You can relax calmly in the shade of trees in the summer or bask in the sun on a cool autumn day on a wooden bench that you installed in the garden yourself. IN modern design garden furniture is one of the full-fledged elements of landscape design.

Taking into account the decorative value of garden benches made of wood, you should try to choose a model that will harmoniously fit into environment. For young garden or summer cottage Without large trees, it is better to choose light furniture options with decorative thin metal legs, simple benches and benches that are laconic in shape. If the garden is old and well-groomed, then seats in the Provence style are suitable - stylized as antique furniture with wooden decor.

I can decorate an overgrown summer cottage with an imitation of a wild natural thicket with benches assembled with my own hands from natural material- driftwood, driftwood, lightly processed branches. A bench made of logs hewn with an ax would look very good in such a garden. Such seats should be installed in places hidden from view: among flowering bushes or around the bend in the path.

When choosing a place to install a bench for a summer house, you need to pay attention to the views that will open to the eyes of those sitting on it.

It is undesirable to place the bench in such a way as to contemplate an unsightly fence or compost heap. Place it near a pond or flower bed, under a branchy old tree.

Then your relaxation will be complemented by the pleasure of the smell of flowers and the play of light on the water, the rustle of leaves and coolness in the shade.

Various types of benches can be installed on the veranda near the house, in the relaxation area by the pool or outdoor fireplace. They will also find use under a canopy in the garden. In each case, you must adhere to general rules compatibility wooden product With general style plot. How to make original benches from pallets, watch this video:

As a material for garden furniture wood is traditionally chosen - an easy-to-process material that allows you to bring almost any idea to life. Currently, along with ordinary boards and bars, you can use moisture-resistant varieties of thick plywood. From durable and aesthetic sheet material, you can assemble structures that are suitable for modern designer landscapes and for an ordinary courtyard that does not have certain style characteristics.

If wooden benches are made in a stationary version, then care should be taken to protect them from moisture. A variety of impregnations and paints and varnishes can serve this purpose. Outdoor furniture you will have to paint or varnish every 1 to 2 years as the protective layer wears out. Such measures can significantly extend the life of a wooden structure.

How to build benches yourself?

In order to build a comfortable bench with your own hands, you need to make a sketch of it. There are optimal sizes of garden furniture that must be observed:

• seat height above the floor - 40 - 50 cm;
• width (depth) of the bench - 50 - 55 cm;
• The height of the backrest above the bench is 35 - 50 cm.

These dimensions allow a person of average height to sit comfortably, lean on the back, and stand up easily. If the owner’s build differs greatly from the average, then the dimensions of the bench will have to be selected individually. The backrest is usually made with a slight tilt back. For more information about wooden benches, watch this video:

To work with wood you will need the following tools:

• hacksaw or jigsaw;
• drill and screws, or hammer and nails;
• roulette;
• pencil.

To assemble products of complex shapes, wood glue can be useful. It is used to fasten parts that are connected using the tongue-and-groove method or with a furniture dowel. For plywood products, long metal threaded studs and nuts are useful.

A simple bench for a vegetable garden or bathhouse

Even a novice craftsman can make a simple wooden bench with his own hands. Such benches can be seen in abundance at the gates of village courtyards; they can be placed near the beds, in a bathhouse or utility room. They are not distinguished by their sophistication and decorativeness, but they can perform the functions of garden furniture quite successfully. To make a bench you will need a board 2 - 2.5 cm thick and about 20 cm wide.

Benches for a bathhouse or vegetable garden are easy to make

According to the drawing in Fig. 1. you need to cut out the following parts:

• seat - 1 piece;
• apron - 2 parts, the length of each is 10 cm shorter than the seat;
• legs - 2 parts.

File off the corners on one side of each apron piece as shown in the diagram. Measure 2 - 2.5 cm from the edges of the element for the legs on each side in the upper part, cut a groove 10 cm long. If desired, cut out holes for the handles on the bench seat. To learn how to make a bench with your own hands, watch this useful video:

Assemble the product in the following sequence:

1. Drill holes for self-tapping screws in the plane of the apron board at a distance of 10 cm from each end. Place the board in the groove on the leg parts and screw the screws through the holes into the edge of the board. Attach the 2nd leg pattern to the other side of the apron.
2. Repeat all steps and attach the apron to the other side of the bench base.
3. At a distance of 15 cm from each end of the seat, make several holes in the plane of the board. Place the part on top of the base and attach it with self-tapping screws, screwing them into the end of the leg part. For strength, you can make additional holes along the length of each side of the seat and attach it to the apron boards.

Sand the surface of the product with coarse sandpaper to remove burrs. If necessary, paint the bench to your taste.

Simple bench with backrest

Another simplest project shown in Fig. 2. To make a bench with a backrest with your own hands, you will need 2 pieces of logs about 25 cm long, boards for the back and seat, and 5x5 cm bars for the backrest posts. If you want the seat to be a little higher, you can take 4 pieces of logs or timber and lay them on top of each other, fastening them with dowels.

The back is screwed on with self-tapping screws on the reverse side

Making the bench is very simple. To ensure that there are no nuts or nail heads on the surface of the product, fasten the parts using dowels and glue. The back can be screwed with self-tapping screws from the wrong side so that they do not drill through the board.

