Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Super Simple Garden Bench

This super simple garden bench was made from lumber 
I pulled from my scrap pile. 



 The 4X4's were pressure treated.  The seat was a true 1X10x43 piece of cypress.  My only purchase was the two inexpensive plant hangers -- turned upside down.



You can do this...


You'll need two 32" long 4x4's.  Using post hole diggers dig holes about 16" deep and 24" apart.  Thank goodness I don't do this for a living -- I'd starve slam to death.  In fact, this might be a good time to appear helpless in order to attract some help.

Insert and test the posts to adjust the depth until the posts are the same height.  You want have 16 inches above ground and 16 inches below ground.  I used a level and laid it across the two posts to get them level.

 BTW, If you haven't been rescued by now, forget it, you're home free. 

Now, straighten the posts and pack the dirt back in around them.  You can use the handle of your shovel to pound the dirt in around the posts as you go.

Center the seat on top of the posts.  Screw down through the seat into the top of the two posts.  Use four screws in each post.

 





 Recycled sidewalk concrete was used to make the path and edging.







Now add your "brackets", stand back, and take a bow. 


 ***
 


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53 comments:

  1. Great bench but I like your garden shed

    It looks a lot like mine however I don't have my walk or steps made yet.

    I don't have my lace curtains up yet either or my mowers in it yet.

    tonight

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  2. What a clever idea. I know I have some wood around that I can try and make one too. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Great idea and inexpensive too. I don't have a garden shed but I'm sure it would look great just about anywhere. Please come over and sign up for my giveaway. Have

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  4. oops...I cut myself off. I was going to finish with Have a great rest of the week...lol. Sorry.

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  5. I just might be able to handle that! Great project and thanks for sharing.
    Hugs, Amy

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  6. Very sweet bench and I love the bird houses and the rooster!

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  7. Too cute. I could burn some calories doing this one. Love, love love it.

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  8. I was seriously just yesterday thinking about making a bench with some 4 x 4s I have laying around. Thanks for showing me how to do it although I may ad lib a bit. ;)

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  9. Awesome! It adds so much charm.

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  10. Very cute! And how fun it will be to decorate the bench season by season. It's like having an outdoor mini-mantel!

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  11. Lindy~
    love this little bench project! so cute. Years ago we (I) recycled some broken sidewalk and made cobbled look or rock walk... what ever it is called.
    It was hard work. That recycled cement isn't light weight stuff!
    We did that at a different house, not our current residence. Honey thought I was crazy, but I loved it!
    Love this! Pat

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  12. Well, well, well! isn't that just too darn cute! I love the recycled concrete !! Oh and the birdhouses! tooo perfect!
    I have shed envy.
    gail

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  13. Another future project gleened from your great blog! Your yard is very inspiring - thanks for sharing this-

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  14. That is a great bench! How crafty! And I love your rooster too. Does he ever get up on the bench?

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  15. Great Bench! I love anything outside. I love the path!

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  16. What a great, simple and cute bench! I would definitely be asking for help on the post hole digging. I am very much a DIY'er but sometimes I'd rather act like I'm not. This would be one of those times! :)

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  17. Lindy- That is darling! You are my kinda gal! I love using the old concrete pieces for edging and paths too! Your shed looks perfect! Hugs- Diana

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  18. Really cute, the edging looks great. I love the brackets and awning over the shed door!

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  19. love your garden, especially the broken path.

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  20. I love what you made, the bench and the pathway around your shed. What a nice view!

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  21. Very cute...I like the embellishments. Your garden is looking lovely indeed. So nice!

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  22. Lindy, I'm just so impressed! Wonderful bench from scrap lumber and the broken cement pieces placed like flagstone looks just fabulous! Excellent job!!

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  23. I'm in love!!!! You have a cute building too!

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  24. Your outdoor vignette is fabulous!! Love it! Well done!!
    And the broken cement stepping stones are wonderful!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  25. Love this! I've been trying to come up with some new things to put outside in our gardens this year. My father-in-law just made me a little piece of picket fence for my birthday. I would love to add a bench, too.

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  26. This would be a great idea for me to use beside my barn-like shed! Then I could use it for a photo session if I wanted to. Great idea! THanks for sharing. :o)

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  27. I enjoyed the post and now I'm a following you.
    visiting from http://imnotatrophywife.com

    laura

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  28. Great idea using the plant hangers as decorative accents like that! And the painted fabric in your previous post is terrific!
    Stacy

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  29. Your bench is great, and the rooster is wuuunderful! Havin' rooster envy now.

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  30. Lindy---I love that you used recycled sidewalks for your path--gorgeous! And I'm totally coveting your door overhang iron!
    Catherine

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  31. Love your cute bench. It works so well next to your storage house. Love, love that rooster too!

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  32. This is darling. I love the statement it makes outside your cute storage house. hugs ~lynne~

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  33. I just love birdhouses and I love it even more when you can use things you already have! Coming over from Met Monday - your newest follower!

    Jeanine

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  34. It's a charming bench in the perfect spot! Love it. Jane

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  35. Really nice, love the path and edging too :)

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  36. Lindy,Love the bench,so much fun and seems easy too,did you dig holes and how deep did you put the 4x4's,the concrete walk is awesome,and I want a Mr Roo to stand guard over my bench too,lol.This is fantastic.
    ~Jo
    Lazyonloblolly

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  37. Love it! Love the sidewalk edging too.
    Roselle

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  38. That bird house bench is such a wonderful addition to your garden! I love it!

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  39. Well...you should take a bow...that is brillant and it looks great with the sidewalk!

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  40. Lindy,
    You are one NIFTY THRIFTY gal!!! Thanks so much for sharing at my party.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  41. I can't believe I haven't found your blog before today. I love it and am a new follower! I love your new garden bench! I'd love if you linked up to Sew Woodsy.

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  42. It's gorgeous! You have a lovely blog here :)

    Love and luck!

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  43. So adorable! And looks super simple too! The brackets really finish it off so nice.

    Donna
    http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

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  44. Lindy, Your little bench is wonderful! I love that you added the iron to the bench and around the door. The entire area is adorable. Thank you so much for joining my party.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  45. I love your bench. Are you serious? I could really do this? I might have to give it a try, because ... I really love your bench. Thanks for sharing, and I "followed" your blog!

    Mary @ Redo 101

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  46. Bravo, this is a great bench!! I featured it at WhipperBerry today!

    kisses

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  47. What a fabulous bench! It's in such a great spot.

    Kathy

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  48. The bench is fabulous of course, but that section of your garden is full on gorgeousness! Uh-mazing!


    -Marie

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