and calculate the total.

Good to Know

The part sizes shown can accommodate a 12-1/2-inch-diameter planter. For larger planters, increase the part lengths as needed.

Box Crib-Style Outdoor Bench and Planter

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Instructions

Create the Bench

Build a Matching Planter

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