To make dowels, you need wooden rounded rods (a thin handle for a garden tool will do). Drill 2 holes in the log with a diameter equal to the thickness of the dowel. Based on their location, make corresponding recesses in the underside of the seat. The work must be done very carefully so that during assembly you do not have to adjust parts of the bench. For more information on making a bench with a back, watch this video:

Lubricate a piece of wood for the dowel with glue and insert it into the hole on the log so that a small fragment remains outside. Its length should be equal to the depth of the recess drilled in the seat (Fig. 3). Lubricate the dowels with wood glue and place the board on them. Do the same with another piece of log.

Cut the bars to the required length to make the backrest posts. Screw it to the ends of the logs with self-tapping screws. Drill 2 holes in the upper part for attaching the backrest. The distance between the holes should be less than the width of the board. Screw the screws through the holes into the board. The finished bench can be painted or coated with clear varnish.

Stylish bench with backrest

Making garden furniture according to the proposed project is not difficult at all. The basis of the structure is slabs of porcelain stoneware or concrete and boards 2 - 2.5 cm thick. If desired, heavy materials can be replaced with light plywood of the same thickness. A wooden bench with a back will be mobile.

Stylish bench has an interesting backrest

The following parts will be required:

• squares 50x50 cm for legs (plywood or board) - 12 pcs.;
• boards or plywood rectangles 15x200 cm - 5 pcs.;
• backrest supports 15x65 cm - 4 pcs.;
• crossbars 15x17.5 cm - 2 pcs.;
• threaded rod M16 55 cm - 4 pcs.;
• nuts and washers M16 - 8 pcs.;
• self-tapping screws

The plywood will first have to be cut into fragments of the required shape and size. If boards and slabs are used, this step can be skipped. To learn how to make an original bench with your own hands, watch this video:

Drill 2 holes at an equal distance from the edges in the upper part of the square parts of the legs. Adjusting the long parts of the seat as in the diagram (Fig. 4), make 2 holes in them on each side. Screw a nut onto one end of each rod and put on a washer. Alternating long and square elements, assemble the bench. Tighten the nuts on the other side of the studs.

This bench can be used without a backrest.

But for convenience, you can do it too. To do this, fix 4 boards 15 x 65 cm with self-tapping screws from the inside of the back of the bench. Glue crossbars between them or place them on dowels.

Decorative benches made from natural materials

Untreated wood is an excellent material for garden furniture. The bench, similar to the throne of a forest king, fits perfectly into the landscape, imitating wild nature. Such seats are very appropriate near rockeries or old trees with a spreading crown in an overgrown corner of the garden. Rustic benches go well with picnic areas trimmed with wild stones or barbecues made of sandstone and boulders. Original shop in this video:

The simplest option for sitting from logs is a monastery bench. To make it, a raw log needs to be sawn in half lengthwise. Legs are made from short sections, laying them cut down on the ground. Long halves of logs are secured to dowels from above, cut side up. To prevent the bench from staining your clothes, it is better to choose hardwood logs and dry them well before assembling the furniture.

To remove splinters and burrs, the cut plane must be planed smoothly with a plane and treated with emery cloth.

A complicated version of such furniture is a bench made of logs, supplemented with a backrest with your own hands (Fig. 5). To attach the backrest, you need wooden or metal supports and a crossbar. These parts can be made from thick wood branches, timber, or steel strips. Fastening is carried out using self-tapping screws of sufficient length or nails.

Examples of original wooden benches

A log bench can be made in another way (Fig. 6). The photo clearly shows the grooves in the upper part of a thick log sawn in half. You need to insert a board at least 4 cm thick or a beautiful cut of a tree trunk into the grooves. Made by hand if desired exclusive item Furniture can be supplemented with a backrest. The supports for it need to be attached to the inside of the legs on a flat surface. The crossbar can be a thick branch or the same cut of wood as for the seat.

Chopped table with benches

A set of table and benches will be convenient at the dacha in the dining area or near the barbecue (Fig. 7). It’s not difficult to make one if you know the basic techniques for making wooden log houses. To begin with, 2 logs of approximately equal thickness are placed on the ground. With an ax you need to cut out semicircular recesses (bowls) at the ends of the logs. The size of the bowls will depend on the diameter of the log that is chosen for the seats. This trunk needs to be sawn lengthwise. An example of chopped furniture in this video:

In the middle of the 2 lower logs, you need to cut out 1 more cup to install the transverse support. It may not be a very thick log. Its length should be such that the ends protrude beyond the side surfaces of the trunks.

For the table base you need shorter logs. Their length is approximately equal to the desired width of the tabletop.

In the middle of each trunk, you need to cut out recesses that are suitable in size to the thickness of the crossbar. Lay the parts of the log house with the cups down, covering the transverse log with them. Make a tabletop from the boards and secure it with nails. Place the halves of logs in the places designated for them.

How to make benches from branches or driftwood?

This is the most creative activity. Having found beautiful driftwood and polished driftwood trunks in the forest or on the shore of a reservoir, you can make furniture of amazing beauty (Fig. 8). Each such bench is unique, because it is difficult to find 2 identical branches. Therefore, there can be many solutions for how to make a bench from driftwood.

The main thing for all such products is one thing - the parts are adjusted directly on the spot to fit the already finished legs, seats, and backs. The branches should intertwine harmoniously, forming a structure that will support the weight of an adult. To connect non-standard parts, you can use both self-tapping screws and nails. The most reliable connection is with dowels and glue. Where a tight fit of the pieces of the structure is desired, driftwood can be trimmed with an ax.

