Build Your Own Custom DIY Picnic Benches
Build Your Own Custom DIY Picnic Benches
When you need a pair of picnic benches, but nobody sells the exact size you need, you make your own. That is precisely what I did when I needed to fill in this corner of a deck . Where else would I find a pair of picnic benches the exact length I needed and would fit under an existing ledge?
If you’re a long time follower, you may remember that five years ago, I did make another picnic bench. I created that bench to match an existing bench. I think this one is just as sturdy and may be even easier to construct. Click on the link if you like this style better.
Start by gathering your supplies. I needed 8 legs, 18″ long for 2 benches. One 6ft 4×4, will be enough for 1 bench.
Also purchase 4, 8ft 2×4’s for each bench and 2, 6 foot 2×4’s. My benches are about 75″ long. Cut four 2×4’s the length of your bench (75″) and 2, 6 inches shorter (69″). Save the remaining cut off pieces to be used for bracing under the bench.
You’ll also need a box of 2 1/2 inch deck screws.
With a table saw I’m cutting a notch in the top of each leg equal to the depth and width of a 2×4.
If you don’t own a table saw or have access to one, you may want to consider sistering 2, 2×4’s together. Screw the 2x’4’s together and you’ll achieve the same results as if you had notched a 4×4.
From your cut off 2×4 ends, cut 5, 9 3/4″ pieces of wood. These will be used for the bracing underneath your bench.
A view from the top showing how the bracing and the side pieces of the bench fit together. The side pieces are the 69″ boards.
I’m using 2 1/2″ deck screws to attach the bracing to the legs. Leave the width of a 2×4 outside of the bracing.
Use more deck screws to attach the legs to the side pieces and the side pieces to the bracing.
Use screws to attach the rest of the center bracing to the sides of the bench.
Turn the bench over, like a little turtle on it’s back, and use additional deck screws thru the bracing, to attach the longer, 2×4 seat boards.
On the ends, I screwed the deck screws from the top.
All finished and they fit perfectly.
I rounded and sanded the corner that will see the most traffic.
This is my current teak table and 3 of my chairs (the set started with 5 chairs). I’ve been sanding, applying teak oil and fixing loose joints on this set for over 10 years now, but I think his time has finally expired. With only a few splits and breaks, the teak wood is still in fairly good shape but just about all the screws have completely rusted through. The benches were just the start, a new table is now in order. Check back next week for a new, larger table to better accommodate our ever increasing family.
Until then, stay inspired.
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Great idea for the space!