The most original benches can be made from branches and driftwood

Such decorative benches can even be used to decorate rooms in a chalet or rustic style. They go well with wild stone trim. They will look harmonious in the garden among flowering bushes or near a pond.

The variety of models of benches that you can make with your own hands from wood is limitless.

The main thing in making furniture from wood is the careful fit of parts.

Then the finished product will be neat, without distortions. Treated with moisture-proof impregnations and coated with varnish or paint, any garden seat will last for many years.

Most owners of country plots, be it a house or a dacha, want to know how garden plots are made, and this is not surprising. You now have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with several options, which include drawings and photos of wooden structures. Such furniture can be made portable or stationary, but if you do not use it during the cold season, then the second option is of no use to you.

Family relaxing on a garden bench

What types of garden benches are there?

Rocking bench for relaxation

First of all, let's understand the meaning of this word. In various dictionaries of the Russian language, it is defined as a device for sitting for several people and can be with or without a backrest. Synonyms include definitions such as bench bench, bench, furniture. But the bench is more considered as a low footrest. In our case, this is garden furniture that has a backrest for support.

Such designs differ not only in size - they also differ in other parameters, such as:

1. product configuration – standard, non-standard;
2. armrests – in stock, out of stock;
3. design - with wood carvings or strict straight lines.

Gorgeous wood carved design

Few people can make furniture like the one in the photo above - it is not enough to be an ordinary carpenter or even a cabinet maker. This is the art of wood carving, which requires the mindset of an artist and, of course, practical skills. But every second person has the opportunity to make the simplest garden benches, if they have the tools and materials.

Materials for assembling a garden bench

Edged polished larch board

The main material for garden benches is wood, but it has absorbent properties, which is highly undesirable for outdoor products. Of course, to protect against street moisture, antiseptics such as “Anti-Rot”, Neomid, “Wood Doctor”, etc. are used, but it is better if the lumber itself is classified as moisture-resistant. Therefore, the highest quality garden furniture is made from oak and larch.

In addition, wood exposed to atmospheric conditions (rain, snow, fog, hail, frost, ice, UV radiation (sun rays), wind) is coated with alkyd-urethane varnishes. You can use brands such as Rogneda Eurotex, Varagan Premium Spar Urethane, Dufa Retail, Tikkurila Unica Super, etc. Such compositions will not only protect the wood from atmospheric processes, but also from impacts and scratches - this is possible , thanks to the increased wear resistance of the coating. You can't expect such an effect from paints.

Stock up on the following materials:

• polished edged board 40-50 mm thick for a seat of any width;
• polished edged board 30-40 mm thick for backrest of any width;
• planed edged board 40×70 mm or 50×100 mm for assembling the frame;
• timber 100×100 mm for the frame (not always used);
• 70×70 mm block for frame and lintels;
• antiseptic (liquid preparation);
• paints and varnishes;
• metal fasteners: wood screws, bolts with nuts and washers, steel angles.

Note. In some cases, to make a garden bench with your own hands, you can even use a log, spreading it lengthwise into two equal parts. Also among the lumber there may be pallets - these are excellent blanks for assembling simple furniture.

Requirements for the quality of lumber

Chamber method of wood drying

The moisture content of lumber plays an important role in determining the quality of products, and this is not without reason, because a structure assembled from a damp board will dry out in the future. Therefore, in order to choose the most suitable board (timber or block), you should pay attention to the instructions of GOST 20850-84, where dry wood is considered a board with 12% moisture content, and the natural (street) state implies 15-20%.

Drying lumber naturally

In our case, both the first and second Gosstandart indicators are suitable, since such furniture is intended for use outdoors. But it will be quite normal if you purchase very dry boards - there are no components here that can be critically affected by the swelling of lumber when wet.

It is important to pay attention to the presence of stains on the boards: if there are black stains, this indicates that the wood is infected with fungal mold. But if you see blue spots, you can be sure that drying was carried out without ventilation and the board was steamed. The presence of blackness and blueness indicates an irreparable defect and such products should not be purchased. Also check the boards for cracks and knots - there shouldn’t be any of them on high-quality workpieces.

Tools for assembling a garden bench

Minimum set of carpentry tools

We live in times of rapid development technical progress Therefore, it is not at all necessary to use a minimum set of carpentry tools for work. That is, the purpose may remain the same, but the functionality and processing speed will certainly increase significantly!

What will be useful carpentry tools:

• hand-held (stationary) circular saw and/or electric jigsaw;
• electric drill and/or screwdriver;
• a set of drills, bits and core cutters for wood;
• hand router with a set of cutters (not always needed);
• disc or belt sander (not always needed);
• chainsaw (for large workpieces such as timber or logs);
• metalworker's wrenches (socket, socket, open-end);
• an ax for working with logs;
• tape measure, construction corner, level, pencil, paint brush.

Some options for making wooden benches

To make a garden bench with your own hands, of course, you will need drawings and photos of finished structures so that you can imagine the end result. All of the furniture examples below are assembled from wood with a small amount of metal fasteners.

There are average dimensions of such products, therefore, in order to create conditions for comfortable rest, you should adhere to the following indicators:

1. bench seat height – 400-500 mm;
2. bench seat width – 500-550 mm;
3. bench and back length – 1000-1900 mm;
4. back height – 350-500 mm;
5. The width of the back is at your discretion.

Option No. 1 - a simple bench made of boards

Dimensional drawings

Sketch with names of parts: 1) front legs, 2) rear legs, 3) longitudinal drawers, 4) side drawers, 5) boards for the back and seat, 6) furniture dowel 80 mm long, 7) furniture dowel 40 mm long, 8 ) stiffness gussets

At this stage after selection necessary materials and tools, you need to measure each workpiece to make sure that its dimensions are sufficient for the manufacture of a particular part. You probably understand that under constant loads, transverse joining of parts is extremely undesirable and even unsafe for a person under whom such furniture will break.

Joints of main lumber are possible only at the seat, if there is a central pair of legs there. For example, the bench will have 1990 mm and this length can be obtained by connecting two boards on the jumper of the central pair of legs. But for such an operation it is necessary that both fragments of the board be the same thickness and width, then perhaps joining seam with proper processing it will not even be noticeable.

Now you need to cut all the parts from the blanks according to the dimensions indicated in the drawing, or according to your own parameters, since your dacha area may have other needs. All connections are made using dowels, self-tapping screws and bolts with nuts and washers (dowels, by the way, can also be replaced with self-tapping screws). But when choosing fasteners, you need to take into account the possible load on the bench. If children will use it, then the nodes can be fixed with self-tapping screws and/or nails, but for a more serious load it is better to use bolts with nuts and washers.

The assembly should begin with the frame, or rather with the legs, of which there will be two or three pairs, depending on the length of the bench, and if it is designed for two people (meter-long), then the third pair is not needed. I would like to draw your attention to the rigidity of the legs.

Usually these are two vertical boards or two beams - one to the top of the back, and the other to the bottom of the bench. There are also two jumpers: the lower one connects the posts in the middle of the short riser, and the upper one forms the basis for fastening the boards to the seat. To ensure that such an assembly never becomes loose, gussets should be screwed under the lower and/or upper jumper - these are triangles from the same profile from which the frame is made.

All components are marked in the order in which they were assembled

Step-by-step instructions for assembling all components (check the picture):

• Frame molding. Two vertical racks(No. 1 and No. 2) are connected by transverse jumpers (No. 7).
• Increased rigidity. After this, another pair of legs is assembled in the same way (or two more pairs, if the bench is designed for three points of support), strengthened and connected. To do this, additional transverse jumpers are used (No. 4 and No. 5), and all pairs are connected to each other by a longitudinal bar or board (No. 6).
• Installation of seat and backrest. This operation will require polished bars or boards - they are fixed to the structure frame (No. 3).

Moisture protection

Treating wood with antiseptics and varnishes

If you want the bench on your site to last for many years, it needs to be treated with antiseptics and/or alkyd-urethane varnishes, which were mentioned in the section “Materials for assembling a garden bench.”

Video: Assembling a very simple bench with a backrest with your own hands

Option No. 2 – bench with a back made of logs

Thick boards and logs were used for production.

Today, people are increasingly looking back to the past and, in connection with this, styles such as Russian and English or French are in demand in the interior. All this can be combined under a common name in the group “ country style" You can look at successful homemade products, photos of making garden benches from logs with your own hands are located at the top and bottom of this paragraph.

Log bench with log table

But how to make a bench so that it matches this design, because the interior has nothing to do with it - it’s the exterior. However, it is possible to adhere to this direction even on personal plot, especially since in unity with nature it should turn out very attractive. IN in this case You can use not only logs, but also unedged boards, you just need to first get rid of the wane.

But it is advisable to start from the base, that is, you should build an improvised one on the ground, since you are unlikely to be able to remove such a bench indoors or under a canopy after finishing summer season– too bulky and heavy. As a foundation, you can make shallow holes of 7-10 cm, pour a 5-8 cm layer of sand into it, compact it, and cover it with bricks on top (length 50-51 cm, for two bricks). The standard length or solid brick is 250 mm, width -120 mm, thickness -65 mm. This is quite enough to raise the structure a few centimeters above the ground, saving it from water, and no concrete is needed.

Drawing of a very simple, but very beautiful bench made of logs

Pay attention to the drawing located at the top - you see that the length of the bench is two and a half meters and can comfortably accommodate 5-6 people. Of course, for a 50 mm board this is too much load, but for half a log, where the radius is 100-150 mm, it is not at all difficult to withstand such a weight.

On the left is a scrap for the base, on the right is half a log for a bench

The legs, in the literal sense of the word, do not have to be assembled and installed here - their function will be performed by two blocks of wood installed on bricks (foundation) in a horizontal position. To prevent such stands from rolling, you need to make the bottom flat, as shown in the drawing above, by cutting off part of the log with a chainsaw. In this case, you will need to calculate these stands so that they lie strictly horizontally and are at the same level with each other. Grooves are made on the blank for the bench, into which the rounded stands will then sit - this is also shown in the drawing.

Note. If you do not find thick enough logs to make the final seat height 40-50 cm, then you can attach thinner ones to the supports from thick logs. In the end, it may turn out even more attractive.

Now let's talk about the back - it can be straight or inclined, it all depends on how you install the thrust profiles - strictly vertically or at an angle. In the first case, two round timber ø80-100 mm will be suitable as thrust profiles - they will need to be screwed to horizontally lying logs that serve as legs and to half of the log, that is, to the seat. To create structural rigidity, the lower parts of these racks are cut lengthwise to the height of the bench. For fixation, it is best to use not ordinary long self-tapping screws, but anchor bolts For example, for an anchor with a cross-section of 10 mm, mounting holes of ø6 mm are drilled, or for a cross-section of 12-14 mm, a hole with a diameter of 8-10 mm will be needed.

For an inclined back, a 40×70 or 50×100 mm board or ø100-120 mm round timber is used as racks. If it is still round timber, then in the places where it joins the supports (legs) and the bench you need to make cuts to create a plane for rigidity. But when using a 40x70 mm board, you can even use a router to select grooves in horizontally lying logs in order to hammer these stops into them. The groove must be coated with wood glue or PVA, and the board must be screwed to the bench.

The backrest, both on strictly vertical and inclined stops, is fixed according to the same principle as the seat - seating grooves are selected in half of the log, and, having coated them with glue, they are screwed on with self-tapping screws. Upon completion of assembly, the structure is treated with an antiseptic and/or water-repellent paints and varnishes such as alkyd-urethane varnishes. Below is a video where the master tells how he made a bench from logs.

Video: Garden bench made of logs

Option No. 3 – semicircular bench in the garden

Semicircular bench in the garden

You may think that this complex design and its independent construction is beyond your power, but this is only at first glance. It is noteworthy that in this case, for such a design you will need a fairly uniform material, this is a board 40x70 mm, 50x100 mm and timber 100x100 mm. And, of course, fastening materials.

Assembling a semicircular frame for the seat

The top photo shows how the frame is assembled and it is very simple: first, cut five fragments of boards of the same length, for example, one meter long. Then, from four pieces, assemble two small meter-long frames using jumpers 40-45 cm long (three jumpers for each frame). Then another frame will have to be assembled between them in the middle, joining the side boards at an angle. Here it is advisable to use a 50×100 mm board, and fasten it with self-tapping screws.

In total you will need 4 pairs of legs (8 pieces)

If we take into account that the generally accepted height of a bench installed in the garden is about 40-50 cm, then for the legs you will have to cut eight fragments of timber 400-450 mm long.

The legs are screwed to the frame with self-tapping screws

The legs are screwed to the frame with self-tapping screws, but in order for the beam in the upper part to be flush with the frame, a board is placed for leveling, as shown in the photograph.

When all the legs are screwed on, proceed to installing the seat.

When all the legs are screwed on, the frame is turned over to its normal position and the seat installation begins. Please note that the sheathing begins from the outer edge of the middle frame in order to set the direction of the 40x70 mm boards. To avoid fiddling around for a long time, you can screw several boards at once and cut off the excess with a circular saw right at the installation site. But you can also put a mark on each board by drawing a pencil from below. It is advisable to leave a small blockage between the boards - it will be more beautiful.

Supports under the backrest are attached to the legs and frame

Attaching the backrest to the supports

The supports for the backrest are first attached to the legs (to the side of the beam), and then to the frame using reinforced steel corners. When all the inclined stops are set, one or two 40x70 mm boards are screwed to them along the top as a backrest. Upon completion of assembly, the structure is treated with an antiseptic and/or paints and varnishes.

Option No. 4 – garden bench with a back made from old pallets

Corner garden bench made from old pallets

Straight garden bench made from old pallets

I think that in order to get such a garden bench with a back, no drawings are needed. Here the usual block assembly takes place using self-tapping screws, where the size of the structure depends on the geometric parameters of the block.

Standard pallet 1000×1200 mm

There are two types of pallets, ours (produced in the countries of the former USSR) and European ones. Our standard perimeter is 1000×1200 mm, and for Euro pallets it is 800×1200 mm. But those experts who have been making furniture from such materials for a long time recommend European stands, since the boards on them are planed, therefore, less time is spent on polishing.

Soft garden corner made from old pallets

You can even arrange a rest in the garden on soft benches; for this, the structure is temporarily covered with pillows, which can always be removed in case of bad weather.

Wood processing in this case is no different from other options, that is, it is coated with an antiseptic and/or paints and varnishes.

Video: Making a garden bench from old pallets

Conclusion

If you want, you can choose one of four options for making a garden bench with a back, made by yourself. You can also use the drawings given in the article, but if necessary, change the dimensions in accordance with specific needs, that is, focusing on the conditions of the site.

There is, perhaps, no yard where there is a bench - an invariable attribute of relaxation and communication. This item is convenient and useful, found everywhere both outdoors and indoors. There are countless forms of bench designs, however, they are all united by two basic principles of construction: stability and comfort. You should build on them when making a bench with a backrest with your own hands.

Types and features of bench designs

The classic design of a bench is a seat, back and supports. It can be complemented by armrests, a built-in table, a canopy from rain and sun, and much more. The form can be simple, minimalistic or of unprecedented beauty and complexity, the main thing is that it harmoniously complements the surrounding space and is comfortable for relaxation.

The idea of ​​what the shop will be like depends on the following points:

• Accommodation area:
• in the garden, near the house (they decorate the area, have a mostly stationary, convenient form);
• terrace (lightweight, convenient for tea drinking and socializing);
• barbecue or relaxation area (the form must be designed for a certain number of people);
• near water (corrosion- and rot-resistant material of the bench);
• The installation location is permanent or the bench needs to be moved, brought in/out;
• Shape: straight, round, semicircle, angular, curved;
• Materials of manufacture: wood, metal, stone/concrete, combination of materials.

At home, in the country, the material for constructing a bench is often improvised materials, used things, such as a bed, a door, a closet, pallets (pallets), chairs, logs, driftwood, cinder blocks and much more. The result is original, interesting items in a vintage or rustic style. Pallets and furniture made from them have become an “untilled field” for ideas, a fairly common creative material.

You can include useful elements in the design of a bench, for example, make the seat folding, and use the sewn-in space underneath as a storage container. A folding table would be useful as part of the design of a bench or shoe rack under the seat of a bench in the hallway.

Designing a comfortable bench with a back

Let's start looking at the design with the support posts. They often have P or X-shape, their stability has been tested by experience. The shape can also be solid ( wooden beams, stone slabs), cast (formed from cast iron or concrete, the back goes into supports), in the form of legs, curved metal or forged elements.

The seat is a part of the bench that should be comfortable and resistant to stress. It is made continuous or with intervals (wooden blocks, metal pipes, rods). The solid seat is comfortable, however, it is necessary to ensure that water does not stagnate on it after precipitation. The edges of the seat should be rounded to avoid injuring your legs. Optimal length 1500 mm, width 400–450 mm, length of one seat 480 mm (of course, all sizes are selected individually). There are designs where the seat and backrest are made in one line (the backrest smoothly transitions into the seat by means of a bend), such benches are comfortable, often found in city parks, their supports are cast from cast iron or concrete, this shape can be repeated in wood or bent from profile pipe.

A significant part in the convenience of the bench is given to the distance from the seat to the ground (floor) level; it should be 400–450 mm. It is necessary that the feet touch the base.

The backrest turns the bench into an object for long-term rest; it allows you to relax not only the leg muscles, but also the back muscles. An important role here is played by the angle of inclination relative to the seat and the height of the backrest. Based on human physiology, 10–20 degrees is considered the most comfortable. angle of deviation of the back from the perpendicular, height from 360 mm (since the human spine has an S-shaped bend, the height of the back is divided into two parts: 180–240 mm to the fulcrum - the place where the back does not fit and + another 180–240 mm - segment of contact with the back). The back should not be massive and outweigh the bottom of the structure.

Advice! The gap (clearance) between the back and the seat should not be made large if the person will sit on the bench Small child he will not have the opportunity to lean his back.

Choosing material for making a bench with a back

The most convenient and inexpensive material for manufacturing is wood. The wooden bench combines a balance of beauty and comfort and looks great in any space. Wood is a pliable material for the manufacture of various shapes and decorative elements, has a pleasant tactile sensation, does not overheat in the sun and does not overcool in the cold.

A simple wooden bench can be made quite quickly with your own hands; a minimal set of tools is needed. You can use inexpensive types of wood. Resistance to moisture, ultraviolet radiation, fungus and insects is provided by modern protective agents for impregnation and coating of wood surfaces. The weight of the product is optimal for moving.

The disadvantage of wooden benches is their fragility; wood tends to dry out over time and the joints become loose. The structure can be strengthened various elements assemblies and fastenings made of metal (corners, threaded ties, self-tapping screws instead of nails) strengthening joints with glue. If supports need to be dug into the ground, they should be protected from rotting by soaking them in oil/resin-containing products.

Advice! Wood is a flammable material, so a bench located near a fire (fire, barbecue, stove) must be treated with a fire-resistant solution (fire retardant), which will help resist fire for some time.

Metal is a reliable and durable material with proper care and operating conditions. It produces sophisticated, “airy”, “lace” designs. The main disadvantage is corrosion, which is eliminated by protective coating of surfaces with primer, paint, enamel, repeated periodically as necessary. Flexible metal can be given different shapes. The design of the bench from square profile pipes will be stable, solid and light. The square section is the most convenient to install. The most beautiful benches are made from forged elements.

Assembly metal product very strong, carried out using welding seams and threaded fasteners. Necessity of availability welding machine and the ability to use it makes installation at home somewhat difficult.

The seat and back of a metal bench are almost always covered with pillows, covers, or a blanket, since tactile sensations are not always pleasant. The thermal conductivity of metal is higher than that of wood, so it is difficult to achieve a comfortable temperature balance between the body and the metal surface, and it is pointless to heat the bench with yourself.

The concrete bench is practically a sculpture. In this case, any shape can be achieved with a lot of effort and effort. A frame assembled from metal is placed in formwork and filled with concrete (the concrete hardening period is 1–2 months). Basically they make some parts of the structure and combine them with other materials. It is heavy and not intended to be moved. There is no doubt about immobility. Resistant to any weather conditions, durable.

Concrete complexes of benches and containers for planting plants with the installation of lighting elements look great. Practical for placement near the water.

Advice! For heavy benches, you should prepare a flat platform from layers of sand, gravel, and crushed stone so that it does not sink into the ground.

The most common type of bench is a design with a combination of materials. It is preferred in most cases, since here you can combine a reliable frame (metal), a comfortable seat with a back (wood), while achieving beauty, durability, convenience and lightness of form.

When buying material, make sure of its quality; you need to choose a dry tree so that it does not leak; remember the size of the parts. If there is a drawing with the specified dimensions, the material can be cut at the place of purchase, which will facilitate its transportation.

Drawing, material calculation, preparation for construction

A do-it-yourself bench begins with an idea, which is first embodied in a drawing. The drawing must be accurate and detailed and will need to be referred to throughout the work. You can make two drawings: a bench frame and a seat with a back, if the materials are different. The option when the supports are dug in (concreted) must provide for an additional length of the supports.

The drawing of the bench will show the number of parts, and the dimensions will help determine the amount of material consumed.

Tools: saw, plane, drill, tape measure, angle meter, wrench.

Materials: pine board 25x75 mm, 40x80 mm, 40x120 mm, bolts with nuts 9 mm - 8 pcs., self-tapping screws, sandpaper.

File the parts in the required quantity to size and sand them. Proceed with assembly.

How to make it yourself: the order of connecting parts

1. Assembling the bench supports: mark and drill holes for the bolted connection, before fixing the parts with clamps. Tighten the connections of both sidewalls;
2. Connecting supports with jumpers: attach power jumpers to the structures of the side supports using self-tapping screws according to the drawing;
3. Assembling the backrest and seat: screw the strips to the side supports with self-tapping screws, maintaining an even gap between them. Recess the heads of the screws into the strips;
4. Grinding joints and sharp corners;
5. Application of decorative and protective coatings.

If there is a desire to emphasize the texture of the wood, then the surface is not treated with stain. water based(untreated wood swells with water) of the selected color, then varnish the surface in several layers according to the instructions on the package (the varnish should be for external purposes with good wear resistance, for example, yacht varnish). Between applying layers, the varnish must dry (dust stage - when dust does not stick to the surface and can be wiped off). Before applying the next layer, the previous one needs to be lightly sanded; this will not affect the transparency of the varnish.

If you decide to paint a bench, then before painting you need to apply a base (a product for protecting and reducing wood porosity) to the surface; it will give a good adhesive effect and the paint will last longer. Then apply paint for exterior purposes in several layers.

All painting work should be carried out outdoors; a respirator must be used indoors.

To make it more decorative, you can brush the surface; the structure of the wood will become more expressive. The naturalness of wood is emphasized by the application of impregnating oil-wax products with a water-repellent and protective effect.

Today, the choice of means to protect wood, as well as all kinds of paint coatings represented very widely. It will not be difficult to find a product that will combine the necessary qualities.

Whatever material and design is chosen, the bench will be unique because it was made by hand. Remember about safety measures; all work must be accompanied by the use of protective equipment.

A cozy bench is one of essential elements interior of a summer cottage. This is where you can calmly read a book or spend an interesting evening in the company of friends. Every person has different aesthetic preferences. And to satisfy them, it is best to try to create benches for your garden with your own hands. Take, for example, an old orchard. A wooden bench decorated with forged ornaments is perfect for it. Products with stone supports and pedestals also look good. And if we are talking about a recently laid out area, then the best solution there will be a bench in a light romantic style.

If you decide, first you have to make a drawing of garden furniture. This raises questions about sizes. Usually people prefer to adjust these values ​​to suit themselves. But you can simply use the general principles:

• seat height – from 35 to 50 cm;
• width – 50–55 cm;
• back height – up to 55 cm.

As for the material, in this case almost any available means will do. Of course, you can purchase a ready-made bench, but it is much cheaper to make it yourself.

What kind of benches are there?

The most common are ordinary wooden benches with a back. They are quite easy to assemble and look pretty decent.

Forged benches look beautiful, and they last for many decades. However, to make them you need to have specific skills and tools.

Stone seats various types. It is with the help of this material that it is convenient to create very interesting combinations. Minus similar structures it can be considered that in winter time You can't sit on it for long. In addition, it will not be possible to move the “furniture”.

Wooden seats are considered the best option for independent creativity. The wood is easy to process and available. It is easy to make a bench of any shape and style. For example, a simple bench can be made from an old trunk by simply sawing it into two equal parts.

To work you will need a certain set of tools, however, the most common are:

• saw,
• plane,
• jigsaw,
• sandpaper,
• construction pencil and tape measure,
• a hammer with nails or a screwdriver with self-tapping screws.

Note! The thickness of the boards intended for sitting is desirable 25 mm. You can take it thicker, but it is the twenty-five-millimeter surface that pleasantly springs under a person’s weight and provides comfort. An important condition there should be no knots, at least large ones, that reduce strength.

Let's take a closer look at several types of garden structures.

One of the simplest is rural bench. Textured curved boards are perfect for it. On the one hand, they should be smoothly planed so that they are comfortable to sit on. Using a plane, their edges are trimmed and given a rounded appearance. If the workpieces contain cracks, this will only add an original appearance to the product. The damage can even be increased slightly for greater effect. After adjusting the dimensions, the parts need to be impregnated with an antiseptic and sanded. For the bench you need to select one or more narrow boards, preferably without surface defects. Two strong bars are perfect for the legs.

The second option is even simpler. The bench is being manufactured from a single piece of wood. This is not only creative, but also very practical. The main condition here is that the tree trunk has a suitable diameter. In addition, you need to look at the side branches. It’s good if they grew almost perfectly one above the other. Therefore, selecting source material is not easy. And to get the bench itself you don’t need many tools: sandpaper, saw, stain, antiseptic and varnish. The log must be cut exactly in the center. The upper part can be used for firewood, but the lower part can be processed further. Ideally, only those branches that are intended to serve as supports are pruned. Even if they are crooked or beveled, this will only give the item a special charm.

A simple and solid bench can be done literally from several bricks and one board. Masonry is needed for support legs. The height of the columns should be approximately 7 blocks. You need to leave a small recess at the very top; the flat seat will then be fixed in it. To decorate the sides of such a structure, you can install flowerpots for flowers.

The most difficult option would be transformable bench, which quickly turns from an ordinary sofa into garden table with benches. True, you will have to think about the drawing, but it is worth it. Such a bench will consist of two parts: a bench and a backrest that can be moved. And it is this backrest, when tipped over, that will serve as a tabletop. The main problem in this case is reliable fastening moving components. To make the structure stable, it is better to lower the seat lower and place the supports wider.

Video

We suggest making a nice garden bench using the following video instructions:

Photo

No one will argue that a bench is simply a necessary attribute for any summer cottage. There are a great many types of garden benches, but in this article we will look at a very simple classic version of a bench designed for 2 people, which is not difficult to make with your own hands. The bench should be strong and not heavy; it can be easily moved by two people to any place on the site.

Below you will find a working 3D model of this bench, which can be rotated in all directions, as well as drawings of the bench parts from which it will be assembled.

So what do we need?
Since you will be doing it yourself, you need to stock up on the following tools and materials:

Tools

1. Circular saw (you can get by with a simple hacksaw for wood).
2. Planer (if you use unplaned boards).
3. Drill or screwdriver (with drills and bits).
4. Measuring tool (tape and corner).
5. Wrench.
6. Paint brush.
7. A grinder or hacksaw for cutting a threaded rod to size.

Materials

1. Edged board 100*40 mm.
2. Edged board 100*25 mm.
3. Furniture screws or threaded rod with a diameter of 8-10 mm:
4. Nuts and washers for the selected screw size.
5. Self-tapping screws with a countersunk head for fastening the elements of the back and seat of the bench.
6. Self-tapping screws with a turnkey head for fastening the power strut - 4 pcs.
7. Abrasive sandpaper (you can use a drill attachment, or ideally use a surface grinder).
8. Protective impregnation for wood.
9. Wood putty for sealing screw heads.

After all the elements of the future garden bench have been sawed and planed, you can begin assembling it yourself. And below are her isometric drawings with dimensions.

BY SIZES:
I adapted the model of this bench to the sizes that are often found in lumber at our sawmills, but this nasty but is always present. When preparing parts, rely on the main (overall) dimensions, because unplaned material can have a spread of up to 5-8 mm. Accordingly, you will have to make adjustments to the dimensions of your structure.

Drawing of a garden bench made of wood 1400 mm wide.

Assembling a garden bench

1. Assembling the sides of the bench.
   We drill holes for threaded connections. You can make a hole in the wood with a special drill if you want to recess the caps and nuts. To make it easier to work, you can first fix the entire structure of the side of the bench with clamps or thin nails (screws).
2. We secure the sidewall structure with screws and nuts (a washer should be placed under the bolt head and nut). Do not tighten too much right away; you may have to move the entire structure further for better stability.
3. We perform the same operation with the second sidewall.
4. Connect the two sides of the bench using a spacer-tension element (below).
   Secure it with large self-tapping screws.
5. Secure the seat and back elements with self-tapping screws using a screwdriver. The gap according to the drawing between the boards is 5 mm (use, for example, nails or screws of appropriate thickness as a spacer).
6. Tighten all threaded connections.
7. Apply wood putty to all recessed heads of the screws securing the seat and back of the bench.
8. Sand all over with abrasive sandpaper wooden surfaces so as not to plant a splinter and smooth out the putty. All external corners can be rounded.
9. Apply protective impregnation or paint to all surfaces in two layers with intermediate drying.
10. Voila! After drying, the DIY garden bench is ready for installation.

• Lumber dimensions are nominal. When purchasing boards, add at least 10% to the total footage for possible losses.
• To save lumber, start cutting boards with the longest elements.
• The width of the garden bench can be made at your discretion, just keep in mind that a larger width will cause the seat boards to sag under the weight of the body and the structure will have to be strengthened.
• Whether to install the bottom board of the bench back is at your discretion.
• To minimize accidental bruises and injuries, file or cut off all sharp corners of the seat and backrest elements.
• If lumber is used to make a garden bench natural humidity(not dried), then the dimensions and gaps may change during drying and it is better not to varnish it until the wood is completely dry.

3D model of a garden bench

Click on the picture, wait for it to load and use the left mouse button held down to rotate the model. Rotate the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. Watch full screen - icon in the lower right corner. Exit full screen - Esc key.
To fully view 3D models, you need to download the SkethUp viewer program from the official website (free) and install it on your computer. You can download this model for viewing by clicking on the logo in the lower left corner of the viewing window.

Drawing: bench details

This figure shows a diagram with the number of parts and main dimensions.

Examples of similar garden benches

A similar bench with a lighter backrest on one board. As an option for weight loss.

And here is a variant of a bench with a rear shelf on the back. Moreover, the author did correct angle on the backrest reinforcements at the top, and the shelf turned out to be in the correct plane.

The same option with a rear shelf on the back. But here the author did not make the right angle, and the shelf turned out to be littered.
Please note that here, 4 boards are also used on the seat, and 3 on the back. The elements of the bench are varnished.

In the photo below you see a whole ensemble of three benches. Quite a good idea for a relaxation corner on the site. But it seems to me that the long bench should have been strengthened in the middle, otherwise a sag appears, which is what I wrote about above.

With that, thank you for your attention, I was glad if it helped someone. Post your options for made garden benches below in the comments or send them to me by email.

About how to make a large stationary and heavy one garden bench, you can read in another article: “Garden bench with back and armrests”, drawings and dimensions are attached.

If you want to purchase a ready-made garden bench, we advise you to contact a trusted furniture seller Kupistol, they offer a wide range to suit every taste and budget.